Welcome Newbies! Helpful info for week 1 - #2

[peaches0416]

okay, I understand. You're working so hard I can't believe it hasn't caught up yet, hopefully next week will adjust it. I don't know what to say? just don't give up because I feel like this is the one that will work if you stick with it, I will and today is the hardest because usually every Friday night my husband and I go to dinner at our fav. Italian place, homemade pasta and lots of red wine and I haven't had either now for 3 weeks but I keep telling myself it will be worth it. People are starting to notice at work that makes me feel good.

Have a positive weekend!!

[LTinNC]

thanks peaches! dont feel badly, there is nothing to say. i know i have the most stubborn body and i am hypothyroid , too, so weight loss is next to impossible sometimes.

dh and i also have given up our weekend out to eat trips to bonefish....i just tell myself that saves enough money to pay for the medi visit!

you have a great weekend too!
lisa

[peaches0416]

today at work there was a big lunch and the food that was brought in was amazing, usually I just stay away from the meetings that have food but I wanted to take a quick look and see what they had and they had fried chicken, veggie lasagna, collard greens rice and beans oh it was beautiful but I had some collard greens and a white piece of baked chicken. The hardest part was something i love so much and haven't had for awhile. Peach Cobbler and it was still warm. then after that in the cafeteria they had a free ben and jerrys ice cream party. I didn't even walk into that room. I'm feeling strong, you have a good weekend too!
Diana

[peaches0416]

Wow I can't believe the ticker worked I thought I'd try it didn't expect to do it right.

[MiniMomma]

cute puppy ticker It is empowering when you pass up the foods that used to tempt you. I dont look at those foods as beautiful now that I realize they are poison to me and my health!

Congrats on all the new peeps and their losses

[peaches0416]

3rd weight in, was worried but lost 5lbs. I'm very happy about that.

Minimama: I shouldn't have used the word "beautiful" maybe tempting is a better word. I know now that I don't have to eat it now and that one day I can probably have some of the foods I loved but ate too much of. My favorite is Eggplant Parm and instead of a whole here I could one day have a small piece. At least I'm hoping so.

Good luck to all this week.

[LTinNC]

diana (peaches) i am SO happy for you!!! you are doing great and staying so strong!!!

minimama- i really like the vision of thinking of tempting foods as poison! i can visualize that!

[peaches0416]

Thanks for the encouragement. I feel terrible yesterday was the first bad day, we had to go to a friends house for Sunday dinner (an older couple) and she cooked all day for us but I was hoping there would be something else i could eat and maybe she wouldn't notice I didn't eat alot. She made lasagna and served wine. so I ate, needless to say I'm not in ketosis today. I know I'll get right back to the diet but I just feel awful about it.

[sarbinator]

HI!!! I am new to the site and this thread. I started Medi WeightLoss last Wednesday (4/18) at the Gainesville, FL clinic. Super excited! I have tried Weight Watchers, Medical Weight Loss (in Michigan, not the same but had great results before my wedding 4 years ago), Nutrisystem (yuck). I currently "live" in Michigan and Gainesville FL, traveling back and forth every week. You can probably guess, this isn't going to be easy. But, I'm determined to make this work. All the travel has not been nice to me and my weightloss goals. Airport food is awful for any waistline.

The first day on Medi WeightLoss was terrible, flu-like symptoms, dizzy, fatigued, grouchy, lack of concentration, low-no energy. All around TERRIBLE. But, then I woke up on day 2 and felt a lot better. I guess my body was getting rid of alot of junk. Planning my food has been a challenge but I'm finding that TSA doesn't care what's in your lunch bag as long as it's not liquid. Days 2-5, I'm finding myself very hungry, growling tummy, around 5pm. Seems the AS is not working very well, but I push through it, I will overcome my hunger. Drinking lots of water! Something weird happened yesterday, my lymph nodes in my neck got super swollen and sore. I don't feel sick or anything. Today it's alot better, but I've never had this happen before and I can only attribute it to the diet.

Well, weigh-in is tomorrow. I think it will be good. I feel less bloated and my pants already fit better. YEA!

[LTinNC]

@sarbinator welcome! and good luck at your weigh in! you are doing great with planning! all that traveling can not be easy!

i am in week 4. i weigh in on friday mornings in cary nc. i am down 8.4 lbs. slowly but surely!

[Bahet]

Originally Posted by JD29

Follow the plan. It works. I am on my last day of week 7 and thru 6 weeks, I have gone from 237 to 214. Week 7 weigh in is tomorrow, and according to my scale (many say throw it away, not me...I want to know) I am at 209 this morning. I have already gone from a 40 pants size to a 36 and can now wear XL shirts instead of 2XL. The first week is tough, but don't give up. Stick to the plan and you will get through it. It gets easier after that. By week3, I had to make myself eat. Here are a few tips that have worked for me:

1. Plan your meals for the week and shop accordingly.
2. Eat your biggest meal in the morning. And eat often. I am allowed 700 cal of protein per day. I generally have about 250 cal for breakfast (7am), have a Medi Peanut Butter Bar (my favorite) at 10 (100 cals), eat lunch at noonish (175 cals ~ 5oz of lean meat plus a small salad; not in week 1 though), 3pm ~ 2oz of lean deli meat (70 cals), and 4oz of lean meat/seafood or 3 oz beef for dinner ~ 6pm (140 - 165 cal) and sometimes a veggie.
3. Drink. And then drink some more. After that, have a drink.
4. If I am out of calories and need something at night, sugar free jello is good.
5. Buy a pill tray and fill it for the entire week. This is a huge time saver. Also, buy a little travel container so you always have them with you ( I take my 10 am/Noon/2pm pills with me to work).
6. Make sure you take your pills. Like everyone, I get pretty busy, but I set my Outlook at work and my cell phone to remind me to take my pills.
7. Stay positive and understand that this is not a diet, but a lifestyle change. The biggest hurdle is the mental one. The physical cravings go away rather quickly.

Once you get into a routine, it becomes natural and pretty easy. Once you start your weigh-ins and see the weight coming off, it's even easier.

Good luck - hope this helps.

Wonderfully helpful!! I work from home so access to things will be easy for me (hubby and I both start tomorrow) but he works in an office. I'll have to pass these tips along so he can remember to take the pills. Not quite sure how I'll work his lunches though - maybe tuna salad or lunch meat or leftovers. I'm sure they'll give us some ideas tomorrow too.

[peaches0416]

Originally Posted by sarbinator

HI!!! I am new to the site and this thread. I started Medi WeightLoss last Wednesday (4/18) at the Gainesville, FL clinic. Super excited! I have tried Weight Watchers, Medical Weight Loss (in Michigan, not the same but had great results before my wedding 4 years ago), Nutrisystem (yuck). I currently "live" in Michigan and Gainesville FL, traveling back and forth every week. You can probably guess, this isn't going to be easy. But, I'm determined to make this work. All the travel has not been nice to me and my weightloss goals. Airport food is awful for any waistline.

The first day on Medi WeightLoss was terrible, flu-like symptoms, dizzy, fatigued, grouchy, lack of concentration, low-no energy. All around TERRIBLE. But, then I woke up on day 2 and felt a lot better. I guess my body was getting rid of alot of junk. Planning my food has been a challenge but I'm finding that TSA doesn't care what's in your lunch bag as long as it's not liquid. Days 2-5, I'm finding myself very hungry, growling tummy, around 5pm. Seems the AS is not working very well, but I push through it, I will overcome my hunger. Drinking lots of water! Something weird happened yesterday, my lymph nodes in my neck got super swollen and sore. I don't feel sick or anything. Today it's alot better, but I've never had this happen before and I can only attribute it to the diet.

Well, weigh-in is tomorrow. I think it will be good. I feel less bloated and my pants already fit better. YEA!

Welcome, just know it gets easier as you go along, especially if you see progress the first week it gives you motive to go forward. Best of luck on weigh in.

[Maggie79]

Hi Everyone. I am a first week newbie to Medi and am so happy to have found this site. I had my first official weigh in and have lost 9.5 pounds! Only 100.5 more to go.

[mrs_d]

Originally Posted by Maggie79

Hi Everyone. I am a first week newbie to Medi and am so happy to have found this site. I had my first official weigh in and have lost 9.5 pounds! Only 100.5 more to go.

Congratulations Maggie79! That was also my first week loss! You are doing awesome. Just had my third weigh in this afternoon and I am down another 3.8 lbs which brings my total to 18.3 lbs in 3 weeks!

I am so thankful that I found this site. Everyone here is so friendly and have given me the strength to keep going. Hope everyone has a fantastic week.

[LTinNC]

week 4 weigh in down 2.6lb. total of 11lb for the 4 weeks. not bad for my stubborn body!

i got to see a counselor who was filling in from another clinic today. at first i was like, uh, i want my normal people, but then i was like, hey, it will be nice to get a second opinion on why my weight loss is so slow!

she really didnt have a reason, but showed me i have lost 10.5lbs of fat and .5 of water. i have lost no lean muscle mass. so what i am doing diet wise is correct and my body is just a slow responder.

she did not really like that i exercise 7 days a week for 60 mins and suggested i take a day off. ok... i can do that!

so, i am onto week 5 and hanging in there....

[sarbinator]

Great job LTinNC! I felt the same way this week. My counselor wasn't there this week as well and I was uncomfortable with that at first too.

I have a question for the ladies, so men read at your own risk! I started TOM earlier this week, and I'm not due for my cycle until next week. I'm on the pill so I'm pretty regular. Anyone else have spotting or breakthrough bleeding when they started Medi? I asked the counselor and she said that they see that a lot in the female patients.

[Gulaab]

sarbinator the same thing happened to me. I asked the office and they said its pretty normal for your cycle to change when you lose a good amount of weight. Needless to say it SUCKED cause I finished my cycle and 3 days later got it again But it has seemed to even out now.

[Maggie79]

mrs d,

Thank you and congratulations to you also. Tommorrow will be my second official weigh in and I am hoping that I am continuing to lose. I was able to add my veggies this week. I never realized how much I missed the "crunch" of lettuce! LOL I went out and purchased some of the Walden Farms products since they are basically a free food to have. Not bad, but everything is sweet due to the Splenda. But, since it is zero calories, I will eat it and like it!

Originally Posted by mrs_d

Congratulations Maggie79! That was also my first week loss! You are doing awesome. Just had my third weigh in this afternoon and I am down another 3.8 lbs which brings my total to 18.3 lbs in 3 weeks!

I am so thankful that I found this site. Everyone here is so friendly and have given me the strength to keep going. Hope everyone has a fantastic week.

[latees]

Today is my 4th day on the program. I was so exhausted yesterday after walking 3 miles and felt so weak this morning. My scale at home says I lost 7 lbs my weigh in will be on Thursday. I was excited that I reached Ketosis on my 3rd morning even though I was told not to check until the 4th morning. I am having a hard time with getting enough protein I am expected to eat between 600-800. Cant wait for my first official weigh in on Thurday

[peaches0416]

Originally Posted by LTinNC

week 4 weigh in down 2.6lb. total of 11lb for the 4 weeks. not bad for my stubborn body!

i got to see a counselor who was filling in from another clinic today. at first i was like, uh, i want my normal people, but then i was like, hey, it will be nice to get a second opinion on why my weight loss is so slow!

she really didnt have a reason, but showed me i have lost 10.5lbs of fat and .5 of water. i have lost no lean muscle mass. so what i am doing diet wise is correct and my body is just a slow responder.

she did not really like that i exercise 7 days a week for 60 mins and suggested i take a day off. ok... i can do that!

so, i am onto week 5 and hanging in there....

Congrats on your latest weight in, it may be slow but it's steady. I didn't have my normal person either but this one didn't talk hardly and I wasn't prepared with any questions. keep it up!

[LTinNC]

thanks peaches!

[peaches0416]

Had my 4th week weight in on Saturday and down 3 lbs which brings me to a total of 20 lbs.

Found out I was doing something wrong I thought you had to have your protein and then as many veggies as you wanted as long as you stuck with the calories. Now I understand you have to have 500-550 of protein only and only 1 or 2 veggies a day. I was having chicken breast 2 servings @ 70 calories and then 4 helpings of broccoli at 25 cal. each so I'm thinking the meal is 170 calories. I'm finding it hard to change mid way but what the heck maybe this will be a good week too. I go on vacation next Sunday so I will have one more weight in and then I'll miss a week.

Good luck to all you Newbies, I'm happy to say this really seems to work.

[peaches0416]

By the way does anyoen know how to update the tracker in my profile under signature?

[LTinNC]

WTG peaches! 20lbs in 4 weeks is incredible!!!!! have fun on vacation!

[Jessica1129]

Originally Posted by peaches0416

Had my 4th week weight in on Saturday and down 3 lbs which brings me to a total of 20 lbs.

Found out I was doing something wrong I thought you had to have your protein and then as many veggies as you wanted as long as you stuck with the calories. Now I understand you have to have 500-550 of protein only and only 1 or 2 veggies a day. I was having chicken breast 2 servings @ 70 calories and then 4 helpings of broccoli at 25 cal. each so I'm thinking the meal is 170 calories. I'm finding it hard to change mid way but what the heck maybe this will be a good week too. I go on vacation next Sunday so I will have one more weight in and then I'll miss a week.

Good luck to all you Newbies, I'm happy to say this really seems to work.

I guess the clinic guidelines vary by location, because my clinic wants me having at least 3 servings of veggies a day. They told me its best to have a serving with every meal, and that spinach is basically unlimited. Congrats on your weigh-in!!

[andyg-fit-in-2012]

IRS GUIDE LINES


You can include in medical expenses amounts you pay to lose weight if it is a treatment for a specific disease diagnosed by a physician (such as obesity, hypertension, or heart disease). This includes fees you pay for membership in a weight reduction group as well as fees for attendance at periodic meetings. You cannot include membership dues in a gym, health club, or spa as medical expenses, but you can include separate fees charged there for weight loss activities.
You cannot include the cost of diet food or beverages in medical expenses because the diet food and beverages substitute for what is normally consumed to satisfy nutritional needs. You can include the cost of special food in medical expenses only if:
1. The food does not satisfy normal nutritional needs,
2. The food alleviates or treats an illness, and
3. The need for the food is substantiated by a physician.
The amount you can include in medical expenses is limited to the amount by which the cost of the special food exceeds the cost of a normal diet. See also Weight-Loss Program under What Expenses Are Not Includible, later.

Nutritional Supplements
You cannot include in medical expenses the cost of nutritional supplements, vitamins, herbal supplements, “natural medicines,” etc. unless they are recommended by a medical practitioner as treatment for a specific medical condition diagnosed by a physician. Otherwise, these items are taken to maintain your ordinary good health, and are not for medical care.

I Just write off the whole program minus the food I Buy

[peaches0416]

Andyg, so I'm assuming you write it off because you have gotten such a diagnosis from a doctor? I'll keep this in mind for next year can we safely say diabetes would be included in that diagnosis? For Medi it would be the intial fee and the weekly fee minus any vitamins then? Sounds good for next year.

[peaches0416]

Jessica,
Thanks for the support. I really love my veggies so I'm going to have them 1x a day but more than 1/2 cup that is just a tease.

[peaches0416]

Originally Posted by LTinNC

WTG peaches! 20lbs in 4 weeks is incredible!!!!! have fun on vacation!

Since my husband has to work and can't come on vac with me, I think I'll enjoy fixing my own breakfast/lunch and then go out for dinner. I'll stick with healty food mostly fish since he won't even look at it and my only cheat(s) will be wine at night, love my red wine and it's been 4 weeks so I'll do plenty of reading and sipping red wine. oh and the hotel has a great gym so I'll keep that up too. I feel almost like I'm going to a self imposed weight spa instead of vacation, can't wait.

[andyg-fit-in-2012]

Originally Posted by peaches0416

Andyg, so I'm assuming you write it off because you have gotten such a diagnosis from a doctor? I'll keep this in mind for next year can we safely say diabetes would be included in that diagnosis? For Medi it would be the intial fee and the weekly fee minus any vitamins then? Sounds good for next year.

There is an actual doctor at the clinic where I go. So it is under a doctors care
include the fat burner and omega3 also they were prescribed also in the program to me.