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Has anyone switched to meal replacement shakes for weight loss?

114 replies

Miraclemuma03 · 05/05/2026 03:48

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.

OP posts:
Raccoonsmacaroons · 06/08/2026 15:25

I’ve successfully lost with shakes in the past and could do with getting a couple of stones off.

I’ve got a colonoscopy tomorrow- have just done two days bland diet and today all I can have is clear fluids, so I’m wondering about going onto the shakes after it, as i’ve done the cold turkey bit now!

I really like the chocolate and strawberry high protein SlimFasts so might try and just do those for a couple of weeks. Although I find it harder when kids are around in holidays, I don’t really want my teenage daughter seeing me live on shakes if I can help it.

ApricotRow · 06/08/2026 19:21

@Raccoonsmacaroons

on non gym/exercise/class days I have a shake in the morning this is always coffee flavoured so I feel like I’m having an iced latte then I eat my breakfast at 10 am which is nearly always Greek yogurt with fruit and nuts. then a shake at lunch, a snack at 4 then a proper meal in the evening.

If I am doing gym/class etc I do the other way round and have a yogurt bowl early and then the shake after the exercise, then a snack and another shake mid afternoon followed by dinner.

if we are going out for breakfast/lunch or dinner I just make that my main meal of the day and make everything as high protein as I can.

NCTDN · 07/08/2026 09:00

I’ve lost 11kg but seem to be stuck there. Summer holidays are definitely not helping though so at least the weight isn’t going back on.
won’t let my dd know that I’m doing this as I don’t think it’s the best for promoting a healthy lifestyle.

ApricotRow · 07/08/2026 10:55

@NCTDNmy weight loss has very much slowed down but I am near to my target I am really focussing on weights trying to tone up so I am hoping my muscle has increased but fat decreased. Once at target I am planning to keep one shake as a meal every day. I really struggle to eat high amounts of protein so that will help too.

PhilRandal · 08/08/2026 12:37

BackToBasics1808 · 11/06/2026 09:07

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!

My wife and I have lost around 8lb each over the last three weeks using two protein.com shakes a day plus a normal evening meal.

NCTDN · 09/09/2026 19:57

I’ve swapped to protein.com purely based on price. Can’t tell the difference really apart from my wee being bright yellow!! Is this the same for others using that brand?

Witchhunted · 09/09/2026 21:01

I use Protein.com to swap out 1 meal a day and have lost over a stone on it. I'm actually now finding the challenge is to STOP losing and just maintain! Yes the yellow pee is a known thing but some flavours worse than others - must be a colouring as the brown ones don't cause that. I love the shakes, lots of flavours I genuinely enjoy esp the pecan latte

ApricotRow · 10/09/2026 08:56

I am thinking of switching to protein.com due to the bigger range of flavours.

my weight loss has stalled. I still have around half a stone to lose, but I think maybe I am now eating my maintenance calorie amount which is only 1300 so can’t really (and don’t want to) drop any lower! Am going to try increasing my exercise but not sure if I need to do more strength based or HIT

Miraclemuma03 · 10/09/2026 11:36

What exactly is protien.com?

OP posts:
NCTDN · 10/09/2026 17:30

@ApricotRow which are you currently on? That’s why I changed (& also they’re cheaper).

NCTDN · 10/09/2026 17:31

Miraclemuma03 · 10/09/2026 11:36

What exactly is protien.com?

They’re just protein shakes for meal replacement.

ApricotRow · 10/09/2026 18:11

@NCTDNherbalife, I think you may have used that too? Is there much difference between them?

NCTDN · 10/09/2026 22:38

I’ve not noticed a difference- maybe not as thick? I’ve been making them with water which is lower in protein but also much lower in calories than the Herbalife ones. I’m figuring that as long as I eat enough protein in meals it will balance out.

NCTDN · 17/09/2026 22:05

Has anyone used the Adday ones? They are nhs approved.

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