Note: If you are interested in a meal plan to assist with your weight loss and health, Medifast provides a diet that makes it easy to plan the foods and meals you will eat. Medifast - try a 4-week plan and get the fifth week free. Medifast is physician developed.

What is Oprah doing? What does Oprah recommend? There are too many people Oprah-obsessed, instead of being concerned with their own health.  While 'we' seem to like our celebrities and watching everything they do and what they eat, our obsessions go a bit too far (hence, obsessions).

Apparently, Oprah's Vegan chef has left her - probably in pursuit of some bigger purpose like saving the world - and she is now in search of a replacement....or, something to fill the void. You've heard about her 21-day vegan cleanse, well that has been interrupted now. (Reference on this article...)

So the point is this - is a cleanse good for you, health? Absolutely it is. But it can be quite overwhelming for most people who don't have either the money for a chef or a motivation coach to stay on track, nor the discipline to maintain the duration of such extreme measures. Afterall, with most diets consisting of so many unhealthy foods and drinks, it's not realistic to think the other end of the spectrum can be followed for any length of time.

Medifast

Get medifast for weight loss, health, a healthy diet, and a diet plan. Medifast is a product that helps you lose weight. There are benefits to using Medifast in your diet, and can be used for weight loss. Phase 1 - 5 & 1 Program for Weight Loss 5 Medifast Meals per Day Over 50 meals to choose from - shakes, bars, drinks, oatmeals, chili, soups, pudding and more. 1 "Lean and Green" Meal per Day Lean Meat: 7 ounces of chicken, turkey of fish, or 5 ounces of lean beef, pork or lamb. Grill, bake or poach meats using non-stick spray. Salt, pepper, herbs and spices may be added if desired. You may also use 1 - 2 teaspoons of condiments such as ketchup, mustard or barbecue sauce. Salad or Vegetables: Either 2 cups of salad greens (any kind) and up to ½ cups raw vegetables, or up to 1 ½ cups cooked vegetables.

Medifast Diet

You may also use 1 - 2 tablespoons of Media low-fat or non-fat dressing.Phase 2 - BeSlim™ Philosophy of Lifelong Weight Control Once you have reached your healthy weight, your Health Advisor will help transition you to the BeSlim™ philosophy of lifelong weight control. The BeSlim™ philosophy is a part of the Take Shape for Life program that incorporates key behaviors mastered by those who lost significant amounts of weight and kept their weight off for years. These key behaviors include: Breakfast (eating Breakfast every day) - High quality fuel, such as our delicious Medifast oatmeal, cappuccino, or chai latte, is essential to start your day the right way. Exercise - Continued exercise increases metabolism, provides strength, flexibility, and mental clarity.

Medifast Nutrition

Support - Your Health Advisor is here to help you reach and maintain your goals, providing the coaching, tools, education, and caring support you will need along the way. Low-fat meals 5-6 times a day - Eating frequently, controlling portion and total calories, especially those from fat, are critical for success. Individual Plan - Create an individual plan to help you achieve an optimal healthy lifestyle and build the skills and strategies you need to cope with modern life. Monitor your weight - Weigh yourself on a regular basis to maintain optimal weight. Catch it before it becomes a challenge! Join the BeSlim™ Club today and set your life in motion! Introducing the New BeSlim Club & Rewards Program! Optimal Health is its own reward, but how about earning a bonus or two along the way? You’re on a journey to Optimal Health. You’ve made a commitment to lose weight and keep it off! You’ve earned the right to celebrate your success! The new Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is your ticket there. The BeSlim Club & Rewards Program is Take Shape For Life's progressive savings program, offering clients and Health Coaches an easy way to obtain their Medifast Meals at a savings, with exciting rewards you can earn along the way! The longer you are member of the BeSlim™ Club, the more significant your savings are and the more rewards points you’ll earn. When you join the Take Shape For Life BeSlim Club & Rewards Program, you: Enjoy your favorite Medifast Meals all month long, with orders conveniently shipped right to your door Save on your meal purchases and enjoy increased savings the longer you’re on the program Earn points towards exclusive rewards that promote healthy living Receive coupons for special savings. Enrich your life as you achieve Optimal Health Available to all, the BeSlim™ Club is a great way for individuals learning and practicing the BeSlim™ philosophy. Every time you order, you earn points towards healthful rewards. Here’s how: There’s no minimum purchase required. Redeem your reward points* for exclusive Take Shape For Life merchandise, including: Apparel, Exercise Equipment, Spa Trips, And more! Join the BeSlim Club today! Simplify Your Life -- — Receive automatic monthly shipments of your favorite Medifast Meals; Save Your Money — Enjoy savings that increase the longer you are a club member; Earn Just Rewards— Select from an array of rewards that promote healthy living and a healthy lifestyle.

Other links: Medifast Blog
Meal Plan from Medifast
Medifast Ordering and Info
Medifast Blog
Medifast Success Stories
Official Medifast Site
Medifast Diet

Here's a suggestion (actually 2) on how to approach this. First, you can start by going through a 6-week preparation period whereby you start with eliminating all drinks other than water.  Then after 2 weeks of maintaining this action, eliminate the unhealthiest food that you're consuming on a regular basis - usually that will be at least once per day, sometimes once every 2 days - and replace it with a healthy food, namely a fruit or vegetable. You can use a different fruit or vegetable each day, but you need to be sure you aren't consuming the item that's putting on the extra weight. Then after 2 more weeks, all this time you've been drinking only water, and having eliminated your first 'diet vice' replaced with a fruit or vegetable, then find the next most unhealthy food that you're consuming - and it may be a broader ID like breads - and replace it again the same way as you're first one.  Do this for the remaining 2 weeks. 

If you can stick with this 6 week plan, then maybe you're ready to do a cleanse.

However, and this is suggestion #2: I would approach your cleanse with a shorter duration - say 3-4 days, rather than 21 days. Again, work up to a longer cleanse so you know what you're going to be in for, and 3-4 days would certainly give you a peek at what's to come. Not to mention that it will still provide benefit, especially if you do a cleanse made for a 3-4 day stretch.

The real benefit long-term is the elimination of 2 most unhealthy foods that are contributing negatively to your weight and health, and the elimination of unhealthy liquids that are probably doing the same. These actions alone have resulted in a major improvement in weight loss and health. But a cleanse will take it a step further.

Bottom line: any changes in your diet, even ones that will last temporarily, should be approached with some caution.  Research it, be sure you know what you're getting into, and be prepared for some difficult physical changes that may result.  And for the long-term, make your diet and weight loss efforts be about making one small change at a time until you build a healthy and permanently fit lifestyle.

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC