I’ve lost sixty pounds on Medifast. I’m often asked for tips on how to make this diet work faster or better. Here are three tips compiled from the things that I think contributed most to my success on this program.

1. Don’t Be Afraid To Make Additions Or Enhancements To The Meals: For the most part, the medifast food is pretty good. However, sometimes you will want something different or will want more variety. One easy way to do this is to add sugar and fat free syrups. There are numerous choices (caramel, cherry, apple cinnamon, etc.) and these can be added to the shakes, oatmeal, pudding, fruit drinks, lattes, cappuccinos, and crackers. The possibilities are endless. You can also mix some items together. For example, the cocoa mixed with the latte is a very good mocha coffee in the morning.

Additionally, I add fat free cheese, fat free sour cream and salsa to the eggs, soup, stew and chili. I sometimes also add a fat free tortilla to make either a burrito or a breakfast wrap. You can also take the pudding and oatmeal and use them as the main ingredient in low fat cookies and muffins. Taking these liberties has not slowed my weight loss in any way. In fact, it has helped me stick to the program and has contributed to my success.

2. Embrace Fun Exercise That Doesn’t Feel Like A Workout: I used to absolutely hate exercise, but now I really do love it. It gives me a feeling of happiness and power. However, no where is it written that exercise has to be a chore. You don’t have to choose any activity that you don’t like. The key is to take what you enjoy and make it a workout. For example, my daughter and I often walked after dinner, but I never broke a sweat and this activity was doing me no good physically. Now, my daughter roller blades or rides her bike while I power walk with ankle weights or a weight vest. Sometimes I garden with the weight vest. I try to complete twenty minutes of movement and five to ten minutes of toning each day. That has been more than enough to make huge changes in my weight and how my body looks.

3. Once You’re Happy And Comfortable, Keep Repeating The Process: I have no doubt that the biggest factor in my weight loss has been sticking with the program. My routine is now a habit. I no longer have to think about it. Once you’ve experimented with the foods and exercises and have found the combination that makes you happy, comfortable and effective, just keep it up. Eventually it will become a habit. A few pounds each week will eventually add up to huge losses over several weeks.

The key is to make the program fun and appealing to you so that you will stick with it. Small changes will eventually become a new, healthy lifestyle that can contribute to your losing a great deal of weight on this program.