Our bodies are funny. You're right, the math does not add up. Weight loss is not linear. Sometimes we lose inches instead of pounds and sometimes our bodies just need a little time to get used to this new way of eating or lower weight..



I can say that stick to the 5 & 1 and the pounds will come off. Why we have good weeks and not so good weeks, who knows. Our bodies are funny. This is by far the BEST plan I have ever found..



Stick with it, you'll be glad you did..

I have what I call "The Bunny Hop Theory". First weight, then inches, then weight, etc. The initial weight loss is SO motivating because we are so tied into the scale number. But you STILL usually get physically smaller in weeks 3 and 4 where some get frustrated and sadly many give up. So take out the tape measure! And if you didn't measure in the beginning? Try a pair of pants there were snug! Got a pair that's snug now? Try them in 5 days..

The thing to remember is that all you have is today. Stay OP today and you never know what tomorrow might bring. This challenge is what makes you a greater person, I promise (words to future self who was once near goal and gave up!).

Best advice I can give is hang in there - here is an example of why - recently had a 3 week period of slower than normal losses - 2 of those weeks lost 1# each week - 3 week number about 4# - but a pair of dressy shorts that fit well at the beginning of that 3 week period had to be rolled at the waist to stay where they belonged - now 4# did not make me drop a size or more - so I am staying calm and examining what I am doing to see were/if I need to tighten up but not kicking myself about the numbers..

As for whether little things you list can slow things up - check the carb counts - first of all if you are going toward the higher end cal wise remember some foods that we are ALLOWED on plan contain carbs -so you may be putting yourself at the higher end carb wise - and THEN the crystal lite and the extra gum and even the lemon juice (do not use them so do not know the carb count) could be putting you too high in the carbs. even items that say 0 carbs just mean less than 1 carb per serving so may be enough <1's to add up. just some thoughts..

My weight came off fast at first. Now it's pretty slow and I still have 80 pounds to lose! Last week I had a good loss week and I think it was because I had fish M-F. This week I'm actually showing a .75 lb GAIN so far...my weigh in day is Sunday, so maybe I'll show a small loss..

My suggestion is try eating fish five times a week and try drinking the Medifast shakes instead of the other food items for most of your Medifast meals..

I think I figured out whats wrong. For the first month I ordered a sample package and was eating mainly soups, shakes, oatmeal and eggs which are all lower in carbs. Then for the second month I ordered pretty much everything else and decided to try them all during my fifth week. So no more oatmeal and soups. I do like cereal, puffs and pretzels and pancakes but those are the items with 14-15 carbs. Medifast says we can choose any meals but it doesnt really work. I guess next week I will go back to my soups..

There's no rhyme or reason. I lost 19 the fiery month then things slowed 1.5 or 2.4 per week got little discouraged with the 1.5. But this week nothing different I'lost 7 pounds this week! Don't ask why I've no idea. But I don't worry bout lemons or extra gum or a little too much of something. Just stay on track and have faith it will happen..

This actually isn't the case. Oatmeal has 15g of carbs, soups have 13g. I think the shakes even have 13 or 14. The original eggs are the lowest with 8, southwest ones go up to 11g or 13g I believe..

Yeah oatmeal is higher than I thought. Chicken noodle is 11 though. I ate lots of those at first..

I like your "bunny hop theory"! I didnt measure myself at first, was thinking that I will just go by the scale. gonna start measuring now that my weight loss is slower..

The program is designed for all the meals to be interchangeable and for us to not have to count our carbs. They've made it easy for us..

It really shouldn't make any difference what Medifast meal you eat since it all balances out in the wash, so to speak..

As others have said, hang in there and follow the plan, but try not to analyze it too much. Our bodies are adjusting and trying to figure out what we are doing..

If you are really concerned about the different carb levels and if they affect the weight loss I'd give the nutritional support a call. They'll be able to help..

I wouldn't try to overthink this too much. As long as you stay within the guidelines, and barring any physical or medical issues, you should lose "on average" two to five pounds a week. Currently, it looks like you have averaged 2.5 pounds, so you seem to be right in there..

Our bodies are all very different, as you know, and respond differently to a program such as MF. Your trend may be different than mine. I would advise that you watch those little extras. One would think a couple extra carbs shouldn't make a difference, you never quite know. Some can get away with the high end of calories and carbs, and some can't. I don't believe on a personal level, there is an exact science about this.

I do no more than 85 carbs, and keep the cals at around 900 or less. For me this works great. Others do it differently. I can tell you I have never worried about which Medifast foods I eat. I pay more attention to my L&G choices..

Stick with it. I think, for the amount of weight you ultimately have to lose, you are doing very well..

Glenn.

I like to do the math too. AND I like to see the scale go down..

You have in 3 weeks lost 6.25% of your body weight. For someone starting at 300 lbs, that would have been 19 lbs. So you are doing GREAT!.

You implied you are working out and sometimes eating extra protein. In the first 3 weeks, you are not supposed to work out unless you did it before MF, and then only half the intensity. For me, when I started working out, I lost 0 lbs that week. Even though I was OP. BUT I lose 2% body fat. So that meant I lost 3 lbs of fat and gained 3 lbs of muscle.

So that was a big win. My scale measures body fat which is a huge motivator when the scale ain't movin'..

Another week as I approached goal, the weight loss was going very slow. I usually only measure once a month. But mid month I measured, and found I had lost an inch just about everywhere. So again, little to no weight loss with lots of inches lost. So go measure yourself now!.

Are you logging everything? Crystal Lite wreaked havoc on my system so I had to quit it. And I learned that most sugar free gums contain 2 gr carbs. Really? You might be eating more carbs than you think..

Many people have said it - weight loss isn't linear. After my 0 loss week, I lost 3. In the beginning, you will lose more and then it tapers off. First month, I lost 13.5, second 7.5, third 6.5, fourth and goal month 6. But it all adds up. TRY to stick with it, even during those weeks where it is going slow.

If you look at the longer term, it DOES come off. And when you look back, it comes off FAST! In 4 months, I lost 33.5 lbs. We have similar starting weights. So just think, before Thanksgiving, you will be at goal. If you do the plan perfectly and clean (eg no condiments, low carb, leanest, extra water) you will get there even faster.



MF is a wonderful plan that works. My advice would be to eat the Medifast foods you like and not worry which has a couple more carbs than the other. Follow the plan, and the weight WILL come off..

I am a daily weigher as it keeps me in check. Not all people can handle it because they get de-motivated if the scale doesn't move. It sounds like you are doing GREAT on the plan - sticking to it, not feeling weak or struggling with following it. So you are doing wonderful..

Now go take those measurements!.

Are you measuring your waist, leg and neck along with tracking your weight? Fabric sewing tape is very inexpensive and a good way to track other results and successes along the way..

Sometimes when you think your not losing you are. This week I lost only 2 pounds. That is the lowest number in a week that I've had since starting the plan. However, I lost an inch around my waist this week. Previous to this week, I lost only 1.5" around my waist after 17 pounds lost. I was very concerned with only losing 2 pounds and my weigh in is tomorrow, but after I saw that I lost an inch around my waist this week, I'm happy.

If that trend continues, you will be to your goal before Christmas! Hang in there!.

I agree - don't over think it. All that math is just to be used as "guidelines". There are so many variables to be considered, especially in a program like Medifast..

Week 3 is a COMMON slow-down or stall week for most people. In my 3rd week I lost ZERO. I was probably upset about it at the time, but looking back almost a year later, it's pretty insignificant, given that I am down 90 lbs!.

The reason week 3 is a slow week is because your metabolism is adjusting for the drastic change you have presented to your body. It takes about that long for everything to catch up - and your body says "whoooa - what's going on here?" It starts to conserve energy and retain fluids as a protective mechanism. Then, a few days later it realizes, "oh, I am still alive, and nothing actually seems wrong" and you start to lose again..

Just hang in there. Try to zoom out and focus on the bigger picture of why you are doing this and staying on plan. Trust the plan. It will work..

Simple math never worked for me as far as weight loss went on most programs. I have a mitochodrial metabolic disorder, so it was never as simple for me as calories in/calories out. Medifast is the first thing that has worked for me in years as far as weight loss has gone. And that is even with trying things that worked for me in the past. Those plans just didn't work anymore!.

That being said, you don't have a lot to lose, and for what you've lost so far, I think you are doing great! Like Glenn said, don't overthink it too much. I don't think you should worry too much about eating too many carbs. Just eat what you like on the program and stick to the 5 & 1. As long as you stick to it, you will see results over time. the results just may not happen as quickly as you would like!.

I agree with the others. Get a tape measure!! You may not be seeing results at the scale, but I bet you will see changes in inches if you start keeping track!.

Stick with it, you will be glad that you did! I have a lot to lose, and even I have been having weeks where I only lose 1 pound. The math doesn't work for me either. If I look at what I should be losing according the math, it should be at least 3-4 pounds per week. So, I just trust the plan and don't let myself get too caught up in the math. I would like it to happen faster, but Rome wasn't built in a day! I didn't gain this weight overnight, and I won't lose it overnight either. This is a process, and we have to give it time to work. Don't give up!!.

Crissy.

Thanks everyone! Have updated my ticker, I lost 11.2 by now. This week, as of today, .2 lbs down. I did notice that the pants that I wore on Monday don't fit me today around my waist. So maybe it is the inches week. Decided to skip Crystal Light, coffee, and gum for the rest of the week and also skip condiments. I think I have no self-control when it comes to those.

I use LoseIt and I like it the best because it lets me log foods by tablespoons or cups, instead of just "a serving size" as in MyFitness Pal. So now I can see exactly how much I am eating and will adjust my L&G as I go..

Another factor to consider is hormones and water retention. Around "that time of the month," your body has a lot going on hormonally. And simply doing the math doesn't take that into consideration..

And your body retains fluid at various times, for various reasons. Did you have more salt on a given day? Exercise can lead to fluid retention also. More complication in the equation! :-).

I agree with others: follow the plan, eat the Medifast foods you like, measure your L&G carefully, and watch the extras. You'll get there!.

Chris.