Does Slim Fast Really Work?

ninerbuff

ANY DIET works when adhered to. Sustainability on it is another issue.

A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

AHack3

About 19 years ago I did the slim-fast plan for about 6 months and lost 20 pounds. It was an easy plan to follow and it took the guess work out of what you were going to eat. I didn't feel too hungry. They didn't taste all that great then, I don't know if they have improved on the flavors. Even with all that said I wouldnt' recommend them though because as soon as I quit the plan I gained back what I had lost plus more. I learned I just needed to watch the portions of how much I ate of real food.

astange83

I use it for the days I'm in a pinch and had too much of a workout before work and find that at 11am its a shake or a candy bar til lunch at 130, so I grab the shake for the protein and added fiber. It does tend to have a bad aftertaste though. The powders don't seem as bad if you can get them mixed in.

rachso

I don't do Slim-Fast. I will, occasionally grrab a Special K preotein shake and drink it before a workout--esp my early mornings workouts that happen before breakfast., But even then I ALWAYS shower and grab a proper meal after that

stefjc

I wouldn't have said it was sustainable at all.

I used it when I started JUDDD, the idea was to break the habit of over eating. It was hard to do but it was only 2 or 3 days a week, so I stuck with it. And yes, it did cause some trouble with my stomach. But I was aware of that before I started and had decided that it was worth it, short term.

I buy a pack of the ready made stuff whenever I see the coffee or chocolate ones on offer. So I usually have 4 in the fridge at home and another 4 at work - they are foul if not ice cold.

They are, as others have said, really useful if you are in a rush, or are using them as a snack rather than your only food source.

As for trans fats and artificial vitamins, pah! You find more of both in most breakfast cereals.

In my lifetime I am fully aware that, before we knew about additives, I ate a lot of stuff I would avoid these days - I mean, we all grew up on margarine, didn't we? I choose not to include them now, as far as is practicable. I wouldn't spend or drive twice as much/far to avoid them, I accept that in many every day foods I will be consuming them. So I rationalised my using Slimfast. If I find something comparable that is as easy I may well switch.

Basically, I don't rely on them and I don't panic about the additives. There's no nicotine or arsenic in them!

Vokerath

Yes slimfast works, it started me off on my diet last week but really it is just calorie control. I still use the shakes but I don't bother with the snack bars other than for a treat.

Just stick to your calorie goal on MFP, it works better.

rbn_held

I haven't followed the slim fast diet plan because I would get really bored with just drinking shakes for breakfast and lunch. I do however always keep slim fast shakes on hand for a quick meal when I am busy. Love the cappuccino one, and they really are filling. I also love the peanut butter crunch and chocolate mint snack bars.

tannadine

Slimfast definitely works, purely because it drops the calories you are consuming down to around 1300 (if you are following the 3-2-1 plan). I agree with some of the previous posters though - if you have an active lifestyle (and it sounds like you do, with your regular workouts) it probably wont be enough to keep you satisfied.

I use Slimfast in conjunction with normal calorie counting - I find if I only have one shake a day it keeps my IBS from flaring up. That said, I know I probably shouldn't be eating them at all if they cause such gastrointestinal distress...!

Anyway, all the best on your journey! xx

zoomzoom443

I have recently started using slim fast and still after a week my stomach hurts all the time and when i feel unwell i get migranes but it does help drop the pounds

buckleten

I often have a slimfast for lunch when at work, and actually I really like the cafe latte flavour one. It is convenient for busy days and takes the temptation to have a big calorie-laden lunch out away!

BoxerBrawler

I like the Slimfast Slimquick pure powdered drink mix in wild berry. In fact, I am addicted to it! It's soooo yummy and yes it has assisted me with my cravings and a little appetite supressant, it also gives me a little bit of extra energy and it's loaded with vitamins.

I also use Shakeology and can't say enough great things about it! I drink one as a meal replacement for lunch with added spinach and a little almond milk. Yummy!

BoxerBrawler

And yeah as others have said be careful about which ones you use as some of them are loaded with high calories, sugars, carbs, etc....

I've done some research and found that the two I mentioned above work the best, for me anyway. Like anything else though it's not a miracle, you can't expect to drink shakes for the rest of your life. Better off with real food and find a plan that is sustainable over the long term. I use mine during the work week because it works and it's very easy in the office and I usually have it on my way home due to my schedule I have a small gap to fill between the end of the day and a workout so I don't want to eat/eat but don't want to starve either

navygrrl

I use the shake mix sometimes, but I normally toss a banana, kale, and peanut butter in with it in the blender. I use almond milk, so unless I add protein, it's pretty much empty of protein.

bethreardon39

I quite enjoy the SlimFast shakes - I don't follow the 3-2-1 plan, because, IMO, it's nowhere near enough to keep you going, but I often find myself way under in terms of calories and so can have one of the shakes at lunch along with a salad to fill me up and keep me going until dinner, as well as pack some nutrients in.

I've never really used it for a 'get fit quick' method, more of a way of trying to keep myself full on the go!

eldamiano

I've just bought two tubs of the milkshakes as they were on offer. Was wondering if anyone on here has ever used them before and could give me some feedback?

I really hope they do work!

Yep, they do work.... in taking more from your wallet. Pay more, get less. If that was your government operating a tax scheme like that, there would be outrage.

lemonsnowdrop

I've just bought two tubs of the milkshakes as they were on offer. Was wondering if anyone on here has ever used them before and could give me some feedback?

I really hope they do work!

Yep, they do work.... in taking more from your wallet. Pay more, get less. If that was your government operating a tax scheme like that, there would be outrage.

Mmm, not really true. I bought mine with BOGO coupons, making 8 shakes 4.88 or nearly 50 cent a piece. That's not really expensive, if you ask me.

eldamiano

I've just bought two tubs of the milkshakes as they were on offer. Was wondering if anyone on here has ever used them before and could give me some feedback?

I really hope they do work!

Yep, they do work.... in taking more from your wallet. Pay more, get less. If that was your government operating a tax scheme like that, there would be outrage.

Mmm, not really true. I bought mine with BOGO coupons, making 8 shakes 4.88 or nearly 50 cent a piece. That's not really expensive, if you ask me.

Well done. Now can you please direct me to the tree which hands out endless coupons, and then when it produces the other BOGO coupons for all other milkshakes, then you have a fair comparison...

andream1976

As soon as you stop taking the Slim fast shakes and bars you will gain weight and it will mess up your metabolism.

This. My co-worker lost 25 lbs in 2 months by eating/drinking nothing but slim fast shakes. Claimed she was never hungry and she felt great as the pounds dropped. Fast forward a month. She joined a gym, started working out, added a very small amount of food (hummus and veggies every night for dinner in addition to her shakes) and started gaining weight. That's right...gaining. The shakes are easy and fast but they don't teach you a sustainable lifestyle. You have to "diet" the same way you will "maintain." If you like to eat real food, eat real food. Just less of it. And for goodness sakes, do not try to survive on slim fast alone. One shake is only 170-180 calories. You cannot fuel your body on 700 calories a day and you certainly can't work out on 700 cals.

karenertl

I've just bought two tubs of the milkshakes as they were on offer. Was wondering if anyone on here has ever used them before and could give me some feedback?

I really hope they do work!

I've tried them before. I could not stick with them because I don't like the taste and the consistency reminds me too much of paint for my comfort. I drank one and brought the rest to work for my coworkers to drink.

CatyaKiller

I lost 20 lbs on Slim Fast a few years ago... Then as soon as I stopped the weight came back on over about 4 months... It wasn't a good long term solution for me... I think I had a lot of trouble transitioning back to "normal eating" after I stopped because I didn't make a real lifestyle change.

lemonsnowdrop

I've just bought two tubs of the milkshakes as they were on offer. Was wondering if anyone on here has ever used them before and could give me some feedback?

I really hope they do work!

Yep, they do work.... in taking more from your wallet. Pay more, get less. If that was your government operating a tax scheme like that, there would be outrage.

Mmm, not really true. I bought mine with BOGO coupons, making 8 shakes 4.88 or nearly 50 cent a piece. That's not really expensive, if you ask me.

Well done. Now can you please direct me to the tree which hands out endless coupons, and then when it produces the other BOGO coupons for all other milkshakes, then you have a fair comparison...

It was endless for me. I work at Walmart, and they were giving out free samples with coupons. The sample guy gave me about 30 since we know each other. I also get 10% off the purchase since I work there. It's not fair for everyone, but the free sample dudes will let you take however many coupons you want. Once I'm done with my current supply I probably won't buy them again, but the deal was too good to pass up (and since I love the taste, it was win/win).

Brooke4206

I tried slimfast and I was just way too hungry on that diet. I switched over to just eating healthy and that has done wonders.

MomTo3Lovez

I tried and couldn't do them regularly with 2 shakes a day and what not, I do have one for breakfast as it's easy and fast since I son't have time in the mornings, but that's only M-F weekends I eat all my meals.

hirstrl

i keep a 4 pack in the frige. if im in a hurry or know i have alot of things to do after work i can grab one. it will hold me over until i can eat a good meal and not feel the urge to go to a drive thru. i will also drink one an hour or so before going to a buffet style dinner or party because i wont be as hungry. a 4 pack usually lasts me 2 weeks. its just there if i need one. its also a good way to take care of that sweet chocolate craving

cggrlsteph

I only use the powder as an addition to my protein whey shake for taste... plus it has the extra vitamins... I don't use it by itself.

Ang108

Only works if your eating in a deficit. Probably would of been better if you just got some whey protein and add some fruits or something for carbs.

If you eat at a deficit EVERYTHING works , even real food !

Jestinia

Years ago I drank Ensure twice a day and ate at night (at the time it seemed to have less garbage chemicals in it than the market weight loss shakes and all the protein and vitamins). However, it only worked because I was taking a very strong and now very banned herbal appetite suppressant. Otherwise, sugary liquid just makes me really hungry and grouchy. And anything with artificial sugar in it is out of the question for me because yech! It tastes disgusting!

onlyjulz

I dont like to eat in the morning so I started using slim fast as my breakfast (since breakfast is so important to keep that metabolism going!! ) .. Its great.. I only use it to replace the one meal.. It gives you lots of nutrients and keeps me satisfied until lunch...

FYI... the Equate (walmart brand) of slim fast taste much better and is an oz bigger.. Equate = $10 for twelve 11 oz cans.. Slim Fast is $10 -$14 (depending on where you shop) for only eight 10 oz bottles

Ive lost 30 lbs in 3 months by keeping my calories low and adding breakfast to my day!!

Arthas2580

I did this but to an extreme level which I wouldn't recommend. I had 3 shakes a day for two weeks then one week on the 3-2-1 plan and another on 2 weeks on 3 shakes. It works but even when you go back onto a low carb high protein diet (which I was doing before) the basic salt content in food really did cause trouble. I put on 1kg just because of the salt due to my body being about to deal with the 2 litres of watet I puy in it. It sorts itself out but takes a few weeks for yout body to adjust back to the increased salt intake and digestion. Be careful as it can be difficult not to over eat after.

MysteriousDreamer

I had the worst stomach aches ever, left me crying. :-(