Here are some pages that might interest you:

If I didn’t enjoy restaurants, cooking and eating as much as I do (and I really do) then maybe I would have never got fat in the first place.  But then again, who’s to say.  In retrospect I knew I was heading in that direction long before the 40 extra pounds plagued my body.  What’s crazy however is I now look back on those days when I was gaining the weight as a time of not fully appreciating food like I do these days.  Sure I lost the weight but never will I lose my passion for good food!  And if there’s anything I’ve learned on this healthy journey it is a tasty lean and green meal is key to both weight loss and weight maintenance. 

The basic guidelines for a lean and green meal while on the 5&1 is 5-7 ounces of lean meat (or protein source for vegetarians) plus a salad and/or vegetables.  Given that most meats are available in a relatively lean form, the possibilities are limitless.  Because I enjoy being in the kitchen, the lean and green meal presents a fun challenge; something akin to the TV show Top Chef.  Furthermore, what I’m looking for is maximum flavor with minimal effort.   

Below is a picture of a recent lean and green meal.  Grilled skirt steak with peppers and onions.  Check out the grill basket!  That thing is gold in my opine and cost only $5.99 at Bed, Bath and Beyond.  It is ideal for grilling vegetables and shrimp among other things.  The recipe for this meal is in our recipe section under “beef” and also under “vegetables”.

Helpful Hint:

• Cook multiple portions of lean and green foods on the weekend so you have some ready to go during those busy week nights.

I will be systematically adding to the Lean and Green recipe section my favorite meals.  If you’ve got a favorite lean and green meal that you want to share just reply with the recipe and a photo if you can.  That would be great.  We will ALL benefit!

There are many reasons why it is important to drink water, especially when you are trying to lose weight on the 5 and 1 Program:

• Cravings are really a sign that your body is thirsty. So when you feel a craving coming along, reach for your water.  It’s the cheapest, safest appetite suppressant there is.
• Your initial weight loss is largely due to loss of water and that is why you need to drink a sufficient amount of water in order to avoid dehydration.
• When your body starts burning calories, it needs an adequate supply of water in order to function efficiently; dehydration slows down the fat-burning process.
• Dehydration causes a reduction in blood volume and this causes a reduction in the supply of oxygen to your muscles which can make you feel tired.
• Burning calories creates toxins in our bodies (think of the exhaust coming out of your car).  Water plays a vital role in flushing these toxins out of your body.
• Drinking water before and with a meal makes you feel fuller and will make you eat less.   However,  drinking water alone may not have this effect. In order to feel satiated (not hungry), our bodies need protein, sufficient calories and nutrients.  All of which can be found in each of the Medifast Meal Replacements and in your Lean and Green Meal.

Read our other post:  WHY WATER IS GOOD FOR YOU

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Keeping the Weight Off – A new plan that can help you make your slim-down permanent.

Watch Dr. Andersen on “Good Morning America – HEALTH”

When you’re on the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan, you have clear guidelines on what, when, and how much to eat for your daily Lean & Green Meal.

But what about when you’re dining out?

You can stay on plan with healthy Lean & Green Meals—or healthy options for the Transition and Maintenance phases—pretty much wherever you go. All it takes is a little planning and creativity. Most restaurants have choices that are compatible with the program, or can be, with a bit of modification.

The most important thing to remember is that it’s okay to ask your server questions about “customizing” your order. Most places are more than happy to accommodate special requests and many offer healthier substitutions for free, or for a small additional charge.

Here are some more tips:

BEFORE YOU GO

1. Review plan-friendly options so you know what to look for on the menu.
2. Do your homework. Check out the restaurant’s menu online or in person, or call ahead and plan your order in advance.
3. Get the support you need from family and friends who will be dining with you. Inform them ahead of time of your commitment to your health goals so there’s no pressure to explain at the table.

CHOOSING WHAT TO ORDER
When deciding how to have your food prepared, keep in mind that certain cooking methods can add unnecessary calories and fat to your food.

1. Choose foods that are steamed, poached, baked, broiled, grilled, roasted, or “garden fresh.”
2. Avoid foods that are fried, crispy, creamy, buttery, or served in pastry or with gravy or rich sauces.
3. When eating beef, choose filet, loin (sirloin), or round, and always trim any visible fat from the meat.
4. When in Maintenance, choose items made with whole grains such as brown rice and whole-wheat bread and pasta.
5. Get your food “naked”—with sauces, dressings, or toppings left off or on the side.

Ever wonder how Take Shape For Life got started? Here’s a quick overview of how our business came to be: Co-founded by Bradley T. MacDonald (currently Executive Chairman of the Board of Medifast, Inc.) and Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen, a specialist in critical care and nutritional intervention, Take Shape For Life was founded in 2003.

The company’s approach to well-being combines effective portion-controlled meal replacements with coaching support and a robust corporate infrastructure to create healthier bodies, minds, and finances. Take Shape For Life is a wholly owned subsidiary of Medifast, Inc.,manufacturer of Medifast Meals.  Dr. Andersen currently serves as Medical Director of Medifast, Inc.

The right products and programs
Medifast Meals were first created in 1980 by William Vitale, M.D. The products were sold directly to doctors, who in turn prescribed them to their patients.

Since 1980, over 20,000 doctors have recommended Medifast, and over one million people have used Medifast. Medifast products and the Medifast 5 & 1 Plan® have been proven safe and effective in clinical studies.

The right business model
In addition to helping its Clients create Optimal Health, Take Shape For Life offers an extraordinary opportunity for you to own your own business and transform your life through helping others as a Take Shape For Life Health Coach.

Our Health Coaches and the personal service they offer is what differentiates Take Shape For Life® and makes us unique in the Marketplace. Health Coaches provide the total care and support that people need to move toward Optimal Health. They coach, educate, encourage, and mentor people who are using Medifast® products and following the specific protocols for safe and fast weight loss followed by transition and long-term weight management.

The right compensation
Unlike many home-based businesses based on selling products, Take Shape For Life pays its Health Coaches to support their Clients, and help them learn the Habits of Health that create true and lasting well-being. Take Shape For Life rewards you with the chance for more freedom, more income, AND an opportunity to add satisfaction and purpose to your life.

The right time
Two in three Americans are overweight or obese, and in need of a lasting solution for health. America’s medical establishment is focused on reacting to and medicating disease, not creating health. Take Shape For Life is a revolutionary approach to wellness that can transform people, families, and even our country.