To go on the dreaded slimfast?

[Pikaso]

So since new year I’ve cut out alcohol (I was a heavy binge drinker) and takeaways. My app works out I’ve saved over 3000 calories in alcohol alone this week.

I’ve put 1lb on!!

I desperately need to loose weight by March 10th. At least half a stone.

AIBU to just go on Slimfast? I know I can stick to it as I’ve done it before but I know it’s not healthy.

Any experience with it? AIbU to go for the quick fix?

Why wouldn't you? If you know you can do it and it works?

Because I know it’s unhealthy

It’s not unhealthy it’s not just sustainable in the long run. But as a short term fix it’s not the end of the world.

I'm doing the New You plan. It's more varied than slimfast. I've lost a stone in the first week so its extremely effective. I've one more stone to go so I would recommend 👌

Anything can make you out on a pound: your period, a big lunch, slow moving digestion.

Better to continue with sustainable healthy changes not quick fixes that won’t last.

Do it short term for the results you want then don't let yourself fall into bad habits!

Why waste your money on something unhealthy?

www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/diet/types-intermittent-fasting-which-best-you/

I did it for the first week of the new year, just to acclimatise to portion sizes, which are my problem. Now I’ve replaced with more balanced, actual food.

@Pikaso

Because I know it’s unhealthy

Isn't it more unhealthy to be overweight long term?

I also try to eat my main meal (leftovers at lunch) then still eat with the family but something lighter. I find eggs essential for when I am trying to lose weight - they are filling and versatile. If you want a quick fix and will worry about permanent loss or maintenance later then, why not I guess as long as it is temporary.

You can lose half a stone by march eating proper food. What are you eating now?

How much do you actually have to lose? That makes a difference how quickly changes take effect.

I’ve always found that when I’ve started eating healthily it’s taken a couple of weeks to start losing.

I know it’s frustrating seeing the scales go up but as PP said this could be down to a number of things.

In my opinion, the trouble with short term, quick fixes is that you are more likely to binge due to feeling hungry and restricted (speaking from personal experience anyway-you may have excellent willpower!)

I would suggest calorie counting-try an app like my fitness pal or my preferred app is nutracheck.

Up the veggies and protein, and the exercise- you don’t need to start CrossFit or anything like that, walking, swimming, yoga - anything in your comfort zone.
Half a stone by 10th March is so doable, about 1lb a week.
Good luck! 🙂

All the slim people I know skip a meal or 2 after overindulgence and don't obsess over food and what to eat.

It's about eating nutritionally dense food not calorie counting.

Eating food that is good for your gut, so fermented and fresh food rather than fast or processed food.

The only good thing about calorie counting is realising how small portions we actually need are.

Paying for weight loss is consumerism gone mad.

Try a fasting app and work out your protein requirement for your age and activity level.

Many fasting groups have a good sociable and supporting network so if you can't do a fast y willpower alone find an app with a social side.

Good luck

Slim fast worked for me to kick start my healthy eating, lost a stone and a half. I’d go for it

I lost 3st last year using Exante, which is meal replacement, it isn't healthy long term but it's not as unhealthy as obesity, which is what I was. The trick with these fast fix diets is they don't teach you about maintaining the weight loss. That doesn't mean you can't teach yourself, that's where eating healthy comes in and can absolutely be learnt alongside a meal replacement diet. It's amazing what you can have for a 200cal or 400cal meal if you do the research.

I think diets like Slimfast etc are OK as a short term kickstart, so if you want to then go for it

I have the odd slimfast shake for breakfast as I love milkshakes to the point of obsession and craved them during pregnancy. So instead of porridge or weetabix I'll have a shake. Always use a blender though or you'll get lumps of powder 🤢

@Shiningpath

Anything can make you out on a pound: your period, a big lunch, slow moving digestion.

Better to continue with sustainable healthy changes not quick fixes that won’t last.

Pretty much what I was about to say. OP, only you can decide for you though, Slimfast might be fine if you want to lose weight for a specific event, but it's not a long term plan imho! Good luck, whatever you do though.

I think its unhealthy only if you start to believe that you have to stay on it forever o stay slim? I did a replacement diet years ago and have since lost more weight due to illness, had to use other supplements to put weight on etc. My point after this ramble is supplement / replacement diets can have their place, use it as a tool for a set period and achieve your goal, whilst teaching yourself about portion sizes etc. So you can maintain. I think one way in which they can be useful is taking the Choice element of what to eat away which can be invaluable if you need to simply eat whilst at work or whatever. Good luck OP x

YANBU because it puts you in the right frame of mind to just take action and the results will spur you on.

However, you can construct your own 800 cal per day programme with real food.

Put off breakfast as long as possible then have two eggs. 140 cals

Then have 120 cals worth of cheese + 3 thin ham slices (60 cals) with a bit of tomato.

200 cals worth of full fat yoghurt or soup

a sachet of plain porridge with unsweetened almond milk.

This is what i did when I didn't like the idea of slimfast. It does work. You're viewing it like a meal replacement. You're not trying to get creative with cooking. But it's real food and it does work.

ps, low carb now so I wouldn't eat porridge now but as a meal replacement it works. It might have less sugar in it.

More ideas - rinse the sauce off a half can of ww beans, that's also under 200 cals and more filling than a shake.

A small can of tuna with a few chopped up cherry tomatoes/ cucumber and a bit of mayo - under 200

200 cals worth of black olives if you like them.

Up to you but regular exercise & healthy eating 80% of the time will easily shift half a stone by March & is far more sustainable than shakes.

I followed Pinch of Nom recipes (they are free on line) last year and lost 2 stone in 9 months - slowly but surely - you feel full - just eat differently - slimfast is a quick fix and torture as you feel hungry all the time (I tried it a couple of years ago)

To be honest I do feel hungry pretty quickly after a slimfast shake. I expect they are high in sugar. So I only have them on work days as I physically can't snack all morning.