meal substitute diets

[SammyRo]

I've got about 15kg's to lose, but I've come to a complete stall and am lacking the motivation to get back on the diet. So i've been thinking about doing something like optifast with the shakes for a week or 2 to get me out of the cycle of eating bad stuff, and then I can carry on with weightwatchers.

But do they work? Will I be absolutely starving on them and not have the energy to look after the kids or go to the gym? If you've tried them, please give me your pros and cons!

[Pandora]

You are not supposed to do much exercise on meal replacement programs so going to the gym might be out

[toomanyshoes]

I hate them with passion..sorry!

The just make more bad habits. They teach you nothing about portion control, eating a balanced/variety of foods.

Can't you just start with WW?

[Raupe]

I've tried them. I did lose some weight. But I was EXHAUSTED and tired and grumpy the whole time. At one stage (roughly 3 weeks into the plan) I cried and begged DP for one slice of dry bread! I just wanted anything I could actually chew. I was utterly useless and couldn't concentrate on anything. Once I had stopped, I put all the weight back on (and more!), although I was eating healthily then. My body just went into shock and stored anything I ate straight away as fat.

So, I think they are pure torture and useless. I am now just focussing on eating healthily and exercising and have so far lost 18+ kilos. It can be done. But doing it slowly (as much as that sucks, I'm super impatient) is the right way to do it.

Good Luck!

[emc2]

I haven't used them. Some of them just don't really meet adequate daily kilojoule requirements to my knowledge though, so be careful.

[MrsBexie]

With shakes, you are not learning how to eat properly. It is not teaching healthy eating or a lifestyle you can uphold... unless you want to drink shakes for the rest of your life?

it's hard when you get those weight loss walls, but honestly, keep at it... keep doing your points, keep exercising and it will budge! It will be healthier for you in the long run to do it that way rather than using meal replacement shakes

Good luck hun!!!

[SammyRo]

Thanks everyone...that's kinda what I thought too, but I just need some motivation! I'm off to see the doc next week as I do think its the new contraceptive pill that I'm on that has made me lose all motivation in terms of diet and exercise.

[MrsBexie]

Thanks everyone...that's kinda what I thought too, but I just need some motivation! I'm off to see the doc next week as I do think its the new contraceptive pill that I'm on that has made me lose all motivation in terms of diet and exercise.

The pill can have big effectd on stuff like that, and your ability to lose weight too!!
Keep us updated. Xx