Should I Exercise Along With the Program?

Exercise is a necessary part of losing weight, improving metabolism, and maintaining weight loss. Exercise also provides many health-enhancing benefits such as: improved blood sugar control, improved flexibility and balance, blood pressure control, strength and endurance, and help to decrease stress.

If you are not already exercising regularly when you start the Medifast Program, they recommend you wait two to three weeks (and check with your physician) before you begin an exercise program. Start an exercise program slowly, and gradually increase time spent on an activity (and intensity of the activity) as your body allows. Choose an activity that you can enjoy regularly. Most of our customers find walking is the easiest activity to incorporate into their day.

For an individual who has an exercise program in place prior to starting Medifast, they recommend cutting the intensity and duration of your exercise program in half for the first couple of weeks to allow the body to adjust to its new calorie level. As your body adjusts to this lower calorie level, you can increase time and intensity of your exercise plan. They recommend 30 minutes of moderate exercise while limiting vigorous exercise to 45 minutes each day while you're on the Plan.

Listen to your body and only do what it allows. If you feel light-headed or faint, stop your exercise and take a rest before you resume. Remember to drink fluids. Fluid intake is important when you exercise. You may find that you need additional water on the days you exercise, especially if it is hot outside.