Day 32: Other Options

I initially found out about this weight loss program a few months ago when I received a letter from Kaiser suggesting I go on their healthy weight program which uses Optifast products.  In order to participate Kaiser required patients be at least 40 pounds overweight.  Well, I fit that bill.  However, after going to the orientation seminar and then signing up, I found out the meetings were going to be on Wednesday nights (my paperwork said Tuesday) and I could no longer participate.   That's when I discovered the Weight Management Program through Sutter Health.

I had previously heard about these extreme weight loss medical programs, but had never considered going on one of these diets, until now, of course.  I'm sure most people remember Oprah losing all that weight ... and dragging out the wagon full of fat.  She had gone on the Optifast diet.  Along the way I also heard about Medifast ... which is often mistakenly attributed to Oprah's weight loss.

Anyway, long story short, I saw an ad for Medifast in the Oprah magazine today and was intrigued.  I went to their website and was impressed.  It's a similar diet to the one I'm on.  This one is 800-1000 calories a day.  They say average weight loss is 4-5 pounds the first two weeks and about 2-pounds every week after.  However, what is very cool is the variety of foods you can get from them.  There are chips, crackers and even brownies!

Courtesy Medifast1.com

The plan also allows one "regular" meal a day.  This meal is called lean and green and, on a brief glance, appears to be lots of veggies and a little protein.  A nice option if you ever want to eat food with other people.  It's always a bit awkward drinking a shake at the dinner table while everyone else is digging in.

If my current program ever gets to be too much, I may consider going the Medifast route.  Obviously I would have to do some research, but I like the option of being about to eat some solid food once in a while.  Shakes and soup are getting kinda old!  Food for thought.  (Pun intended!)