I am new on Board. I have never done this before.

I am hoping to find a friend who has been on a liquid diet plan.  I have just started the Opitfast 800 18 week program and would like to share information.  I lost 5 lbs. the first week and I can tell you that is the hardest 5 lbs. I have ever lost.  I have been on every diet under the sun.  My doctor just told me if I don't lose the weight and lose it soon, I will have diabetes.  That is my motivator.  I hope to receive some feed back.

That is one plan i've not tried, so no help here.  However, it is definitely effective in removing the weight.  I'm sure somebody has experience and can jump in here!  Good luck, sweetie, no way is the easy way.

You are right about it not being easier.  You would think the older we get the easier it would be, but just the opposite is true. The only easy way I know to go on a diet and lose weight is go into a six month coma!! Thank you for the support!

Hiya,      Back at the start of 2003, I did the medically-supervised HMR program through a local hospital.  It's the same sort of 5+ protein shakes a day diet.  I disliked the shakes enough that I only drank the 5 required ones each day to meet my minimum and ended up losing 10.6# the first week alone.  Putting minimal effort in, I dropped 42# during the program (didn't exercise the first couple weeks like I was supposed to, started eating junk food in between my meals during the last couple).  I have a friend doing that program right now back in Boston (elderly man with severe diabetes) and he has lost a huge amount of weight even though he is very limited in mobility.      Anyone who follows these programs to the letter will lose a significant amount of weight.  The main problem is keeping up the motivation and then the dangerous transition back to "real" food.  Make sure that you incorporate large amounts of water into your regimen as well as 2,000+ calories of cardio exercise each week so they become lifetime habits.  When you do reach the end of the program, keep up with a weekly support group meeting (where you have to weigh in) and make the food changes gradually.  For example, add vegetables to your diet for a couple weeks in addition to the shakes.  Then add fruits in over the next 2 weeks.  Then add lean meats in over the 2 weeks after that.  Sugar will never again be your friend, so avoid it except in fruit.      Good luck! :-)

Hi Julie, Thanks for the info.  This is my second week.  The first week I lost 5 lbs and this week I lost 1.8 lbs.  I am following the diet to the letter, only the shakes no food.  I am having trouble drinking all the water I need to drink.  Do you suppose that would hinder the weight loss?   I lost all of my weight and kept it off for six years and then gained it all back plus more.  I know it is a constant battle.  I always do better when I have someone besides myself to be accountable to.   Thanks for all of your great tips.  I will keep you posted.  :>0

Welcome to the board!  We're a good group to hang with on this site. :) I have never been on the program that you are going on...but man I wish I would have chosen that! Quicker results. I wish you all the luck! And always keep us posted.  Good Luck and Welcome  <-- The losers dance :)  ---Christa

Hi Christa, Thank you for your input.  I'm not sure yet this is the right way to go. I plan to hang on until the end and hope I drop a lot of lbs. I will keep you posted.  I love the losers dance  lol Betty

Hi and welcome to the board!   Years ago I did that and lost about 65 lbs. When the doctor retired I gradually added the weight back on so the thing I would say is start planning for "after" right now.  In some ways it was very easy to do it this way because I didn't have to worry about what to fix for my meals etc but the first couple weeks were definitely adjustment weeks. I am doing something different this time and trying to build exercise etc into a new lifestyle but actually my internist would have supported me doing this and gradually transitioning to something else. I just decided to try something a little different instead. I think you can do this and you will certainly be pleased with the result.  Doing this simplifies things for a little while and allows you the time to make some internal changes for a healthier lifestyle! Best wishes! Sherry

Hi Sherry, It is good to hear from someone who has actually gone through the program.  I have lost 7 lbs in two weeks, which doesn't see like a lot to me.  I don't get hungry, but I am an emotional eater, hunger has nothing to do with it.  Right now I'm sure my husband thinks I am not very pleasant to be around.  I have all these emotions and don't quite know what to do with them.  I can't soothe them with food. What are you trying this time to lose and keep your weight off?  I can tell you, I plan to finish this program but I will never do it again!!  I have to admit it is nice for awhile not having to worry about counting calories, points, carbs, fat grams etc.  All I have to decide is Vanilla, Strawberry or Chocolate. I will keep you posted and thank you for answering my plea for help.  I hope to hear from you again. Betty