Hi, is there anyone here from the Sarasota, FL area? Would love for someone to talk to. I go to MediZone off Clark Rd. Looking for someone to share the experience with

I live in Englewood.....north end near Big Lots.

Hey Brenda!! I started with Jay Garcia's MediZone June 2nd, a little over 3 weeks ago. I have been going to the Clark Rd office as well, but I live in Palmetto. (I work out on Bee Ridge, so this proves convenient during working hours)

I'm 24 and started at 207.8 on my first visit. As of this Monday, I was down 16.7 lbs at 190.8. My goal wait is 150 lbs. I am very excited about this new transition in my life and know it is successful, as I know many people who are currently on the diet and who have finished the diet.

At this rate, I should be at my goal in about 3 months or so. So, how are you doing?

Hi Natalie and Brenda! I am from Palm Harbor but going to the Garcia office in Tampa. I just started this past Tuesday, the 1st of July and am excited to see this forum. I am going to be 46 at the end of this month and started out at 199.4. So after 4 full days of this diet I am down 6lbs.

I am taking the Omega3 and Polyphenol Plus. I also bought some over the counter Biotin for hair and nails as I have heard a few people have had some hair loss on this diet. I am feeling good so far, but want to know how you felt/feel with the appetite suppresants? Personally, I hate taking things like this. After the first day, I started taking the suppresants in the morning only.

Natalie, I am so happy you are having success on this! I would love to continue chatting as it can only help when undertaking something that is life changing! I look forward to hearing back!

Cynthia

Hey Cynthia! What is your goal weight? As of my weigh-in last Monday, I was at 188--down 19.5 lbs in four weeks! I have so much determination to get the weight off, that I haven't cheated or budged on the food ONE time the entire time I have been on this plan. I started in a TIGHT size 18, and am already down to a comfortable size 15! I am more size driven, then weight driven. I want to be between a size 8/10.

I too got the Omega Rx, Polyphenol Plus, Calcium Pulvate...but, I have slacked on all the pills--except the appetite suppresant. I take the appetite pill religously! The first week, I felt funny. Headaches, nauseas, lightheaded....but, I never cut back and stuck it out. I just took IBU Profen when it got bad. After the first week, all the side effects started to subside. As of now, I don't get any side effects--And, I never had the hair loss like the pamphlets warned.

On a grosser note, your poop will fluctuate with the stages. HAHA! I know, really gross..but, I wish someone would have warned me. In the beginning, it's constipation. Then, as soon as you get into "Ketosis" (the fat burning stage), it's pure diarrhea. Then, all of a sudden....your going to ask yourself when the last time you went? Back to the consitpation..... This subject, as awful as it is, was the only one that discouraged me. Let me know how you are all doing!

Hey Natalie,

Thanks for writing back! That is SO exciting that you have dropped almost 20 lbs in one month! Awesome!!! I am 5'5" tall and think I want to get down somewhere between 130 and 140 lbs. Being a lot older than you, I have to consider how it will look (especially in my face) as I go. For me it is more about how I look than what any size says at all. About 5 years ago I was at 139 lbs and felt I had about another 5-10 to go--but that was 5 years ago. I was a solid size 8 and some clothes were a size 6 at that time. Since then, though, I haven't been able to take off more than 15 lbs without going in the opposite direction.

I started Medizone because I felt I needed the structure and quicker results which would hopefully motivate me to keep it off and have an accountability factor as well. In the past, I have never been on anything structured like weight watchers or anything else--I have always just been able to do it myself. But in the last 5 years I have not been able to do what I know is necessary. I feel like this is something I have struggled with my entire life. For me, I know it is really not about losing the weight (which of course is a challenge) but more about what prevents me from keeping it off. I have NEVER been able to keep it off. When I was 139, I was so close to my goal but turned around and started all my old bad behaviors completing sabotaging (sp?) myself and what I verbally said I had wanted the whole time. So for me, this go round is a true self-exploration to get in touch with the emotional side of things--otherwise it will be just one more time (one more really expensive time) of taking the weight off only to put it all back on again. I mean seriously, I KNOW how to take it off, but unless I figure out the other stuff, what would make this time any different than any of the other times?

So that is key for me. I don't know if you have had weight issues only recently or for a long time, but I think it is critical to find out why when some people gain 2-3 lbs, they immediately are like, "oh, I have to cut back," (and they jump on it) but for me I have to gain 50 lbs and then start feeling that way. So, yes, a lot of self-exploration is in store as I attempt this--thanks for listening to the ramble...

On another note, I would REALLY encourage you to stick with the Omega3 and especially the high potency vitamin at the least. Right now this diet isn't giving us some of the essential things we need which is why the vitamin is on there to begin with. You may also find that your toilet habits really will even out if you consistently take these things. So far, I have found I am a little constipated (just a little) but yesterday was the first day of being in Ketosis so we will see. But let's just say, you eat less, you poop less, eh? Also, I am not taking the Biotin (for hair and nails) because I am afraid of losing my hair, I am taking it because I am hoping with everything else I am taking it will HELP my nails which have always been incredibly thin (lame.)

So last question for now, what kinds of exercise are you doing at this time? I plan to start next week after being on this for 1 week solid.

I think this forum is GREAT! Thanks for responding back!

Cynthia,
We may have the age difference, but I started to struggle with my weight nearing the end of high school. But, if you asked me if I thought I was overweight before that, I would have always said yes. I was never thin, but never obese, either. I was healthy. I love that expression :) Looking back, I know what I did to gain my weight. I started working a real job and started eating fast food 24/7. Two years ago, I hit my all time high--232lbs. I too am 5'5", so this was very plump for our size. I tried every diet and exercise regime you can think of: Nutrisystem, Weight Watchers, Atkins, South Beach. Then, I got a personal trainer and dropped my weight to 207. My trainer and me had a falling out, and the structure was gone. Out of all the diets, the trainer was the only thing that was working. I figure this worked because it was so structured. I was required to weigh and measure weekly. (This keeps most anyone to stick it out) I was able to maintain my weight, give or take a few lbs, over the next year. So, I'm not to concerned with keeping it off. It's just getting it off...and how stretched my body will be when I am done. I am hoping it will go back to semi-normal, but I think it went to far...I have stretch marks that I know won't go away. I will deal with that issue after I am done.

I finally hit my breaking point. I can't tell you exactly what it was, but maybe a combination. I started getting into a real drepression funk. I didn't want to do any of the things I used to have doing. I started to analyze my situation and realize it had to be my weight. It's the only thing that is different about me.

Back to the poop real quick...I only stopped taking the other pills last week. This Monday will be my 5th week, so the poop isn't really affected by the pills. Just wait.....if you just hit ketosis....you will see what I mean. It's god awful! But, it gets better. Just DON'T plan any boating acitivities this week (they lack restrooms). :~)

I actually haven't started exercising yet. When I first started with Dr. Sexton, I had an injured foot. My doctor just released me July 1st. I haven't even thought about the exercise. My job is extremely demanding at the moment, which is unusual for this market, so I need to focus on my job too. I process mortgages, so I have to go with the flow.

To change the subject again: The 19.5 lbs so far, every comment from anyone who knows me is, "Oh my god, YOUR FACE....how much weight have you lost". Evidently, my face is losing first...weird! Not the location of preference for me, but it will do.

Some words of encouragement: A person I know is getting ready to start the transition phase. He has lost over 50lbs in 10 weeks! His wife lost 35lbs in 10 weeks. Very motivational!

Last change in topic before I signout: I notice that I get very irritable/frustrated when people very close to me don't consider what I can eat. Maybe I am a bit selfish, I am an only child.... But, people keep "pushing" and "asking" for me to eat something and it seems like they take offense when I say I can't eat that. I just try to focus on the end result. Somehow it's working, because I haven't given in yet.

I am really happy with forum as well.... I kept "googling" medizone, trying to find others to share the experience with.... So, what was your "breaking point"? What made you finally make the commitment? This isn't the cheapest diet by far, so what made you pick this?

Hey there,

Well, I guess my "breaking point" is that I am going to be 46 on the 31st of this month. I have never been married, don't have any kids and feel like I have been using this weight as an excuse NOT to meet anyone. I don't feel attractive and I know that most of it is probably more emotional, but physically, I need to get it together even if only for health reasons. It's interesting that you talked about always feeling fat. My brother sent me a photo of me the other day from when I was about 12-14 years old. I remember thinking that I was a heavy girl, even back then. When I opened up the pic online, the young girl I saw smiling back at me was perfectly normal weight-not fat in any way. That made me realize that it is definitely more psychological for me. So here I am--trying to get it together and find out what my deal is so that I don't repeat the same mistakes I have made so many times in the past.

So on to other things...I will tell you that you probably don't have to worry too much about saggy skin if you get back in the gym!!! Seriously, Natalie, the weight training and the cardio and the stretching (especially the stretching) is very key. You also have one good thing on your side and that is age--yes, you are a young person and the skin is definitely more elastic at your age which is a good thing. I brought in a pair of 3lb weights to my office and have started doing some upper body stuff over the last part of my lunch--I am a recruiter (new job within the last 10 weeks for a new company) and the work load as with you is unbelievable-always eating at my desk and not paying attention. I am trying to focus on myself-the work will ALWAYS be there-it will NEVER all get done and to be honest, I am more important than anything at work...but I still understand the pressure to produce.

Regarding your face losing the weight first...It's probably not really happening that way if you really think about it. The face doesn't carry as much fat as other parts of our bodies do, so when we start to hit the 20lb mark (as you have) people really start to notice it. I remember when I was at 139 and a lot of people starting telling me that I shouldn't lose any more weight because my face looked thin. The truth is that I have a VERY small face and even now when I am 60-70 lbs overweight it doesn't look "fat" to anyone. What I always try to keep in mind when people say these kinds of things (especially as you get closer to your goal) is this: what if the people I know currently had never met me before and I just walked in their door one day and met them for the first time? Would they think to themselves "wow, that lady's face looks really gaunt." No, they probably wouldn't--they would probably think I just looked trim and normal. Which leads me to the other thing you talked about...

People who may or may not realize that they are sabotaging you out of "kindness." People who keep pestering you to eat what they eat or more than you want to eat aren't really friends. I have found the best way to deal with them is to simply look them in the eye or put your arm around them if you are really close and nicely tell them that "the new you" doesn't eat that and how much you really appreciate them understanding because you are counting on their support. Believe me, real friends will "get" it and modify their future behavior and others don't give a crap anyway really, so what do you care? It's interesting because I have had the opposite problem in the past. Out of concern or support of my new lifestyle, they won't even politely offer me certain things as they are afraid I will be tempted. I actually had to tell some friends that I am an adult and I know how to say yes and no and would rather feel included by the offer of "x" and decline it then to be left out of it all together--does that make sense? I think people sometimes don't know how to react--they have come to know you in a certain way under certain situations--especially those that revolve around food--and that can be challenging.

Ok, so on that note, I am headed off of here for the night. Very nice chatting with you--it's weird, but this is only the end of day 5 and yet I feel like this has been the longest week....not sure if that is good or bad.....

Have a great night!

Cynthia

Hey again :)
Here's a piece of advice: Work on one thing at a time. Right now is the physical appearance, then you can battle the emotional situation. I think a good portion of people battling weight loss, are also battling some type of emotional issues within themselves. I know I went to my doctor before I started this diet for a simple cold......until, out of know where, I broke down into a sobfest. That's when I realized I was obviously depressed. I am hoping losing the weight will bring my spirits up, but I know that I will still have appearance issues with myslef.
I too used to think I was heavy....Until I saw a picture of myself about 10 years ago at about 14-16 yrs old. I was thin. Size 7/8 easy. But, I thought I was still heavy. This will be our next battle to overcome in life.

I don't know your religion, but either way...I FIRMLY believe that EVERYTHING happens for a reason. Everything. Even the bad stuff..... And when your at your lowest point, it can only get better. I also believe that if you put your life on a graph, you would see that it goes upward, with minor slopes down and up. It's life. That's why we are all here--to help each other.

I weigh in tomorrow. I write back then! What day do you weigh in?

Hey again. I weighed in on Monday at 183.8 lbs. I have lost 23.7lbs in 5 weeks. At this rate, I should be at goal by mid-September! How are you doing on week 2?

Hi Cynthia and Natalie,

I've been reading your posts and wondering what exactly your program is. Can you tell us more? I'm curious because I've been eating in the Zone very successfully for over 13 years and many of the things you've mentioned mention like appetite suppressants, Ketosis, fat burning stage, transitional phase, alternating bouts of dharrhea and constipation, losing 50 pounds in 2 1/2 mos, not getting the nutrients you need, and hair loss are not a part of the Zone I know.

Thanks!

Hi everyone and hello Sue! Natalie, I weighed in after week one and am down 8.2 lbs-pretty good I would say being the age I am. I feel good now in week two but got my period early (definitely related to the diet I am sure.)

Sue, to answer your question, Natalie and I are on Dr. Jay Garcia's "Medi-Zone" diet. It is a plan for quicker weight loss which then transitions to eating for life in the Zone. He has partnered with Dr. Sears on this. It is very structured but supervised the whole way. Because of his program I went out on this website and found this forum (and along the way saw many of your postings---what an inspiration! You really have a lot of knowledge and are so positive about your experiences.) I hope this answers your question. I would love to chat further about this or in general as I feel the support factor is a critical component of this.

For some reason, though I have not been getting things in my email saying people have responded to the posting even though I have checked the box saying I want to know--any ideas?

Miss Natalie--I am very happy you are having so much success!! Stay in touch here!!

Cyn

Cynthia,

Thanks so much for the info. I was wondering what you were talking about! :)

The email notification feature has never worked here.

Keep us updated!

Wow--Good job for week one! I lost like 8.2 the first week~but, I started my period the next week and only lost 1.8 that week...that was the hardest part. I should be getting close for month two period--see how it affects me this time with the bloating on the scale.

I can't believe The Sue posted here! I think I have read ALL your posts! Your like the mentor for the forum!

I weigh in again on Monday... I'm glad I picked Monday, it keeps me on track over the weekends.

I thought the email notification was just a glitch on my computer...glad to see it's not just me!

Good luck this week Cynthia!

[quote]Posted By Natalie on 07/11/2008 6:22 PM



I can't believe The Sue posted here! I think I have read ALL your posts! Your like the mentor for the forum!

[/quote]

LOL! Thanks! :)

Hey again! I weighed in yesterday and lost 2.2lbs this week. I'm at a total loss of 25.9lbs. I think I am going to join a local gym soon. I am starting to notice some areas that need some toning, obviously! But, it's starting to gross me out and I want to try and tone as much as possible.
Cynthia, Have you started working out yet? What are you doing? Any ups or downs this week?

However, on a good note..I went to the Ellenton Prime Outlet Mall over the weekend...and dropped from an TIGHT 18 to a comfy, almost loose 14! That was HUGE to me....a lot more motivating than the number on the scale.

Hey I am considereing medizone...ahve read all yur posts...just can you please give me an idea of how much all this costs

thanks

Hey Cynthia! Week 7 weigh-in: lost 4 lbs this week totaling 29.9 for week 7. How are you doing? Any new obstacles?

Stacey,
Depending on where you live, I know Garcia's MediZone is pretty cut and dry. First visit is the highest price because of the testing and supplies. Without any of the extra's, first visit is $330 and $75 weekly, thereafter. Once you hit your goal weight, you will transition into the Zone Diet. The visits are still $75, but become monthly. Once transition is completed (4-6 weeks), they release you and your in the maintenance phase with no visits.

They do offer extra shots of B12 or B6 (it's only one shot--just more stuff)--these extra's can add $50 each visit. I just hit week 7 today. I had elected to get the B6 shot every week, since my energy runs low due to my anemia, but today I elected to do just the standard shot. I found that, number one, the shot was starting to hurt and, number two, it was starting to add up.

I do know that their are other facilities doing the same program. Premier Weight Loss on Manatee Ave in Bradenton has the same program at about half the price. Also, St. Pete has a doctor doing the diet much cheaper than Garcia. It's all about location. I haven't found one facility that doesn't offer free consultations. Go make some appointments and see which one is best for you.

Thanks so much for the price details its greatly appreciated I think I will be visiting them soon. No serious cons that I need to know about?

Enjoy and congrats on all the weight loss
Great job

Hey Natalie and sorry for the lapse in writing. I got REALLY sick last week with a bout of sinusitus and have been coughing my brain out the whole time. I had to get on an antibiotic and decided to get off the other pills (just for the week) to give my stomach a rest. Just starting to feel better today but still coughing like crazy.

First of all, congratulations on doing soooo well!! That is tremendnous!!! Truly inspiring!!! I weighed in late today and am now down 13.2 lbs in 3 weeks. I think it probably would have been more, but I have not been following taking the appetite suppressant as religiously as they have said I should. I am sure the one I am on with the metabolism booster would have moved things along more quickly, but I feel comfortable with the rate I am losing. The last time I lost 13 lbs in 3 weeks without ANY exercise was like 20 years ago for me. I had planned to start a routine last week, but then got sick and didn't feel up to it. I will start simply walking and getting some cardio in two or three times a week for 30 minutes and then take it from there. I want to work it up slowly as some of the weight loss starts to taper, so I can increase as I need to "change things up" and rev up the metabolism. I think the best part for me so far is that I am still very much motivated and feel committed to seeing my goal.

Did you start exercising as you had mentioned? If so, how's it going? I am sure it had to feel awesome going in and purchasing the smaller clothes---good deal!! I know I have made a commitment NOT to purchase anything (other than a couple of pairs of black pants) until I get to my goal. Once there, the first thing I am going to buy is a DRESS!! I have not worn a dress to work in over 5 years--maybe more.. The way I look at it, there are like 7 people sharing my closet (that is how many sizes are in there) and all of them have my same face!! I have plenty to wear as I go down and then when I have reached the actual goal, I will invest in some really great items!! I love clothes and all that goes with it, so that will be awesome when it happens.

So it sounds like you are feeling great and inspired-I am VERY happy to hear it-write back when you can!!

Cyn

Wow--I am never on the computer this often, but now I have all this energy!

Stacey--The only Con: You better be ready to be a loser, because the weight MELTS off! I think it's simple and easy, but the majority of poeple "outside-the-box" think it's hard and strict. My cousin is getting ready to start soon....My words of advice to her: It's easy! No, you can't eat everything, but, do you really, REALLY want that cookie? I mean, your only hurting yourself, plus, the motivation is the mandatory weekly weigh-ins. Anyone who get's on that scale and hears, "you lost...", is going to be motivated for the upcoming week.

Cynthia,
You sound like me! I used to get sinusitis sooo bad, I had to have surgery! I COMPLETLEY understand your pain! I would definitley stop the pills if I was sick and taking antiobiotics! 13 lbs is awesome for 3 wks! We seem pretty close in a week by week comparison.
The bad news, no, I still haven't started exercising! I know, I know...I don't need a lecture! But, I have recently noticed an EXTREME spike in my energy levels. I can't stop! Sunday, I rearranged the entire house! Monday, I went grocery shopping and prepared 4 days worth of meals--completely cooked. Plus, did laundry and dishes! If you knew me before, I came home at 5 and fell on the couch in complete exhaustion! So, this is EXTREME!
I am planning on starting to swim on Mondays, bike Wednesdays and walk on like Thursday/Friday. This should be enough variety to keep my moving--AND spike the scale with more losses! Plus, I have started to inquire about a few gyms locally to try and tone up as much as possible.

Have a great week guys! Good luck!

Hey Natalie,

Well today is my birthday-46 y/o! I feel great that I have embarked on this journey a month ago and am now seeing the results. I weighed in on Tuesday and the count is 16.1 lbs. Not bad for 4 weeks and with no exercise. I went to the gym last Saturday and did about a half hour of basic walking and some eliptical. The next day I had hip pain and finally realize there is something wrong (and has been for a while) and so tomorrow I go to the doctor for some x-rays to see what's up. I am really motivated to exercise and obviously there is an inflamation there which is causing the pain. Time will tell, but overall, I just want to get back into something consistent which will help take the weight off and tone up at the same time.

How's it going for you? Have you started the exercise plan you talked about? I am sure you feel so good about the results you are seeing-I know how I feel-I am really starting to see it in my clothes-down one size already in the pants which is great. Starting to get comments from people like-"are you losing weight?" and the like. So all in all it is VERY encouraging.

Connect when you can-hope all is well!

Cynthia

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope it was a great day! Congrat's on the 16 lbs--that's awesome! I'm at 31.1 lbs weighing in at 176, so I am very pleased with this program and it's so worth it!

Some good news...I went last weekend and toured the new gym in town. Wednesday I went on a free day pass and did 1 mile on the eliptical and about 10 minutes on the treadmill....then.....I went into a dance class!! I HATE dancing, but I wanted to get a feel for the whole gym in the one free day. The class was an HOUR and, literally, the HARDEST thing I have ever done! It was blood sweating, non-stop, moving! I felt so GOOD! I am going to be going this weekend or next week to actually sign-up.

And, I don't think I will ever get tired of hearing, "Are you losing weight?". I LOVE TO HEAR THAT! SOOOOO motivational!

Have a good week!

I also live in Englewood. The east side by Gulfstream and Sunnybrook...

I am going to the clark road location and have been since February. The big losses tapered off to 2 lbs a week and now it is maybe 1 lb a week or 1.5 per week. But I am below my goal that I set for the program. I was a size 16 and now I wear a 3. I only thought I would see a size 9 but I am much more fit than I have ever been.
So now I am on the zone living and loving it. Plus I am lifting pretty heavy weights now so I am sure my weight will go up since I am building muscle now. In addition I started running in order to tightenup up the excess skin/flab and it is working.

I read the information regarding cross fit and would love to get started with that. Very strenuous workout. Wonder if I can do it on my own though. I am a YMCA member and I frequent it everyday, but they do not have cross fit.

This is a much easier way to live, in the zone, than the way I was living in the beginning of the year.

No More cravings for the daily Dairy Queen large cone!

Best of everything
Tweeting Sue

Hello again! Hope everyone weathered Fay alright! We haven't even had a drop of rain yet, and, we got teased thinking we'd have a day off work that never happened!

I weighed in Monday to a shocking 3.6lb lost this week. The weight loss has slowed a bit, like Sue said above, so it was a surprise to hear 3.6 for one week. So, it's been 11 weeks and I have lost 39.9 lbs. I am so pleased with the progress.

Now, for the weird advice--Is there such a thing as a shopping therapists, because I am out of control!! Every weekend and spare moment I can find, I am trying on new cloths. All clearance/sale items, but I can't stop! I started at a snug size 18 and bought my first SIZE 10!! Most items I am a comfortable size 11/12.... I'm so close to my goal, I can see the new wardrobe and negative balance in my savings! My goal is a size 8 -- which should be 150lbs.

Have a good week everyone!