Losing body weight can be a daunting and pretty difficult task. This is most especially true when you are just starting and are not used to doing whatever it takes. For people whose body mass index (BMI) is over 30 and are therefore considered obese, Optifast makes it easier for them to lose such weight.
What is Optifast?
Optifast is a 4-phased, very low-calorie diet (VLCD), medically prescribed nutritional program for weight management. A VLCD is a diet low on carbohydrates and allows just about 800 calories in a day. It must include protein, carbohydrates, fatty acids, vitamins and minerals in appropriate measures or portions. By reducing calorie intake, the body is forced to fall back on its store of fat as its major source of energy. This in turn helps reduce the fat stored in the body.
When you sign up to join the Optifast program, you will need to initially replace all your meals with the Optifast meals. After this initial phase, you will then transit to taking self-prepared meals. Results that will be recorded from taking Optifast will vary. Typically though, most followers of the program lose over 50 pounds in about 18-24 weeks or 1 to 2.5kg per week based on the Optifast website. This depends on the amount of energy used by the individual in a day. While it is common to see a large amount of weight loss in the first week, the second week is sort of a precursor to what to expect going forward. See tips to begin here.
Optifast as a program is not retailed but rather, it is distributed through weight-loss clinics. The program lasts for 26 weeks. To join, check out a local clinic around you where you may spend up to an hour consulting with a medical provider who will furnish you with the necessary details.
This program has been proven to be effective because it does not just treat and take care of weight issues but also involves counseling, support, monitoring, and lifestyle education.
How It Works
The program is flexible and it includes four levels which are the intensive level or phase, the Active 2, Active 1 and the maintenance phases. The first 3 levels are for active weight loss while the last is for maintaining it. Every level incorporates various meal replacements and different Optifast products that are formulated to provide the daily required vitamins, fatty acids, and minerals. Although participants may start from any level they wish, it is recommended that they start from the intensive level which is where the real weight loss begins.
Phase 1, or the intensive as it is referred to, runs for 12 weeks. This is the VLCD segment of the program. You are required to replace all your meals with a range of Optifast products such as bars, soups, desserts, and different Optifast shakes for weight loss. Asides this, you may take two cups of low starch vegetables, a teaspoon of vegetable oil and two liters of water.
Due to the program flexibility, an individual may skip this phase and replace two meals instead of replacing all 3 meals in a day. This will only result in a gradual weight loss. In the first few days of this phase, due to the change in diet, you might feel fatigued, headaches, nausea, etc. But as your body adjusts to it, these all go away.
Phase 2 is the Active 2 level where the calorie intake is increased from 800 to 1000. This is so as two meals are replaced by Optifast products while one meal is self-prepared. Added to these, participants can take two litres of water, low starch veggies, and one serving each of fruits and dairy. It is also advisable to combine this with exercises. For people who find the intensive level tough, they can use this level as their alternate starting point.
The Active 1 level is the 3rd phase of the program and it involves up to 1200 daily calorie intake. Your lifestyle and weight loss goals will determine how long you stay on this level. It is a phase suitable for people with a BMI of 25kg/m2. The diet here includes replacing one meal with Optifast products, two self-made low-calorie meals, two liters of water or calorie-free drinks, low starch vegetables, two servings of fruit and a serving of dairy.
The maintenance and final phase of the program involves keeping track of your weight and food intake weekly while also getting some moderate exercises done. The goal is to maintain whatever weight you have achieved at this level and not add to it. Food intake during this phase includes three self-made meals of about 350 calories each, two litres of water, low starch vegetables, two servings of fruits and one serving of dairy. This combined should give you a maximum of 1500 calories per day.
You can check out a medical explanation of how the VLED approach works here:
Conclusion
The Optifast program helps people who are finding it hard to lose weight. By following simple plan, the weight loss is achieved with greater ease. Whether a person is up for the intensive level or not, the program is flexible enough and you may start on any level based on the goals you aim to achieve and how strong you are.
Optifast also supports you on this journey. By joining the online support, you will be encouraged and motivated as you meet other people like you on the same journey to lose weight.
