Medifast Diet Products: May 2008: Healthy, delicious, nutritionally complete Medifast meal replacement foods such as high protein, low carb, vitamin enriched shakes, bars, entres, drinks, and snacks. can help you loose up to 5 pounds a week!

Low-carbohydrate diets or low-carb diets are dietary programs that restrict carbohydrate consumption usually for weight control. Foods high in digestible carbohydrates are limited or replaced with foods containing a higher percentage of proteins and fats.
The precise definition of low-carbohydrate diets varies greatly. The term is most commonly used to refer to ketogenic diets, i.e. diets that restrict carbohydrate intake sufficiently to cause ketosis like the Atkins diet, but some sources consider less restrictive variants to be low-carbohydrate as well. Apart from obesity low-carbohydrate diets are often discussed as treatments for some other conditions, most notably diabetes and epilepsy, although these treatments still remain controversial and lack widespread support.

Beginnings of the Low Carb Diet

In 1863 William Banting, an obese English undertaker and coffin maker, published "Letter on Corpulence Addressed to the Public" in which he described a diet for weight control giving up bread, butter, milk, sugar, beer and potatoes. His booklet was widely read; so much so that some people used the term "Banting" for the activity usually called "dieting.".
In 1967, Dr. Irwin Stillman published The Doctor's Quick Weight Loss Diet. The "Stillman Diet" is a high-protein, low-carbohydrate and low-fat diet. It is regarded as one of the first low-carbohydrate diets to become popular in the US. Other low-carbohydrate diets in the 1960s included Air Force Diet and the Drinking Man’s Diet. Austrian physician Dr Wolfgang Lutz published his book 'Leben Ohne Brot' (Life Without Bread) in 1967. However it was hardly noticed in the English speaking world.
In 1972, Dr. Robert Atkins published Dr. Atkins Diet Revolution which advocated a low-carbohydrate diet he had successfully used in treating patients in the 1960s (having himself developed the diet from an unspecified article published in JAMA). The book met with some success but, because of research at that time suggesting risk factors associated with excess fat and protein, it was widely criticized by the mainstream medical community as being dangerous and misleading, thereby limiting its appeal at the time. Among other things critics pointed out that Dr. Atkins had done little real research into his theories and based them mostly on anecdotal evidence.
The concept of the glycemic index was invented in 1981 by Dr. David Jenkins. This concept evaluates foods according to their insulin demand -- with fast digesting simple carbohydrates having a high insulin demand and slower digesting complex carbohydrates such as grains having a lower insulin demand.

On Wednesday Evenings:

Stay in Shape! Maintenance Call - 8:00 p.m. Eastern (5:00 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-512-225-9427 followed by pin code: 77421#. For the fun, interactive Stay in Shape! Maintenance Call, Lori Andersen, RN, coordinates discussions with various Masters of Weight Loss who have lost 60+ lbs. and kept the weight off for at least 4 years. Each week, Lori and her guest(s) share helpful hints and tips for everyone on the Maintenance Program. Be sure to listen and participate in this exciting, informative call.

This call is now recorded live each week! Please call 1- 512-505-6863 to listen to this call if you are unable to participate in the live call. The recording is posted the day following the call (Thursday morning).

Doctor's Support Call - 8:30 p.m. Eastern (5:30 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-646-519-5860 followed by the pin code: 0971#. Listen and participate in this call, where Dr. Wayne Andersen, Medical Director and Co-Founder of Take Shape For Life, or one of his colleagues discusses current topics regarding creating a healthy weight and a physically optimal life.

To hear the recorded playback, dial 1-212-461-8671. The recording is posted the day following the call (Thursday morning).

Monday Evenings:

Nurse's Support Call - 8:30 p.m. Eastern (5:30 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-646-519-5860 followed by the pin code: 0971#. This call is now recorded live each week! Please call 1-212-461-2692 to listen to the recorded playback. The recording is posted the day following the call (Tuesday morning).

Join Lori Andersen, RN, for the weekly Nurse's Support Call. Every week, Lori provides our callers with supportive information to maximize success with their weight-loss and health goals! Be sure to listen in and participate in this inspirational call. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in this call.

Take Shape for Life Field Leadership Call - 9:00 p.m. Eastern (6:00 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-512-305-4638 followed by the pin code: 99662#. Led by Dr. Wayne Andersen and our Field Leaders, anyone interested in building a successful business and staying current with all that is happening with Take Shape For Life needs to listen in and participate in this incredible call! This call is now recorded live each week. Please call 1-512-505-6854 to listen to the recorded playback. The recording is posted the day following the call (Tuesday morning).

It is extremely important for Medifast BeSlim Club members to be cognizant of the difference between cancelling a BeSlim Club order and suspending it. Whereas it is entirely possible to suspend a BeSlim order without affecting points, savings, etc., cancelling a BeSlim order erases the percentage savings, stops rewards points from accruing, and removed access to free shipping over $200. While these features can be added back on to the account, it is a process that is frustrating and time-consuming for Clients.

If you or any of your team members would like to put a BeSlim order on hold WITHOUT cancelling it (which would erase all BeSlim advantages), simply follow the following steps:

Log in to your Health Coach account
Click on "6. BeSlim Settings"
Click "Edit Order"
Then click "Suspend for One Month."
This simple process automatically puts your BeSlim order on hold for one month while keeping your BeSlim Club advantages intact.

Be sure to consider this option before cancelling an order!

We are now beginning to look for inspirational stories for our Medifast Success! magazine's "Health Coach Success Story" section. These stories will consist of a Health Coach's experience with one of his or her Medifast Clients. The focus is the Client's progress and the role the Health Coach played in his or her eventual success.

Past entries have been truly touching and motivational, so the story that we pick for the next issue of the magazine should invoke these emotions. In many ways, this section of the magazine is really what Take Shape For Life is all about.

Only one story will be chosen for the next issue of Success!, so now is the time to begin working on yours! In order to be a qualified entry, you AND your Medifast Client must be BeSlim Club members for at least 3 months at the time of entry.

You all have so many wonderful stories - so share them with us! Please send your stories to kfuhrer@tsfl.com. We are very much looking forward to learning about your experiences with your Clients!

If you still have not enrolled your Medifast Clients and new Health Coaches in our long-term study? It's not too late!

We still have room for your Medifast Clients and new Health Coaches to respond to Dr. Andersen's request for study participants. As always,Medifast Client and Health Coach input is incredibly important to us, so we encourage your push for participation in this valuable study to prove how much more successful your Medifast Clients (and Health Coaches that grow from your Medifast Clients) are at maintaining weight loss! Please help us establish ourselves as a benchmark company for achieving Optimal Health!

The candidates we are most excited about are your most recent Clients who, through your efforts, become Health Coaches and then build a business with TSFL.

Your Medifast Clients and new Health Coaches will be paid up to $205 for participating and may continue with the study even if they decide to stop participating in the weight-loss program. Please pass this information along to your Clients and Health Coaches and have them complete the steps below:

1. Visit http://www.success-study.com/signup/.
2. Click "Screening Survey" on the left menu.
3. Take the short survey.
4. They will be sent an email in 24-48 hours letting them know whether or not they were chosen to participate.
5. If they are chosen, this email will include a consent form with instructions on how to fill it out and turn it in.

THIS CONSENT FORM MUST BE RETURNED IF SOMEONE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE.

Please encourage Medifast Clients who were already chosen to participate to submit their consent forms as soon as possible if they have not already done so.

We thank everyone who has already participated and returned their consent forms and we look forward to all of the future participants we will gain through your support!

Remember - These are Two Different Things

It is important to note that your Medifast Shopping Cart login and your Medifast Back Office login may be different if you joined Take Shape For Life after the new Shopping Cart's launch back in January 2008. No matter when you joined though, both of these logins take you to very different places. It is strongly advised that you make a record of these two separate logins for your own personal reference.

To get to the Shopping Cart login page for all your Medifast Meals and Program Materials, go to www.tsfl.com, click "Shop Online," and then click "your account."

To get to the Back Office login page, which will allow you to monitor your business, give you access to the Tools Shopping Cart, and MUCH more, go to www.tsfl.com, then click "Coach Login" in the upper right corner of the page.

Even though they are not Health Coaches, your Clients also have their own Back Office (with very limited features compared to yours) which allows them to track their orders, access contact information, etc. So, it is very important for you to know the difference between the two places and when they need to go to each.

In Your Correspondance with the Medifast Home Office



You can never be too safe these days when it comes to keeping secure your personal information, especially over the Internet and through email.



Email communications with the Take Shape For Life Home Office are no exception. We urge you to be thoughtful in the type of information you send via email. Information such as social security numbers and bank/credit account information should not be included in email because, in most cases, email is not the most secure means of communication.

The Internet is an unpredictable place where any number of things can occur to delay or erase your email. Please be cautious when emailing and always be sure to think about whether or not the information you are sending is safe to be viewed.



This is merely a reminder from the Home Office to be careful with your personal and financial information. Security and safety can absolutely be attained with the help of a bit of caution!

Now published in The Open Journal (an online publication) is the latest Medifast study, the focus of which is on Thermogenic Meal Replacements, such as Medifast's new Momentum. This article is a critical piece in further establishing the credibility of the Medifast name. Not to mention, it is proof that Momentum is very effective in maintaining weight loss.

To download the article, simply click here http://www.bentham.org/open/tonutrj/openaccess2.htm and then click the green "download" button. Spread the word to your team members and check it out today!

PLEASE remember to return your Medifast consent form!! We need your participation. Details below...

We are receiving a great response to Dr. Andersen's request for Medifast study participants. We are grateful for all of these responses and would love to have you or your Medifast Clients participate. However, there is one crucial step needed for study participation that everyone must take, and that is returning the electronic consent form.

If your new Medifast Clients would like to participate, be sure that they complete all of these steps:

1. Visit http://www.success-study.com/signup/.
2. Click "Screening Survey" on the left menu.
3. Take the short survey.
4. You will be sent an email in 24-48 hours letting you know whether or not you were chosen to participate.
5. If you are chosen, this email will include a consent form with instructions on how to fill it out and turn it in.

THIS CONSENT FORM MUST BE RETURNED IF SOMEONE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE.

Again, we thank everyone for the enthusiastic response and for getting the consent forms back to our research team. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

On Wednesday Evenings:

Medifast Stay in Shape! Maintenance Call - 8:00 p.m. Eastern (5:00 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-512-225-9427 followed by pin code: 77421#. For the fun, interactive Stay in Shape! Maintenance Call, Lori Andersen, RN, coordinates discussions with various Medifast Masters of Weight Loss who have lost 60+ lbs. and kept the weight off for at least 4 years. Each week, Lori and her guest(s) share helpful hints and tips for everyone on the Maintenance Program. Be sure to listen and participate in this exciting, informative call.

This call is now recorded live each week! Please call 1- 512-505-6863 to listen to this call if you are unable to participate in the live call. The recording is posted the day following the call (Thursday morning).


Doctor's Support Call - 8:30 p.m. Eastern (5:30 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-646-519-5860 followed by the pin code: 0971#. Listen and participate in this call, where Dr. Wayne Andersen, Medical Director and Co-Founder of Take Shape For Life, or one of his colleagues discusses current topics regarding creating a healthy weight and a physically optimal life.

To hear the recorded playback, dial 1-212-461-8671. The recording is posted the day following the call (Thursday morning).

Monday Evenings:

Medifast Nurse's Support Call - 8:30 p.m. Eastern (5:30 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-646-519-5860 followed by the pin code: 0971#. This call is now recorded live each week! Please call 1-212-461-2692 to listen to the recorded playback. The recording is posted the day following the call (Tuesday morning).

Join Lori Andersen, RN, for the weekly Medifast Nurse's Support Call. Every week, Lori provides our callers with supportive information to maximize success with their weight-loss and health goals! Be sure to listen in and participate in this inspirational call. Anyone and everyone is encouraged to participate in this call.

Take Shape for Life Field Leadership Call - 9:00 p.m. Eastern (6:00 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-512-305-4638 followed by the pin code: 99662#. Led by Dr. Wayne Andersen and our Field Leaders, anyone interested in building a successful business and staying current with all that is happening with Take Shape For Life needs to listen in and participate in this incredible call! This call is now recorded live each week. Please call 1-512-505-6854 to listen to the recorded playback. The recording is posted the day following the call (Tuesday morning).

Now Available on Tools Shopping Cart in Back Office

Now available for purchase as a result of popular demand - Ready, Set...Medifast! is for sale through the "TSFL Tools" link in your Back Office!

More details below:

- Item number 41011
- Sold in packs of 10
- Price - $2.25

This Tool is ideal for Medifast Client Acquisition and Support and is a handy, condensed version of the Quick Start Guide.

Ready, Set...Medifast! is also available for electronic download via the Resources page and/or Documents on Demand (Products and Programs, Program Information).

Get yours today, and please spread the word!

Ever Wished You Had Your Own, Pre-made Medifast Super Saturday Invites for Medifast Clients, Potential Clients, and Potential Health Coaches?

Well...you are in luck because we have four of them in Documents on Demand for you to download Right Now! The purpose of these invitations is simple - to quickly and effectively get the word out about Medifast Super Saturdays in a professional and personalized manner. Email them or mail signed hard copies - the choice is yours. The letters are in Word format, so just delete the highlighted fields and enter your appropriate information.

The Medifast Super Saturday Invitations are located in Documents on Demand.

- Click on the "Super Saturday Training Events" folder
- Then the "Super Saturday Invitations" folder

Check them out today!

Initially slated for a May 1st launch, we are delaying the release of Medifast Expedited Shipping for a short period of time. We are currently working to modify this feature in the interest of making it as beneficial to you and your Medifast Clients as possible. We assure you, it will be worth the short wait and a more valuable feature for you. Please stay tuned for more details soon!

Super Saturdays are dynamic training events that are conducted by our top leaders. Typically taking place on Friday nights and Saturday mornings/afternoons, Super Saturdays are excellent events to bring candidates and Health Coaches to so that they can learn more about Medifast and Take Shape For Life.

As if Super Saturdays weren't worthwhile enough already, the Career Builder Pak is on special when purchased at a Super Saturday! Normally $299, your potential Health Coaches will be able to purchase this item for $239 at Super Saturdays - saving $60!

May 16 & 17, 2008 - San Diego, CA
Mission Valley Resort
875 Hotel Circle South
San Diego, CA 92108
(619) 819-1002
http://www.missionvalleyresort.com/
Hosted by - Kim Ruby, Whitney Kell, and Greg Rex (Global Directors)

If you would like to attend this Super Saturday, pre-register today with Gina Ruby at (760) 505-6436 OR email her at ginaruby1@aol.com with "Super Saturday" as the subject.

Looking for a Medifast event in your city? Check the Back Office!

For upcoming event information, including contact person and directions, look no further than your Back Office.





To search for an event:



1) Log into your Back Office.
2) Go to "My Events" on the left side menu and click on the "Search for Events" link.
3) From there, you can search by Keyword, State, or even Zipcode.



This is a convenient way to locate events, like Super Saturdays, in your area.


NOTE- All available Super Saturday flyers are in Docs on Demand for download! Just click on Docs on Demand and the Super Saturday flyers are in the top folder. Spread the word to your team!

The Direct Sales Association (DSA) is conducting a National Sales force Survey of field members from member companies (such as Take Shape For Life). The purpose of the survey is to gather data that will help strengthen and promote our industry.

Some of you may be randomly called in the next two to three weeks and asked if you would like to participate in the survey. No Field member is required to participate in the survey, but Medifast and Take Shape For Life fully supports the efforts of the DSA in this regard. Should you choose to participate, we thank you on behalf of the DSA and all of those in our industry.

The theme for tonight's Leadership Call is "Fishing for Success: The Fast Track to Creating Executive Directors!"

Special guests Kim & Joe Fiske (Global Directors) and Susan & Mike Milligan (Global Directors) will be joining Dr. Andersen on this exciting, informative, and LIVE call. Don't miss out!

To participate in this informative weekly call, please see the following call details:

Take Shape For Life Field Leadership Call - 9:00 p.m. Eastern (6:00 p.m. Pacific). Dial 1-512-305-4638 followed by the pin code: 99662#. Led by Dr. Wayne Andersen and our Field Leaders, anyone interested in building a successful business and staying current with all that is happening with Medifast and Take Shape For Life needs to listen in and participate in this incredible call! This call is now recorded live each week. Please call 1-512-505-6854 to listen to this call. The recording is posted the day following the call (Tuesday morning).


We have some other excellent weekly support calls, including Nurse's, Doctor's, and Maintenance calls. To learn more about those, simply scroll down to the "Support Calls Schedule" section of this E-Update. Don't miss out!

We are receiving a great response to Dr. Andersen's request for Medifast study participants. We are grateful for all of these responses and would love to have you or your Medifast Clients participate. However, there is one crucial step needed for study participation that everyone must take, and that is returning the electronic consent form.

If your new Medifast Clients would like to participate, be sure that they complete all of these steps:

1. Visit http://www.success-study.com/signup/.
2. Click "Screening Survey" on the left menu.
3. Take the short survey.
4. You will be sent an email in 24-48 hours letting you know whether or not you were chosen to participate.
5. If you are chosen, this email will include a consent form with instructions on how to fill it out and turn it in.

THIS CONSENT FORM MUST BE RETURNED IF SOMEONE WISHES TO PARTICIPATE.

Again, we thank everyone for the enthusiastic response and for getting the consent forms back to our research team. Your participation is greatly appreciated!

Dear Team,

I would like to personally request your help in rallying around and embracing this study by recruiting your Medifast Clients and brand new Health Coaches who are starting the program to lose weight to join as participants. This is THE opportunity for us to prove the immeasurable value of the Take Shape For Life Health Coach and Health Professional!

Over the last 6 years we have led the way with innovative new ways to help people not just lose weight but, more importantly, keep it off. As a Coach equipped with our BeSlim lifestyle, bionetwork, and soon-to-be-released Habits of Health, I am convinced that we have the most powerful program in America to help people create permanent health.

I have been pushing for over 5 years to perform a study that compares us to all dieters, as well as people who are using the Medifast Program without the comprehensive Take Shape For Life support system. The company is now prepared to invest in this long-term study to help prove what we as Coaches already know!

I need each and every one of you who are Health Coaches to help us make this study successful by helping enroll your new Medifast Clients and Health Coaches in the study.

Our target participants are adult individuals who have recently begun their weight-loss program with Take Shape For Life (within the last 7 days). The study involves completing a number of online questionnaires over a span of 6-⅓ years.

Your Clients will be paid up to $205.00 for participating in the study, and they may continue with the study and be paid for completing questionnaires even if they decide to stop participating in the Medifast weight-loss program.

Please send your eligible, interested Clients and Health Coaches

to http://www.success-study.com/signup/. They will be prompted to fill out a preliminary, and very quick, survey that determines whether or not they will be a good candidate for the study. If approved to participate in the study, they will receive a consent form via email with further instructions.

** In order to participate, it is critical to have them turn in their consent form.

The candidates that I am most excited about are your recent Clients who, through your efforts, become Health Coaches and then build a business with Take Shape For Life. These individuals, I believe, will have the highest success rate of permanent weight loss ever recorded - by a considerable amount.

The time is now to prove how much more successful your Clients (and Health Coaches that grow from your Clients) are at maintaining weight loss! This study will make us a household name and drive our business to the forefront - we will become the benchmark company for achieving Optimal Health.

However, it will only happen if you each take the time to make this your personal mission!

I know that this is something that I can count on you all to push for and, in advance, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all of your incredible efforts.

Sincerely,

Dr. Wayne Scott Andersen