Ye, however you might wanna make sure and wait for another member to confirm it as I am not confident. Better yet, why don't you email the Medifast guys because they can answer you better...

You've lost an average of over 5 pounds per week, and you are discouraged?.

I think the problem for many of us is unrealistic expectations coupled with a lack of understanding of how the body works. You already recognize that you cannot expect to lose 15 pounds per week, so take a step back and realize that your body needs time to adjust to the new regimen you've put it on. Your brain needs to acclimate to the fact that you are not starving; and your fluids, hormones, and basic bodily functions need to adjust to the incredible drop in calories and carbs from just 3 weeks ago. It takes time, but it does happen..

Step back, check out a new perspective, look at it analytically whatever you want to call it: SEVENTEEN POUNDS IN 3 WEEKS IS FRELLING AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!..

I agree! 17 lbs in 3 weeks is AWESOME!.

As silly as it sounds, don't over do the exercise...it actually slows your weightloss, especially if your skipping meals or not following the plan exactly. The weeks I missed the last meal of my day I lost less, so give it time...YOU ARE losing!.

CONGRATS!!!! And don't give up...it probably took longer than 3 weeks or even a year to put on the weight so at this rate you will probably lose all the weight quicker than you gained it PLUS you learn some great eating habits, like portion control and more frequent eating - Habits For Life!!.

Keep up the GREAT work!..

Time will pass no matter if you are on Medifast or not. You can chose to stick to the program and be healthier, thinner and happier with yourself in 1-2-3 yrs, or you can quit and likely (if you're anything like me) be at a heavier weight in that same timeframe..

The choice is yours. I hope you stick with this program, it WORKS!.

Make sure you are not over doing the exercise, get all your 5 Medifast meals and an accurate L&G in every day. Drink all your water, it helps a lot..

Hang in there, it is hard at times - but OH SO WORTH IT! And YOU are worth it!!!..

I agree...time passes no matter what and you will be amazed how quick stuff adds up...this week marks a year on Medifast and what do I have to show for it? 151 lbs GONE!.

Some suggestions/thoughts:.

I either stayed the same or lost a little during the days before My TOM.

Measure!!! Measure yourself so you can see the inches your are losing and measure your lean and green so you're getting the correct amount of food - a food scale is your best friend.

How is your sodium intake? This is always an issue for me so I watch and am careful..

Do you Log EVERYTHING you put in your mouth? You will be amazed as to the calories/carbs that add up from little things..

Keep plugging along, even when you don't want to..

Exercise is an important habit to have. That being said, I have only walked (approximately 2-3 miles 3 or more times a week) during most of my 5 and 1....this last 20 lbs is giving me a hell of a time though so am trying to do more boot camp styled exercise via video as well as strengthening exercise with my team..

I hope some of this helps!..

I have a lot to lose, also, and I know how you feel. I know that 17 lbs is a lot to lose in 3+ weeks, but I also know how you feel about being disappointed about 1 lb each of the last 2 weeks. There are going to be great loss weeks and not so great loss weeks, but we all need to stick with it. I keep telling myself this IS going to work and I WILL lose the weight. I am on my 5th week and could always use a friend who knows what I'm going through. Good luck...together we can do this!..

Are you eating 3 green servings per day? That throws some people...

Remember that it's going to take a few weeks for your body's metabolism to "notch up" a bit because of the exercise. Additionally, one of the Poster's was "right on" when she said that you shouldn't overdue it-instead-start gradually then slowly work your way up the fitness ladder..

You've lost nearly 18 POUNDS!!!!.

That is fantastic, and while I know that it may seem like it's going to take you "forever" to lose the remaining weight, the time is going to fly by!!.

You're going to look better, feel better and reach a level of "empowerment" that you never deemed possible if you allow yourself to continue this journey that you've had such a terrific start with..

You ARE so worth it!!!!..

You've gotten some very sage advice here. I hope you've read it and take it to heart. You're off to a fantastic start and it can only get better if you stick with it...

Less is not necessarily more and once you're in ketosis & your hunger is controlled, it's easy to slip below the optimal calorie range..

I have found that if my calories dip too low (under 850-900 for me) that my weight loss barely creeps or I actually gain. You're in a wt range (as was I) that nutrition support offers the option of starting with the 4:2 plan - partly because we actually need more calories to fuel our metabolism. Make sure you are logging everything you consume & check out your calorie counts for the last week. If you were in the low 800's (or below), you may want to try eating closer to 1000 calories for the next couple of weeks & see if that kicks your metabolism up a notch. (Keeping your carbs in range - which means essentially having a little extra protein) On this plan I'm not hungry & am actually struggling to remember to eat (Who would have thunk I'd forget to eat- just so weird!) When I ignore / miss my time to eat alarm at work a couple of times during the wk, I don't lose..

And by the way - 17 pounds in 3 weeks is marvelous! Stay the course, you will succeed!..

Thanks, everyone, for the words of encouragement! I really appreciate it. I do intend to stick with this as long as it takes..

I know that looking at it as 17.6 lbs in 3 weeks is pretty amazing, but I also know that the largest portion of that was water weight. I'm not looking for 5 lbs a week, but the 2-3 range was my expectation. Maybe it is just that my body hasn't quite adjusted or that I'm not doing something quite as I should be. Not sure..

It does help to hear from others, though, so thanks again!..

I'm glad ot hear you are sticking with the program but remember the 2-3 range is an average so you will not do that every week. There may be a week you lose nothing or even less than one pound and another week you lose 4-5 lbs. The average at the end is the average and if you are plan at the end you have lost your weight and made it to goal...

I think Ana has a great point about time of the month. I should get my visitor in the next day or two and I noticed I didn't lose any weight this week. In fact, I gained 2 pounds, but I know I have been OP so I figure it is water weight. I bet next week I will lose 5-7 pounds...

I also talked to my doctor last week. He is the reason I am on this plan. He also confirmed that it may take a good month for the body to adjust, and once it does, the weight should come off a little more consistently..

As it turns out, even though I got up yesterday feeling bloated and generally disgusting after having eaten somewhat heavily at a cookout two days before, I actually lost 2.8 lbs this last week! And my time of the month should be happening within the next few days, so I'm pretty happy. I think the crisis has been averted...