Meal replacement shakes?

[mlkxo]

What's your experience been with meal replacement shakes? What did you use and how much did you lose?

I've got about a stone to shift and need a kickstart, but there's so many out there!

Thanks

[wellhonestly]

I have used Almased and lost around 5lbs in Week 1, which was a good kickstart for me, and then around half a stone more. Unfortunately I stopped doing it while on holiday and didn't get back on it again ... about to restart.

It's quite full-on at first - you replace just about every meal with it, with the exception of taking some vegetable broth, but I find simple rules easiest to follow - I can't abide the kind of "diet" that suggests a different breakfast every day! Then you reduce the Almased till you're taking it once a day.

There are lots of suggestions for flavouring it but I liked it "neat" best, I really liked the taste. You have to mix it with mineral water and oil and really shake it.

But I have fallen back into my old ways since I stopped it - snacking etc - and as usual nothing is a miracle cure - it kickstarts you but ultimately a lifestyle change is needed if you want to keep the weight off.

I think it's only available from Boots in the UK - not in my local "small" Boots though, I buy it in our nearest city when I'm there.

The only other shake I ever tried was Slim Fast, a good few years ago, and I didn't like the texture so I didn't stick with it.

[mlkxo]

Thank you for replying :)

I have about a stone to shift so think it could kickstart a diet for me.

Your experience sounds quite positive!

Did you have any side effects? Like tiredness? Or headaches?

[startingtolooklikemother]

I've started Cute shakes (bought them on amazon) I have one for breakfast and lunch then a sensible dinner. I have found them ok but I am bloody starving by the time dinner comes, grumpy and no tolerance! I've been on then for 10 days, I don't know if I've lost weight as hidden scales until I've been on them for 2 weeks. I found the first couple of days awful but getting used to it now

[KatieKaboom]

These shakes are expensive and only effective because you reduce calories.

You will pile the weight back on when you stop.

Better off downloading the brilliant myfitnesspal free of charge and learning what you need to be eating. Calculate your TDEE and subtract 500 a day. Exercise a bit more if you like if you want to eat more.

It is admittedy boring but it's the only way to have long-term success.

Calorie reduction is the key and you don't need gimmicks, fad diets or these shakes to achieve it.

[mlkxo]

I was looking at the Cute Shakes! They don't sound very good though.. I don't think I could cope with being ravenous come dinner time!

I do eventually just want to clean eat and make sensible choices but I've never dieted before so just want a little kick start. I know it's not a long term solution!

Thanks for your replies guys :)

[ArriettyClock1]

1/2 a stone is easy to lose without going down the shakes route - which I think is more for people with loads to lose.

If I cut out my carbs and drink loads of water, I can drop 7lbs in a week. I often do this before holidays.

[mlkxo]

Can someone tell me how to tag someone on this so the individual knows I'm replying to them? Lol.

I'm 5ft2 and always been slim, never had to watch what I'm eating but now that my little girl is 10 weeks old, I feel like I've put more on since she's been born instead of losing it!

Ugh!

[ArriettyClock1]

You don't need to tag, but posters often embolden if in response

like this mlkxo

[mlkxo]

AriettyClock1 - I see! Thanks for that

[wellhonestly]

mikxo in answer to your question, I think I had a headache on Day 1 and was tired for a day or 2, but after that felt quite energised - I guess your body isn't spending its energy digesting stuff!

Be kind to yourself if your LO is only 10 weeks old! (but don't wait till your menopaual like me...!)

[wellhonestly]

you're not your

[mlkxo]

I just feel so disgusting though. I know that's dramatic but I've never been this big in my life.. I used to be a 6/8 and now I can't even get my thigh into my size 8's :(

Maybe in about another month or so I should start thinking about it.

[iPhoneAddiction]

Most meal replacement shakes work by putting your body into ketosis. This is why for the first 3-5 days you feel tired, have headaches, generally feel a bit ill.

This is your body transitioning into ketosis.

Try slim and save. If you have Facebook they have two groups that anyone can join. On there you can real all about it, ask others who are on it questions and what not.

Basically it means you can research it and see what you think.

I won't lie, it isn't easy to stick to because it is reducing calories massively and cuts out lots of carbs and sugar. But it is very effective at quick weight loss.

Most people gain back the weight because once they have gotten to their goal weight they just go back to their old eating habits. Which will obviously gain the weight back.

If you have any questions about it please feel free to ask. I'm on off the diet currently because as I say it is hard to stick to for many people.

[ArriettyClock1]

Sorry - I just saw you said a stone, not half a stone.

Still don't think it's worth meal replacement shakes though.

[Spam88]

They just work by calorie restriction. Honestly a think shakes are a bit extreme if all you need to lose is a stone, plus you need your energy with a 10 week old to look after!

[mlkxo]

iPhoneAddiction - I'm not on Facebook but that sounds good, could you tell me a little more? I want a little kickstart and then to start clean eating.

ArriettyClock1 - I think I'm starting to agree with you, stay away from the replacement shakes and just eat sensibly! I just want to go back to normal lol

Spam88 - I know, but I just wanna go back to normal, especially with the summer coming up.. but you are right, I need energy to keep up with her :)