Opinion on Visalus

A friend from church gave me a few bags of Visalus to get started on my journey, reading the back it seems to have nothing but good things in it. Has anybody in here had any expierence with it? I was going to do one shake @ breakfast with 1 cup of skim milk and one cup of water. Then a light lunch, probably a soup or salad from our cafe here at work then a senseable meal for supper at home.

Opinions...

Here is a picture of the back of the package

http://graemethomasonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Visalus-shake-nutrition-facts.png
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Replies

  • bump
  • I know there is alot of nay sayers out there because its an MLM, however, I needed something to kick me in the pants and get me movings.

    I am on week 5, and happy to report that I have lost 15 lbs, and 15+ inches.

    I do 2 a day, but other days only one. I felt great in the first week, and started to exercise 6 days a week. 30 minute walks...now I am working on the couch to 5k program, and Zumba once a week.

    I like it because it is easy, and fits well into my lifestlye.

    It isn't a magic bullet, and you still need to eat smartly, and watch what goes in your mouth. For me it was a great thing to get me some results to get me on track. So at the end of the 90 days, I have a new healthier lifestyle.
  • Awesome, thanks for the info.
  • jynxxxed
    jynxxxed Posts: 1,010 Member
    If you choose to purchase it in the future, it is VERY overpriced for a shake that isn't very beneficial. I personally dislike meal replacements (I prefer to eat my food) but I know that some people like to use it for when they're way too busy to sit down and eat a meal so they just 'grab and go'.
    If you enjoy eating and are not extremely short on time, I'd recommend ditching the shakes and eating your food. You'll have the same result + the added bonus of eating something delicious instead. :)
  • Sarge516
    Sarge516 Posts: 256 Member
    I've tried their samples.

    I think it's an expensive form of protein shake (there are cheaper alternatives), but some don't taste as good. Me? I am too cheap to pay the $$ when there are other products out there for 1/2 the cost with the same nutritional ingredients.

    Example: the stuff I have on my desk from a local bodybuilding supply/health food store:

    Serving size - 2 scoops (45g)

    Calories - 170
    Protein - 40g
    Sugars - 0g
    Fat - 1g

    About $40 per 908g (2 lbs) bucket.
  • Ronni_16
    Ronni_16 Posts: 15 Member
    Its a great option and I know plenty of people that have done well on the program.
    The shake mixture is really tasty and it does keep you full.
    I did it for breakfast and lunches. Snacks and then a smart dinner.

    The price of the product is pretty high..or at least I think so. Which is one of the main reasons I stopped using it.
  • dcooperp
    dcooperp Posts: 20 Member
    I love the product. I am reluctant to say much more as I posted on another post how it has helped me and basically got verbally attacked. Good luck with your journey.
  • I am on day 46 of my 90 day challenge and am about to be taken off Metformin for Diabetes and my cholesterol medication. I have lost 15 pounds and 6+ inches.

    As with any product their will always be haters... you have to find what is right for you! There are thousands of people having a lot of success on this product.
  • FoodandFitness
    FoodandFitness Posts: 502 Member
    There's nothing special about it and other protein supplements can be less expensive. You're paying a lot for the package.
  • RumAndEthics
    RumAndEthics Posts: 3 Member
    I personally found it didn't work for me. I followed as said, did it for 2 meals a day and somehow ended up gaining weight instead of losing it. But everyone's body is different, try it and see if it works or not for you, not for me.
  • dcooperp
    dcooperp Posts: 20 Member
    I am on day 46 of my 90 day challenge and am about to be taken off Metformin for Diabetes and my cholesterol medication. I have lost 15 pounds and 6+ inches.

    As with any product their will always be haters... you have to find what is right for you! There are thousands of people having a lot of success on this product.

    Congrats on coming off the meds. My husband has lowered his BP meds and his blood work has come back with good numbers. Keep up the good work!!
  • dcooperp
    dcooperp Posts: 20 Member
    There's nothing special about it and other protein supplements can be less expensive. You're paying a lot for the package.

    I bought mine last July...One time purchase and have not paid for it anymore. I get it every month for free.Vitamins included. Your right though it's not for everyone.
  • therealmax
    therealmax Posts: 33 Member
    I haven't used the product personally, but I've read that the protein is soy-based or contains soy, so if your body reacts negatively to soy then I wouldn't recommend those specific meal replacement shakes. Also, remember that meal replacements are usually not meant for long term use, so for successful maintentance of weight loss you should probably look into learning how to lose or maintain weight while eating real foods. Best of luck with your goals!
  • booboo68
    booboo68 Posts: 302 Member
    It depends on the person. I work with someone who went from 240 to 160 in about 6 months. She only did the shakes for breakfast and lunch and then ate 1 chicken breast for dinner and ran like she was being chased. (minimum of 5 miles daily). She has since switched to the Medical Weight Loss Program. The first 2 weeks of the program, she had severe stomach cramps and diarrhea, then she felt great. When she stoped the Visalus, she did gain approx 10 lbs she said. (But she said she had increased her eating).

    Another person I work with tried it for about a week and was totally unable to tolerate it. She ended up calling off work 3 or 4 days in a week and had to stop using the product and has since joined weight watchers and is losing alot.

    As with any product, I think it depends on the person as well as their dedication and motivation and financial abilities to purchase and stick with these products.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    I am on day 46 of my 90 day challenge and am about to be taken off Metformin for Diabetes and my cholesterol medication. I have lost 15 pounds and 6+ inches.

    As with any product their will always be haters... you have to find what is right for you! There are thousands of people having a lot of success on this product.

    You're selling the stuff!!:noway: :noway: :noway:
  • jhanitsch
    jhanitsch Posts: 12 Member
    I just ordered my kit this morning. I was very skeptical because of the pyramid MLM theme going along with it but the fact of the matter is that I am watching everyone I know loose weight and enjoy doing it (one or two people I know did not like it out of the approximately 30 people I know using it). So I thought it was a good thing for me to try. I did A LOT of research on the product... and I bought it.. if that helps :)
  • jhanitsch
    jhanitsch Posts: 12 Member
    Also, I can't believe after reading some posts the way others attack on these boards. To each their own. No one is forcing me, I did research and formed my own opinion.
  • dayone987
    dayone987 Posts: 645 Member
    Also, I can't believe after reading some posts the way others attack on these boards. To each their own. No one is forcing me, I did research and formed my own opinion.
    [/quote


    According to MFP rules you can not sell a product so that poster was not out of line to call out the person that is a distributor. You will note that the "follow me through Facebook" bit was deleted.

    I don't know why you consider it an attack to say one can get similar nutrition for less money. Isn't that a legitimate statement to make or at least discuss?
  • kr1stadee
    kr1stadee Posts: 1,774 Member
    I personally found it didn't work for me. I followed as said, did it for 2 meals a day and somehow ended up gaining weight instead of losing it. But everyone's body is different, try it and see if it works or not for you, not for me.

    This. I did it, lost 2lbs in the beginning, and then that was it.

    Works for some, not for others.
  • shelbiejo
    shelbiejo Posts: 283 Member
    I'll keep this short and simple because these threads tend to get out of hand.

    I do it. It works for me. I like it. Continue to hit your calorie goals though. People will bash on it, but why? All you will be doing is getting your calories in eating/drinking something their not.

    Feel free to message me if you want more detailed answers about my experience with it.
  • millerll
    millerll Posts: 873 Member
    Graeme Thomas, a respected sports nutritionist and trainer, recently did a two-part article on Visalus. I've included links below to the articles. In summary, he concludes that the product is over-priced and nutritionally deficient. You can make your own shake with superior ingredients for a whole lot less.

    http://graemethomasonline.com/body-by-vi-review-is-visalus-a-scam/
    http://graemethomasonline.com/visalus-body-by-vi-ingredient-evaluation/
  • jhanitsch
    jhanitsch Posts: 12 Member
    [/quote]
    According to MFP rules you can not sell a product so that poster was not out of line to call out the person that is a distributor. You will note that the "follow me through Facebook" bit was deleted.

    I don't know why you consider it an attack to say one can get similar nutrition for less money. Isn't that a legitimate statement to make or at least discuss?
    [/quote]

    I don't know what your referring to. I am referring to generally negative people on these boards. I didn't specify anyone or anything.......
  • jhanitsch
    jhanitsch Posts: 12 Member
    I don't know what your referring to. I am referring to generally negative people on these boards. I didn't specify anyone or anything.......
  • livinbb
    livinbb Posts: 84 Member
    I have used it and enjoy it. It tastes great. However, I have never really been in a financial position to use it as often as the "program" requires to lose weight. I used it for when I don't feel like cooking or am too busy running around to sit down and have a meal. I have stopped ordering it because of finances. I know of many people who have had success on it, and yes others, who have not. Like with any product your body will tell you if it is for you or not. Listen to your body and you can't go wrong.
  • mmapags
    mmapags Posts: 8,934 Member
    Over priced, under value. MLM, scheme.
  • babeinthemoon
    babeinthemoon Posts: 471 Member
    Tastes really yummy, but the "plan" did not work for me. I drank the shake 2x/day for 3 months and only shed about 6 pounds. A year later I'm back to drinking protein shakes (from a different company), that also taste good, but cost much less. My eating plan is much different, and I'm sure that is why I'm actually loosing weight this time around (down 35 in just over 3 months).
  • renazregal
    renazregal Posts: 2 Member
    My sister in law lost 70 pounds in approx 6 months using the product and so far has had no ill side effects. It took me twice as long to loose half the weight using real food. Truth be told, it was very stressful for me because I am what you would call a frustrated cook - I'm successful in business but lousy in the kitchen. Trying to figure out meal by meal what to eat and how to prepare it was a nightmare. And my husband and son who are of course thin wanted to be fed a decent evening meal. After 38 pounds and seven months of daily battles with what to eat, I slipped back into my old patterns. It only took me 6 weeks to gain back 20 of the 38 pounds I had lost. I became depressed and the eating binge continued.

    I HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE RUNAWAY TRAIN. So I ordered the Visalus and began using the product. Two shakes, three snacks and one sensible meal. For someone like me, the meal replacement aspect has been a Godsend and I wonder why I haven't tried this route before. The shakes taste great and there are literally hundreds of combinations using REAL FOOD (fruit, vegetables, yogurt, spices) to create your shake. And what I really like...I can throw in a cup of fruit , vegetables, dairy, etc. to get my daily servings in.

    HERE IS MY TAKE AWAY MESSAGE - DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. I don't care that its a marketing scheme because I have no interest in selling it and yes, I AM concerned about poor quality soy proteins. But lets face it, at 55 years old and 280 pounds, I have much bigger problems to worry about. It is my hope that eventually I will learn more as I grow....or better yet, shrink :) And as I become more aware of what various ingredients do, perhaps i will adjust and purchase another product. After only one week, I feel better than I have in the last two months combined. So until I grow three heads or sprout wings, I think I will continue to use this product.

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion but we are all different and what works for one, may not work for the other. But as we all strive for better health, we need be supportive, respectful and most of all, kind to each other.
  • jynxxxed
    jynxxxed Posts: 1,010 Member
    ^^ Nice first post on an old thread.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    My sister in law lost 70 pounds in approx 6 months using the product and so far has had no ill side effects. It took me twice as long to loose half the weight using real food. Truth be told, it was very stressful for me because I am what you would call a frustrated cook - I'm successful in business but lousy in the kitchen. Trying to figure out meal by meal what to eat and how to prepare it was a nightmare. And my husband and son who are of course thin wanted to be fed a decent evening meal. After 38 pounds and seven months of daily battles with what to eat, I slipped back into my old patterns. It only took me 6 weeks to gain back 20 of the 38 pounds I had lost. I became depressed and the eating binge continued.

    I HAD TO DO SOMETHING TO STOP THE RUNAWAY TRAIN. So I ordered the Visalus and began using the product. Two shakes, three snacks and one sensible meal. For someone like me, the meal replacement aspect has been a Godsend and I wonder why I haven't tried this route before. The shakes taste great and there are literally hundreds of combinations using REAL FOOD (fruit, vegetables, yogurt, spices) to create your shake. And what I really like...I can throw in a cup of fruit , vegetables, dairy, etc. to get my daily servings in.

    HERE IS MY TAKE AWAY MESSAGE - DO WHAT WORKS FOR YOU. I don't care that its a marketing scheme because I have no interest in selling it and yes, I AM concerned about poor quality soy proteins. But lets face it, at 55 years old and 280 pounds, I have much bigger problems to worry about. It is my hope that eventually I will learn more as I grow....or better yet, shrink :) And as I become more aware of what various ingredients do, perhaps i will adjust and purchase another product. After only one week, I feel better than I have in the last two months combined. So until I grow three heads or sprout wings, I think I will continue to use this product.

    Everyone is entitled to their opinion but we are all different and what works for one, may not work for the other. But as we all strive for better health, we need be supportive, respectful and most of all, kind to each other.

    You have been on here for more than 2 years and this is your first thread that you dredged up. Very very fishy..
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    There's nothing special about it and other protein supplements can be less expensive. You're paying a lot for the package.

    I bought mine last July...One time purchase and have not paid for it anymore. I get it every month for free.Vitamins included. Your right though it's not for everyone.

    .. and the ONLY reason anyone gets it for free is because they are selling it.