The History of Medifast – Professional Connections
The 1970s and 1980s was a boom time for the weight loss industry. It seemed like a new diet plan was born every day and everybody had an exercise mat for whatever the newest popular exercise regime was. Dr. William Vitale, however, had a different idea. In 1980, he founded Medifast, a diet plan that you could only obtain via a prescription from a doctor.
Inception & Growth
Soon after Medifast was founded and began distributing their products to doctors, things really took off. It was so successful, in fact, that the company was able to acquire new properties and shift their focus from prescription products to direct-to-customer products.
Medifast acquired or otherwise created the following subsidiaries: Jason Pharmaceuticals, Jason Enterprises, Take Shape for Life, Inc., Jason Properties, and Seven Crondall, LLC. The two subsidiaries that are the most closely linked to Medifast’s day-to-day operations are Take Shape for Life, Inc. and Jason Pharmaceuticals.
The Company Today
Nowadays, Medifast continues to build upon its reputation as seller of medically sound diet programs. Over fifteen thousand doctors have prescribed Medifast products and over one million people have used them. Medifast has many different facets, including:
- Medifast Direct – This is the standard Medifast plan you can get via their website. It’s commonly called the 5 & 1 Plan and includes a social support system. More on that below.
- Take Shape for Life – This is mostly a social support, health coaching, and counseling system created by Dr. Wayne Scott Anderson.
- Medifast Weight Control Centers – These franchises, located in 5 states, are actual places that you can visit to get help with weight loss and fitness. They offer complete plans and of course face-to-face counseling.
- Medifast Doctors – Though the company has expanded, their products can still be obtained through participating physicians.
The Popular Medifast 5 & 1 Plan
The current top dog at Medifast is the 5 & 1 Diet Plan. This plan essentially consists of five Medifast meals, which are ordered through the company, plus one “Lean & Green Meal” that is prepared by the dieter. The Lean & Green Meal is a meal that consists of non-starchy veggies and lean proteins that can even be ordered at a restaurant if it falls within the guidelines. It’s all designed to be easily accessible no matter where you are, so it’s perfect for today’s modern, on-the-go person.
The good thing about the 5 & 1 plan is that you can see how it implements modern understandings about metabolism and weight loss. In other words, all doctors agree that it is preferable to eat 5 or 6 small meals throughout the day, rather than 2 or 3 large ones. This kind of plan, coupled with exercise, can be truly groundbreaking.
Who Uses Medifast?
As you might expect, Medifast clientele run the gamut. You have single 20-somethings that order plans via the website, and empty nesters that prefer to visit a weight loss center. The best part of it all is that Medifast can accommodate both of these types and many more.
So if you’ve read a Nutrisystem plan review and found that it’s not for you, look online and get a Medifast discount and see if it is what you have been looking for.
About the Author
Melissa Cameron is a married homemaker with two wonderful children. She enjoys spending time with her family, digital photography, and learning about new things. Her newest passion is getting in shape, losing a few pounds, and improving upon the eating habits of her family at the same time.
Other Interesting Topics
- James Martell's blog
- Login to post comments
Syndicate
