DAY 1

other than the shakes, what other food will you be eating? How many total calories per day are you planning on? How many grams of protein and fat per day are you aiming for?

There's nothing wrong with having a nutrtitional shake. I myself often have a protein shake for breakfast or a snack after work. But there's no guarantee you'll lose weight doing this unless the rest of your intake supports/balances your plans for breakfast and lunch.

Don't be shy, there's lots of people on these community boards who would love to help you make a real plan that will work for you specifically, based on your needs and what foods you like.

Feel free to add me at the moment I am doing IF like you I need to see results fast to get me motivated been down that lane with lighter life it did work but came back worse when I ate normally
I intend to fast for 20 days and eat very low calorie for 10 days at the end of the month I am hoping for a calorie deficit.

I think it's great that you're trying to take control of your weight. There's lots of very supportive, smart, inspiring people here. I'm not exactly trying to dissuade you from trying the shake route to lose weight, but I'm not too sure that your plan is the best way to stay healthy. Even if you're trying to lose weight, you still need protein, fat and carbohydrates in a sensible balance from real food sources. You also need to eat the right amount of calories. Eating less than 1200 calories without the direct supervision of a doctor isn't recommended by the vast majority of experts.

Please read this http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12 (the pictures right now aren't showing up, but the info and links are still good)

We want you to be successful. We want you to be healthy. Please read more about BMR, TDEE. There's very few instances where anyone should eat under 1200 calories per day.

thank you for replying i am going to have a small dinner everynight like a salad with a max of 500 cals. i need to eat less than 1200 cals a day. i am only goin to snack on fruits and veg. with min fat and carbs everyday. because this is all so new to me i am kind of shy but i have seen other people storys and that makes me feel i little less shy.

There is no reason to eat less than 1200 calories a day. Many of our members lost more weight at much higher calorie ranges. Eating too little will end up hurting results. Just follow the MFP plan and you will be fine. Set your account to the general guidelines below. Also, if you exercise, you can eat more calories since the deficit is already built into the equation. A good workout routine mixed of cardio and strength training is ideal for maintain lean body mass and ensure most of your weight loss is from fat. This is critical to ensure you end up with a tight and lean body. But I can tell you, the women I know who workout 5-6 days a week have a lost a lot more weight at 1700-2100 calories and see more progress than they ever did at 1200 calories.


If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.

in the past few months i have tried every diet under the sun but now i need something to help loose a bit fast to get me motivated....

IMO, this is the problem.....it cannot be a "diet" ie: trying shakes for a month, trying to eat nothing but cabbage soup for a month, or whatever the latest "fad diet" is.

To really lose the weight AND keep the weight off, you need to look at it being a LIFESTYLE change. In other words, it has to be something that you can do for the rest of your life. That is what finally helped me get to where I am and will help me stay there instead of losing the weight and then regaining it all back after a year or two.

I love food, I love to drink micro-brew beers, love wine, iove to indulge in aged gouda cheeses and fresh breads and have been known to easily scarf down half a Papa Murphy pizza, etc. I have learned how to manage being able to enjoy those things and make it work with my "diet" so that I never feel like I am deprived and therefore I don't see my new lifestyle of eating healthy and working out as a " punishment ".

Yes, 98% of the time I weigh every bit of food that eat and I watch my calories like a hawk and determine whether or not I am able to have more carbs, or if I need to opt for protein instead and I am relentless about getting to the gym to lift weights, but with MFP and managing my food like this, it has also been relatively easy now to still enjoy the things I like to eat and keep the weight OFF. Granted I'd like to lose another 10 lbs just because I'd like to see the number 120 show up on the scale, but at 130 I think I'd give most girls half my age a run for their money! I have the excuse of the stress of moving halfway across the country to justify my bad eating/drinking habits of lately, but I have done a good job of maintaining my weight so for now that will have to do.

TDLR: Check out what I believe most people call the Road Map here and calculate what your calorie intake should be. Incorporate some exercise, preferably weight lifting (get those muscles working for you even while you're chillin' out) and some cardio to get you some more calorie burning and you'll find that you won't have to 'starve' yourself or convince yourself that those shakes are satisfying. Trust me, the weight will come off and you'll have better luck of keeping it off. Do it right now. Trust me, it's alot harder when you're my age : )

Best of luck in your journey!!!