Hello friends! My 40th birthday is far from over, my dear sister in Miami called and told me that we are going to Vegas at the end of October to stay at a fancy hotel and see Cirque du Soleil’s Love set to the Beatles music! She has paid for everything and all I have to bring is spending money! I haven’ t been to Vegas since I was in my 20s. I remember all the buffets and free drinks, something that I will need to steer clear of! I will just take my Medifast and stay strong. It will be a huge success for me to get through this trip and not falter.

While I am grateful to her for her generosity, I feel pressure to lose more weight fast or I won’t have a good time. I really wanted to say no thank you, maybe next year because I still don’t feel ready. There I go again, cheating myself out of a good time, almost acting like a hermit. I am sure some of you can understand. When will I feel better, when will I enjoy myself again? Is it more than the weight?

One of the hardest things for me to deal with is understanding that celebrations and vacations don’t always have to include alcohol and tons of food. I grew up in this kind of environment with all the Italian cuisine. My Aunt Julia use to say “You too thin, mangia!” There would be wine at every meal and dessert after every dinner! I can’t blame my childhood for my emotional eating issues, but it does contribute a little. It’s almost like I feel like I am at home while feasting on pasta dishes and wine. It’s comforting and warm…

30 Reader Comments

1 | On September 16, Susan said:

Hi Julie, I love reading your blogs. You remind me so much of my cousins that live on the Mediterranean island of Malta. Like you,I grew up on pasta and wine.I remember every family member you went to visit expected you to eat. Of course back then, I was a skinny little kid. HeeHee I am also learning to eat the right way and it feels so much safer to stay home. I understand how you feel. Reading about your success really motivates me. I started MF on May 25 and I have lost 50 pounds so far. I have about 45 more to go. I just want to thankyou for sharing your experiences and helping us to reach our goals. Have a wonderful weekend!!!! Susan

2 | On September 16, Tami said:

Hi Julie and everyone! Your trip to Vegas sounds like a great plan, there will always be salad bars at the buffet, you can do it! Just think of all the wonderful things you can do besides eating there. Its been 1 week for me on mf and I am feeling great. I am 7 pounds down as of today. Yeah! I hope my 2nd week will be as good. I even went out to eat twice, but I made healthy lean and green choices. I hope to continue on the right track. Have a wonderful weekend and I will check back soon.

3 | On September 17, jm said:

Hi Julie, I really identified with your blog about avoiding outings and trips because of the temptations. It’s almost like you want to tell the world - leave me alone until I get to my goal and figure out my plan to stay at that goal!!! The work of losing weight is hard enough without the extra burden of the “temptations”. I, too, come from a big Italian family of wonderful cooks and I equate plentiful food and wine with happiness, security and love. I think it will be an ongoing daily struggle to keep the balance between eating healthy and keeping the weight off….I find it very difficult to overcome the power that food has over me, especially on vacations and celebrations. I think as long as we get right back on track with our plan we will have control. Life happens and we will enjoy food with reckless abandon at times. MF will always be there for us to get back on track! It’s all a balancing act - even for skinny people who look as if they have none of these issues. Take care and don’t worry! JM

4 | On September 18, Julie said:

Hi Susan - Paizana! I am so excited that you have lost 50 lbs, you must feel incredible! You are an inspiration to ME girl! Please kee in touch!

Hey Tami - You are right, I will stick to the salad bar! I am not much of a gambler at all, but love to people watch and just walk the strip. Congrats on 7 lbs gone woohoo! Stay on track, you can do it!!

Hello JM - I know I do want to tell the world to go away until I am at goal LOL that is so funny and very true! I have heard from a lot of Italinas maybe its a curse LOL…nah, I hear that in Italy everyone is fit and walks everywhere! They eat tomatoes with olive oil drizzled on them for lunch yummy! It’s the american fast food and huge porton society that does it. You are right, it will always be a struggle for us. When things are tough I just want to go to that sedate place of eating, not a good habit at all! Good luck to you and please keep writing!

I am off to make a cream of chicken soup….mmm mmm!

5 | On September 18, Gigi said:

Hi Paizana’s Jule, Susan and JM!! I too can relate to the “mangia,mangia” syndrome, having grown up in an Italian family also. It’s not easy changing those old lifestyles but we are trying to create new ones with MF. I can sooo relate to your new blog, Julie. I feel like MF is my friend also - and a very forgiving one at that! Especially when I have cheated a little. It’s always there - just waiting for me to come back and come to my senses! And you’re right , MF is teaching us how to be healthy again. Hope you have a great time in LV! I’m sure you will do fine, you’ll probably be soo busy you won’t even have time to eat! (Well, at least not a lot!) Take care - LOL Gigi

6 | On September 19, Ellen said:

Hi Julie..thats great your going to Vegas…Have a blast..I went when i wa sonly on MF 3 weeks, I brought shakes for breakfast and lunch, and hit all the seafood buffets. I lived on shrimp and crab legs…nor so bad huh lol /// You can do it ………

7 | On September 19, Rebecca said:

Hi Julie;

8 | On September 19, Rebecca said:

Hi AGAIN Julie (oops - guess my fingers went crazy and hit send with that prior greeting….sorry!)
Thank you for being so honest with us. I can relate to your questions “When will I feel better? Is it more than the weight??” My original goal was 135, which I met but it didn’t seem like enough, so I am maintaining now at 129. It’s ups and downs every day and I AM very proud and happy but I do know that it will be a life-long commitment and a lot of hard work to stay at this weight. In fact, a very thin neighbor of mine actually fainted at the gas pump last week - I was astonished when I heard about it - SHE was dieting - WHY?? The friend who told me about it said well, of course she’s dieting, how do you think she’s so thin?? It kind of brought the whole package home for me…..very few people (especially over age 30 or 35) are just naturally thin without working at it. Like you, Medifast is my security and my friend. It’s safe and it’s nutritious and I love it!! I also wanted to say that you are a beautiful woman Julie. Inside AND out!!!! You just hold your head high and smile and all eyes will be on you. Your sister sounds awesome - you guys will have a blast together!! Plus, you still have a month to lose more weight - you CAN and you WILL!!! Hugs to you and thanks again!

9 | On September 20, JM said:

Hello Julie and All - I have to agree so much with Rebecca about maintaining the weight that makes us feel so good. I think not understanding maintenance is the main reason for the yo-yo dieting I have done all my life. I work so hard to get to my goal weight and then I think I can sit back and eat what I want! So I have no reason to be surprised when I get chubby again! I am just so good at dieting because I set a goal and work toward the goal, but flop at maintenance for any significant amount of time. I have also come to learn that the “skinny” people that I’ve always been envious of actually keep a constant vigil on their weight. They just don’t make a big deal of it. I was talking to one of my friends who is just beautiful and you would never think she even knows how to diet but she told me she watches what she eats every day - and allows herself certain weekend nights out to enjoy wine or beer or French fries, or whatever, that is normally forbidden. I was shocked as I thought I was the only one who obsessed about what to eat or not to eat. Yes, thin people work at it!!! They just have figured out the balancing act that is necessary - and that is something we will learn or have learned with MF. I am so thankful for MF to BE MY BALANCING ACT. You are all so wonderful to share these revelations with! You have all accomplished soooooo very much too! My heartfelt thanks to all of you and for your wisdom and sharing!

10 | On September 20, Julie said:

Hi Gigi - thank you for the love! I can’t wait until maintenence when I can have a portion of lasagna and a glass of merlot Hey I just remembered you can make lasagna with zucchini strips instead of noodles, yummy!

Hey Rebecca - you are so sweet and made me feel like I can do this! My sister is fantastic and she does work at being slim. Although she doesn’t have the food issues I have always had thats for sure! Your kind words realy mean a lot and I am so proud of you for getting healthy and weighing in at 129, I can’t imagine being that small! A good weight for me is about 145, I will get there

Hi JM - you are right on with the understanding maintenance and how skinny people stay skinny! I am so happy to have you here on the blog! Please keep soming back with more encouraging words and advice!

11 | On September 20, Julie said:

oops…thats coming back, typing too fast

12 | On September 20, Susan said:

Hi Julie and all my new friends, Hope you are all doing well. I have a question for everyone.Are any of you afraid about how you will handle reaching maintenance? I know I can control my eating on MF, but I can’t control myself around normal food. In July when I was on vacation, I did really well until the last two days and I started cheating. I’m ashamed to say I lost total control. Luckily when I got home my MF buddy,Cynthia got me back on track. Losing the weight is the easy part for me. I’m doing so well and I don’t want to gain the weight back. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I can do this and together we will be successful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

13 | On September 21, Pat said:

I just started to day I am over 50 b-day is 3months away so I am really determine to get the pounds off even though I have some social things coming up i have made a pledge to myself to stay focus cause my Dr wants me to lose also for health reasons so this is easy and I need support from someone that has been there But just reading every ones struggl it helps

14 | On September 21, Kim said:

Today is Day 6 of my “Medifast Life Improvement Plan”
I have 29 pounds I want to lose. I have been on and failed every diet out there. Reading the stories on Web Site I finally decided to try one last diet. I have been following the diet religiously and tomorrow will be my one-week mark, and I have only lost 1 pound. I hope with my determination the rest will begin to follow, your blog has really helped to re-motivate me. Thank you!

15 | On September 21, TK said:

Kim, hang in there! You may have only lost 1lb on day 6, but wait until you weigh in on the morning of Day 8. You should be pleasantly surprised!

16 | On September 22, Robin said:

Hi to you all. I am new to MF. 2 weeks into it and have lost 9 lbs. I am wondering when I will see it in my clothes not just on the scale. The true test is this weekend. Football Sunday is big in my family. We get together and everyone brings yummy food and of course beer. Does anyone have any advise that could help me out? I can’t not go. I enjoy seeing my family and these are such great times. But as I’ve read it’s not only a celebration of being together, it’s that everyone is eating and drinking. I will try to stay strong and eat the bbq meat and drink water…say a few prayers for me would you. I’ll let you know how I faired on Monday. This is a great diet. I hope to share both my success as well as all of yours. Lol

17 | On September 24, Susan said:

Hi Julie, Could you please post the recipe for the lasagna using the zucchini strips instead of noodles.Thanks! Hope you had a great weekend.

18 | On September 24, nik said:

I have enjoyed reading your blog, Julie. I plan to order my first month of products tomorrow. I have always been heavy, but since having a baby I put on so much weight that I am completely uncomfortable and plagued with all kinds of aches, pain and fatigue. Everyone’s stories have been very inspirational. I am choosing MF because I am a foodie and when I try and diet I only become more obsessed with food.

19 | On September 24, nik said:

I will ad (and sorry for the double post) that my main concern is cooking for my family. How do you all handle this when you are not eating? I find it hard to cook without tasting the food. I wish I could give up cooking all together for a few months, but I have a little and a big guy to feed.

20 | On September 27, Angie said:

Hello ALL!! So many new people on the board - that is great and good to see the results and the struggles - we share it all and support each other in good times and bad….sounds like wedding vows!! Speaking of which …. our wedding was absolutely wonderful last Friday and despite the downpour of rain right before and during our outdoor ceremony - all was beautiful! Honeymoon is in February so now I am determined to reach goal by then. I did gain 7#’s over the past two weeks according to weigh in last night but I have had a great two weeks and am not upset at all. I started back on the shakes this morning and despite some big birthday celebrations coming up - I will stay strong but am going to enjoy life at the same time. I - like so many on this board ~ turn 40 on 10/7 and will be in Vegas for this blessed event. I am going to party but maintain control. I feel so good about this program and the choices I have made and how I feel. Best wishes to all!!

21 | On September 28, prosperous said:

Angie!! Angie!!! Angie!!!!!

I’ve missed you friend, CONGRATULATIONS!

22 | On September 29, Angie said:

Prosp…..how have you been and how are things going for you these days?

23 | On September 29, prosperous said:

I’m doing ok. We’ve placed an order for a 30 day supply. I’ve got a “buddy” here locally on the program so I’m looking forward to having a success story of my own. Keep watching the board. I may start the next blog…especially since Miss Julie is too fanntabbulous-forty-fine and barreling toward completing her goal! Julie you rock!

Angie, are you at goal? R U in the maintenance phase yet? I’m sure you made a beautiful bride.

24 | On October 2, Angie said:

Not at goal yet - I have 30 pounds to go but I am over half way - goal weight is 170 according to my doctor. Right now really trying to get mentally back into the game so when I am back from Vegas next Wednesday - Thursday will be 100% back into the game. I am trying to make certain I don’t put any more back on ’til I start back up. The first 40 came off so easily so I know I will get my head back into this very soon!! Take care!!

25 | On October 2, Julie said:

No Noodle Lasagna II Low Carb Recipe
Ingredients:
2 pounds hamburger
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
Salt and pepper
8 ounce can no-sugar tomato sauce
28 ounces zucchini (about 1 3/4 pounds)
15 ounces ricotta
2 eggs
Pinch chopped parsley
8 ounces shredded mozzarella
1/2 cup shredded parmesan (2 ounces)

Directions:
Brown the hamburger with the garlic; drain fat. Season with salt and pepper. Stir in the tomato sauce and Italian seasoning. Beat the eggs with the ricotta; add a little salt and pepper and the parsley. Thinly slice the zucchini lengthwise (about 1/8-inch thick - do not peel).

Grease a 9×13″ baking pan. Layer everything in this order: 1/3 zucchini, salt and pepper, 1/2 the meat sauce, 1/3 zucchini, salt and pepper, all of the ricotta, 1/2 the mozzarella and parmesan, 1/3 zucchini, salt and pepper, the rest of the meat sauce, the rest of the cheeses.

Bake at 325 degrees for 45 minutes to an hour until bubbly and zucchini is cooked well.

Makes 8-12 servings (8 servings - 8 carbs each) (10 servings - 6.5 carbs each) (12 servings - 5.5 carbs each)

26 | On October 2, Julie said:

Hi to all my wonderful old and new friends on here! I have been in a training at work and have had no time to post, sorry for the delay! I posted the noodle free lasagna recipe above yummy but don’t eat large portions keep it small My thoughts and best wishes to all! I am off to more meetings for now, argh. Take care everyone and keep up the Medifast successes…woohoo lets get skinny baby!

27 | On October 2, Susan said:

Julie, Thanks for the recipe.Can’t wait to try it!!!

28 | On January 24, tiff said:

Wow so many amazing stories, well just want you all to know that i will begin my journey feb 1 2007. I will keep you posted.

29 | On February 7, tiff said:

Today I have started my journal, I’m sitting at work trying to drink one of the shakes. This is a life time change for me, and I’m doing my best to stay on track. Please offer me so advise to stay focus.

Tiff

30 | On February 8, amy said:

hi guys -

i started the medifast program three days ago and have already lost three pounds… i’ve gained a ton of weight in the past seven years… i went through a divorce… lost my mother… and food was my best friend… i cannot stand to have my picture taken because i look so horrible… i’m tall - 6′ - so people already look when i walk in a room… it doesn’t help that i’m the size of a professional wrestler… anyway… i’m thrilled so far with the results… i can’t drink the shakes so i substitute soup and that seems to be working out fine… i wish everyone the best of luck with their weight loss goals…

Well, summer is coming to an end, and it’s time to look forward to the fall months. I love fall in Oregon, the trees are so beautiful, and I enjoy taking walks on cool mornings, building a crackling fire and drinking warm drinks. Thank goodness for Medifast hot cocoa and Chai lattes or I would be in trouble! If you haven’t tried these yet you are missing out, they are yummy! I have added the cocoa to my coffee in the morning to satisfy my Starbuck’s mocha craving. It sure beats drinking 600 calories and 35 grams of fat! I was a mocha-maniac!

It is hard to give up those comforts when you start Medifast. I really had to find a happy place before I started this journey. I gave up mochas, wine (I miss you), captain crunch cereal at 11pm, sushi (I miss you most), chips and salsa… well I still have a bit of salsa now and then but it isn’t the same! Oh, and you all know about my favorite burrito joint, I swear I can smell it from my apartment! I read the success stories over and over on Medifast to keep me motivated - it really helps! This blog helps too because I can vent and say I am having a hard time keeping this up! 3 months in with a few slip ups here and there, 28 pounds down. We can do this!

I know it is hard, it can get discouraging… I mean why do other people get to eat sushi and stay slim? The only thing I can think of is that I go overboard and eat too much. I don’t stop when I am full. It’s almost like I can’t get enough. When you treat every meal like it is your last, you are going to gain weight, it’s just that simple. So, Medifast is teaching us how to eat, when to eat and how much to eat.

When I feel I have conquered the weight issue then I can start incorporating the foods I desire back into my life in moderation, feeling satisfied with some but not ALL! I have faced the fact that I will need Medifast 2-3 times a day to stay on track during maintenance (when I get there), and this is fine with me! I am moving forward from today, not dwelling on the fact that others lose faster than me. I am not looking at the number 28. I have 20 (ish) pounds to go and nothing but time to get there

Sorry that I rambled from one subject to the next, but I am having a DAY to say the least! Um yeah…there is a big banana cake with butter cream frosting in our company lunch room… I could seriously dive right into it but I am going for a walk instead and coming back to make a hot cocoa, so there! LOL

Take care everyone and send some comments! Let’s get skinny baby!

Is it really true? Am I seriously turning 40 on Friday?! I thought I would be in my 20s forever. I need to call my mom and make sure my birth certificate is correct! Goodbye sweet 30s, hello fabulous 40s!

I told myself that I refuse to be fat and forty and I did it! With the help of Medifast and my own determination, a few weights and an exercise ball, I will have a happy birthday! Now, what will I eat and how will I celebrate? I feel like I need a treat but also feel that I need to honor how far I have come and stay on track.

Gosh it would be nice to have a cake, I love cakes, it’s my favorite part of birthdays because they are so pretty. But I don’t think anyone will be getting me one because they all know I am on Medifast and they could sabotage me and send me into an eating frenzy, LOL! So, I think I will go get a pedicure and lock myself in a room for the rest of the day, just kidding

Hi friends! Medifast sure is teaching me a lot about myself and others. I realized that my life was truly centered around food. It’s like I would plan what I was going to eat for the next day the night before! This may sound crazy but it’s true. I would think “I haven’t had Mexican food for a while” and would plan my meal in my mind. I would think of friends to call that like Mexican food and would be more than willing to overeat with me!

I have a fabulous friend who is getting gastric bypass surgery this year, she is at the end of her rope and has tried everything. Well, except Medifast, but she is so discouraged that she is just going to do it. I realize now that I am being a good example to her and others by making healthy choices and taking control of my weight. I think of the saying “Misery loves company” and that is what I was doing!

But with Medifast, I don’t have to think, I can’t sway from it, I grab 5 packets and that is what I am having today. I am being supportive of her because we all have to find our own path and if I preach to her too much it could cause bad feelings. Here I am struggling to lose my pesky 40 lbs and others have over 100+ pounds to lose. Well, there is hope! Just look at the success stories on here…

Last week was frustrating for me, I didn’t lose a pound! I was trying to find reasons why, maybe it was the key lime pie on vacation, maybe I am in a plateau, maybe the scale is broken. I followed Medifast religiously and nothing? Hey not fair. All the success stories say they have lost consistently each week! Why am I different? Am I going to fail another diet?

I woke up late this morning and rushed around getting my son’s lunch packed, making coffee and getting a shower. I went to get dressed and OH NO! I didn’t throw my laundry in the dryer, I have no clean jeans to wear to work! I work in a casual environment. I looked at the clock and HOLY COW I have to leave in 15 minutes to get my son to YMCA camp and get to work, he isn’t dressed and wants French toast, all I wanted to do was shove a bunch of cheezits in my mouth or skip work and go drink bloody mary’s LOL…

I took a deep breath, figured I could be a few minutes late to work and made French toast for my ’stink bug’ (my son’s nickname) - ran to my room to get dressed and all I had were an old pair of jeans that are too small! I thought lets give it a whirl and if they don’t fit I am really going to go have bloody mary’s well … THEY FIT!…

Well, I am back from my Miami vacation and let me tell you, Medifast is do-able on vacations! It was not the easiest thing I have done, but thanks to my sister and her already healthy lifestyle, I made it through! We stayed active and went to the beach, a water park and rode this cool 6-seater bike around the Miami Zoo, pedaling all afternoon. The only thing I did do was take a bite of key lime pie…arghhhhhhhhhhh, ok and a glass of wine, but that was it! I was actually satisfied with only a nibble.

I started Medifast May 1st and have lost 24 lbs! I have been steady at 1-3 lbs. a week the whole time. I know others have lost more or faster but I guess this is just the way I lose. I feel fantastic and very determined! I am going to ramp up the exercise a bit and see if that helps get me to my 40 lb. goal by my birthday Aug 18th!

I have become an inspiration! Two of my dearest friends started Medifast today! They have a catering business and one is a chef. I am so happy to have inspired them to begin a healthier lifestyle. I know it won’t be easy for them the first few days, they are use to having delicious food at their disposal all day long…

Hi friends! Well, I am off to Miami tomorrow morning with my son! My sister and niece live there and it is one of my favorite places to vacation…and eat. I LOVE the Cuban cuisine! My Medifast is already there waiting for me. I had a supply sent to my sisters address, very convenient I must say This is going to be a huge challenge for me. If you have ever had a Cuban sandwich - you can understand.

My sister is my best friend and very supportive, but she is also a size 4! ARGH! But she is very healthy and stays in shape by eating small meals through the day and working out….basically a Medifast lifestyle when it comes down to it. Besides the fact that it is non-stop laughter when we are together and I usually lose a few pounds from that and the humidity LOL! Wish me luck!

I bought a new bikini last week. This is not something I have enjoyed in the past but I actually look pretty cute in it! I walked up to a rack of suits that seemed a mile long, and started my quest. ‘Gee, this one is cute but is that really a size large bottom??’ It looked like a baby bikini! I cannot believe how tiny some of the suits are…

Wow, what a long weekend! We are having record heat here in Oregon! Yesterday we hit 101 degrees, which never happens in June, and today is heading toward the triple digits again. You know what hot weather means, bikinis and the dreaded pool!

Last year was the first summer I didn’t enjoy going to the pool because of my weight gain. Before I gained my weight I would throw on a bikini and take my son to the pool for the entire day, he LOVES to swim! We would pack snacks and drinks and make a day of it. Well, last year there was 50 more pounds of me and I would wear shorts and a tank top and not get in the water. Now I am almost half way to my goal and feeling more confident, so yesterday I threw on a suit and headed to the pool (with soy crisps)!

I really wanted to wait until all the weight was off but I realized that I was cheating myself and my son out of precious time together! He likes it when I get in the water and play water gun fights with him. We played for 2 hours in the pool and it was a blast! I also got some exercise. I am not a bathing beauty yet, by any means, but I am getting back into LIFE again. I can’t thank Medifast enough for helping me come out of the depressive life I was headed
towards. Who knows how much heavier I would be today if I hadn’t decided to take control and get healthy…

Hi everyone! I hope you are all doing well and staying on track with Medifast! I am down 19 lbs as of Monday’s weigh in! I feel great and have been working out a bit more because I have so much energy! I have to admit I thought the scale would show a better loss, but I am not discouraged because my clothes are baggy and I have to get get some new jeans this week, woohoo! Today marks the end of my 6th week on Medifast I have never averaged 3 lbs a week on any other diet! I love this program!

I have to share my burrito story with you, maybe some of you can relate and/or have a good laugh at my expense. There is this burrito place that I frequented, they have the biggest yummiest burritos in the world! I don’t think I can mention the name on here…but anyway, every time I go down a street to my house I hit a red light at the intersection right next to the burrito place. They have an outside patio and I always get stuck at the light next to the patio! The smell of the grill comes wafting into my SUV and I can see people eating burritos, chips and guacamole and drinking margaritas…

It’s been a long time since I have seen an old friend of mine, we ran into each other yesterday. The friend was MY COLLAR BONE! I can actually see my collar bone! After I showered in the morning, I decided to take a peek in the mirror and there it was!

Now, normally I avoid mirrors at all costs, especially after the shower - I usually turn the other way even if it is fogged up. This is so exciting! To celebrate I am going to buy an off the shoulder top after work today…YAY ME! I will be submitting after pictures very soon, one with my new friend ha ha! I will be weighing next week as well.

It’s been a long week and I had some challenges to say the least! My son’s Lacrosse season is coming to an end and we have had tournaments (with food), medal presentations (with food), and BBQ’s! There I sit in my camp chair with my Medifast bar watching all the other parents eat fried chicken and cake. I freeze the bars and put them in a cooler so they don’t melt in the sun. I can’t tell you how times I was offered a tasty treat, but I didn’t crumble…