Does Slim Fast Really Work?

I don't do any supplements or shakes or anything like that. I have tried slim fast and everything out there in the past. The only way I lost any significant amount of weight was by eating less calories and exercising more unfortunately

slimfast, meal replacements etc IMO basically make it easy and give you the nutrition /protein you need daily.... it eliminates any thought. Maintaining protein levels etc throughout the day does keep your hunger at bay...but this doesnt keep head hunger in check...that is something different and has to be dealt with behavioural modifications.

These diets do work to get the weight off...but it doesnt teach you life long habits you need to know to eat healthy afterwards.

I did follow a "liquid" diet approach...very much like slimfast...yes it drops the weight etc and usually fast...but I also learned how to transition to healthy eating ...which also you can lose weight.
just remember it will get the weight off if the program is followed....but keeping the weight off and going back to your "normal " eating doesnt....at some point... healthy eating behaviours have to be developed to maintain the loss.

I can only speak from my personal experience, I use Slimfast as part of my breakfast because it's an easy thing to grab on my way out the door to work (I usually eat breakfast at my desk) and it helps get some liquids back since I generally work out in the morning. However, I find it's not enough by itself, so I have yogurt or something with it. I can't see that having just one shake for breakfast and lunch as they suggest would be enough calories or nutrition, or that it would keep me satisfied during the day.

Years ago I tired it and it gave me horrible gas...

I often have a shake for breakfast and that works for me. I don't like to eat breakfast but need to so it takes the hunger edge off and gets me to lunch time. Plus it does have some essential nutrients I don't otherwise get enough of.

I also use them in place of a protein shake from time to time. It's not quite the same but I've found them useful when I drink one about an hour before a workout.

The biggest thing to keep in mind is that they are meal REPLACEMENT shakes . . . if they don't satisfy your hunger alone and you end up eating something else, their purpose is defeated. That being said, they are an easy calorie count so if you're logging every day and need a little something extra to go along with a slimfast to satisfy your hunger, as long as your staying within your calories they can still be helpful.

As soon as you stop taking the Slim fast shakes and bars you will gain weight and it will mess up your metabolism.

I can only speak from my personal experience, I use Slimfast as part of my breakfast because it's an easy thing to grab on my way out the door to work (I usually eat breakfast at my desk) and it helps get some liquids back since I generally work out in the morning. However, I find it's not enough by itself, so I have yogurt or something with it. I can't see that having just one shake for breakfast and lunch as they suggest would be enough calories or nutrition, or that it would keep me satisfied during the day.

I've used it this way as well and it works fine...just like any other shake. IMO it's far better to have a shake and some fruit or cottage cheese than to skip a meal b/c you didn't have time.

Try it. You may find it as the vehicle to get you to something that works a little better for you.

I found some of the Slim Fast shakes really tasty, but I personally wouldn't do more than one a day for a meal. They are FULL of sugar. So much sugar ><

Thanks for the advice guys.

I'm already doing a calorie controlled diet and hit the gym three times a week as well as having a cross trainer at home. I just need something at lunch time really that will keep me going until I get home for dinner. There's far too much temptation at the office where I work with vending machines etc. I need something that will help me feel full. I've got surgery coming up in the next few months, so I'm really trying to shift the weight so I'm at less risk of something going wrong due to being overweight.

There are these bars called "pure protein". They are about 200 calories, low in sugar, and 20grams of protein. They keep me pretty full. (although I eat them as a snack from 1:30-5:30 and they keep me satiated. Cliff builders bars are great too.

Mind you the only reason "slim fast" would work is if you replace a 500-600+ calorie meal with a 180 slim fast. This creates a deficit (assuming you eat normally the rest of the time). As I'm sure you know that isn't sustainable- you're not drinking shakes forever right? It also doesn't teach you anything about making proper choices.

I really suggest you make dinner and bring leftovers or prepare food ahead of time for lunch. When you're tempted ask yourself if it's worth it.

Best of luck!

Hey Kay
You know I've been drinking Slim Fast shakes as a meal replacement for one meal a day for about a fortnight now. I've had no side effects whatsoever, I find them filling and a shake is an easy quick breakfast which is convenient as I'm usually running around after baby first thing in the morning. I'm not following the Slim Fast 'plan' - I just think they are useful for keeping your daily calorie total down. I'm also having a Weight Watchers meal in the evening for the same reason, but I'm not following the Weight Watchers plan either! It's all about calorie control for me. I don't plan on drinking these shakes forever, I'm trying to undo 25 years of bad eating habits and replacing them with good ones, so I'm researching low-fat recipes and healthier alternatives and experimenting with them at lunchtime, when I have more time to prepare something from scratch. It takes time to erase old habits and build new ones, in the meantime while I'm learning all of this, Slim Fast shakes have stopped me from slipping up and eating much more than I'm supposed to in the mornings! Use them how you want hun, they're not a permanent solution but if they get the ball rolling and get you looking at what you're eating then that's great XD
x
PS. I realise I could've said this to you in person, but I felt the need to counteract some of the negative comments! ;D

my experience was not well at all with slim fast.... I just stopped using it after a week because my tummy hurt and i really hated the taste! as to weather or not it works well i can't say i wasn't using it long, i could have a better light meal with the same amount of calories so i just started cooking my breakfast and lunch

I often use it as a part of my lunch because it's easy - it's got a great deal of protein (helpful as I'm a vegetarian) and the carbs/cals aren't outrageous.

I don't use the powder, so I'm not sure about the sugar in it, but for the canned shakes, this is pretty high... they do have a Low Carb Shake that's more expensive but better overall nutrition.

Also.. haven't had stomach problems associated with it, so that's probably an individual thing (and could have something to do with sugar or lactose sensitivities).

It's a supplement for me, though. I definitely do NOT suggest an all-shake diet.

My husband has been on them for 3 weeks and he has lost 15 pounds, so for him they are working, I just worry about him drinking them because he does not eat anything all day along with them, just dinner when he gets home, I have one once in awhile just because i LOVE them but I even have to eat something with the shake.

I used it when I was in 12th grade. I wanted to lose weight before my prom.

It worked. I lost 20lbs. I missed food, and when I stopped, I gained weight. 30lbs over 2 years. I'm just getting to those 30lbs that I gained 10 years ago. It's coming off the right way!

They'll work if you eat less calories than you burn. But you could do that and substitute Cheetos as a meal instead of a Slimfast Shake. Though you probably wouldn't feel all that great.