Weight loss "shakes"?

I suppose the closest I get to a 'shake" is my Click Protein Powder with 2% Milk. I will often drink it for breakfast for a great protein / energy boost.

Most often, it's a snack (when I only do one snack per day).

I don't believe they should permanently replace meals. You MUST eat to lose!

Before every workout, I drink an Atkins low carb shake. On rare occasions, I'll have one as a meal replacement.

I've been on Metrecal powder, way back in the 1960's, and SEGO canned "shakes", protein shakes, etc., since they are liquid and not too many calories, of course you lose weight with them. I suppose if you are trying to squeeze your butt into some pants for an event, they help with that kind of thing, temporarily. Calling these drinks "shakes" keeps reminding us of the real "shakes" that maybe took part in making some of us fatties, though....not a good thing in the long run. Portion control is hard to keep in check for those of us starting and stopping on any of these plans, doctor approved or not.

I actually used shakes to lose a big chunk of my weight - though I did it through a physician's program. Used properly, they're apparently very effective -- I was skeptical since I'd tried Medifast twice before and didn't have long-term success. But this time, I followed the program and it worked great. The big thing it did for me was allowed me to take a break from food entirely, and then re-build my relationship with it from the ground up.

The program I was on was 3 shakes a day, plus 3 non-fat dairy servings per day (for women, men got one more of each), plus 1 fat serving (I did flax seed) to prevent gall bladder issues, and bouillon for sodium. I did it for 16 weeks, though I started modifying slightly early on to add low-cal veggies like cucumber slices to my snacks -- and when you're not eating food, you'd be surprised how good fresh veggies taste! After about a month I added one meal per week of lean meat and green veggies (so I could join our weekly family dinners) -- again, what would once have seemed like unpalatable diet food seemed like a treat to me after being on the shakes. I learned to taste "real" food again, and found out I liked it. Coming off the all-shakes part of the diet, I just started adding in more lower-calorie food meals per week slowly, until I was eating all food again. My weight loss slowed at that point of course (eating more calories), but it didn't stop. That was more than three years ago. I've gained a little bit very recent due to some medical issues, but no major back-slide (and I'm able to stay on track enough that I expect the few extra pounds will come off when the crisis passes).

Honestly, once I got beyond the first couple of weeks on the shakes (which was HARD), it actually got extremely easy as my appetite was nil -- in fact, it was one of the easiest diets I have ever done. (It actually got harder once I started eating again.) And so far it has been the most successful. I do caution that I saw my doctor for blood draws, blood pressure checks, and general consults once a week while on the shakes. I was taking in only about 800 calories a day, which is not safe without medical supervision.

I do know others seeing the same doctors that were not as successful on the very low calorie plan I was on, but more successful on a combined shakes and food, or an all-food low calorie diet and close monitoring. I think whatever you do has to work for you. The shakes did work, and work well, for me this time -- but it did take the right attitude and a lot of control getting back on to real food. I listened to my doctors and followed their program carefully - which was something I didn't always do the first couple of times I tried a shake-based program.

Edited by: CSROBERTSON621 at: 6/14/2014 (21:12)

The only thing I've tried like that is Special K Protein Shakes. They are really good. I don't drink them every morning but I do when I have to be up early for work. It gets me by about four hours and by that time its usually lunch time for me. They are low in calories ( I think maybe 160) so you can always add something else with it in the morning. Like I said its more of on the run thing for me not an everyday thing.

years ago I tried weight loss shakes. ... they didn't work for me.
It felt more like a treat than food and did not teach me good eating habits I needed to keep the weight off. These days I make myself a coffee shake with brewed coffee, 2% milk, a tiny bit of unsweetened dark cocoa powder, and maybe a tsp of sugar. Put it in the blender, with lots of ice, and I have a 'shake'. It satisfies that frosty urge.

But nothing beats learning to eat healthy unprocessed foods for weight loss.
Shakes are temporary diet food....I'm on a lifestyle change.

don't use them

yes shakeology, which replaces my dinner 5-6 days a week. I eat my biggest meals during the day and have a shake for dinner which fills me up.

I really don't like shakes. They do not fill the bill for me. I have to "eat" my meals. For some people it works. In the last 8 months that I have been doing Spark People and lost 83 pounds to date, I have only had 3 shakes....the rest have all been mini-meals. I eat 5 meals a day with each meal having about 12 grams of protein in them. That keeps me full and since I eat every 2.5 hours, I never get ravenously hungry!

Edited by: MCCC75 at: 6/12/2014 (19:55)

I use protein-heavy ones as a snack once in awhile.

I don't believe in them. Fresh food is much better for you

What are in the shakes? I am looking for a good weight loss shake to drink in the morning for breakfast

I use Bode made by Vemma. It is endorsed by Chris Powell (not that that really matters much). I love these shakes after a workout, but I do not drink them everyday. When I do use them, I like to put a banana and some peanut butter in them, and they keep me full for hours. I was really quite impressed with them.

They have worked very well for me. Sometimes I add more protein powder and Benefiber.That keeps me full longer.

I have had success with making my own smoothies with ice, protein powder, fiber powder, and a few other things that I am in the mood for -- sometimes peanut butter, sometimes fruit, etc. I'll use them for dinner in the summer, along with a light snack. The protein and fiber help me feel satisfied. Sometimes, I will use a commercially-manufactured drink as a base.

I don't like the cold drinks in the winter.

My wife fixes me homemade fruit shakes which are healthy for me and I love them. I eat them almost every day for part of my lunch. Shakes from a fast food place are a big no no. I love those to but they make you put the pounds on. Good luck.

sometimes

I tried slim fast and something that started with a N a long time ago. I was so hungry. I would drink the shake and then go and eat something else.

In the spring and summer I make smoothies with vanilla whey protein,fresh fruit,non fat milk and ice. Sometimes I use peanut butter instead of fruit. It makes a good quick breakfast and fills me up.

I make a protein shake with egg whey powder, Carb free Carnation Instant Breakfast and water. Its 166 calories, 23 grams of protein. It usually takes me an hour to drink it for breakfast.

I can't handle real food till mid morning LOL so the shake is my way of getting something healthy for breakfast that doesn't leave me feeling ick!

I have been successful for long term weight-loss.

I agree make your own with fruit and/or veggies. Much better and healthier!

I have not heard of this, I must look into it

yes- I love Shakeology

Yep, each of us needs to find what works for us.

I consider them snacks only, not meals. At some point, you are going to want some real food, and you will do that, by golly!!!

I use the Shaklee Turn Around 180 for breakfast. I hate breakfast and these make me happy. Great protein and fiber content and I have several recipes that add fruit and veggies.. Mornings are hectic and tis just gets it done for me and I am satisfied until lunch. I think in total it is about 300 calories. I think there isn't a one size fits all and you just have to find what works.

Never.

I have a freggie smoothie with Isopure Whey protein isolate every morning. They keep me satisfied for about 5 hours. I put in flaxseed and hemp oil for lots of Omega 3s. Sometimes walnuts. I have a problem chewing food well enough for good digestion, so my smoothies ensure I get my nutrients and good digestion. I feel good energy after a green n fruit n protein smoothie. I use a NutriBullit, which I've never regretted getting. I have 4 x the amount of energy using the NB each day. I still eat food, but I crave my smoothies EVERYDAY!! It works for me. It might not work for everyone. It's healthier than drinking Ensure YUCK!! I am also gluten intolerant, so I can't have breads, flours, etc. Gluten free products raise blood sugars too much. So, I am right back to making my smoothies, and enjoying them. I make a regular meal when I feel like it, usually daily. I have lost weight doing daily smoothies as well. Also put on muscle from gym workouts while losing fat. A nice switch, from fat to muscle. I LIKE THAT!!

I looked online at nutritional breakdowns of various weight loss shakes, they have many additives,some have lots of sugar, like Slim Fast, most have stealth ingredients that are not as healthy as the way I make my shakes, which average about 400 calories each. Only 110 calories each on average for the storebought shakes in a can or bottle. Medifast and all the others, has many suspicious ingredients for my tastes. I do not like the idea of paying so much for something you can make at home that taste better, and have it be much healthier without stealth ingredients. The weight loss industry relies on us being lazy, not figuring out how to make our own smoothies/shakes, and since most people are truly trying to lose weight, they end up being repeat customers, making the industry lots of money. I have dealt with my sister on Medifast many many times. She has finally, after 20 years, started making her own healthier weight loss shakes n smoothies. She has felt better, and lost weight.

Green smoothies with fruit n protein added really is a "meal" in itself. I also add nuts n seeds to mine as well.

Edited by: WANDERINONE at: 4/4/2013 (17:24)

There is no such thing. Make a fruit/veggie smoothie instead to get your nutriens in.

I just completed a 12 week Biggest Loser Challenge, and it was at a Nutrition Center that sold Herbalife products. I didn't really use their products like the majority of the others, because I wanted to show them that you didn't have to invest in these things to lose weight. Only on occasions I would purchase a shake and yes, it was good, but I don't like the fact that you would have it twice a day and eat a meal and 2 snacks. It just reminded me of the Slim Fast. I prefer to eat than drink. Plus, the products are very expensive. They have a large variety of products for weight lost and other things. I use Whey sometimes after a really intense workout. I buy it at Walmart. I mix fruit and spinach with mines when I do have one.

Only problem with them, they don't teach us to manage food correctly.. There is a life efter all these quick fixes and it is better to master real food all the time so we a suited up for christmas, easter and other high times when all these quick fixes are dropped..

Edited by: REDSHOES2011 at: 4/4/2013 (14:52)

I did a weight loss shake a long time ago 20 yrs ago and lost 150 lbs!!!!!!!!!!! I was still able to eat and went down to a size 6/7 at that time and maintained the weight off for years until I got lyme disease and fibro and was on my back literally for a year.
They no longer sell the one I was on I had to go to a physician for it I've looked high and low for it but can't find it.
I use one now from GNC and I can get it cheaper at Sam's club for 22 dollars a container (at GNC it costs 35) and it lasts about 3 weeks. I haven't been faithful to it cause of a lot of stresses in my life, but when I was, I was losing weight like crazy and I need to start doing it again.

I tried different brands of shakes/protien powders/smoothies and never had any luck-the homemade smoothies took to much time to make and clean up after first thing in the morning. . They left me feeling hungry after about a hour and didn't satisfy me. I prefer something I can chew instead of a glorified milkshake.

They had a Body by Vi rep at the gym I used to go to. I did try the shake while there, but didn't like the price nor did i like the taste. I did slimfast for awhile, but like others, it left me hungry and unsatisfied because there is so much sugar in those.
I do smoothies now and sometimes will add some protein powder, but mostly now carob powder (slightly sweeter than cacao) and nut butters or nuts. I also juice my own stuff. Now I do chew my juices and smoothies. I don't just drink and swallow. I also feel completely satisfied.

I drink Protein Shakes (ISO Whey powder and skim milk) after I work out but have never done the weight loss shakes. I don't think it is a good idea to replace food with liquid but that's just based on my experience not a judgement

My husband did Body by Vi....he didn't lose any weight. I don't think he really understood the concept. His best friend sells it and he was telling him once he had one for breakfast and one for lunch then he could eat whatever he wanted. So he would basically eat supper twice and go crazy eating in the evening because he was so hungry from the small amount of calories during the day. This makes no sense from a weight loss perspective. I tried to have one for lunch one day and I was just nauseated until I ate my late afternoon snack. I could never have them for meals, I would just end up bingeing later. Needless to say he quit after two months and no weight loss. I just don't think they are filling enough and there are much easier ways to get in shape!

I love those slim fast french vanilla shakes, but, like you, they only increase my appetite, and they go down so smooth and so fast, it only takes me about 30 seconds to drink one. I'm kinda wondering what it would taste like to add some whey protein or some type of fiber to help to fill full.

the only time I've ever used these is when I did not have time for a meal (working 10-12 hours with only an occasional break to run quickly to the bathroom), or when I was traveling and did not know if I'd be able to get food (flying out & depending on others for local transportation).

I know meal replacements would not work for me because I'd much rather chew my food. If it's something that I can't do long term, it's really not going to do much good.

Just curious if anyone is doing the weight loss shakes to help their weight loss? Whether it's Slimfast,Body by Vi,or any others. I myself have not had luck with them. I felt too hungry with them and I didn't stay on it for long. I tried Body by Vi and I liked the taste of the shakes, but I felt too hungry following the plan. I also didn't like that you had to buy the shake mix from a representative who was always trying to get me to do "shake parties" and trying to mentor me into selling the shakes so SHE could move further up the Visalus food chain.