Another Slim Fast topic...opinions?

amybradsx
amybradsx Posts: 11
in Health and Weight Loss
So I've just started the Slim Fast plan. I want to lose around 40lbs, but my biggest problem is just bad eating habits. That is why I thought I would give myself a kick start by using the Slim Fast plan. I am in NO WAY going to use it long term, I am purely on it to give myself some control and motivation, otherwise I know I will instantly slip back into old habits of eating rubbish food. But, I have heard so many 'horror' stories, you could say, about using Slim Fast. My main question is, if I slowly come off of Slim Fast and go on to basic healthy eating, still sticking to my calorie limit given on here, will I continue to lose the weight? Or will I just stop? Btw, I'm already drinking just over 2 litres of water a day along with my fair share of veggies and fruit. I'm not purely relying on the Slim Fast shakes and bars.
I'm just wondering what peoples opinions are :)

Replies

  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    I would rather eat real food.
  • amybradsx
    amybradsx Posts: 11
    I would rather eat real food.

    I'm literally only planning on doing this for a couple of weeks.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    I would rather eat real food.

    I'm literally only planning on doing this for a couple of weeks.

    You will achieve the same results with real food.
  • aluethi1
    aluethi1 Posts: 97 Member
    In my experience you will gain back whetever you lose because you'll be so happy to once again be able to eat real food that you'll go a little overboard.
  • pineapple1989
    pineapple1989 Posts: 195 Member
    I did Slim Fast a few years ago with limited success, so I could be wrong but I think it generally works when you follow the plan as it's supposed to be? To be honest I'd probably say that if you're worried about slipping into old habits it's probably worth addressing this first as you might slip into them when you come off Slim Fast and it would be such a shame to do Slim Fast and put all that effort in to just regain it after!
  • diannethegeek
    diannethegeek Posts: 14,776 Member
    Personally, I didn't like the Slim Fast plan. I drank the shakes in college but they weren't very tasty, they didn't keep me full, and they didn't make me feel great. Granted, this was like 10 years ago (crap, I'm getting old).

    My other beef with the Slim Fast plan is that it doesn't teach you anything. The MFP long and slow diet plan is useful because you learn all the healthy habits you're going to need to transition into maintenance. What to eat, how many calories are in things, it changes your cravings and tastes little by little.

    I know that you say you only plan to do this short term, but I just don't see any benefits to it other than that it's easy and you don't have to think about what to eat. But you'll still be stuck with the same problems of overeating and sliding back into old habits once you stop the shakes.
  • __freckles__
    __freckles__ Posts: 1,238 Member
    So I've just started the Slim Fast plan. I want to lose around 40lbs, but my biggest problem is just bad eating habits. That is why I thought I would give myself a kick start by using the Slim Fast plan. I am in NO WAY going to use it long term, I am purely on it to give myself some control and motivation, otherwise I know I will instantly slip back into old habits of eating rubbish food. But, I have heard so many 'horror' stories, you could say, about using Slim Fast. My main question is, if I slowly come off of Slim Fast and go on to basic healthy eating, still sticking to my calorie limit given on here, will I continue to lose the weight? Or will I just stop? Btw, I'm already drinking just over 2 litres of water a day along with my fair share of veggies and fruit. I'm not purely relying on the Slim Fast shakes and bars.
    I'm just wondering what peoples opinions are :)

    If your biggest problem is bad eating habits then that is what you need to fix now. Why waste your time doing slim fast - you're avoiding your issues with food. When you get off of it, having not dealt with the real problem, you most likely will go back to your old ways. Fix the problem now, save your money, and ditch the shakes.
  • leaner426
    leaner426 Posts: 89 Member
    You should still continue to lose weight, the speed that you lose it at may depend on whether switching changes the balance of carbs/fiber/sugar, etc. It's not just number of calories but type that can affect weight loss. If you know you may fall back into bad habits that won't go away after 2 weeks. You might also want to strategize to find substitutes for when you do want to fall into old habits. For example I knew I might be tempted to eat lots of junk, so I bought fudgesicles (sp?) that I liked but that had 5 grams of fiber in them. If I ate a bunch I'd feel it the next day, but one could fit into my day and give me something of value. If you can come up with those strategies you will be more apt to stick with your plan in the long run.

    Everyone is different, there is no one right way. You may have to try a couple ways before you find yours so don't get discouraged. Good luck!
  • littlelexical
    littlelexical Posts: 146 Member
    I was on liquid diets (dr monitored) for a while - Personally, i don't feel they work well with a -slow swap to proper food - mainly because they are so sweet, and set me up with sweet cravings for the rest of the day. Most are also quite high in carbs so I found as i went off of them i craved carbs an awful lot too!

    I think personally, if you wish to do them, do them - but when you have had enough, dont 'phase them out' swap straight to a healthy eating plan & have a plan in place for the carb/sugar withdrawl feelings :)
  • MerlinWilliams
    MerlinWilliams Posts: 92 Member
    So I've just started the Slim Fast plan. I want to lose around 40lbs, but my biggest problem is just bad eating habits. That is why I thought I would give myself a kick start by using the Slim Fast plan. I am in NO WAY going to use it long term, I am purely on it to give myself some control and motivation, otherwise I know I will instantly slip back into old habits of eating rubbish food. But, I have heard so many 'horror' stories, you could say, about using Slim Fast. My main question is, if I slowly come off of Slim Fast and go on to basic healthy eating, still sticking to my calorie limit given on here, will I continue to lose the weight? Or will I just stop? Btw, I'm already drinking just over 2 litres of water a day along with my fair share of veggies and fruit. I'm not purely relying on the Slim Fast shakes and bars.
    I'm just wondering what peoples opinions are :)

    If your biggest problem is bad eating habits then that is what you need to fix now. Why waste your time doing slim fast - you're avoiding your issues with food. When you get off of it, having not dealt with the real problem, you most likely will go back to your old ways. Fix the problem now, save your money, and ditch the shakes.

    ^ This!
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    What are you wanting to hear here?

    "Go, you!"

    Because, on a calorie counting website...ya know?


    I'll play,



    "Go, YOU" drink that nasty overpriced fake milk-thingy.:flowerforyou:
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,416 Member
    ...and, I guess I s h o u l d answer your actual question.

    Yes, you will continue to lose weight as long as you are eating at a calories deficit.


    Even without the fake milk shake thingy.
  • kitticus15
    kitticus15 Posts: 152 Member
    I understand what you are saying... I have been trying to lose weight on a calorie deficit for over a year now with no success... the GP will not refer me to a specialist to see what is going on, ie, constipation on orlistat and weight gain, also I need a weekly calorie deficit of 7500 calories to lose 1lb, but for some reason I lose a few pounds then put them back on then lose again, the only way I can be in the correct BMI is to eat one meal every other day, currently I am saving up to go and see a private doctor to get the tests done to throw results at my GP, NHS sucks :(
  • Appalachiacola
    Appalachiacola Posts: 11
    Not sure eating habits improve thru the use of Slim Fast. How does it teach one to make better food choices?
  • SweeDecadence92
    SweeDecadence92 Posts: 218 Member
    I like to keep a tub of these meal replacement shakes about for days where for whatever reason I've not ate and need a quick calorie fix, that's it.

    These shakes are no good, your much better eating a light salad or something to replace the shake meal, you'll feel better and fuller for it too. Their also no no for teaching good disipline or eating habits. Really, just eat.

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