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 exercise 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 so your body has 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 lower number of calories (around 1,000 to 1,300).
I wouldn’t call myself an athlete, but I’ve built my regimen to where I exercise regularly and rigorously. I didn’t exercise when I started, so there wasn’t a difficult 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 try to do some circuit training as well. I have never had a problem or felt dizzy or dizzy. I think by now my body probably feels that 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 Option For Athletes: There are basically three types of shakes in this plan: ready-to-drink, 55, and 70. Ready-to-drink shakes are pre-made. The 55 and 70 require you to mix them up or use a blender. For the most part, women use 55 and men use 70 as it contains more protein. But, the 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 foods are prepackaged, which makes things very convenient, and many are soy-based. They are all very low in carbohydrates and sugars. This fits well with the dietary requirements of many athletes, as it is very important to have enough protein to build muscle and support energy expenditure.
And, if you’re in any doubt that 1,000-1,300 calories isn’t enough to support exercise, you can always adjust or add to your lean, green meal. This is the only time of day that 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 bit more if you’re going to burn it off through exercise anyway.
