TDP - Day One

Day One started off (though thanks to jet lag whether Day Zero had ended was debatable) with blood tests, a weigh in and photo taking. The TDP usually includes medical supervision which includes these tests. It is possible to do the program without them, though they are a huge part of the benefits you’re likely to get. It’s useful though if a companion is coming with you, and they don’t need the supervision. Then again if they’re coming all this way, they might as well get the full benefit too!

The phlebotomists (experts in drawing blood for tests etc) were really good. I didn’t feel a thing which makes a pleasant change. The weigh in put me at 100kg (220lbs), so I’d regained a lot of the weight I’d lost previously. That wasn’t a surprise though. I hadn’t expected the photograph and looked like I belonged in a police line up.

After that we had breakfast which was potato chunks and a small bowl of fruit. It wasn’t really all that filling, but we didn’t ask for more (though we probably should have).

We all had our initial appointments with [Dr Anthony Lim]() who is the Medical Director for the McDougall program. I’ve seen comments online where people have raised concerns that if they’re coming to the McDougall program, they want to see Dr McDougall. I can put those concerns to rest, as all three of us found Dr Lim to be outstanding, and this echos the opinions of our fellow attendees. For some more serious or challenging cases however, it is still possible to be referred to Dr McDougall for a consultation. My wife and I have only consulted with Dr Lim and are perfectly happy with that arrangement.

The consultations are really as you’d expect, a discussion of medical history, what we want to get out of the program and any concerns that we have about staying at the resort.

Lunch was again at the hotel’s restaurant as the program had not yet officially started. We had the afternoon to relax and all we really needed to do was register and settle the bill for the program.

At 5:30 we did a quick orientation to help us get settled in and we introduced ourselves to everyone else. Always a fun thing to do, but everyone was really nice and there were a wide range of stories and backgrounds.

We had our first buffet dinner at 6:30. My wife and I were familiar with the format as we had attended an Advanced Study weekend previously, but it was very new for my mother in law. For others the idea of eating unlimited food was a bit daunting, and the food was quite different from what most were eating before. Still, I think everyone enjoyed it to some extent (I loved it).

The program doesn’t really kick off until the Day 2 where you get to enjoy Dr McDougall’s first lecture…