I had a minor procedure this week and had to stay in bed for a few days. This could’ve been a very dangerous situation. I could’ve milked this to eat junk and veg out all day. I told my boyfriend he would have to learn how to make my Medifast foods for me.

He thought it was cruel and unusual punishment but I explained that I love my Medifast and that it tastes good enough to eat when I feel my very worst. The Chicken and Rice tastes like homemade and is awesome with a pinch of dill and my mom worked on the chili so it tastes just like hers. I will find out the recipe and let you know.

What is even more awesome is that I would’ve had a much longer recovery but because I lost 40 pounds, I was only down ‘n out for a couple days. I am healthier then I’ve ever been. I’ve had the strength to push away all my old bad habits. Now if could just fit in working out…

This past week was particularly trying. When I got home I didn’t want to crawl into bed or the shower or even go shopping. The only thing that sounded even the least bit tempting was a bowl of my mom’s chili. Why do I want to turn to food to make me feel better? Is it because I sometimes feel like everything else is out of control and I can only control what I eat? The cool thing is that I can control what I eat � finally. I still choose to eat Medifast soups, shakes and bars because they taste yummy and are good for me.

I lost 40 pounds by making a change and have control of what I eat and ultimately, what I look like. I have increased my metabolism by eating within the first hour of waking up and then continuing to eat 5 more meals throughout the day. I’m losing weight by eating all day long! I never knew that I could do ANY of this.

You know how sometimes when you get into a relationship people “get comfortable” and start to gain weight? I even have been able to continue on my program with my new boyfriend (even though he has the worst sweet tooth).

I’ve finally decided that I can get rid of my old clothes…

I survived camping! It was so hot that I only drank shakes and teas. Before I left, I mixed a jug of tea and kept it in a cooler. I ate grilled chicken and salads for dinner. Camping was something I never thought I would do! I drove a dirt bike and floated down a river on a tube (in a bathing suit; in front of people.) I love being so active and I wouldn’t be this way without Medifast!

When I was more than 30 pounds heavier, I couldn’t even imagine getting on a dirt bike and heading into the woods. I followed trails that require you to use muscles to lean into the turns and go up steep hills. I had to stand forward to get the bike to go (otherwise me and the bike would go rolling backwards). That would not make for a fun camping trip.

The other thing that Medifast had helped me to do is brave the world in a bathing suit. I have been building confidence each week. My new boyfriend lives on the water and has a boat. Almost every weekend has a day of water activities planned (always with new friends). I started out with a cute dress as a cover-up to wear over my bathing suit. Then I broke away from the dress and bared my belly and tried out the bathing-skirt separate…

This weekend should be interesting. I am finally getting some time off work and I am going camping. I have never camped before in my life and never thought I would. I would not call myself a girly girl but my idea of roughing it is staying at a hotel without a pool. My new boyfriend is all about the outdoors and is having a family reunion camping trip.

How do I diet in the woods? I am nervous about this one. He has assured me that I will have access to boiling water and I will have ice to make shakes. This will be a true test of my Medifast skills.

I have to take a dish and want to impress everyone so I am going to prepare my favorite dish of (pre-cooked and cut) chicken, cucumbers, tomatoes and Medifast Red Bell Pepper Italian salad dressing with a pinch of salt. It’s so good and easy!

Last weekend I went to a cookout and saw friends that I haven’t seen since this time last year. When I walked in I was carrying a large bag of ice and walked through the party to drop it off before saying my hello’s to people. I could hear people saying, “Was that Heather? Oh, my! I didn’t even recognize her,” as I walked through. People just keep asking how did you do it and I keep saying that Medifast is the greatest thing since the invention of the scale…

I’ve mentioned before how I don’t want to be the “I’m on a diet” kinda girl. It has such a negative sound. I only tell people that I am dieting if they inquire about my weight loss or my choices of food. Even then I try to downplay it unless they really seam interested.

When you’re dating, it’s a whole other story. When you go out on dates it might involve eating. If your date is at all attentive, they will notice the food choices and could ask about the dreaded “d” word. This can be a problem because you don’t want your date to think “oh she’s got issues” or “she’s insecure” because it can seem unattractive to possible suitors (even if you are insecure (or have issues.)) [Am I reading too far into this?]–>

Not only do you have jitters from going on a date but know you have the “What to eat” jitters or “Do I have an alcoholic beverage?” dilemma. I am here to say: Get over it! Sorry if that sounds harsh, but if you go on a date with jitters then you are not going to have fun. I have learned to enjoy food and eat healthy and not let it run my life anymore…

I really am back to my normal crazy life. If I didn’t have Medifast, I can hardly imagine what kind of shape I would be in. I can only make time for grab-and-go meals. I used to make coffee or grab a Mountain Thunder soda because it was the quickest thing and would keep my stomach (and me) from growling all day long.

As I was driving in to work today I was thinking how grateful I am for how quick and easy Medifast is. I got a call the other day at 3:12 am from my co-worker. Our kitchen manager called out sick so I needed to come in and make breakfast. I live an hour away from my job so I jumped out of bed, got a shower and made my way to work. Before leaving the house, I whipped up a banana shake for the drive. I made breakfast for over 200 people without even thinking about eating a blueberry Belgium waffle with pecans. I did notice how my apron fit � I could wrap the ties around to the front!! I want to wear this apron everyday .

The next evening, I was working at a cookout at my work and we ran out of buns. I needed to run and pick some up but I was starving and running on empty. So I took my mug of chicken noodle soup for a ride to the store. When I got back I was satisfied and I didn’t look twice at the hamburgers and pasta salad…

I am back to work and “normal” life. Everyone keeps saying “Wow, are you STILL doing that diet?” Some have even told me I have to stop before I get too skinny. The last few weeks have been a true test of my will and I am grateful to be back (where Pringles and hot cookies don’t roam free and taunt me at every step).

After being out of the office for nearly 3 weeks I am swamped (just as I imagined I would be). Pre-Medifast I wouldn’t have had time to eat at all today. But I was able to eat 3 healthy meals and keep going. I have so much energy and I’m staying on track. I love this stuff!

Have you tried the Medifast Ready-to-Drink Shakes yet? I discovered how wonderful they are! They taste good and are so quick. Just shake and go! They are even quicker than making the powder shakes. This weekend I went out on a boat around the Chesapeake Bay and I threw some in a cooler. When I got hungry I shook one up and enjoyed every last drop. Yum! Who needs beer when you’ve got French Vanilla? …

Week 2 of class and I can’t wait to get back to my real life. I had to enlist the help of my classmates to help me get through it. The meeting room came equipped with a counter of everyone’s favorite snacks and a fridge with sodas galore. I stuck to water and DDPs and tried very hard to position myself away from the trough (snack counter.) Ok, I did have a bite of a cookie before making someone take it from me.

I snapped back to my Medifast reality when we went to lunch at a quick chicken restaurant. I ordered a grilled chicken salad and was waiting for the food when someone walked up to me and asked “Are you Heather?” I said “yes” and she said that she reads my story ever week! Holy Cow! I got noticed! (I am SO glad I ordered salad and not nuggets and fries!) She said that she has been on Medifast for 3 weeks and has lost 17 pounds! It so great to see other real people on Medifast to help keep me focused.

I want to say hi to all the people in my class this week and say thank you for not tempting me and taking the Pringles (and hot cookies) away from me.

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful holiday weekend!

Every morning there is a huge hot breakfast buffet. The training classroom has snacks and evil delicious treats. Lunch has a new theme everyday. Dinner is with a group of classmates. How is a girl supposed to stick to a diet when she is out of her element and tempted at every turn?

I thank the hotel for having those horrible mirrors in the bathroom area. Every time I am tempted I just think of my lower half in those mirrors and just keep working until I can break and get a Medifast Meal. I bought a single serve blender to make shakes for just $12 and have it in my hotel room. I figure, when I get back from training I will keep it in my office.

As I was packing for 2 weeks I struggled to carry my bags downstairs. It was so heavy I was slightly winded after getting them down the hall, around the corner and downstairs. I thought “let’s see how much of a wimp I really am.” I put one of my bags on the scale and it weighed 45 pounds. My other bag with my paperwork and work supplies weighed 30 pounds. I can’t believe I used to carry this much weight around with me all the time! No wonder I was so winded before losing this weight…

Yesterday I had a seminar for work. I had to stay at a hotel the night before. The hotel was equipped with only a coffee maker in the room. Before heading out for the class (knowing that I would be facing a breakfast buffet) I used the coffee maker to heat water for my oatmeal.

I really didn’t know what to expect from the rest of the day so I took my big purse and packed away a bar, soup and soy crisps. At the morning bathroom break I had soy chips and a coffee. At lunch they served sandwiches and chips. I used a mug and the hot water (seemingly for tea, but not for me) and mixed up a cream of broccoli soup. I saved the bar for the afternoon break with bottled water.

This was a tough day. I didn’t want to be the token “I’m on a diet” girl. People just roll their eyes when you say that. But this is so much more. As people looked curiously as I mixed up my soup and did not partake in the cheesecake I just smiled and said mmmm’ed. Some asked and I told them about how I lost 29 pounds and 4 dress sizes in 10 weeks. I gave them the info (Hi, if your reading this now.)…