Slim Fast to start?

Uggh, can't stand the taste of slim fast. I began by limiting my carbs. Gave up diet soda, and sugar. I would make a protein shake for breakfast and lunch, and eat a healthy dinner. Went from zero exercising, to going to the gym three times a week. You can go to a health store and have them suggest a good protein powder, and make your own to your personal taste. Much healthier and better tasting than slimfast.

Best of luck!

How much are you losing a week? Are you sure the impatience isn't setting in and getting the better of you?

Working out makes us gain water which hides fat loss. Even your measurements stay the same. Mine do this for weeks at a time then I'll suddenly drop just the amount I calculated I would.

Don't panic and set yourself up on a starve binge pattern!

If it's any consolation I've lost less than half a pound of fat in one month and I'm happy about it! Netting 1600 per day. It's all in my master plan.

Trust the numbers! Log, weigh everything and mostly be patient!! Delay that gratification!

Slimfast is like any other "diet" fad. It works because it puts you in a calorie deficit. But you can eat real food and be in a calorie deficit. The thing about diets is that they don't work in the long term because you haven't changed your eating habits. You use the slimfast until you get tired of it, then you go back to your old habits that didn't change. Perhaps you're different and you'll find a way to change your habits while you are on slimfast. Best of luck with your weight loss journey.

Why not just eat real food at a deficit? Why do people make things more complicated than they need to be?

I don't use slim fast for weight loss. I use it as food in my college classes because you can't eat in them. xD I'm there eight-nine hours a day two days a week with no real breaks so it's useful for keeping me satisfied so I can get my classes done, but other than that, I don't drink them outside of school unless I'm sick and need to get protein in my and can't eat it.

Why not just eat real food at a deficit? Why do people make things more complicated than they need to be?

Lol this. Or make your own protein shake....it'd be better for you

Shakes work but real food is better.
Shakes work but when you come off them you still have to work out how to use real food.
A lot of people who lose weight with shakes put it back on when they stop using them.
Check you are logging everything and loving correctly. If you are you may have set your weight loss too low. Eating too much = fail but surprisingly eating too little =Fail

I agree that your calories seem low. I have the c-section 'flap' still too. I know darn well I need to lift more. I guess its time for me to do that. Want to join me?

I've used Slim Fast. Tastes like balls. Weight loss does't have to be that torturous.. I wish I hadn't started my weight loss journey with shakes and pills. I'd be at my goal weight by now.
If you really want to use slim fast, go ahead. it could be a good learning experience in that you'll learn what doesn't work.. c: good luck anyhow

Following is a quote from @ Trogalicious. He has lost 153 pounds. Please read and do this….

1. don't trust the initial setup that MFP provides. If you put in the wrong/inaccurate information, it'll tell you to eat an amount that may not be applicable.
2. Make sure you eat enough.
3. Figure out what works for you and is sustainable/healthy/long term.
4. avoid fads. don't buy in to any "Hey, try the twinkie and vodka diet"
5. Don't cut out anything now that you don't plan on literally giving up forever.
6. GET A FOOD SCALE. Weigh everything. No, seriously.
7. Get an HRM with a chest strap. You'll at least have a better idea of what you're burning. It'll be more accurate than the generic info in the exercise database.. and even more than the cardio machines. This is great for steady state cardio (run/walk/etc)
8. Don't go balls out. You'll burn out. I see 300 lb people show up here, instantly start working out and cutting their intake SEVERELY... trying to cut out all of their carbs at once.. whatever. Take it slow. Figure out how much you need to eat FIRST in order to lose.. then incorporate exercise.
9. Don't cardio yourself to death.
10. Take the information on the forums with a grain of salt. A lot of people that have been here for a while.. and have been successful, may seem jaded. They give out GREAT advice day after day, only to be met with people that refuse to listen.
11. Eat real food. Not diet food. Not "low fat, sugar free, now without X." It's easier to get/find/count.
12. don't set time restrictions.
13. measure yourself weekly. Don't just weigh. Measure and take pictures.
14 BE PATIENT.
15. Avoid forum topics that have "1200" in the title. It's just full of butthurt. Lots of it.
16. If you ask a question on the forum, give as much information as you can ("yes, I have a food scale and weigh my food" is worlds better than "I eat a palm full of miscellaneous boiled chicken parts..sometimes.")
17. Be honest with yourself and honest with us.
18. This isn't a game, it's about changing your lifestyle. Do that.

pretty much that.

...and don't fall into the "1200 calorie" vertigo of suck because of:

the typical MFP users does this:
1. I wanna lose weight, let's try MFP.
2. OH! Wow, it tells me I can lose 2 lbs a WEEK? AWESOME!
3. I just sit at a desk when I'm not working out, I guess I'm sedentary.
4. MFP tells them 1200 calories, and they don't even eat that.. then they work out on top of it.. creating an even bigger deficit.
5. Lose a lot, fast, brag about 1200 calorie success.
6. Come back in a few months trying to figure out why they're dizzy, tired, not losing weight.
7. Get on the forums, ask why they aren't losing.
8. Get two responses (I eat 1200 and lose) (I eat 2200 and lose)
9. Argument ensues about who is right.

Now. That being said. These threads happen hundreds of times per day. Most times, and I mean really.. seriously.. 95% of the time.. people get the 1200 number because they don't put the right information in when they set up the account. There are a great number of people that are trying to help. I'm one of 'em.

I'm a hardcore advocate of actually finding out what works for the individual.. by means of other calculators, averages, time, practice, and patience.

Blanket prescriptions of 1200 calories "because it worked for me" is more harmful to the generic new user than the "figure out what you need to eat." Unfortunately, one is a LOT easier to type.

Find out what you need: http://scoobysworkshop.com/accurate-calorie-calculator/

and make sure to read: http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

1260 calories seems very low to me.....(not seems, it is)

Get a food scale, and weigh/measure everything.

Oh no! Don't do what I did! "I'll use SF as a jump-start". All it did was make me gain weight! Why? All the sugar in it just made me crave more sugar!

If you want to do this, you'd be better off with a high-protein drink. These are so much better at giving you a fuller feeling without the sugar. I started drinking a 100% Whey Protein Optimum Nutrition (ON) drink and am amazed at how full it keeps me. And here's the difference:

SF: Calories - 190
Carbs - 24
Sugar - 18
Protein - 10

ON: Cals - 120 (powder form. Add another 95 for cup of skim milk for 215 total)
Carbs - 3
Sugar - 1
Protein - 23

See the huge difference in carbs, sugar, and protein? I'd rather have a high-protein drink that's 35 calories more, than a high-sugar and carb drink, that doesn't fill me and only gets me hungrier! Good luck. I know you're going to get all different points of view.

No I just don't agree with slim fast, as you can make your own protein shake at home and it will most likely be better quality then slim fast!!
I've tasted it before, a Co worker had them and I drank one and thought it tasted bad! Shakes you make at home, can taste really good!!!
I had a csection as well, and I know the frustration your going threw. But don't give up, just re figure your numbers, make sure that your weighing and measuring everything you eat!! And you can do this!