Anyone use Slim Fast??

mountainguru · July 2015

I'm hoping to jump start a bit of weight loss this summer by using Slim Fast. Has anyone used it? I know it's likely not the most healthy way to do this but I need to see some fast results and, well, I'm a little desperate.

bpetrosky · July 2015

Why do you need fast results? Given the ticker you have posted, you probably can only expect .5 to 1 pound/week, unless you are quite obese. Trying to push it faster isn't a great idea.

Slimfast or other meal replacement shakes aren't particularly effective. A lot of times people use them for a meal but snack or overeat at other meals.

Have you set up your goals in MFP and determined your calorie target. Start with that and get a plan together to log your meals (real food or shakes) accordingly. The deficit will take the weight off, not the shake.

Alatariel75 · July 2015

I tried it. Honestly, I found that having a choclate shake for breakfast woke my sweet tooth up something fierce and all I wanted after was more sweet stuff. I never lost a single pound doing it and constantly felt deprived.

Achaila · July 2015

Quick results are satisfying..BUT they're not healthy results. Nor are they usually lasting.
I'm just saying, and this is coming from a junk food junkie, slim fast and everything like it is just jacked up chemicals disguised as being healthy for you.

mountainguru · July 2015

Thanks bpetrosky! I'll be logging my food and shakes for sure. I didn't post a ticker so not sure what you're seeing in my post. But thanks for the advice. I know it's good advice. I tried on some clothes today and was amazed at how much bigger I've become in the last 2 months, hence, my desperation.

PaulaWallaDingDong · July 2015

I've tried it a few times in the past, but each time, I never bought more supplies after I finished what I initially bought. Food is just sooooooo much better.

cw106 · July 2015

Yes, have used both shakes and meal replacement bars in early stages very succsesfully.
as a quick tool to aid calorie control until you get a handle on diet,its fine.
good luck.

bpetrosky · July 2015

mountainguru wrote: »

Thanks bpetrosky! I'll be logging my food and shakes for sure. I didn't post a ticker so not sure what you're seeing in my post. But thanks for the advice. I know it's good advice. I tried on some clothes today and was amazed at how much bigger I've become in the last 2 months, hence, my desperation.

Take a deep breath. It's better to get to your goal in a healthy state, and trying to push it too fast will have you at such a low calorie target that you'll be miserable.

A did a quick check to your profile and there is a ticker there showing 35 lbs to your goal. Many of the helpful people here will look for information in the profile so we can try to give appropriate advice to your individual situation.

Unknown · July 2015

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PaulaWallaDingDong · July 2015

flyingtanuki wrote: »

I think if you check the ingredients on the label you will find that Slim Fast is basically sugar, more sugar, and some thickening agents. Not really something conducive to giving you nourishment that is going to help turn off hunger.

I recommend avoiding it.

Meh. It has vitamins, protein, carbs, and fat. Sugar is the first ingredient, but the ace-k and aspartame are what ruin it for me. I can't see having a chocolate shake and having it taste like blech sweeteners.

MKEgal · July 2015

mountainguru wrote:

I didn't post a ticker so not sure what you're seeing in my post

It's on your profile. Says you want to lose 36 lb.
At first, you could probably lose 1 lb a week, but pretty soon that's going to slow to 0.5 lb. As you get closer
to your healthy goal weight, the rate of loss will slow more. Yes, it's frustrating.

I've had SF in the past. Looking at the label now, it's got LOTS of sugar.
Probably wouldn't be bad once in a while if you're really pressed for time for breakfast, but it's better to plan
ahead, get up 5 min earlier to at least make a sandwich. (Or keep healthy foods in the fridge, things you can grab
& throw in a lunch sack.)

If you want something healthy & quick to drink, blend frozen fruit with skim (or soy, or almond) milk.
Maybe throw in some nuts or even a couple eggs for protein.
Oatmeal gives good texture.
Add vanilla or cocoa powder, cinnamon, etc.

Eating real food, in reasonable quantities, is cheaper than meal replacement shakes.

Read this:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

And this:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/819925/the-basics-dont-complicate-it/p1

And this:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/872212/youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think/p1

And this:
http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/833026/important-posts-to-read/p1

This has helpful info too:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-06-08-setting-goals-667045

mountainguru · July 2015

Thanks everyone! I'm going to do it and see how I feel. For me it's a convenience thing when I'm busy working. I also have to work on becoming more organized in order to make my meals...very hard for me.

I didn't read the label very closely. If it's got aspartame in it I'm not drinking it!

PaulaWallaDingDong · July 2015

mountainguru wrote: »

Thanks everyone! I'm going to do it and see how I feel. For me it's a convenience thing when I'm busy working. I also have to work on becoming more organized in order to make my meals...very hard for me.

I didn't read the label very closely. If it's got aspartame in it I'm not drinking it!

Well, there's Carnation Instant Breakfast. Probably more calories, but also more deliciousness.

Jmgkamp · July 2015

I've tried everything under the sun, but nothing worked as quickly and as efficiently as calorie counting. 51.5 pounds and going...

Jaxxie1181 · July 2015

I tried Slim Fast. It about made me crap myself to death. Truefax.

allaboutthefood · July 2015

I did Slim Fast years ago, lost weight, but also ended up getting really sick from it and was in the hospital for a while. I gained all my weight back and more within a year. This time around, I am losing weight with choosing healthier choices and eating in a deficit I have lost 42 lbs in just over 4 months, still have a long way to go, but I am feeling great. Good luck in your journey

triciab79new · July 2015

I didn't use slim fast but I did use a meal shake early on to help me avoid grabbing the wrong meal when I failed to plan ahead. I soon learned that planning was a must and I stopped needing them

Christine_72 · July 2015

Surely there's other meal replacement shakes out there with better/healthier ingredients than slim fast? ?

Carol_ · July 2015

I like the taste of a Slim Fast occasionally..to help me get 'back in line' with good habits. I don't like the taste of a lot of the other brands. I have used them to replace breakfast ( a day or 2...every once in a while) for over 20 years. Or whenever they first came out. I am old(er) lol. I remember when the only diet drink was 'TAB'. haha

kyrannosaurus · July 2015

"I need to see some fast results"

These are the fast results you will see on Slim Fast
- fast depletion of you money
- fast to fall of the unsustainable weight loss program
- fast to regain any of the weight you lost

You will learn nothing and achieve little.

NobodyPutsAmyInTheCorner · July 2015

Shudder. Meal replacement shakes like Slim Fast are just grim.

Use MFP. Stop being in a rush and you'll thank yourself for it. I promise.

Whitezombiegirl · July 2015

I don't like the shakes but some of the snacks are yummy. I'm loving the chococlate heaven crispie bar and the chive pretzels are so nice- both are less than a 100cals and are easy to grab if I'm stuck somewhere and a bit peckish.

PaulaWallaDingDong · July 2015

Jmgkamp wrote: »

I've tried everything under the sun, but nothing worked as quickly and as efficiently as calorie counting. 51.5 pounds and going...

That about sums it up.

BruceHedtke · July 2015

Are you looking to lose weight for the summer or for the rest of your life? If it's summer, Slim Fast will probably work for you and when summer is over, expect to put it all back on plus more since you didn't learn anything about eating properly.

dondotwinks · July 2015

I used to have shakes everyday for breakfast, until i developed kidney stones

Now i eat breakfast.

Tahlia68 · July 2015

All VLCD's are loaded with sugar most contain up to 16.5 grams per serve. That includes the shakes, bars, desserts ect. They can cause alot of side effects like GI upset, ketosis, bad breath, severe headaches, lethargy, mood swings and more. Great for a quick weight loss but as soon as you start eating a normal diet again the weight will usually come back plus more unless you eat a good healthy diet. Most VLCD's are only 550-900 calories per day to loose the weight quick but as time goes on your weight loss also slows down immensely. Your choice but not a great idea in the long term. Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

Orphia · July 2015

mountainguru wrote: »

If it's got aspartame in it I'm not drinking it!

Yay for superstitions for once!

To explain: Aspartame is fine. Quick "fix" weight loss gimmicks are not.

You're using MFP right now. Why not use it to lose weight properly, instead of throwing money away on scams?

Warm regards and good luck.

booksandchocolate12 · July 2015

So, if I'm not mistaken, with Slimfast you do "A shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch and a sensible dinner". As far as I know, they don't tell you what a "sensible dinner" is. Do you know?

I've always thought of Slimfast as the "Prom Dress Diet". You do it for a few days to fit into (or look better in) a dress for a special occasion, but you don't care if the few pounds you lose come right back on when you stop doing it. Because that's what will happen.

Good luck!

Yoshirio · July 2015

I used it for a few months when I first started. I did lose 40 pounds. HOWEVER- I am still losing at the same rate eating normal foods within calorie range as well and am much more filled and happier for it lol. No longer wanting to eat my own arm.

Muscleflex79 · July 2015

christinev297 wrote: »

Surely there's other meal replacement shakes out there with better/healthier ingredients than slim fast? ?

Agree with this!! Check out GNC (or similar places) - there are a lot of shakes (if that is what you really insist on) that have way better numbers - lower sugar and higher protein - the ones I drink (as a snack) have 30 grams of protein and I think slimfast have 9 (ish?)

bpetrosky · July 2015

It's interesting that all of the feedback the OP has received (consistently politely and informative) has been "shakes are not effective, you'll gain the weight right back" and her takeaway has been "Thanks! I'm gonna go ahead and do it (unless there's aspertame)".

Anyone use Slim Fast??

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