I'm Getting Healthy This Season With Medifast Plus Giveaway #Sponsored 5/16

***Disclosure: As a Medifast®, Inc Blogger, I have received complimentary samples and information to facilitate my posts. All opinions are 100% honest and have not been influenced in any way.***

I have to admit, me and the scale have a long and sordid history together.

For one, I am a European Mutt. I have Hungarian, Polish, Croatian, and French blood running through my veins, and I come from a long line of people who love food. (There's nothing better than some Chicken Paprikash on a cold evening!) In my family, we love to cook, and we love to eat.

The people in my family are not tiny, bird-like people. We have hips. We have boobs. We have curves that like to keep on giving. We gain weight easily, and we don't have itty-bitty frames. Yep. We were made for childbearing. In some ways, this isn't so bad. When it comes time to break out the bathing suits? Well, that's a different story entirely.

My whole life, I have battled with my weight. I've never been considered overly obese, but I have always been just a little bit fat....Or thick....Thick sounds nicer. I have never been rail thin, and I never will be.

It took 34 years, an abusive first marriage, and surviving an eating disorder to accept that it's OKAY if I am never a size 0. My body just isn't built that way. My lowest weight was 117, and it was at the height of my eating disorder. I didn't look good. I looked bony....Sickly....I was TOO thin for my body type. This just proves that everyone's definition of a healthy weight is different, and totally unique to the individual.

But just because I know that weighing 100lbs isn't realistic for me, doesn't mean I can't strive to be the best, healthiest version of ME. Not what the magazines or media tell me I need to be. People shouldn't be forced into some impossible mold. For me, ideal is about 135lbs. Which means I have about 20lbs that I'd like to lose.

Dieting is intimidating to me. Very, actually. I'm not going to lie. Since I did spent a few years battling Bulimia, it's very easy for me to be tempted to fall back into old, destructive habits. I have been in recovery for a few years now, and I refuse to fall into this trap.

I want to lose the weight, but this time, I am putting my overall health and well-being at the forefront. I am going to rock this, but I am going to do it the RIGHT way.

So when I got the opportunity to become a Medifast Blogger, I jumped at the chance. You see, I have heard a lot about this company, since they've been around longer than I have been alive. Their plans are developed and recommended by physicians, and I know quite a few people who have had great success using their products and programs.

About Medifast :

Medifast is clinically proven. Developed by a physician, it's the brand recommended by more than 20,000 doctors since 1980. You lose weight quickly while learning how to eat healthier. Medifast Meals are formulated with low-fat protein and fiber, and fortified with vitamins and nutrients, so you lose pounds and inches without losing out on essential nutrition. The low-glycemic index formula of Medifast Meals makes them perfect for everyone, even people with type 2 diabetes.

When you choose Medifast, you get a powerful product along with the support of an unusually committed company. We are passionate about offering hope to those who yearn to be healthy but haven't found the way. Obesity is both a physical and emotional problem, and any customer who comes to us for help is always treated with dignity, care, and respect.

That passion and commitment also drives our dedication to creating superior products. We develop and manufacture most of our foods in our wholly owned manufacturing facility just steps from our corporate offices in Owings Mills, Maryland, and our clinical team continually strives to evolve our product lines, while maintaining the highest quality at the fairest price.

I just received my Medifast foods a few days ago, and I cannot wait to get started!

As you can see, there's a huge variety of products available. This is just a few. Medifast offers everything from shakes to breakfast foods to snacks and even entrees.

The first thing I noticed when opening my package is that these foods actually sound good. They don't sound like the sad, flavorless foods offered in many diet plans.

Chicken Cacciatore?

Ziti Marinara?

Chocolate Chip Soft Bake?

Yes, please!

I have to be honest. I don't really have a problem with over-eating. My issue is the exact opposite. I don't eat enough! This can be just as bad for weight management as over-indulging, since not eating enough can cause a sluggish metabolism that doesn't burn calories and fat efficiently.

Thankfully, Medifast offers some great products for people like me who may "forget" to eat throughout the day. It will take some getting used to, I'm sure, but now instead of skipping meals entirely, I can grab one of the delicious Medifast Bars or make myself a creamy shake.

So what will I be eating each day on the Medifast plan?

• 4 Medifast meals
  
• 2 Lean and green meals
• 1 Healthy snack
  

Medifast offers complete guidelines on their website that make following the plan easy, simple, and painless. They even offer sample shopping lists to take the guesswork out of meal planning.

Today is my start date, May 2, 2016.

Am I nervous?

Yes. But I am excited, too.

I feel very hopeful that my Medifast journey will be a positive one, and that I will be able to form a new, healthier relationship with food. Ultimately, I am hoping this leads to a smaller waistline and a more beach-ready body.

Medifast products are perfectly portioned, and are packed with the nutrients, fiber, and low-fat proteins our bodies need to thrive. These foods aren't just a "quick fix". It's a system that's designed to change the way their customers see food. Food is fuel, after all, and the right foods can help to ensure that excess weight can be lost in a healthy, effective way.

Their foods also have a low-glycemic index formula, which makes them safe for those battling Type 2 Diabetes.

Another thing I love about Medifast is that they offer tons of support. In addition to their convenient, perfectly portioned food offerings, Medifast also offers support at local Medifast Centers, as well as online and phone support. The folks at Medifast WANT to see their customers reach their goals, and they're always happy to help with any questions, concerns, or just give a motivational boost.

Today is Day 1 of my Medifast Adventure. I am determined to follow my plan closely, as well as add exercise to my daily routine. Please feel free to check in with me and ask me how I'm doing. Help to hold me accountable. And of course, look for updates here and on social media throughout the month! I look forward to sharing my experience with you all!

Connect with Medifast And SAVE :

You can check out all of the awesomeness that Medifast has to offer on their website.

Want to try Medifast? I have an exclusive offer for you!

You can receive $25 off orders of $250 or more, plus free shipping. Just use the code Crunchy25 at checkout!

You can also connect on Facebook, on twitter, on Pinterest, and on Instagram to stay on top of their latest news, products, and promotions!

Enter to WIN :

I am thrilled to announce that one lucky reader will receive their very own box of Medifast Brownie Soft Bake!

How cool is that?!

This giveaway is open to US residents 18+ until 11:59PM EST May 16, 2016. No PO Boxes. Winners will be drawn using Rafflecopter's Random Number Generator. All entries will be verified, so play fair! I will notify winner via e-mail and they will have 48 hours to reply before I am forced to redraw winners. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. This contest is not affiliated with Facebook, twitter, Pinterest, or Google in any way. Winner is subject to eligibility verification. If you have any questions, please e-mail Brandy at newlycrunchymamaof3@gmail.com Thanks for entering, and Good Luck

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