The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[broomeboy1023]

I am 15 years old 5'9 and weight about 240 lbs. My mom ordered medifast for me about a 2 weeks ago and I havn't started it yet. I was wondering if I can or rather should be eating more calories than is recommended, because I am not 18. I am going to start working out everyday and I am planing on increasing my calories to like 1500, I was thinking that I could eat lunch and dinner with non-medifast foods, like grilled chicken and green beans. I still however want to lose 20 to 30 lbs. a month, would this work? I am hoping of being at my goal weight (150) by feburary 28 and I plan on starting the medifast on the 25 of this month. So that gives me about 4 months to lose 90 lbs (22-23 a month, 5-6 a week) is that even possible? Thanx!

[DogMa]

Hi. If you search around, you'll find a few posts on this. It's recommended that you see a doctor before starting the program. He or she can help you determine how many calories you require at your age and activity level. Most likely you'll need at least one extra Medifast meal a day.

As for whether your goals are possible, it depends. If you're eating 1500 calories and having Medifast foods only part of the time, it's really impossible to say what you will lose and how quickly. The average rate of loss is 2-5 pounds a week (men lose more, though) - but that's on the regular program, not the modified version you're planning.

Also, be careful with exercise. It's recommended that you wait a few weeks if you haven't been working out before, and that you start slowly. But again, that's on a lower level of calories, not the modified version you're talking about.

I would call Take Shape for Life or Medifast and ask to speak to the nurse (sorry, I don't have the nurse line's number handy). Good luck to you!!

[Arklahoma]

I doubt that your body could lose that kind of weight in four months; however, it might be possible under specific circumstances. It is definitely recommended that you see a doctor before attempting this weight loss method.

[alohacate]

Ditto on the check with the Doctor. Major Exercise isn't recommended at the beginning of the program. Sounds like your asking if a "Hybrid" plan will work. I don't have the answer to that. I think if your going to do Medifast, commit 100% to the plan. Best of luck to you kiddo!

[PJinCali]

Hi Broomeboy,

What is magic about this goal date? I can totally relate to having a hard goal date When I started I wanted to lose all my weight by my birthday (Dec 10) there is NO way I could have made it in that time but when I first started I just needed to have a goal date.

This is a great place for support. Do you have other people around you to help support your effort? You are doing a great thing by taking control of your health at your young age.

PJ

[broomeboy1023]

I spoke with my doctor and he said that he has never heard of medifast before. But he told me to give it a try, we have tryed many other diets and diet pills with little or no success. I have decided to eat 1 extra lean and green meal a day and to add a few calories in here and there. I also decided to start exercising every day for 15 minutes increasing the time by 5 minutes every 2 weeks, I plan on slowly reducing my calories each month to keep a steady weight loss. The reason that I have the "magic goal date" is that it's my birthday, I have been trying to lose weight on and off for about 3 years, and I always told my self that I would be thin on my sixteenth birthday. And while I would love to lose the 90 lbs. by my bday I think I will shoot for 50 lbs. That would put me below 200 lbs and I would be happy with that. Thanx for the advice and wish me luck!

[DogMa]

Good luck!! BTW, there's tons of info on the Medifast Web site that you can print out and give to your doctor (some of it was written for just that purpose).

Also, can you stand one more bit of advice? What kind of exercise are you planning to do? Because while cardio is great and necessary, you would benefit a lot from strength training as well. The extra muscle will not only look better, but it will boost your metabolism and help you burn more calories all the time (cardio will burn calories while you're doing it and a little bit after, but strength training will help you burn more calories and fat all day long).

Good for you for deciding to do something while you're so young! And again, good luck!! Be sure to check back if you have any other questions, and the Lean Cuisine section is a good place to find some easy recipes for your meals (plus ways to make some of the Medifast meals taste different or better, so that you get some variety).

[broomeboy1023]

thanx dogma! I am planing on swimming and lifting weight's, what is considered cardio?

[DogMa]

That would be the swimming. Stuff that gets your heart rate up. Doing both is great, and swimming is an excellent choice.

I don't know what your situation is as far as equipment and training, but fyi, a good site for weightlifting info (including video of each type of lift, so you can get the form right, which is very important to be safe) is exrx dot net. they show you how to use free weights and also all sorts of machines, plus you can print out gym logs so you can track your progress.

[Sojourner]

Hiya broomeboy!!!
Welcome to the group!! Everyone's right about what a great thing you're doing for your health. It's really good that you're doing this at such an early age, that way you'll have the rest of your life to really enjoy your life--which will be longer because you'll be so healthy!

So...have you started yet? When are you gonna' start, huh? C'mon, when are you gonna' start? So, start already!!

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[hulagirlfromhawaii]

Welcome Broomeboy!

[LordElgin]

Medifast doesn't recommend the program for anyone under the age of 18. Having said that, my 15 year old daughter is doing the plan. Actually she's doing 3 & 2, 3 MF meals and 2 lean & greens per day. She has lost about 50 pounds in 3 months. She needs to lose about another 50 pounds, I imagine she will be on the plan for 7 - 9 months overall.

LE

[alpha femme]

i can't see anyone recommending anything lower than the 3/2 for a growing kid.

[Elke]

Hiya broomeboy, welcome to the group. My birthday is one day before yours...and many years ofcourse. I comend you for taking control of your life. Do you have a good support system at home? That is very important, one of my boys asks me every week what my weigh in was, and if he sees me snooping around fatty foods he's like "Mom, your on a diet" Course most of the time I just wanna smell it
Good luck to you, if you want it bad enough...you will get it!

[broomeboy1023]

Thanx everyone for the encouragement and advice. I am starting on the 25th of this month, I would start now but I am having surgery tomarrow and I need to recover from that before I start the medifast