Has anyone switched to meal replacement shakes for weight loss?

[Miraclemuma03]

So after months, well actually 2yrs on and off, of tediously counting my calories and not losing a thing and in fact still gaining weight somehow. I have decided to start shakes, I no longer have to weigh my food, search for my food to log and find healthy alternatives to everything and still stress out when I get on the scales and still havnt lost anything. It hasnt been a full week on the shakes and I finally have lost some weight. 1.5kg. Is there anyone else who is struggling with weight loss and turned to shakes? My weight gain started when I hit perimenopaus and it became out of control and to this point I have gained 30kg, starting at 60kg. 1200 calories a day still isnt working or getting the weight off and i have become frustrated, unhappy, stressed with all the work involved. So have decided to do the intense weight loss program that optifast offers with their shakes and things. I have also added in more excises and even a brisk walk around our local lake.

@Miraclemuma03 it is hard to just use the shakes on the own. I did it a few years ago with really solid results but just couldn't stick with it. Then I read a research study that said two weeks on two weeks off works just as well. The research wasn't talking about shakes, just dieting in general. All diets work if you can be consistent (providing there's no underlying medical issues obviously) so I figure its a matter of finding something you can be consistent with but it doesn't have to be all or nothing, it just needs to trend in the right direction over time if you stick with it.

How is everyone doing? I have now lost 10kg so feeling much happier. Have much more energy and am sleeping better but I realised some of this may be down to the fact that the shakes have vitamins in. I have never really taken vitamins before so wondering if I was deficient. Still have another 6kg to go which is like to lose by end of summer. Bought some nephro scales as recommended by a few people on MN which are far better than my previous scales and I like the way it records in an app.

Ive been doing the new you plan for 2 weeks and lost 10lb

I think its not eating carbs and your blood sugar is likely more stable that makes you feel better.

@youalrightpossibly, I’m not eating much carbs admittedly. Some rice and potatoes, lots of veg and the odd slice of cake but I have pretty much cut out bread and pasta. I do feel much better for it though.

I always feel better without carbs which I hate to say because I love carbs but I have a lot more energy without and don't need afternoon naps either

That’s incredible ! How long have you been doing it and which are you using ?

It won’t be popular on here but Herbalife. Since the beginning of March. I was very skeptical as I had tried Slimfast years ago without success but I gave it go as had been trying to lose weight since the beginning of the year on my own but not really getting anywhere.

I didn’t expect that I would also feel so much better in myself. I used to wake up around 4am every day. The main thing for me is it has pretty much stopped my sugar cravings too.

it isn’t cheap but I really didn’t want to do WLI I wanted to make some changes in my life. However I know the tricky bit will be maintaining it for the long term once I get down to my goal weight.

I' so glad i came across this thread as i have just started using the protein.com ones - has anyone had any experiences on these?
I'm doing 1 shake a day for the next few weeks then will up it to 2 shakes per day 4 weeks before my hols - I take them with water, eat loads of fruit and veg and balanced meals - been on them just short of 2 weeks and lost nothing - was hoping for some support to keep at it as its very demotivating 😕 been exercising 5 times per week too - hate perimenopause!

That’s me too. I’ve lost 8kg with Herbalife since Easter.

@BackToBasics1808i have looked at those shakes as I think it is probably much cheaper than Herbalife. Are you following an eating plan along side them? Herbalife is very much about high protein/low carb snacks and dinner

Sounds like some of you have done really well on the shakes. as I am now preparing for an ivf cycle i since stopped the shakes so had to increase my calories to 1400 calories but been concentrating on eating vegetables, soups, fruit salads and meat. Il keep following everyone.

I've been trying to follow a healthy plan -so at the minute its a shake for breakfast, a lunch max 400 cals and a healthy meal at night - if hungry between meals its fruit - any tips or advice welcome its so hard!!!
I did do herbalife in the past and it did work but just found it too expensive to keep up with so trying to follow the same plan this time round with just a different shake

I could written this myself. Peri is ruining me. I started HRT two weeks ago but it hadn't changed or helped ( I know it's early days) I just jt want to eat Al the sugar all the time. My period I can be 5lb+ on the scales. I'm so sick of being overweight. I have been thinking of trying the weight loss jabs. I need to do something because this is shit.

Hi, can I ask what the NHS approved plan is called?

Habitual

I started this week, in combination with Mounjaro, mainly to get my protein intake up and give my weight loss a quick start. I am using these ones:

https://amzn.eu/d/07y0uqFC

I went on MJ and lost18kg. I had to stop the MJ due to unemployment, and subsequently put on 10kg.
I am now back at work on need to lose it. My new weight loss clothes are getting tight and I cant afford to replace them!

On a previous thread people were recommending Slimfast high protein shakes, you can get them at Tesco.

I’m on my 60s OP and I’ve been on them all! Cambridge Diet in the 80’s after I had my first child and lost 4 stone and last used a shake diet about 20 years ago (Lighter Life) lost 7 stone.

And do you know what OP? Put the weight back on and more each time. And each time I’d say NOT this time! Last on MJ and lost 4 stone and still maintaining.

As a PP mentioned only 20% maintain their weight after shake diets! However in your case you may be one of the successful 20% as you haven’t tried them before. So you will probably lose the weight.

But sadly post menopause your metabolism definitely slows down so you are always going to have to eat less to keep the weight off, after you come off the shakes.

Good luck OP.

Yes the last year i reckon I have started with a sugar cravings that I have never had before and now consume more sugar then I ever have in my entire life. Even as a kid I wasnt into sugary foods but now that seemed to be my only pass time. My doctor thinks the only way im going to get a head of it and lose weight is with weight loss medications or surgery. Im highly thinking about doing the surgery.

How is everyone doing? The hot weather has definitely reduced my appetite which is good as the weight loss has been slower lately but I’m still on a downward trend. I had hoped to me at my initial goal weight by now but I still have a few kg to go. But overall I am pleased with the way things are going.

The 2kg you put on won't be fat, it'll be fluid, and that fluctuates daily.

I have a daily protein shake to break my fast, but that is to up my protein intake.

I've recently lost around 6kg as I track calories and also my calories burned with my garmin.

How many calories would the meal replacements be? Could you honestly stick to it and then what happens when you go back to eating normally?

I have found after putting on weight due to peri that the only thing that has worked for me so far is being in a calorie deficit and weight/resistance training consistently.

I used Chat GPT to set up work outs and to keep a record of daily weigh ins, calories in and out. I've found it really helpful.

How are you all getting on?

I’m down 13kg from when I started with 3 left to go. I feel brilliant and I am really pleased. I have also been doing exercise along side as I am wanting to get my bone mass and muscle mass up as well as getting fat down. It wasn’t just about the weight loss for me, I wanted a good body shape.

I think you can often tell when people have used WLI especially in their faces and I didn’t want that.

how are you getting on?

Wow thats amazing results. I had to stop the shakes as I started preparing for ivf so had to increase my calories but I was on the shakes for a month and only lost 2kg then got my period and gained it back. Im looking at starting over after fertility treatment or saving for the balloon as I dont really want to take the weight loss drugs.