The Medi-Weightloss Program is a plan designed to help you lose weight and keep it off long-term. With over 90 locations throughout the United States, the program has rapidly gained popularity as a physician-supervised weight loss approach. The Medi-Weightloss® program is not a fad diet; it truly is a lifestyle change. Many of our locations are now accepting insurance and offer in-network providers with major carriers. In a Hurry?
This article delves into the details of the Medi-Weightloss diet, examining its components, functionality, and effectiveness in achieving weight loss, particularly during the crucial first week.
Understanding the Medi-Weightloss Program
The Medi-Weightloss Program is a high-protein, low-carb diet plan designed to promote long-lasting weight loss. It was originally created in 2005 by entrepreneur Edward Kaloust. To follow it, you have to attend regular check-ins at a Medi-Weightloss clinic. It may also involve the use of supplements, prescription medications, or injections.
The program emphasizes personalized guidance and medical supervision. It is designed to help individuals achieve their weight loss goals, whether they are preparing for a special occasion, aiming to improve their health, or seeking to avoid or prepare for weight loss surgery.
The Initial Consultation and Personalization
The Medi-Weightloss Program starts with an initial consultation with a medical professional at one of the company’s clinics. During your consultation, the professional will collect information about your health history and may ask you to go through several tests, such as a blood panel or body composition analysis. You're preparing for a special occasion such as a wedding, birthday, or anniversary. You want to fit into your clothes again, the way you did before you had kids, or were in college, or high school. You're pre-diabetic and you know it's not too late to make a change for the better. Your doctor recommends you get weight loss surgery and you need to prepare for or possibly prevent surgery. Whatever your reason, we'll respect your privacy and you'll find we'll work with you to achieve your goal starting from your first visit! Our professionals focus on preventative medicine.
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The medical professional will use this information to create a custom diet and exercise plan for you. You can also increase your intake of calories and carbohydrates. For most people, the Medi-Weightloss Program recommends transitioning to a 40/30/30 plan, which is made up of about: 40% of total daily calories from carbohydrates, 30% from healthy fats, 30% from protein. This personalization is a key aspect of the program, tailoring the diet to individual needs and goals. I was impressed with the personalization of the diet based on age, weight, and lab results.
What to Expect in the First Week
On average, patients on our individualized restricted calorie program lose 6.4 pounds the first week and 14 pounds the first month. Medical supervision required.*Not all providers are in-network with all carriers. Not all services and products are covered. Starting this process was scary, but the fear passed the moment I left my first consultation. As promised, I saw results after the first week.
The initial phase of the Medi-Weightloss Program typically involves a restricted calorie intake to promote rapid weight loss. This phase aims to induce ketosis, a metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel instead of carbohydrates. During this period, individuals may experience significant weight loss.
Dietary Guidelines
The Medi-Weightloss Program provides comprehensive guidelines for which foods you should eat and avoid while following the diet. The staff always pushed me toward my goal and no one was ever judgmental if I had a bad week.
Foods to Eat:
- Fruits: apples, oranges, berries, kiwi, pears, peaches, plums
- Non-starchy vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, zucchini, spinach, kale, tomatoes
- Proteins: lean cuts of beef and pork, skinless poultry, seafood, eggs, tofu, tempeh
- Nuts: almonds, walnuts, macadamia nuts, pistachios, cashews
- Seeds: hemp seeds, chia seeds, flaxseed, sunflower seeds
- Cooking oils: olive oil, coconut oil, vegetable oil
- Beverages: water, coffee, unsweetened tea
Some foods that are higher in carbohydrates are also permitted in moderation, including:
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- Dairy products: milk, cheese, yogurt, butter
- Whole grains: quinoa, brown rice, oats, farro
- Starchy vegetables: potatoes, corn, peas, beets, yam, parsnips
- Legumes: black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans, lentils
Foods to Avoid:
On the Medi-Weightloss Program, you should limit foods that are highly processed or rich in carbohydrates or added sugar.
Here are some foods you may need to limit on the diet:
- Processed foods: fast food, convenience meals, fried foods, chips, pretzels
- Refined carbs: white pasta, white bread, crackers
- Sweets: baked goods, cookies, cakes, candies
- Beverages: soda, juice, sweet tea, energy drinks, sports drinks
- Sugar: white sugar, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey
Sample Meal Plan
Your specific diet plan can vary based on your nutritional needs, your weight loss goals, and which phase of the program you’re in.
Here is a 3-day sample meal plan to give you an idea of what your menu may look like during the initial acute weight loss phase of the program.
Day 1
- Breakfast: omelet with mushrooms, tomatoes, and bell peppers
- Lunch: garlic baked salmon with asparagus
- Dinner: salad with grilled chicken, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, cucumbers, and avocado
- Snacks: apple slices with peanut butter
Day 2
- Breakfast: smoothie with almond milk, protein powder, flaxseed, spinach, and berries
- Lunch: tofu stir-fry with peppers, broccoli, green beans, and ginger
- Dinner: beef and cabbage soup with veggie side salad
- Snacks: turkey roll-ups with tomatoes and lettuce
Day 3
- Breakfast: scrambled eggs with garlic and kale
- Lunch: baked pork chops with cauliflower rice and broccoli
- Dinner: lemon pepper chicken with sautéed Brussels sprouts
- Snacks: chia pudding with fresh fruit
Potential Challenges
While the Medi-Weightloss Program can be effective, it's important to be aware of potential challenges. The plan can be very restrictive and difficult to follow, especially during the initial weight loss phase. Because many foods high in carbohydrates are limited, eating at restaurants or in social settings may also be challenging, which can make the diet more difficult to stick to long-term.
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Benefits of the Medi-Weightloss Program
In addition to its potential for helping with weight loss, the Medi-Weightloss Program may offer several other benefits.
- Personalized Guidance: The program is tailored to your needs and includes personalized guidance from a healthcare professional along with detailed resources like shopping lists, recipes, and workout plans.
- Medical Supervision: For people who have underlying health conditions or food allergies or take medications, this may be a better fit than a one-size-fits-all diet plan that doesn’t take your individual needs into account. It also enables a healthcare professional to offer support and adjust your plan as needed, which can set you up for long-term success.
- Structured Approach: Additionally, the plan is split into several phases, which may be a good fit for those who prefer a more structured program. It also eases your transition into the final phase, or wellness phase, and allows you to stay in this phase for as long as you want to help you maintain your weight loss over time.
Criticisms and Considerations
Despite its popularity, the Medi-Weightloss Program has faced criticism. Some claim the program is overly restrictive, expensive, and difficult to follow.
- Limited Research: For starters, there’s very little research on the program specifically, apart from studies funded directly by the company.
- Cost: Although prices can vary depending on which clinic you go to, Medi-Weightloss programs can also be very expensive. For example, prices for the initial consultation typically range from $250-300, and check-ins cost an additional $75-100 per week. This is significantly more pricey than other popular diet programs, such as WW (formerly Weight Watchers) or Noom.
- Supplement Use: Second, Medi-Weightloss supplements contain herbs, including hoodia, guarana, and Gymnema sylvestre, that may interact with medications and lead to side effects. Most people would probably find these supplements unnecessary.
Success Stories and Testimonials
Many individuals have reported positive experiences with the Medi-Weightloss Program. These testimonials highlight the potential benefits of the program when followed diligently. "Our amazing success over the past 10 years is due in large part, to you entrusting us with your care and the care of your friends and family. We are extremely proud and thankful that more than half of new patients are based on your referrals. And without your dedication and adherence to the program, we would not be fast approaching 4 million pounds lost nationwide.
"I lost 135 pounds and 18 inches from my waist, and my health improved! My blood sugar dropped 8.4%, my triglycerides dropped by 73%, and my blood pressure dropped by 15%. But the best part for me? I learned how to eat healthy and have so much more energy. The Medi-Weightloss® program is not a fad diet; it truly is a lifestyle change. When I began the program, I could barely walk a mile. Now my daughter and I run half marathons together. And seven years after I started, I stayed within 5 pounds of my goal weight. I continue to live by the principles the program taught me. I got my life back. I continued to follow the program as directed and lost weight week after week. After five months, I went from 185 pounds to 135 pounds, a total weight loss of 50 pounds. I am happier with myself today than i have ever been. I know that I couldn't have done it without the Medi-Weightloss® Program and the truly amazing support I received from my Medi-Weightloss® team. From the beginning, I began to feel better, have more energy, and see results. I lost over 30 pounds and I went from a size 8 to a size 2 in three months. Medi-Weightloss® helped me lose weight, which gave me tremendous relief from the pain as well as more energy! The medical staff taught me how to make healthy choices and manage the issues that come along with my Rheumatoid Arthritis.