# 6 A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO MEDI-FAST

In 1942, when I was seven, I became listless, ran a slight fever and had no appetite. I was eventually diagnosed with tuberculosis and put to bed where I stayed for a year, except for treatments with a sun lamp and fresh air and to go downstairs for an occasional dinner. I wasn't hungry and didn't want to eat and my parents were desperate to encourage me to gain weight. I remember a spectrum of their incentives, from offering me a dollar (which was a lot more money in 1942) for every pound I could gain, to making me stay at the table long after dinner was over until I had finished everything on my plate. A stubborn little boy, I put my sandwiches for lunch down behind the books in my bookshelf and surreptitiously poured the eggnogs my mother made for me down the bathroom sink. She quickly caught on; she could smell the nutmeg in the bathroom. I posit now - especially since my sister is a psychotherapist in eating disorders - that I was probably anorexic, long before that malady had a recognized name.

Anorexia, my sister tells me, is always about control in an environment where her client has little other control, and is sometimes a result of sexual abuse. Another curious thing about my childhood is that I have no memories before that time in my life, another sign of blocking out something too horrible to remember. During many years of therapy, my shrink and I tried on the theory that my brother, eight years my senior, overflowing with hormones and with whom I shared a room, had sexually abused me. But like trying on a coat one thinks of buying that doesn't fit, this theory never felt right to me. (My brother died many years ago.)

Finally, a child specialist here in Baltimore, urged my parents to get me up and let me be a normal eight-year old kid. They still worried about my weight but I gradually gained some pounds and some height until by the time I was in high school, at 6'1", I weighed 145 pounds. Even two years in the Army didn't add any weight to my skinny, rib-showing body. Somewhere during a student tour of Europe when I was in college, I started smoking - like so many who do, I wanted to be like the others on the tour - and my weight stalled at 145 until I was 37, when I gave up (for the final time) the nasty cigarette habit. Suddenly, food was no longer just sustenance, to be stopped when I was no longer hungry, but I actually tasted it, for the first time in my life. And I liked the tastes. I immediately gained 30 pounds in the next six months.

How ludicrous it seems that now, here toward the end of my life, I'm trying desperately to lose weight when at the beginning, others were frantic for me to gain it. And how odd that I should be writing two blogs, one devoted to rich recipes filled with butter and cream - recipes that got me here - and the other chronicling my meager meals without the very ingredients I  espouse in my other forum. Life is truly strange. Or maybe it's just me. 

But the program works. I've lost 22 pounds since the Fourth of July.

Stay tuned.
 

#5 EXERCISE

I started a modest exercise program this week to support my weight loss. The information suggests that I walk only 10 minutes in the beginning and I tried walking around the block. Given my lasting physical problems, it was somewhat difficult and I had to really strive to make it back home. I also spent 10 minutes on the stationary bicycle, good for my replaced knees, so my doctor says. And I tried 50 sit-ups on the ball in my gym. They were relatively easy despite the muscular pains in my back. So, not expansive, but at least a beginning.

My doctor has put me on a new medication and warned that it might make me a little unsteady at first - true - but that I would get used to it. My blood pressure has dropped dramatically back into low normal range so I'm pleased about that. And I've now lost 21 pounds.

The Medi-Fast program grows a little tedious - I'm tired of eating dehydrated food - but it's working. How bad can that be?

Stay tuned.

#4 OTHER ASSISTANCE

In addition to the food, a wealth of information comes with the Medi-Fast program in a subsidiary, or ancillary, program called “Taking Shape for Life.”  Once enrolled in Medi-Fast, one becomes an automatic member of TSFL at no additional cost. This entity provides written pamphlets that amplify, or modify, the Medi-Fast program for those of us, like me, with special needs – the elderly, those on blood thinners, those with diabetes, etc. It also give hints about exercise – when to take it and how much – and ultimately how to transition from the program once you’ve achieved your desired weight. TSFL also gives you a real, live coach – mine is Jill (she lives in San Diego) – who calls to see how you’re doing or whom you can call with questions. Jill called me after the second and fourth days I was on the program, just to be sure I understood how it worked and to be available to answer any questions. She was delighted, and I think mildly surprised, that I had lost so much weight in so little time. She’s very sweet and it’s incredibly helpful to have human encouragement and approval.

            I must admit that I still don’t love the food. Jill reminds me that when I reorder (if I do) that I can order what I want, and perhaps should be making those decisions now, as the program goes along. I like the drinks – chocolate, strawberry, and French vanilla – and the soups are okay: chicken with wild rice, tomato bisque. The chili is a little spicy for me and the sloppy Joes are pretty good. I like the brownie better than the chocolate chip cookie. I also like the oatmeal and the Cherrio-like berry cereal, which I’ve grown accustomed to eating without milk (although Jill tells me I can use almond milk for it if I like). But I usually bring it dry, into my office and just eat it by the handful, while I check my morning email and bring my blogs up to date. I definitely don’t prefer (a more polite way to say I really dislike) the parmesan puffs and the pizza sticks. I tell you all this mostly to demonstrate the variety of things available. I love the granola-like bars, easy to carry around if I’m going out to do shopping and will be away from home at some scheduled eat time. They’re slightly sweet and nicely crunchy. And the mac and cheese ain’t at all bad.

            I’ve only had one day of confusion, when I got up later than usual and had to adjust my eating schedule. I’m sleeping better and feeling much healthier. And when I pass a mirror in the hall, I’m now not afraid to look (even though that belly is still too prominent). Next, I’ll begin an exercise program, trying to start walking again, beginning, as TSFL recommends, with 10 minutes and hoping soon to get back to my old mile a day routine.

            Jill called this morning from a convention in Nashville – I was at Jos. Bank at one of their incredible sales, selecting three shirts for the price of one – and I loved telling her that I’d lost another five pounds (17 in all), down now almost to half the total weight I’ve wanted to lose

            Stay tuned.

EATING OUT

Just to give one example as a guide for eating out, I joined friends at The City Café last night for dinner. Two of them, already there, were chowing down on a taco salad starter with their drinks. When the waiter came, I asked for ice tea and refused polite encouragement to join in the taco salad. Two other friends came. They also ordered drinks and joined in the taco salad. I stuck to my ice tea. It was a little hard to watch them eating and drinking as they pleased (or so it seemed, and as I used to do) but being very determined on this diet, I resisted.

The chef joined us for some friendly conversation and suggested the lobster tails sous vide for dinner but, in answer to my question, he said the sous vide package included butter; no way to avoid it Two of my friends ordered this, as well as a lobster bisque for starters. Like me, they must love lobster. My other two friends had lollypop lamb chops and shared a watermelon salad. I searched the menu for something permitted on my diet and selected seared scallops, with tempura asparagus – I asked for mine without the tempura batter – and slices of cauliflower in a fruit reduction sauce. Fruit is not really permitted on my diet but I figured there would be so little that it wouldn’t really matter. What matters is not eating a lot of fat and carbs and avoiding sugar so I can overcome my addiction to it. I’m almost there.

The meals came and everything looked delicious. I concentrated on my scallops and ate slowly, in small bites, as the Medi-Fast program suggests. (It takes a while for your stomach to tell your brain that you’re full, so the slower you eat, the less you feel you need.). I stuck to my ice tea, with artificial sweetener but after the waiter refilled my glass once, I turned to my water and drank it all. My friends had a medley of desserts the chef was developing – rhubarb and strawberries, lemon custard with blueberries, and a new kind of cheesecake. All of it looked good, but I resisted. Just one taste, someone asked? No, thanks. Even one taste would restart my craving for sugar.

Since one other guest had tried Medi-fast and given it up, there was some conversation at the table about dieting. I know I’ll stay on Medi-fast for the duration of the food – I want a return on my investment - which should be about a month, but after that, I may go back to regular, but carefully chosen, food. One tip I learned from the conversation was that, when I do, I should try eating my food from a bread and butter plate rather than a dinner plate. That will automatically reduce the portions. But for now, it’s Medi-fast.

I enjoyed the dinner, and the evening with my friends, and my hunger was satisfied, even staying (at least almost) on my diet. When I got home, for my  nine o’clock meal, I had a Medi-fast brownie.

Stay tuned.

# 2 THE ROUTINE

The Medi-Fast program involves eating six times a day. Five of the meals are supplied by the company in the form of little packages of dehydrated food that you re-hydrate, usually with water, and if the meal needs to be cooked, throw in a microwave for a few minutes. It’s very simple, and very easy, and leaves no clean-up or dishes. I like that part. The food comes via UPS in one big carton that contains many smaller boxes, each labeled with the meal type and varying from tomato bisque to chicken rice soup, with detours through brownies and chocolate chip cookies and oatmeal. There’s a big enough variety to prevent boredom. These meals are all low in carbohydrates and calories and high in things like protein, and each package contains all the minerals and vitamins necessary to good health.

            The other meal is familiarly known as “lean and green” and is left to your discretion, to choose your ingredients at home or from a restaurant menu. “Lean” means lean meat – lots of chicken and fish are suggested, but you can also eat steak and pork – and the “green” part refers to two green vegetables. No starch, please. (I had dinner at the City Café on Monday and, as usual, had my filet and broccoli, but substituted a green salad for my usual mashed potatoes. I asked them to bring me a little vinegar and olive oil and I dipped my fork into them before spearing the lettuce.

            Instructions come with the material that provide information on which meats and which greens are lean, leaner and leanest, depending on how dedicated you are. At the heaviest I’ve ever weighed, I’m very dedicated. There is also very clear material that tells you how to begin, how to stay motivated, and how to transition to other foods once you’ve reached your goal weight.

            You eat these meals two to three hours apart and you can have your own “lean and green” at either lunch or dinner. And each meal should be accompanied by eight ounces of water, or a water-glass-full, plus two other glasses at some other time of day. I’m up early so my routine is my first meal at 6:00 AM, and in three-hour intervals, I have my last one at 9:00 PM. I also have to take doctor-recommended medications so I just add those two other glasses of water with pills in the morning and at night.

            This all may sound a little daunting and I must admit to not loving the food. Who would after all the gourmet recipes I’ve been trying, have eaten, and now post on Phil’s Favorite Food, my other blog? However, I grew used to both the food and the routine after only four days and my cravings for both my usual cocktail before dinner and dessert at lunch and dinner have disappeared.

            And the best part: I’ve lost 12 pounds in ten days!

            If you have an interest in this program (I’m only promoting it because so far, it works for me), just find medifast.com on the Internet. The information there will tell you how to select the right package of food for our lifestyle and give you the costs involved. It does suggest that, like any weight-loss program, you consult your physician before beginning it. But so far, so (really!) good.

            Stay tuned.

THE REASONS WHY

Both  shocked and horrified at a recent routine appointment with my doctor when I stepped off his scale and he told me I had gained 15 pounds in the last three months, I knew it was essential to immediately do something to reduce  my weight. I already knew I'd been gaining steadily over the past few years and I'm sure some upheavals in my life in this last year contributed to not paying much attention to where my weight was headed. In addition the psychological burden of these issues (better left for a different forum), there were also physical problems: a total knee replacement, and a fall that fractured two vertebrae in my lower spine. The resulting pain made it too difficult to continue my usual brisk morning walk, so I also got lazy. As we do, I rationalized my eating by saying there were few pleasures left in my life so why not enjoy food and drink, about the only two? But my clothes began to shrink and I became embarrassed to go out in a Polo shirt with my belly hanging out over my belt. My doctor, bless his heart, also warned that I could easily become pre-diabetic. Corrective action was mandatory.

In the past, seeing my growing bulk in the mirror every time I shaved had led me to weight-loss program before. And I was much taken with Weight Watchers, which claims, correctly I believe, that their program is not about what you can't eat, but what you can, and how to manage that. It's a nice psychological twist on losing weight and has seemed to work for many. So I went to them first (and ultimately twice more) and lost 16 pounds. But flushed with my initial success, then deluded myself into believing that now that I was thinner, I could return to my old eating routine. Wrong! Naturally, I regained the weight. The second and third times I tried Weight Watchers, I grew increasingly weary of the hoo-ha of the meetings and the imperative of writing down, and counting points, of everything that went into my mouth. So the program languished and I lost only a few pounds, not enough to keep me going. Then I tried the no-carbohydrate diet, highly touted by runway models and body builders - neither of which I am  - but after a week or so of denying myself carbs, alcohol, fruit and sugar, I could have killed just for one slice of bread (even without the peanut butter and jelly). No help there. Recently a program on the Web attracted my attention, claiming to coach me in reducing belly fat by giving up foods that contributed to weight in that area. Sounded great! But, of course, the “giving up” part included all the things I like: ice cream, mayonnaise, catsup, alcohol and all processed food that contains sugar or corn syrup, both of which hide ubiquitously in a surprising number of prepared foods we buy every day. Despite the book I bought (on line for $60.00) that claimed to help me stick to this regimen, I lasted only a week or so on this routine. Then there were all the ‘lite’ foods, designated on those tantalizing labels, but that were not really light at all, with corn syrup still lurking in the list of ingredients. The “lite” label, I found and at least for me, was only there to assuage my guilt. But not effective. Then a friend recommended a pill that contained raspberry extract and mango; he claimed to have lost 21 pounds in 20 days, without giving up any of his regular food.  The extract claimed to work without destroying any muscle tissue so it sounded great! I couldn’t verify how it worked for him (he never responded to my many questions about the program so I was mostly on my own), but while he may have achieved miraculous results, it didn’t work for me. After spending big buckos on these little pills and trying to remember to take them 20 minutes before each meal – not ten minutes, not 30 minutes, but 20 minutes – this so called “solution” also became a pain in the neck. After a nice fat dinner out, with cocktails and wine, I would only remember to take the pills afterward, not before. I didn’t know how they were supposed to work but I was sure this was not the way. And one time I even turned the car around when I was halfway to my destination to go back and try to squeeze into my limited pre-dinner routine, the pills I had forgotten to take at home. None of this was working for me and I must admit to being very discouraged.

            Finally, I heard of Medi-fast and friends on line claimed that it had worked wonders for them. I discussed this plan with my doctor who said, “Oh, yes. The Lean and Green Plan. It has all the elements you need in your diet and I approve of it heartily.” So after gulping at the price, I ordered the meals and am now on the Lean and Green Plan – “lean” for lean protein, and “green” for lots of green vegetables. More on that later.

            Since I already write a blog on food, providing recipes from the Ina Garten and Paula Deen schools of “…how bad can that be?” and “…makes for good eatin’,” I feel a little hypocritical at dieting myself, and schizophrenic by continuing to recommend recipes from that regime. Still, for those of you who follow me at philsfavoritefood.blogspot.com, I’ll continue that blog, if only for my happy memories of the tasty recipes I post there. At the same time, I will start this blog that I hope will not only document my progress on Medi-fast, and perhaps be of some help to others whose weight has climbed, like mine, to a dangerous and embarrassing level, but also commit me, in public, to continue with my quest. And since “Weighing In” has a double meaning, I may weigh in, as the mood strikes me, on subjects other than food and my diet. “Weighing In” gives me that flexibility.

I intend to post here often (especially when I’ve lost weight), but not every day. Stay tuned.