Medifast
January Newsletter

Be a winner
I was laying on my chaise lounge reading Love Poems of Lord Byron, humming along with the radio which was playing an instrumental version of the song made famous awhile back by American Idol, Kelly Clarkson…hhmmm “Oh I can't believe it's happening to me Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this,” thinking about how I felt the moment I reached my weight loss goal of 135 pounds…I can’t believe it’s happening…hmmm..

My romantic reverie was abruptly halted when I heard Hank Williams, Jr. beller from the family room, “Are you ready for some football?” Then I heard the ‘kah-thung!’ of the recliner as husband Terry got into prime game time viewing position.
While football is not my bag, there is a lot to be learned about weight loss in the game of football.
I know all about the NFL. I was bigger than the Chicago Bears defensive leader, the 6-3, 245-pound Dick Butkus.
I was defensive all right, a 5’6” 265 pound line backer that ate at Pro Buffet Bowls.
Yep, I was a team leader in the NFL.

National Flab League
For years I played the game of my so-called life with self-defeating thoughts and behaviors. I was suffocating. I felt like a sacked quarter back; I was on the bottom of the pile; suffocating in physical and emotional pain, frustration, anguish and desperation.
The penalties awarded me for being in the NFL were poor physical performance, sidelined self esteem, a battered ego, and when I stepped onto the field, everyone noticed as my tripled chins, 1.5 hip yardage and end zone led me to the Super Size Bowl 35 seasons of my then-54 year career.

I wanted to become the master of my circumstances; I no longer wanted my circumstances to master me. I joined the Medifast team and learned how to win at the losing game by following the game rules, consistently listening to my coach and I won the Super Bowl of weight loss by kicking the 135 pound field goal of flabbage.

I now wear a victory leopard ring presented by my mentor and coach-husband Terry as a reward for recovering from my former foody fumbles, diligently running the grueling grub offensive, and fighting through the weight-loss blocks of my former National Flabbage League championship days.

When I first started Medifasting, I was leery. Oh, I was very aware of the Medifast weight loss stats. I read about the 2-5 pound weekly averages but up until mid-season in 2002, my personal weight loss experience was that I had been on a major losing streak in the arena of dieting. I wondered if it would work for me. I took the offensive, assaulted my flabbage with a vengeance and made the big play at a crucial moment.

Winning an individual football game teaches an athlete that they CAN win, that they are capable of winning. Once a team wins one game, they practice hard to improve their skills and go with improved confidence into the second game. They have the mindset that since they were able to win one game, then it is possible to win another.
At times there are set-backs. After winning a few, they may lose a few. Then it’s time for the post-game analysis.

Were the losing players overly confident and just made some dumb mistakes? If so, certain players may need some individual training and then practice the play with intensity under the supervision of an experienced player.

Do the weak players have a teachable spirit?

Were the athletes playing as a team?

Did the coach give the team the right advice?

If the loss was not the result of poor coaching, was it because the players failed to follow the coach? There are times the coach needs to haul the whiteboard and pens onto the playing field and go over the strategy and plays several times in different ways to help the players get back to the basics.

Didja ever stand around the water cooler on Tuesday mornings and run the replays? When their team loses do ya hear people whining about the Refs making bad calls? That can be both a reality and it can be an excuse…

Factors to consider when you’ve lost at the losing game - Are you asking your Health Advisor Coach for advice? Are you following it?

If you indeed have championship aspirations, then use the coaching resources we provide – The MakeMeThinner Forum is one way to have accountability with other team members, to read the game plan and to learn surefire winning strategies.

Read Nancy’s Newsletter Archives; participate in the weekly interactive conference calls; use the free resources of the virtual clinic if you have medical-related questions for Nurse Betty.

When you enter the Pro Bowl of maintenance, learn how to maintain that chiseled profile and the chest that tapers to a sinewy waist by listening in on the Wednesday night weight maintenance call. It is not easy to earn the Heisman of the Medifast Maintenance Trophy. It means when faced with foody events and buffets to be relentless in your quest for health success, to do willful and graceful head fakes, carby cuts, and changes of direction in the way you used to eat.

To hold the prize for life, you cannot be an armchair athlete, you must possess fearless determination, strap on your helmet, be on a mission to get mobilized and sprint from sideline to sideline, do daily doubles at times. Incorporating several Medifast products a day can help you deliver the touchdown for life.

Maybe you have some bad refs in your arena? Intimidating relatives who bug you by heckling or making disparaging comments about your weight loss plan, saboteur scouts that may try to entice you by planning foody events and then they don’t provide healthy options for your weight loss plan. That’s exactly why you must always be ready to take the offense, to tackle the temptations by carrying the right equipment in your gym bag – extra MF packets, water, an RTD or two. Perhaps it’s not the ref that’s making the bad calls - are YOU making the bad calls about what you’ll eat and drink and not following the Medifast Diet Game rules?

Are you a team of one – a grandstander? Do ya think that you know better than the coach does? Are you running your own diet game plan - tweaking things just a little bit – you know, adding cheese, croutons, bacon and ranch dressing to your salads; eating chicken strips and calling it the ‘Lean and Green?” then Tuesday morning carp about how your weight loss game isn’t going, that‘s not fair, that you’re not losing as fast as you’d hope?

Trust the coach and the Medifast equipment. You can’t compete with over 24 years of research and experience and because you are stubborn and self-oriented, your backfield is not in motion, it’s inflatin’!

Do you hunger to dodge the diet challenges with the power and grace of a leopard?

Weight loss athletes who used to pile up big flabbage have higher weight loss game completion percentages when they combine all the aspects of quarterback play: pass by the temptations to go out of bounds until they reach their goal, unquestionably follow the game plan and listen to the coach.

If you truly desire to run with speed and power, to juke past slower programs and run over defensive backs and linebackers, to make the winning touchdown and go to the Super Bowl of weight loss, then do all the things that will help you to win.

Quitters never win; winners never quit.

If you’ve had an injury and been sidelined, now is the time for a come-back.

Medifast, the ultimate offensive weapon against the NFL
...Oh I can't believe it's happening to me,
Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this…
 

Ponderings
“To be a champ, you have to believe in yourself when nobody else will.”
– Sugar Ray Robinson

“Who exactly seeks out a coach? Winners who want even more out of life.”
– Chicago Tribune

“The high of a win is never as high as the low of a loss, and the longer you are in the business, the wider that gap becomes.”
- John Madden on coaching

Start Spreadin’ the News!
We all know that Medifast has a simple game plan to follow but sometimes you may have questions that are not quite so simple. For these occasions, please remember that you have live access to a nurse and a nutritionist on the Home Team who is ready to answer those tough questions. Here’s their contact information is as follows:

Medical Support Staff, Nurse Betty
~ 1-877-270-5704 ext 8130
Monday 10:00AM - 2:00PM; Wednesday 11:00AM - 3:30PM; Thursday 12:30PM - 4:30PM*

Nutrition Support, Amy, staff nutritionist
~ 1-800-509-1281
Monday through Friday, 8:30AM - 5:00PM*

*Please note: all listings are in Eastern Time

Weekly Coaching Calls

Nurse’s Support Call
Please join Lori Andersen, RN, every Monday evening at 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PT), for the weekly Nurses Support Call. Every week, Lori provides our callers with information to maximize success with their weight loss and health goals! To listen and participate, dial
1-646-519-5860 followed by the pin code: 0971#

Stay in Shape! Maintenance Call
Please join in on the Stay in Shape! Maintenance Call, an interactive 30 minute call hosted by Mary Jane Medlock and Lori Andersen, RN, every Wednesday evening at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT). To listen and participate,
dial 1-512-225-9427 followed by pin code: 77421 #

Doctors Support Call
Please join Dr. Wayne Andersen or one of his colleagues every Wednesday evening at 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM PT). Each week, Dr. Andersen discusses current topics regarding health and wellness and answers our callers' questions. To listen and participate,
dial 1-646-519-5860 followed by the pin code: 0971#

Take Shape for Life Field Leadership Call
We also offer an incredible weekly Leadership call for our Health Advisors. Led by Dr. Wayne Andersen and our Field Leaders, anyone interested in building a successful business with TSFL needs to be on this call! Please join us every Monday evening at 9:00 PM ET (6:00 PM PT) for this powerful call. To listen and participate,
dial 1-512-305-4638 followed by pin code: 99662#

Score a Touch Down in the National Flabbage League with MakeMeThinner and Medifast.

We’re headed for the Super Bowl and we want YOU to be on our MakeMeThinner winning team
– we’re changing the shape of America, one shake at a time!

Voice of Victory

I get letters that touch my heart and make me do the Happy Dance in my little cottage office. You are the reason we exist. I want to share a recent note with you. This comes from a terrific lady whom I met via the phone. She was at the end of herself, ready to make some changes in her life but VERY emotionally and physically wiped out. She was afraid that this would be just one more diet that she would fail. This was her last hope.

She has lost 55 pounds, came through the holidays CHEAT- FREE and has about 45 pounds to go.

“Nancy, your support brings tears to my eyes. Your comment that Medifast brings hope to the hopeless hit home. That's how I felt before I found you. Totally and completely hopeless.

I was so disgusted with myself, but totally did not have a clue where to turn. I would have gone the bypass surgery route, but my insurance wouldn't pay for it. (Now I thank God that they don't)
My obesity was on my mind constantly. I hated myself... No where to turn… Then, one Sunday I saw a small ad in the newspaper about Medifast and the rest is history!

I love this diet, love all the people because as I read the forum, everyone has the same feelings I do.

I love being at the halfway point, because now everything is gravy, so
to speak. (no pun intended) I can fit into my smaller clothes, I look
good, people are complimenting me. It's like the best Christmas present
I could have received.

Men are the funniest though.
I've like lost 50 lbs and one will come up to me and say with a weird
look "have you lost some weight"? Jeez.

Thanks for being there for all of us."
- Dee Frable
…Shakin’ since September 9th, 2004

5 & 1 Protocol Changed - A message from Dr. Wayne Andersen

I have some news to share with you regarding the 5 and 1 Program protocol. As you know, we have several Medifast Programs designed to meet your nutritional and health needs. We have specific programs for people who need to lose weight, for weight management, for people with diabetes, arthritis or joint pain, for adolescent health and weight and for menopausal women.

Medifast shakes have been the heart of all of our meal replacement programs and for the most part, clients have been prescribed to consume a minimum of three shakes per day.

Dr. Andersen writes, “After extensive review, including input from Johns Hopkins University, we are excited to announce a change in our 5 & 1 protocol. Clients are no longer restricted to 3 cold shakes per day; they can choose any product from our large variety of complete Medifast meal replacement products to fulfill their 5 meal replacements each day.”

In the coming weeks, this exciting change will be incorporated into all our literature so it is important that you understand and are not confused during this transition period.

“You should be aware that of all the Medifast products, the shakes have the highest level of soy protein per serving (10 grams), so if you are concerned about eating 25 grams of soy to reach the FDA guideline as heart healthy, you will want to include one or two shakes daily in your meal plan, especially if you are in weight maintenance.

Please note that customers should still be advised to eat only 1 bar per day.

Also remember that Medifast Fast Soups, Medifast Multi-Grain and Vegetable Crackers and the *Essential One meals are not considered a complete Medifast meal replacement.”

Let's get America Healthy!

Warmest Regards,

Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen
Medical Director, Medifast/Take Shape for Life

So Fellow Medifasters, what does all this mean for YOU?

The rules are any 5 Medifast products a day Plus 1 Lean and Green meal of regular food.

If you so desire, you may have 5 servings of Medifast Oatmeal every three hours! We know of a woman who has lost 34 pounds eating nothing but Medifast Chocolate Puddin’ 5 times a day plus a 2 cup serving of salad and 5 ounces of chicken.

Only one of the Medifast meals can be a bar. Some of you do better by avoiding bars entirely because like a Lay’s Potato Chip, you can’t eat just one!

The bar rule still applies: You may dip your hand into the box of bars and pull out but ONE bar a day.

Side Bar: I know, I know. Inquiring minds want to know. My first inclination is to say, “yours is not to wonder why. Yours is just to do or die.” Just do it! Medifast diet programs and weight management products have been around since 1980, have been carefully researched and used in proven clinical studies.

Using more than one bar a day could affect your ketosis level (the flab-burning state) and decrease the speed of weight loss. The manufacturing of a solid product requires a different processing method to bind carbs with proteins. The result is a slightly higher carb level in the bars than the powdered Medifast products.

Medifast meal bars were developed to add variety in a complete meal replacement program. If you are using Medifast for weight loss, limit yourself to one bar per day. If you are using Medifast for general nutrition or as an occasional weight loss product (to lose just a few pounds) or for maintenance, you may increase this amount.

Notice that I put an *asterisk next Dr. Andersen’s comment about the Essential 1 meals. Allow me to explain this in more detail. The Essential 1 Chicken Breast, Beef Patties, Tuna and Chicken salads are all very lean protein portions. They are designed to be a part of the “Lean and Green” meal and not to be used as one of the 5 meal replacements.

In order for a meal to be considered complete, it must be nutritionally balanced to help maintain even glycemic levels. To make a meal using the Essential 1 products a complete meal, one must include a small salad PLUS one and one half cups of cooked vegetables. One packet of the Essential Tuna Salad when mixed into a small green salad and one and a half cups of steamed broccoli would be considered a complete meal.

Announcing New Medigrub in the Concession Stands

Leopard Woman is sittin' in her rocker, mink blankie covering her lithe slender legs to ward off the winter chill and reminiscing about her childhood...

Do you remember seeing "The Banana Man" on Capt. Kangaroo when you were a kid?! He'd reach into his voluminous pockets and pull out links of bananas, each time he did so, he'd act extremely surprised and in a high-pitched voice, he'd emit a loud stretched out "Wo-o-o-o-o-o-ow!" sound. He totally cwacked me up! In fact, just thinkin' about him is a smile bringer.

If he were around today, he'd be doing the Happy Dance because Medifast has a brand spankin' new shake flavor and it is so GOOD!

Take Shape for Life is pleased to introduce a new flavor to our Medifast 55 and Medifast 70 shake lines.

Our new Banana Blitz shakes are smooth, creamy and delicious, just like our other flavors.

The great tasting bananner shakes are soy-based, heart healthy, low in fat and high in fiber.

Each shake has a similar nutritional profile to the other shakes in our line, fortified with the appropriate amount of carbohydrates, calories and protein to make losing weight easier than peeling a banana.

These are most excellent made with 7-8 ounces of cold water and several ice cubes in a blender or with a Magic Bullet.

Ahhhh...Bananner Bliss in a shaker jar! It'll take you to paradise.

Banana Blitz 55 ~ $13.85 per box (7 servings/box, 48 boxes/case)

Banana Blitz 70 ~ $14.35 per box (7 servings/box, 48 boxes/case)

Git-cher Lah-tay! Git-cher Lah-tay!
Yep, there's another new meal replacement from the Medifast concession stand – it’s the whey-based Chai Latte.

It will help you have the Home Team advantage to deal with the gloomy dark days of winter because it smells wonderful; just preparing a serving of the decaffeinated Chai tea with cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom and other exotic spices will intercept your senses and give you the point after touch down.

Of course it has 14 grams of protein, less than a gram of flab (err, fat),
the 24 essential vitamins and amino acids you need to make a complete meal - all this and only 100 calories.

Chai Latte ~ $12.65 per box (7 servings/box)

End Zone
For those of us who have a significant load to lose, this is not a sprint, it’s a marathon. If we are to be healthy, fit and to feel better, we are going to be on the thinnin’ astroturf for a long time, Yup, it’s not easy breezy. It takes a positive outlook to carry on - some days are not very much fun but the destination goalpost is so worth it.

Get out of the stadium and put on your shoulder pads and helmet, guzzle your water and Medifast shake. Medifast is the ticket to the Super Bowl of Health and Wellness! If you listen to the coach, make limited fumbles, stay inbounds, you can get into the end zone. Now get your backfield in motion!