Losing weight calls for an intense struggle for every person. But for the busy ones, it’s the worst. Here, it becomes challenging to maintain a weight loss schedule alone.
In such cases, a meal replacement program for weight loss can help. Medifast is one of them. However, you might notice that you are not losing weight on Medifast.
But this does not make the program a scam. There are specific reasons behind it. Solving the causes will help you to continue with your weight reduction.
You don’t need to cook by yourself anymore. The company will provide prepared meals for you directly to your home. But does it work for everyone? Mostly it does. Let’s look into the details!
Table of Content
Causes of Not Losing Weight on Medifast
Medifast, recently called Optivia, is a well-known meal replacement program. It is designed to aid you in reducing your weight.
Yet you might face some physiological obstacles while on a diet.
This program includes low-fat protein and non-starchy foods in your diet. But you might be a person who’s used to eating different types of food. Hence, your body needs time to adjust to this change.
Here are the probable conditions that might forestall your weight loss:
Stall or Plateau Phase
Medifast or Optavia weight loss stall is nothing rare. A plateau phase is expected at the time of dieting.
Your weight may reduce quickly during the first few weeks.
Initially, you cut off calories that you used to take earlier. This is why your body utilizes the stored glycogen of your body. When glycogen burns, it releases water. So, your weight due to stored water reduces. But at a specific time, your weight loss halts for a few days.
While you lose weight, you don’t only lose fat. You also lose some portions of your muscle. The rate of your metabolism depends on your muscles. Hence, when the muscle content decreases, the metabolism rate decreases too.
As you lose weight, your calories burn more slowly. The time your calorie input and output become equal, your weight becomes static. And this is the plateau stage.
But not losing weight for one week or less does not refer to the stall stage. Are you stuck in the same position for three weeks or more? Then it might be the plateau! But losing even 1lb during these weeks means that you have not hit a plateau.
You must overcome this plateau to restart your weight loss journey.
Here are the ways of overcoming plateau and stop worrying about not losing weight on Medifast:
Increase the workout intensity
One best way to defeat plateau is by enhancing the exercise intensity. Generally, it is okay to work out for 30 minutes a day. If that does not work, consider increasing the force.
But, higher intensity exercise might be tiresome for specific individuals. In that case, enhance the exercise duration.
Moreover, try out muscle-building exercises like weightlifting. An increase in muscle mass will help you to burn more calories.
Enhance your daily activity
Don’t depend solely on your gym. Try to include more general activities in your daily life. Try to walk more than usual. Also, do some household activities. These will aid in burning more calories.
Re-evaluate your food habits
Record the foods you are consuming throughout the week. Off and on in following the program is a significant reason behind the plateau. Don’t take a break from your exercise schedule.
A change in the menu might aid in kick-starting your weight loss. You can try out different foods every day. This will increase your appetite and keep you motivated.
Height and Beginning weight
Your body’s response largely depends on your starting weight. And also on your height. Heavier and taller people lose weight faster than average ones.
Taller people have got more fats to burn. So, their weight loss will be more. Being average, you can only expect a loss of 1-2lbs per week. You might not notice this slight difference. And think that you are not losing weight. But remember that the slightest weight reduction matters!
Condiments
Condiments are naturally used in food. Some examples are ketchup, mayonnaise, mustard, honey, and many more.
Generally, they are not considered an obstacle to your weight loss. But in the case of some people, they might create problems.
Some of the Medifast recipes might contain condiments. All five meals of the day may have condiments. This may slow down your weight loss. Because condiments may contain extra fat. Extra calorie consumption may make you gain weight even when following a weight loss program.
So, look for condiments in the meal. This might be the reason behind slowing down your weight loss.
This does not mean you need to cut off condiments completely. Some condiments will not make you gain weight.
Take a look at those:
- Mustard – contains turmeric, salt, garlic powder, lemon juice
- Sauerkraut – consists of white or purple cabbage
- Salsa – made up of scrambled eggs, tacos, and fajitas
- Guacamole – contains onion, lime juice, salt, avocado, and garlic
- Hummus- formulated with tahini, lemon, salt, garlic, and chickpeas
- Pesto – contains olive oil, pine nuts, basil leaves, and parmesan cheese
- Kimchi – consists of onion, garlic, salt and, chili pepper
- Raw honey
- Nutritional yeast
- Lemon juice
- Plain Greek yogurt
Not Weighing Your Foods
This plays a significant role in your weight loss journey. Count the calories you are consuming. Don’t forget to weigh the meat and veggies too. Weigh the veggies in grams.
This is important because without weighing, you might be over or under-eating. Yes, you saw that right. Under-eating can also make you gain weight. If you are not losing weight on Medifast, not weighing the food can be a significant factor.
Taking less food makes your metabolism slow. And this is responsible for making you gain weight.
Your body requires energy to perform routine daily activities. While you consume less food, your body does not get enough food for these events. So, they start storing the food you eat. This is the body’s protective mechanism.
It keeps the minimum amount of food stored for carrying out the normal functions. Your body does not let it go even when you work out.
Due to this, you keep gaining weight even if you eat less. So, consider consuming the exact amount of calories needed for you.
In such cases, you can also try out supplements like Meticore. This increases your metabolism along with helping with losing weight. So, it will act as a backup even if your metabolism slows down.
But it is always recommended to contact a doctor before using any supplement. Ask the doctor if you can use a weight loss supplement simultaneously with Medifast.
Additional Titbits
Extra snacks can be another culprit behind slowing down your weight loss. At times it’s extremely needed. You might feel exhausted at work and crave a snack.
It’s not entirely a crime to have snacks sometimes. In general, it will not harm you. Yet, there’s a possibility it might. Snacks might slow down your weight loss. At times you might notice zero weight loss.
Remember, this is not a typical case. Most people are not affected by small titbits. But you might be one of the unfortunate ones. So, monitor your weight loss once you are consuming additional snacks.
Also, you can take snacks 1-2 days a week rather than having them every day. This might solve your problem too.
Know the snacks good for weight loss in case you crave it:
- Mixed nuts
- Apple slices with peanut butter
- Kale chips
- Greek yogurt and mixed berries
- Cucumber slices with hummus
- Hard-boiled eggs
Not Drinking Sufficient Water
Both Optavia and water are essential for your weight loss. Water is vital for your cellular level functions. So, hydration helps your body to function efficiently. Proper functioning of the body, in turn, helps in perfect metabolism.
Indeed, water does not cause huge weight loss. Yet, it is responsible for a slight weight reduction. So, did your weight loss take a break? Focus on your everyday water intake if you are not losing weight on Medifast.
Constipation
Constipation does not make you gain weight directly. This makes you feel full and uncomfortable. Considering this, you will not be in a situation to work out. Instead, I will rest more than usual.
This situation might make you gain a bit of weight.
Here are the ways you might solve your constipation problem:
- Drink plenty of water
- Consider consuming foods with high fiber content. For example; Fibrous veggies, Oats
- Try out osmotic laxatives. For example; Magnesium citrate, Lactulose
- Utilize stool softeners like Docusate Calcium or Docusate Sodium
- Use fiber supplement. For example; Methylcellulose, Psyllium
Excessive or Inadequate Exercise
Medifast and exercise are a great combination to make you fit. Only following a meal replacement program is not enough. You must exercise regularly to speed up your weight loss.
Consider working out for 15-20min minimum 3-5 times per week.
Again, don’t exercise too much. Working out too much means losing more calories. Not having a minimal calorie in the body turns on starvation mode. This slows down your weight loss.
So, perform an optimum level of exercise.
Medical Contradictions
Medical conditions are a significant concern while it comes to weight. Hormones are significantly responsible for weight stall. It might make you gain weight.
Thyroid hormones are mostly related to weight gain. Hypothyroid patients tend to gain weight even when on a diet.
Again Medifast or Optavia and the menstrual cycle are contradictory. Menstrual cycles are irregular during menopause. Also, hormonal changes are seen during this period. So, it might make you gain weight even while following Medifast.
Hence, it is essential to do a test to check your hormone levels.
Consider consuming medicine with abnormal hormonal levels. You might not lose weight if your hormonal levels are not under control.
Know the other medical conditions causing weight gain even when on a diet:
- Depression
- Insomnia
- Polycystic ovarian syndrome
- Sleep apnea
- Congestive heart failure
- Steroids
- Diabetes
- Edema
- Cushing’s disease
- Metabolic syndrome
Other than these, Medifast and pregnancy are also contradictory. Stop using Medifast during pregnancy.
Incorrect Diet
Medifast has got different types of diet. You need to know the appropriate one for you. Otherwise you will end up not losing weight on Medifast.
For example, plans 5 & 1 are designed for obese people. It’s perfect for those who have a minimum of 15 pounds to lose. Healthy people with fewer extra pounds shouldn’t follow this.
So, newbies out there, be careful while choosing your diet plan!
Having Fat Free Foods
You might think fat-free foods do not make you gain weight. But that’s not true.
Though they are free from fats, they contain carbs. For example, diet soda has 6g of carbs in it. So, drinking it means adding extra carbohydrates to your daily meal. And at times, you do this unknowingly.
Check on the label of the food and drink before you buy it. This will restrain you from consuming carbs outside your plan.
Being Inconsistent
Are you constantly following the program? Following it for a week and giving a break the next won’t help. Zero weight loss is average if you are irregular in following the diet plan.
Having patience is significant while on a diet. Don’t let laziness capture your mind. Stick to your goal with a strong determination!
Weight Loss Variation
Medifast claims that you will be losing 2-5lbs on average. But it does not mean that everybody will lose the same amount of weight. You may even lose 1 pound in one week.
In such cases, you might think that you are not losing weight on Medifast. But certainly, you are! You are just taking more time.
There might be many causes behind not losing weight. You must find out your one and take steps to solve it. Solving the root problem will certainly re-start your weight loss journey.
FAQ
What are the Medifast transition tips?
Medifast provides you with some transition tips. Take a look at them:
- Consume small meals after every 2-3 hours
- Keep yourself adequately hydrated
- Eat slowly and mindfully. Drink water in between bites.
- Don’t forget to keep a personal food journal
- Remain active throughout the day
- Stay motivated to follow the program
How long does it take to lose weight on Medifast?
Every weight loss program requires time. And so does Medifast. Following the program strictly will make you successful within eight weeks. Yet anyone is allowed to follow it for longer.
Moreover, response varies in different individuals. So don’t get anxious if you are not losing weight immediately.
You must follow the guidelines provided by Medifast regarding meals. Consuming low-carb and low-calorie foods are essential to maintain the diet. Otherwise, you might not gain results within the estimated time.
Is it safe to follow Medifast while nursing?
Nutrition is essential for nursing mothers. At that time, the newborn is dependent on the mother for nutrition.
Medifast allows you to shed pounds by supplying proper nutrition. So, you don’t have to worry about suffering from malnutrition. Also, your baby will remain safe.
But you can’t start it just after the baby’s birth. Consider following the program when your baby is two months old.
Conclusion
Are you not losing weight on Medifast? This program is not to blame. There are a lot of Medifast success stories. Going through them will surely help you to gain confidence in it.
Moreover, continue eating healthy meals after stopping following Medifast. Weight gain after Medifast is not unusual. Hence, stick to your more nutritious diet for the perfect physique.
