I often write about the details of the Medifast diet. I am sometimes asked, “Can athletes use Medifast? Does the diet provide enough calories and protein to support exercise?” I will answer these questions in the next article.
You can exercise with Medifast: The company actually encourages you to work out at least 2-3 times a week. For those who don’t normally exercise, the company recommends waiting 2-3 weeks before starting your regimen to give your body time to adjust to fewer calories. For those who already exercise, the company recommends cutting your regimen in half for the first few weeks, again to give your body time to adjust to a smaller number of calories (around 1,000 to 1,300).
I wouldn’t call myself an athlete, but I have built my regimen to where I exercise regularly and rigorously. I didn’t exercise when I started, so there was no hard adjustment period. But I started with power walking and eventually added ankle weights and then a weight vest. Today I do weights, cardio (elliptical and/or treadmill) and I also try to do some circuit training. I have never had a problem or felt dizzy or dizzy. I think by now my body probably feels like dieting is a normal way of life. But, everyone is different. The company suggests resting and starting over if you experience this.
Medifast 70 Shakes Are A Good Choice For Athletes: There are basically three types of shakes in this plan: the ready-to-drink, the 55, and the 70. The ready-to-drink shakes are pre-made. The 55 and 70 require you to mix them together or use a blender. Mostly women use 55 and men use 70 as this contains more protein. But, 70 is also appropriate for athletes due to the higher protein content.
The diet is low glycemic index: I feel this diet may be a good option for athletes looking for a convenient low carb, high protein diet. Most of the food is prepackaged which makes things very convenient and many are soy based. They are all very low in carbs and sugars. This fits well with the dietary requirements of many athletes, as having enough protein to build muscle and support energy expenditure is very important.
And, if you have any doubt that 1000 – 1300 calories are not enough to support exercise, you can always adjust or add to your lean and green meal. This is the only time of the day when you cook for yourself and prepare your own meals. You’re supposed to eat 5 to 7 ounces of lean protein, but I wouldn’t see the harm in adding a little more if you’re going to burn it off through exercise anyway.
