New at starting the Visalis Shake Mix diet

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Hello.....once again I am starting back on the diet wagon, but this time I decided I would give the Visalis Shake Mix a try. I am mixing it with water the first week then will go to the milk. Does anyone have any tips or suggestions that might help me with this. Do you suggest using skim milk or almond milk, etc? I would like to lose 40 to 50 pounds by New Years Eve. I lost 40 pounds last year just by counting calories and exercising so I know I can do it just need to try a different thing. I am very picky and tend to eat the same things when I diet. Would also love to have some friends on MFP to help encourage me through this. Thank you :)