Meal replacement shakes.

gabrielleelliott90

Hello guys, I would like to know your thoughts on meal replacement shakes- drinking only those to lose weight. I am really desperate. I have been losing weight for two years. I was about 180lb I think when I started- 12 stone 12.5, and I am currently meant to be 147lb, I was, and now all of a sudden have gained this waterweight which won't go away, taking me to 150lb. I just feel fat, I'm 5'3 and currently 150lb. I shouldn't be stressing about it, I have anxiety as it is, but I'm a girl, and most girls do stress about their weight.

I am currently on 1lb loss a week, I am considered overweight by bmi, by less than a stone, but still overweight, which I hate. I'm just really feeling quite angry about it all. And I want to get back to 147lb and keep losing. So meal replacement shakes, thoughts? If I did the shakes for a week, and then continued with MFP, after losing a bit of weight from the shakes, would I be able to maintain the weight I lost?

SideSteel

Hello guys, I would like to know your thoughts on meal replacement shakes- drinking only those to lose weight. I am really desperate. I have been losing weight for two years. I was about 180lb I think when I started- 12 stone 12.5, and I am currently meant to be 147lb, I was, and now all of a sudden have gained this waterweight which won't go away, taking me to 150lb. I just feel fat, I'm 5'3 and currently 150lb. I shouldn't be stressing about it, I have anxiety as it is, but I'm a girl, and most girls do stress about their weight.

I am currently on 1lb loss a week, I am considered overweight by bmi, by less than a stone, but still overweight, which I hate. I'm just really feeling quite angry about it all. And I want to get back to 147lb and keep losing. So meal replacement shakes, thoughts? If I did the shakes for a week, and then continued with MFP, after losing a bit of weight from the shakes, would I be able to maintain the weight I lost?

I think you have two separate issues going on here. The first and more important one is your feelings about your weight and the secondary and minimally important one is your weight. I would put most of your efforts into the first because if you feel miserable about your body right now, I promise you that 10lbs from now (or whatever number you have set in your head) you're still not going to be happy.

As it pertains to your question about meal replacements -- I wouldn't go that route. You're not learning anything about sustainable eating habits by replacing meals with shakes.

If you are currently losing weight at 1lb/week, the answer is to keep doing that eating a nutrient dense diet of actual food/meals you enjoy.

BombshellPhoenix

I think meal replacements are a quick fix. For me, I didn't focus too much on getting the weight off quickly. If I was losing even if it was .5-1lb a week, that was more than enough. What I prioritized was finding foods I enjoyed that help me meet my nutritional needs and staying in my calorie goal. Quick weight loss=/= healthy weight loss.

I would highly recommend reading some links and take a deep breath:flowerforyou: This isn't a race to a finish, it's a slow dance of life. Even step backs aren't the end. Keep pushing forward and you'll get there

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/817188-iifym http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/819055-setting-your-calorie-and-macro-targets

gabrielleelliott90

I meant to say that I'm losing nothing at all. Somehow I forgot to put that in there. I know when I'm at my most ideal weight, probably in the 9 stone area, and back to the old me, I will be happy, because that is how I prefer myself.

RunnerStephe

I drink shakeology daily. I love it.

BombshellPhoenix

What's your calorie goal? Do you take cheat days? Do you have a food scale or could get one for accurately tracking? Could you be overestimating burns? How long have you been tracking?

Meal replacements don't guarantee weight loss. Calorie deficit does.

gabrielleelliott90

I currently eat 1250 calories each day to lose a pound. I don't take cheat days, I try my very best to eat 1250 calories only each day, but I do a lot of exercise. I don't think I'm overestimating my burns, for example, I used to track 1000 odd calories with my cheap fitness watch ( it is temporary, my fitbit broke on me- aiming to get a polar hrm) and that was for a day of volunteering in a charity shop which you walk around a lot, and walking around town as well. That was overestimated, now it is half of that, or 700 odd which seems more likely. I use a cardiotrainer app on my phone for things like circuit training which gives me a good enough estimate.

I don't think I'm eating over my calories. I have a food scale which I measure things that need to be measured on, it's electronic so can't go wrong. I've been tracking since I started, so for a year at least.

BombshellPhoenix

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1421017-having-trouble-with-general-weight-loss

This thread seems to indicate you just committed calorie counting last week. I think, perhaps, you're expecting too much too soon?

SideSteel

Consider setting your food diary to public.

Some_Watery_Tart

When you reached your goal weight, did you go back to eating at maintenance level calories? And do your clothes fit the same as they did at 147? I suspect the 3 pounds is just your glycogen stores replenishing themselves which is nothing to worry about if your clothes fit the same.

And meal replacement shakes are fine to help you meet your calorie goals, but consider carefully whether or not you'll learn healthy eating habits this way.

johnnylakis

I did meal replacement shakes. Yes they work. BUT, use only for breakfast. You need real food for lunch and dinner. Pick a good brand and read the ingredients. Way too many have sugar as the first ingredient. Brands I recommend are: Muscle Milk (11 oz), Lean Body (17 oz), Glucerna (I forget which size, but its the one with 220 calories).

gabrielleelliott90

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1421017-having-trouble-with-general-weight-loss

This thread seems to indicate you just committed calorie counting last week. I think, perhaps, you're expecting too much too soon?

Nope, I've been on here a year at least, I've lost 12lb so far.... I have trouble with weight loss in general, and it is only recently I started sticking to one calorie amount. I used to change my calorie amount often, but I don't do that now. After that post, I dropped a pound to 147lb, but my weight went up, and I've only been sticking to 1250 a day, eating back exercise calories.

gabrielleelliott90

When you reached your goal weight, did you go back to eating at maintenance level calories? And do your clothes fit the same as they did at 147? I suspect the 3 pounds is just your glycogen stores replenishing themselves which is nothing to worry about if your clothes fit the same.

And meal replacement shakes are fine to help you meet your calorie goals, but consider carefully whether or not you'll learn healthy eating habits this way.

Sorry for confusing people here, I haven't yet reached my goal weight, but my clothes fit the same at 150lb as they do at 147lb.

BombshellPhoenix

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1421017-having-trouble-with-general-weight-loss

This thread seems to indicate you just committed calorie counting last week. I think, perhaps, you're expecting too much too soon?

Nope, I've been on here a year at least, I've lost 12lb so far.... I have trouble with weight loss in general, and it is only recently I started sticking to one calorie amount. I used to change my calorie amount often, but I don't do that now. After that post, I dropped a pound to 147lb, but my weight went up, and I've only been sticking to 1250 a day, eating back exercise calories.

Your weight will never be one stagnant amount. I fluctuate up to 3 lbs from one day to the next up to 5 lbs from morning to night. There's so many factors to scale weight. You're looking for a downward trend over weeks. Not sure how often you're weighing.

pander101

I tried the shake route and it worked for a little bit, until I got bored. I stopped and the weight came back. It's not good long term. I now only use shakes if I'm having trouble meeting protein goals, but not to replace meals on a regular bases.

If you're not losing it's possible that you're just eating at maintenance level right now. Do you have a food scale? How accurate is your logging? If you're eating back exercise calories from MFP's calculations then only eat back about half, MFP way over calculates.

If that isn't the case, talk to your doctor and rule out an underlying medical condition. Just in-case.

Some_Watery_Tart

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1421017-having-trouble-with-general-weight-loss

This thread seems to indicate you just committed calorie counting last week. I think, perhaps, you're expecting too much too soon?

Nope, I've been on here a year at least, I've lost 12lb so far.... I have trouble with weight loss in general, and it is only recently I started sticking to one calorie amount. I used to change my calorie amount often, but I don't do that now. After that post, I dropped a pound to 147lb, but my weight went up, and I've only been sticking to 1250 a day, eating back exercise calories.

I would do whatever SideSteel tells you. Open your diary and let him have a look. He knows his stuff and doesn't charge any of us for all his excellent advice. :flowerforyou:

BombshellPhoenix

I was about to say. You could open your diary and people could see if there's something up there or go see a doctor to rule out a medical condition.

pander101

I tried the shake route and it worked for a little bit, until I got bored. I stopped and the weight came back. It's not good long term. I now only use shakes if I'm having trouble meeting protein goals, but not to replace meals on a regular basis.

If you're not losing it's possible that you're just eating at maintenance level right now. Do you have a food scale? How accurate is your logging? If you're eating back exercise calories from MFP's calculations then only eat back about half, MFP way over calculates.

If that isn't the case, talk to your doctor and rule out an underlying medical condition. Just in-case.

gabrielleelliott90

Sorry for being confusing everyone, I should of stated, my goal weight for the timebeing is 143lb. My weight currently, is 150lb, but it should still be 147lb, as last week I lost a pound taking me to 147lb, and then I've gained 3lb in waterweight somehow. I saw on this show about meal replacement shakes, a lot of people do them, and I just had a thought maybe I could try them, but judging from responses, I don't think it would be a good idea. Maybe I should just put my weight down to half a pound per week.

gabrielleelliott90

No medical conditions here, I'm healthy, I have not been eating the healthiest lately, which I'm quite embarrassed at, so I won't open the diary for now. I just can't get back to healthy eating, I don't have much motivation for it. I know that I need to however.

BombshellPhoenix

Sodium, tom, water retention from exercise, whether you've had regular bowel movements all influence the scale. I would stick to one calorie amount. Jumping around calories will do you no favors on pinpointing where you need to adjust

BombshellPhoenix

No medical conditions here, I'm healthy, I have not been eating the healthiest lately, which I'm quite embarrassed at, so I won't open the diary for now. I just can't get back to healthy eating, I don't have much motivation for it. I know that I need to however.

Oh, if you want you can look at my diary. I don't eat perfect either :P No one does:flowerforyou: I can understand the hesitation, I know it's not the easiest to be criticized but it's part of the learning process.

lemonsnowdrop

No medical conditions here, I'm healthy, I have not been eating the healthiest lately, which I'm quite embarrassed at, so I won't open the diary for now. I just can't get back to healthy eating, I don't have much motivation for it. I know that I need to however.

Oh, if you want you can look at my diary. I don't eat perfect either :P No one does:flowerforyou: I can understand the hesitation, I know it's not the easiest to be criticized but it's part of the learning process.

Her diary will blow your mind with how amazing it is. She's on inspiration I've had that taught me that I can eat "junk" and still lose weight and be healthy.

As for the shakes, I used to drink Slim Fast when I had coupons and needed a quick breakfast. I've now replaced that with protein bars (Quest mainly) if I'm somewhere that I can't eat a meal (school, usually).

WGUgirl82

Honestly, if you eat salt in your diet, it could cause you to retain water..... but you may just need to use the bathroom (sorry for the TMI). As previously stated, you are NEVER going to stay at the same weight, EXACTLY, every minute of every day. That's just how it is

Kalikel

I tried the shakes and didn't like the ones I tried. Attempted to make one and it didn't come out well.

If you like them, no reason to not drink them!!

Rocky made a shake, didn't he? Maybe I'm remembering wrong. I dunno.

gabrielleelliott90

Oh trust my diary is just full of junk. Hardly anything healthy. Lmao. Bowel habits are fine, but it doesn't seem to make a difference on the scale I always weigh on as empty as possible, sorry TMI.

independant2406

I like the Advocare shakes. I used to drink rhe chocolate shake 2x daily with a healthy meal at night (lean protien and lots of green veggies). The chocolate shake is best if you mix with 1tablespoon of peanutbutter and 1/2 a banana and some ice cubes in the blender.

Meal replacement shakes aren't a long term solution but they can help sometimes if you have just a few lbs to reach your goal.

folgers86

I personally just drink the Kellogg ones but it's mostly because they're a great way to get SOME protein and nutrients when you either don't have time to fix or can't stomach a regular meal (my body says a big resounding NONONONO to breakfast). As other people have mentioned, they're not great for dieting since they don't teach you anything sustainable - though they do work, but as I just said, they can have their place in a meal plan. Unless you're doing the shakes like Medifast or something similar, they are NOT meant to be used exclusively. 1-2 meal replacements at most per day and even then you really should supplement with some veggies or fruit if at all possible

senusenu

I get the Equate (Walmart brand) weight loss shakes in milk chocolate or chocolate royale. They taste great to me, satisfy my chocolate craving, and are nice to have when I need something quick, often during lunch break at work and I don't have time to eat something else. I typically only have one a day, sometimes with a fiber bar.

I don't eat remotely healthy- I work two jobs and just can't be bothered to actually cook (and weigh out every single thing, then calculate weights and etc). I can't eat raw fruits either, so even that's out. I stick to easy things, even though it's not ideal, that I can quickly scan and add to my diary, with a "treat" now and then of something really terrible (like Buffalo Wild Wings!).

Last week was bad for me, didn't lose a pound, but didn't really gain either, so this week I will keep it under control again. I'm fine with it being slow, as it's easier to maintain a slow progress, and seems to be better for long term success.

Might look into a gym though to supplement my walking with some weights and yoga.