slim fast milkshake diet ?

I just started Slim Fast. I don't follow it exactly, since it is based on a 1200 calorie model and I do better on 1400. So I've just been logging the breakfast and lunch shakes and going on as usual to meet my MFP goals and limits, eating back exercise calories, etc. I don't love the flavor of the shakes, I don't like how processed they are, and I don't like how much sugar is in them, but for now they're an easy meal replacement with a multi-vitamin built in, so I figured I'd stick with it for a few weeks and see what happens.

As it turns out, the weight is falling off like crazy! 4 lbs this week.

I know most of it must be water weight, both because it's impossible for someone my size to lose that much "real" weight in so little time on a calorie deficit plan and because I've followed a 1400 calorie plan many times before when it was time to shed a few pounds and it usually gives me a healthy, regular loss of .5-1 lb per week. But for now, it's incredibly motivating to see the pounds come off so fast.

Has anyone else had this experience with Slim Fast? Did the (water) weight come right back as soon as you went off the shakes?

I personally really, really like the chocolate Royale flavor, don't like the flavors of the others.

You won't learn proper nutrition if you only eat the shakes and prepackaged snacks -- yeah, it's eating candy all day but you won't learn what a 2-300 calorie breakfast is, or what a 100 calorie snack is, etc. my advice, if you're going to do this, is have your snacks come from food, not the bars. 100 calories of carrot sticks, 100 calories of apple wedges, etc. Then you start to learn what portions are rather than having to eat those bars for the rest of your life.

(Obviously, the 100 calorie example is a rule of thumb and adheres to slimfast's 1200 calorie diet plan. Your needs may differ.)

I couldn't get past the whole "eating candy all day" thing. I can't do any meal replacement bars because of that reason - psychologically a candy bar isn't a meal and even though there are more nutrients in those bars than a snickers it still visually looked and kinda tasted like candy. The shakes are a little easier to deal with for me but if I have them it's if I'm in a hurry and need something quick while I'm walking out the door or if I want, like, a milk shake or something.

The first time I dropped a substantial amount of weight, it was with Slim Fast. I lost about 70 lbs in 6 months.

That being said. It was the WORST.

Not only was I nutritionally deficient, I was always light headed, weak, and starving.

Once I stopped drinking the 2-a-day shakes, ALL the weight came back, plus 20 pounds. I hadn't learned the nutritional or portioning skills I needed to be successful in the long term. The shakes are just another quick fix, I'm afraid.

Sure they taste great, but you can't drink them the rest of your life.

If I was you, I'd focus on calories instead. By focusing on lowering my calories consistently, I've managed to lose almost 30 lbs in 11 weeks without feeling weak, light-headed or hungry all the time. There's no trick, it isn't magic. And this is by FAR more sustainable in the long run.

Best of luck with your loss.

Hi,
I am currently doing the slimfast diet for the last 10 weeks and have lost 20 pounds.

I don't ever get hungry...I guess everyone's different.
I like the thought of having a shake for breakfast and lunch, as I can't eat breakfast at 6.30am as its too early, and it's easy to have at work as we don't get lunch breaks so it's quick for me to drink.

Feel free to add me :-)

I like to eat my calories with actual food.

Meh... my opinion is what will you do when you start eating real food again and possibly gain because you didn't learn how to portion out and moderate your food intake... not to mention, I would rather eat food that tastes good rather than drink shakes I can take or leave.