Slimfast

[laurwalsh]

Starting my Slimfast diet on Tuesday. I've ordered loads of powders and their snack products. I really really want to loose a stone. Any advice or success stories welcomed!

Haven't done slimfast or anything similar, but my advice would be to go very low carb e.g. 1 slice of seeded wholemeal bread, 3 potato halves, tablespoon of brown rice, avoid all pasta and noodles (straight to the hips!). Don't count calories, it makes life pretty miserable - eat as much fruit, veg and salad as you like. Up the protein and pair carbs/anything quick release with good fats, nuts and seeds. Remember, fruits are carbs too and lentils are your friend. DO NOT SNACK - even 1 biscuit and totally cut out all treats, unhealthy or processed food (including butter and sauces). Try drinking hot water with lemon juice first thing and a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar with dinner. Don't eat anything labelled 'low fat' or 'diet' watch what liquids you're having (give up all alcohol), don't skip meals, drink shed loads of water, take a good multivitamin and do some form of cardio for a minimum of 30 minutes, 3 times a week (swimming is good) plus low impact strength training. Don't weigh yourself more than once a week and when you do, do it minus clothes, first thing in the morning. The best of luck @laurwalsh it all worked for me. 😊

Thank you so much, that's such good advice and really informative. Happy New Year!

I used slimfast shakes to lose two stone in 2021 and then successfully moved over to calorie counting for the last three stone. It was a great boost to get me going. Good luck!

MattDamon that's amazing success well done! Thank you, I'm feeling positive.

Did you find any draw backs actually to watch out for. Any additional sugar cravings? Happy NY x

I'm starting today using shakes, I've taken photos, weighed myself, downloaded the NHS weight loss app and am absolutely determined to lose 3 stone minimum. I am tired of feeling fat and miserable. I avoid having my photo taken, live in leggings as they are the only thing that is comfortable and hide myself under throws when sat at home so I don't have to look at myself. I failed weight during lock down and now menopause is starting I just look at food and gain weight.

Tara how is your first day going? Wishing you all the luck. I know exactly how you feel. Let's be patient and kind to ourselves and fingers crossed we get results.

Blend the shakes with ice, so much nicer! I did slimfast 4 years ago now, I actually started with 1 shake a day and 2 meals (with snacks) and then after a week went up to 2 shakes and 1 meal. I lost 7 stone, I did make sure though that I learnt about nutrition and had a balanced but filling meal; I also had 100 calorie snacks rather than their snacks, cheaper and tastier imo. When I'd lost the 7 stone I dropped to 1 shake and 2 meals before going for the 3 meals.

For me personally I found it was a great 'reset' but it very much is only part of the journey, so it's worth learning about a balanced diet and starting to try and encorporate healthy habits into your life even with the shakes. Also listen to your body, when I was poorly I often just wanted small meals and so I'd pause the shakes and just be sensible with food.

@laurwalsh I'm doing ok, I only have the strawberry shakes at the moment and I don't mind them too much. I've had 2 today and a main meal plus a snack of some chestnuts and some grapes. My downfall has been drinks like j20 and Pepsi plus DH has terrible eating habits which I fell into too easily when we moved in together. I guess half the battle is knowing where you've been going wrong

I've just ordered some so I can start on Tuesday. Planning a two week kick start to a longer term diet as I need to lose 1.5 stone in total. I used them 10yrs or so ago for a similar purpose and remember that only being able to have the shakes, one meal and then three pre-determined snacks meant I didn't let myself "just" have a bit of this or a bit of that and then realise I'd eaten a few hundred extra calories.
I won't use their products for my snacks but just choose three things which have 100cals. Otherwise, I won't eat enough fresh fruit or veg whilst doing it.

@laurwalsh Glad I could help! Happy new year and I hope you get to your ideal weight very soon 🤞.

@Tara336 that's brilliant well done. Just think those drinks don't even fill you up so try to replace them with zero cal drinks like Diet Coke or something similar and you'll be on your way. I'm starting on Tuesday once I'm back in work and I can manage my routine better. Plus waiting for my delivery. I actually can't wait, getting sick of the excess eating now at this point.

@2023istheyearigetmyacttogether yes exactly it's the random snacks that literally secretly pack a few hundred calories in with you realising. I'm hoping this will allow me track easier ti get me started as I can't manage counting calories of food all day. I tried and lasted a day, couldn't even be bothered weighing my porridge I was that bad

@Snowmoab sounds good advice. I'll be cycling and joining a gym too. I just need structure to my calories. I can eat healthy but can't monitor the quantity so hoping to just kick start better habits and getting into the groove of eating less

I've downloaded the NHS weightloss app ive found things like that work really well for me as I can track my eating. I walk a lot with my dogs so will increase that for now. I really used to enjoy the gym but have been diagnosed with MS so I would struggle with running now as my legs can't be trusted but a cross trainer would be ok to use. I have the added battle of the damm drugs they give me cause weight gain. But I'm just going to look at it as just even more of an achievement when I succeed. I have squash to drink now instead of J20 and will have a look at what else is available when I next shop

Sounds great, all the best to you. I'm a big fan of slim fast and didn't find myself going overly hungry once I got past the first week or so, definitely worth it.

The first week is always difficult. There's no way around it. Steel yourself! I felt like my hunger levels stabalised in the second week so it was easier from that point.

Other than that, just be honest about your triggers. Some people can have little treats but I can't have a tiny piece of chocolate. It makes me desperate for more so I completely avoided.

I think it took me 11 weeks to lose two stone on slimfast, and I lost the last three stone through calorie counting over six months.

I use slimfast with calorie counting and find it works really well for me - I’m veggie so struggle to do low carbs (I know it’s possible, I’m just lazy 😂) and feel like it really helps with reducing my carbs. I think they’ve done something to the chocolate one recently though, it’s vile! Strawberry is the nicest and blend it up with ice too. Good luck!

I bought a pack of strawberry slim fast in November and managed to lose 1kg with one shake a day and 2 meals but regained it over Christmas! I have 3kg to lose so restarted a shake a day yesterday but fell into the chocolate selection box at work (not sure how many calories 4 chocolates are!). Aiming to lose as much as I can with the giant tin I bought, and see where I want to go from there, thinking of trying the Human Being diet’s maintenance phase to maintain after.

Good luck everyone!

First shake done today. It was blueberry which was surprisingly nice.
I'd forgotten that you add milk to them. I try and limit my dairy intake as it seems to give me a blocked nose.
Do any of you use plant based milks? I thought almond might be quite nice with it. Otherwise, I'll try it with water but think that it will be really thin.

My first week of shakes and calorie controlled meals is up, I should have weighed myself this morning but have had a nightmare week with DF who has dementia and to be honest I've not been great about eating as just haven't had time. So any weight in have lost isn't necessarily going to be all down to the shakes on their own but lack of food. I'll weigh myself tomorrow and report back.

@sparkledust11 do you mean kg? 1kg is just over 2lbs so if it took you a month to lose that you’re going wrong somewhere.

I tried them once - it was impossible. I work a busy/physical job and by dinnertime
I felt really weak. Then when I noted down my calories I really could have just been eating small meals like vegetables or a small bowl of cereal. And their ‘snacks’ are not that low calorie and aren’t very tasty. To me I’d rather limit sweets and say ‘I’ll just have a chocolate bar at the weekend’ than eat those bars. It’s also so so unsustainable.

@2023istheyearigetmyacttogether I use unsweetened soy milk in mine

@TheIsaacs I do, think I'm sneaking in more snacks and more calories at meals than I think, hence the meal replacements! Its a mental effort on top of family life and a full time job so wish I were better at eating less!

@Kanaloa what worked for you in the end?

Yes, I had them with almond milk yesterday and liked it so I'll stick with that.

I know that a shake is 230 or so calories and that I could have a meal instead but it's the ease and speed for me. Also, it forces me to stay on track. I can't accidentally have too much. Or eat anything whilst prepping it!

I don't have the Slimfast snacks though. There are many other things I could eat for 100 cals and, if I want to keep my fruit & veg intake up, need to.