Slender blend... Yay or nay?

mumbles2013

I'm using this product right now but I'm just wondering about other people's experience with it. It's only been 5 days for me so early days. I'm finding that it's suppressing my appetite which I like as it means I have no cravings. I do eat anyway as I'm aware I need the calories. Has anyone had real success with it or what are your thoughts?

I find it really difficult to stay on a diet so lasting this long is a bonus. I reached my heaviest weight this year at 224lbs and it's taken me a month to lose 7lbs and now I'm looking to speed it up.

kommodevaran

I think the claims are ridiculous, high protein cannot be low calories. Weight loss is about taking in fewer calories than you burn. Protein shakes is to help getting in adequate protein.

Most people struggle with diets. Why don't you just eat (your) normal food, but at a moderate deficit? 7 pounds in a month is fast weight loss.

mumbles2013

I thought 7lbs with a starting weight of 224lbs is slow.
I think eating would make me want food more. The shakes make things so convenient for me with two little ones to look after. I just have a shake at about 7am then don't think about food again till 1pm which I would never do if I was eating.

cerise_noir

kommodevaran wrote: »

I think the claims are ridiculous, high protein cannot be low calories. Weight loss is about taking in fewer calories than you burn. Protein shakes is to help getting in adequate protein.

Most people struggle with diets. Why don't you just eat (your) normal food, but at a moderate deficit? 7 pounds in a month is fast weight loss.

Agreed. 7lbs in a month is pretty fast. OP aim for .5-2lbs per week.
And yes.... Do eat food. There are no lessons to be learned from consuming shakes such as proper nutrition and portion control. One cannot build a healthy relationship to food with shakes, and yes...weight loss happens when eating food. It's not about the volume of food that causes weight gain/loss, it's all about the calories. Are you planning on drinking the shakes for the rest of your life, OP? If not, what happens after you decide the shakes aren't for you?


The body needs food for energy to function.

kommodevaran

It's not slow. Comapared to sensational TV shows and delusional commercials, yes, but not if you want to be healthy and keep losing and keep it off in the end. 1% of your body weight per week is the most you can expect. I don't know how tall you are, but a year can do an immense difference.

How long will this not wanting food last, do you think? And don't you want to be a good role model for your children (not to impose guilt here, but what they see, they learn to be normal). It's normal to want food. Food is good. You just have to not overeat. It takes practice and relearning habits, but you have to do this sooner or later if you want to maintain your weight. Or do you plan on drinking shakes for the rest of your life...?

mumbles2013

I don't want the slow results week after week. Then having a plateau after a hard month of workouts and calorie counting just seems like wasted time. I understand what is being said here but I have a lot to lose and the thought of losing weight for the next year just depresses me.
My kids are age 1 and 2 and I find it hard to look after myself with them. I never have the time to make a proper meal then when I do I'm starving and choose the wrong thing and then I feel like the day is thrown so I continue to mess up all day and say to myself I'll start again tomorrow.

kommodevaran

If you can't find the patience and commitment, you will fail, I'm sorry, but that's the reality. The year will come and go no matter what you do. Then there are more years. Overweight or normal weight? It's up to you.

I lost 50 pounds in a little over a year from 2013-14. I don't think of that time as wasted. I spent it eating good food and learning to enjoy eating and moving. Some effort, but no suffering was necessary.

mumbles2013

That's great and I don't mean to be offensive. It is just how I personally feel about myself. Take it no one on mfp uses slender blend haha

kommodevaran

mumbles2013 wrote: »

My kids are age 1 and 2 and I find it hard to look after myself with them. I never have the time to make a proper meal then when I do I'm starving and choose the wrong thing and then I feel like the day is thrown so I continue to mess up all day and say to myself I'll start again tomorrow.

As a parent, you NEED to prioritze yourself. You can do this. Plan your meals ahead. Stock up on good real food ingredients. Meal prep, if that makes things easier for you. There is no better day to start, than today.

cerise_noir

The weight didn't appear overnight, so it won't be fast to leave, either.
We're all here for the same reason, and some of us have hit target weight. Just think about it... If you lose at the rate of 2lbs per week, you'd be approximately 60-100lb down in a year. How's that wasted time? That's better than losing 20-30lbs fast, stalling for a few months.

Besides slower (safe) weight loss has many perks. The weight will stay off, the body will have time physically and mentally to catch up, and you won't lose as much muscle mass. You'll have energy, sleep better and just generally feel happier.

Fast weight loss= health problems/illnesses, weight may pile back on, hair/skin/nails/teeth suffer, sleep suffers, stress increases, hormonal imbalances, lack of nutrients, mental issues, hunger and hunger induced anger, lack of energy.... There is lots of data to support this. Health comes first..

Get used to the 2lbs per week... It's a very safe healthy approach. Losing at this rate ensures the weight won't come back.

Alyssa_Is_LosingIt

mumbles2013 wrote: »

I don't want the slow results week after week. Then having a plateau after a hard month of workouts and calorie counting just seems like wasted time. I understand what is being said here but I have a lot to lose and the thought of losing weight for the next year just depresses me.
My kids are age 1 and 2 and I find it hard to look after myself with them. I never have the time to make a proper meal then when I do I'm starving and choose the wrong thing and then I feel like the day is thrown so I continue to mess up all day and say to myself I'll start again tomorrow.

That's just the way it is - there are no short cuts.

You didn't gain weight overnight, so why do you expect to lose fast?

geneticsteacher

You have to cook for the kids anyway - why not just eat sensible portions of what you make for them?

kommodevaran

mumbles2013 wrote: »

That's great and I don't mean to be offensive. It is just how I personally feel about myself. Take it no one on mfp uses slender blend haha

I don't find you offensive I understand you are frustrated. There are lots of "newbies" that try out protein shakes and meal replacements for weight loss. But the veterans around here (look at "success stories") use protein shakes for protein, and food for food.

(I'm not sure I used "offensive" correctly here; please forgive a non-native speaker )

mumbles2013

geneticsteacher wrote: »

You have to cook for the kids anyway - why not just eat sensible portions of what you make for them?

I do but I haven't any self control and that's why I'm in this mess. I don't really trust myself with portions because I don't stick to them. I just have more, my husband doesn't take me seriously and brings home utter junk after work and I always give in like the fool I am.

mumbles2013

kommodevaran wrote: »

mumbles2013 wrote: »

That's great and I don't mean to be offensive. It is just how I personally feel about myself. Take it no one on mfp uses slender blend haha

I don't find you offensive I understand you are frustrated. There are lots of "newbies" that try out protein shakes and meal replacements for weight loss. But the veterans around here (look at "success stories") use protein shakes for protein, and food for food.

(I'm not sure I used "offensive" correctly here; please forgive a non-native speaker )

Yes you used it correctly. I mess up with English and it's my only language haha

kommodevaran

mumbles2013 wrote: »

geneticsteacher wrote: »

You have to cook for the kids anyway - why not just eat sensible portions of what you make for them?

I do but I haven't any self control and that's why I'm in this mess. I don't really trust myself with portions because I don't stick to them. I just have more, my husband doesn't take me seriously and brings home utter junk after work and I always give in like the fool I am.

I'm single, but it works very well for me to just cook the amount I plan to eat. Have you tried prelogging in diary?
I think you need to have a serious talk with your husband... Explain what your goals are, what makes you struggle, and what he can do to help. I'm sure he really wants to support you. But it may be difficult for him to understand if you "give in" after a little coaxing, as if you just wanted his "permission" to eat. It's normal to be tempted, and normal to give in, you are not a fool. Not to say you can't eat anything if you watch portions, but some foods fill you up better for fewer calories.

mumbles2013

You're right about talking to him. I do try but I guess giving in to the temptation shows I'm not really serious anyway to him. Thank you guys for all the advice and tips xx

emdeesea

I get the convenience of shakes but you won't be able to drink them forever. At some point you have to go back to eating regular food. These shakes do nothing whatsoever to teach people portion control.

kommodevaran

It sounds like you are on a better track now. And in a much better mood I really hope you will succeed. Sometimes all it takes are a few small tweaks.

mumbles2013

emdeesea wrote: »

I get the convenience of shakes but you won't be able to drink them forever. At some point you have to go back to eating regular food. These shakes do nothing whatsoever to teach people portion control.

I think I've done every diet there is and I have no idea really how I should eat and I still stick with the quick fixes.

mumbles2013

kommodevaran wrote: »

It sounds like you are on a better track now. And in a much better mood I really hope you will succeed. Sometimes all it takes are a few small tweaks.

Thank you. All the best to you too xx

geneticsteacher

My husband still laughs at my food scale on the counter!

mumbles2013

geneticsteacher wrote: »

My husband still laughs at my food scale on the counter!

Haha I'm laughing because mine tells me it's in the way as I never use it!! I think he's secretly happy that I can't stick to anything and keep putting on weight.

booksandchocolate12

mumbles2013 wrote: »

I think eating would make me want food more. The shakes make things so convenient for me with two little ones to look after.

So, your plan is to avoid food and do the shakes forever, or til the kids are in college, or get married? That's the plan? You're not giving yourself a chance to learn a sustainable way to eat real food.

mumbles2013 wrote: »

I never have the time to make a proper meal then when I do I'm starving and choose the wrong thing and then I feel like the day is thrown so I continue to mess up all day and say to myself I'll start again tomorrow.

That kind of thinking is akin to saying:

• I dropped an egg. Might as well throw the whole carton on the floor!
• I have a flat tire. Might as well slash the other three!
• I stumbled on a step. Might as well throw myself down the whole flight of stairs!

Stop with the all or nothing thinking. Overeating for one meal or even one day won't negate any hard work that you've already put in. Figure out how to pick yourself up and keep going after a slip up.

mumbles2013 wrote: »

geneticsteacher wrote: »

My husband still laughs at my food scale on the counter!

Haha I'm laughing because mine tells me it's in the way as I never use it!! I think he's secretly happy that I can't stick to anything and keep putting on weight.

Do you really think that he's secretly happy? Whether he is or he isn't, the fact that you think he is shows that you two need to have a conversation about your weight loss efforts, and how he can be more supportive. With my husband, it was simply telling him to stay out of my way.

mumbles2013

He has actually admitted that he deliberately sabotages me and I laugh it off because I don't want him to see he bugs me. I try to explain how my weight gain makes me feel but he doesn't empathise so I feel alone with it. It's fine because once I'm in the right head space to deal with the weight, it won't matter if he supports the journey or not. Anyway enough about him. there are really valid points here and I think I need to rethink and start again.

booksandchocolate12

Don't laugh it off. Men are clueless. If you're laughing it off he probably has no idea that it bothers you. Let him know.

mumbles2013

Ok so after 5 full days on the shakes and one meal I have lost 7lbs!!!! Which I think is great so I'm now down to 210lbs however I have to stop because I think I have been having an allergic reaction to the whey and I've only just connected the two. I will try as you all say and eat real food wish me luck...

Dana_E

mumbles2013 wrote: »

I don't want the slow results week after week. Then having a plateau after a hard month of workouts and calorie counting just seems like wasted time. I understand what is being said here but I have a lot to lose and the thought of losing weight for the next year just depresses me.
My kids are age 1 and 2 and I find it hard to look after myself with them. I never have the time to make a proper meal then when I do I'm starving and choose the wrong thing and then I feel like the day is thrown so I continue to mess up all day and say to myself I'll start again tomorrow.

I'm a mom, too. I understand how hard it can be @mumbles2013 . I once had 3 kids 3 and under. I now have 6 kids, and I know why people stop at 2--2 is the hardest! But you have to make proper meals for them, so you might as well make one for yourself and eat together. Yes, you may have to scarf down your food in under five minutes to attend to your suicide watch duties. But that way you are not only setting the example for them, you are also training their palate as well. You have an awesome window of opportunity to create a culture of wellness in your home while your children are so young. Yes, it's hard, but it's easier than trying to undo poor habits and retrain palates when the kids are older.
And yes, it's exciting to see rapid weight loss, especially when you have so far to go, but a year is going to go by whether you try to lose weight fast or lose weight slowly. You feel like plateaus would be a waste of time, but wouldn't it be more of a waste of time, energy, and $$$ to do these shakes, drop weight (fat & lean muscle mass) quickly, and then gain it all back and then some? I hear a lot around here that maintenance can be harder than losing the weight in the first place. And if you can't find time to live healthy, you're going to have to find time (and $$$) to be sick.
We're not trying to pick on you. We care about you and want to see you succeed. We know it's hard because we're either doing it or have done it. But being overweight is hard, too, and only gets harder.

mumbles2013

Thank you for the advice. I haven't had the shakes today and my weird itchiness hasn't appeared so it was definitely the shakes that caused that. I'm one of those people that has to taste whatever I'm cooking and then by the time the meal is done I've already had a serving but I make another plate up anyway. I thought the shakes would be a convenient way to get fuel and shift weight fast but no one else seems to think so and I know you're all right. I just always been the quick fix type since I was 15 so it's hard to now do it the right way even though I've always known what I need to do I just always want to cheat. We all need cheaters never prosper, very true in my case regarding my weight loss. It's the one thing I consistently fail at.