Slim fast? Help..

SaRaHmArIe8588 · 12-11-2006, 07:31 PM

My sister was recently talking to me about her new years resolution. She plans to buy lots of cardio exercise tapes and be on the slimfast bars/shakes diets. She is a little bit over weight, but mainly in the thigh/hip/butt region. Basically she wants to get toned.

Supposably she read somewhere that slimfast is a good way to tone your body, along with exercise. I just dont think she will see any results. Slimfast contains alot of sugar right? Wont that sugar go right to her butt/love handles?

Can anyone give me any feedback about this idea? Or suggest a new one, other than the basic, eat right and exercise response. I think she has a hard time sticking to that, as do alot of people.

Any feed back would help!
Thanks.

Sarah

rose2summer · 12-11-2006, 07:36 PM

I actually did try the slimfast shakes when I was 160lbs, and I remained at 160lbs, if anything they made me hungrier.

Then I cut out fat from my diet, ate multi-grain wheat bread, fruits, vegetables, always feel full, some icecream here and there, go to the gym when I have time, and I am down to 117lbs.

I think these crash diets hurt more than help. Tell her to slowly cut the unhealthy foods from her diet, and not completely take them all out at once, because she will likely rebound and gain the weight back.

Another secret that worked for me is water. I drink 5-10 bottles of 700mL bottles/day and no soft drinks whatsoever.

Hope this helps.

Hugs, Rose

Beec · 12-11-2006, 07:37 PM

I would think some people have lost weight with slimfast, if they stick to the plan, because it restricts your calorie intake.

The diet that made the most sense to me was the Southbeach diet. Get the book.

Also, she should add in some strength training. Fat cells require basically no energy to maintain. Muscle requires energy even if it does nothing. If she puts on a few pounds of muscle, that in inself will help her lose.

She should be more worried about her tone and athletic fitness than a few pounds. Men like a woman who is in shape more than woman at the right weight, who does not exercise.

BornToResist · 12-11-2006, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beec

I would think some people have lost weight with slimfast, if they stick to the plan, because it restricts your calorie intake.

The diet that made the most sense to me was the Southbeach diet. Get the book.

Also, she should add in some strength training. Fat cells require basically no energy to maintain. Muscle requires energy even if it does nothing. If she puts on a few pounds of muscle, that in inself will help her lose.

She should be more worried about her tone and athletic fitness than a few pounds. Men like a woman who is in shape more than woman at the right weight, who does not exercise.

I agree about the actualy weight of a person.

I weighed 120 and then started REALLY taking care of myself. I worked out like crazy and ate only good foods, went on vacation and was VERY active and came back 135, but down from a size 7 to a size 2. It was crazy. I weighed 15 pounds more but was smaller and looked better.

Don't always stick to the scale.

Jonboy582 · 12-11-2006, 07:52 PM

Slim fast diets do work, but I suggest you tell her to do her own diet such as rose2summer said. Its alot more effective and a hell of alot cheaper. Besides all slimfast shakes are horrible except strawberry. Oh and as for the sugars and stuff yes they would be high if it was meant for a snack like a normal milkshake but you are meant to have a shake instead of a meal.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BornToResist

down from a size 7 to a size 2

I am assuming that means your from America and you have different dress sizes out there. Otherwise you magically got a size 7 that doesn't exist and now can squeeze into baby clothes for the size 2.

LostInMyThoughts · 12-11-2006, 07:54 PM

I think you're gut instinct is right; she probably wont see results.

What rubs my rhubarb is whenever you see those comercials for Slim-Fast and all the other get-fit quick schemes, it always has the following: "Results Not Typical."

She's be better off spending the money on a gym membership and a few sessions of personal training. Infact, since Christmas is coming up, maybe you could give that as a gift. Since she brought up weight loss with you, it wouldn't be a gift with a hidden agenda.

LostInMyThoughts · 12-11-2006, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonboy582

I am assuming that means your from America and you have different dress sizes out there. Otherwise you magically got a size 7 that doesn't exist and now can squeeze into baby clothes for the size 2.

Actually Women's sizes are different then men's sizes.

Like my ex was a marathon runner and she was a size 8, but my current gf is size 0 to the occasional size 2.

WIERD!

MacGyverRI · 12-11-2006, 08:36 PM

Slimfast has the carbs. and protein that you need along with fiber to make you feel full.

Just add some dietary fiber to juice or milkshakes and eat tuna for a lot less money but don't overdue fiber at 1st or you will get some serious gas (like eating lots of beans).

Winsor Pillates (sp?) excersizes are good.

Amino Acid supplements like Amino-Fuel by Twinlabs are great if you're doing a lot of workouts.

Dako · 12-11-2006, 08:51 PM

I saw a friend permanently lose about 40 pounds on a similar diet, but it was a series of shakes recommended by an HMO.

Hospitals sometime prescribe a liquid diet to those at risk of weight-related complications during and after surgery.

These diets have some advantages. It frees a person from thinking about food, and allows them to work, play and live free of the constant preoccupation with what to cook, eat or counting calories. The downsides are that you eventually have to return to the real world, and these diets require fiber supplements to preven the squirts.

If someone has the discipline to use it only as a way to quickly drop weight prior to adopting a sensible diet, I think it may be worthwhile, but those people may be rare.

If she's set on this diet, I'd recommend looking at less-advertised and possibly healthier formulations, such as a product called HMR.

Disclaimer:
I tend to be skinny, so this is all second-hand.

CharlesF · 12-11-2006, 09:20 PM

The problem is that Slim Fast is just a diet change. You also have to excercise. If you excercise six times a week and maintain a good diet, you can loose two pounds per week. Then after fifteen weeks, you will be thirty pounds lighter and in shape. Excercise includes weight lifting and you have to sweat otherwise it doesnt do any good at all.

12-11-2006, 07:31 PM	#1
SaRaHmArIe8588 Offline Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: NY Gender: Female Posts: 310	Slim fast? Help.. My sister was recently talking to me about her new years resolution. She plans to buy lots of cardio exercise tapes and be on the slimfast bars/shakes diets. She is a little bit over weight, but mainly in the thigh/hip/butt region. Basically she wants to get toned. Supposably she read somewhere that slimfast is a good way to tone your body, along with exercise. I just dont think she will see any results. Slimfast contains alot of sugar right? Wont that sugar go right to her butt/love handles? Can anyone give me any feedback about this idea? Or suggest a new one, other than the basic, eat right and exercise response. I think she has a hard time sticking to that, as do alot of people. Any feed back would help! Thanks. Sarah

12-11-2006, 07:36 PM	#2
rose2summer Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Gender: Female Posts: 2,382	I actually did try the slimfast shakes when I was 160lbs, and I remained at 160lbs, if anything they made me hungrier. Then I cut out fat from my diet, ate multi-grain wheat bread, fruits, vegetables, always feel full, some icecream here and there, go to the gym when I have time, and I am down to 117lbs. I think these crash diets hurt more than help. Tell her to slowly cut the unhealthy foods from her diet, and not completely take them all out at once, because she will likely rebound and gain the weight back. Another secret that worked for me is water. I drink 5-10 bottles of 700mL bottles/day and no soft drinks whatsoever. Hope this helps. Hugs, Rose __________________ If life is fulfilled we go away with empty hands. ~Chinese Proverb~ With every failure, there's a chance for success. With every failure, there's a chance to learn. ~Rose~

12-11-2006, 07:37 PM	#3
Beec Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: New York Posts: 7,556	I would think some people have lost weight with slimfast, if they stick to the plan, because it restricts your calorie intake. The diet that made the most sense to me was the Southbeach diet. Get the book. Also, she should add in some strength training. Fat cells require basically no energy to maintain. Muscle requires energy even if it does nothing. If she puts on a few pounds of muscle, that in inself will help her lose. She should be more worried about her tone and athletic fitness than a few pounds. Men like a woman who is in shape more than woman at the right weight, who does not exercise. __________________ "Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person's ultimate good as far as it can be obtained." C.S. Lewis--Answers to Questions on Christianity

12-11-2006, 07:54 PM	#6
LostInMyThoughts Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle Gender: Male Age: 30 Posts: 1,578	I think you're gut instinct is right; she probably wont see results. What rubs my rhubarb is whenever you see those comercials for Slim-Fast and all the other get-fit quick schemes, it always has the following: "Results Not Typical." She's be better off spending the money on a gym membership and a few sessions of personal training. Infact, since Christmas is coming up, maybe you could give that as a gift. Since she brought up weight loss with you, it wouldn't be a gift with a hidden agenda. __________________ "If you're going through hell; keep going." - Winston Churchill

12-11-2006, 08:36 PM	#8
MacGyverRI Offline Silver Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Warwick, R.I. USA 41.7N. / -71.41W Gender: Male Age: 56 Posts: 613	Slimfast has the carbs. and protein that you need along with fiber to make you feel full. Just add some dietary fiber to juice or milkshakes and eat tuna for a lot less money but don't overdue fiber at 1st or you will get some serious gas (like eating lots of beans). Winsor Pillates (sp?) excersizes are good. Amino Acid supplements like Amino-Fuel by Twinlabs are great if you're doing a lot of workouts. __________________ Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new. ~Einstein Imagination is intelligence having fun. ~Einstein Please Note: No trees or animals were harmed in the sending of this contaminant free message! We do concede that a significant number of electrons may have been inconvenienced... ;) Last edited by MacGyverRI; 12-11-2006 at 08:56 PM.

12-11-2006, 08:51 PM	#9
Dako Offline Platinum Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Gender: None Specified Posts: 9,113	I saw a friend permanently lose about 40 pounds on a similar diet, but it was a series of shakes recommended by an HMO. Hospitals sometime prescribe a liquid diet to those at risk of weight-related complications during and after surgery. These diets have some advantages. It frees a person from thinking about food, and allows them to work, play and live free of the constant preoccupation with what to cook, eat or counting calories. The downsides are that you eventually have to return to the real world, and these diets require fiber supplements to preven the squirts. If someone has the discipline to use it only as a way to quickly drop weight prior to adopting a sensible diet, I think it may be worthwhile, but those people may be rare. If she's set on this diet, I'd recommend looking at less-advertised and possibly healthier formulations, such as a product called HMR. Disclaimer: I tend to be skinny, so this is all second-hand. Last edited by Dako; 12-11-2006 at 09:00 PM.

12-11-2006, 09:20 PM	#10
CharlesF Offline Bronze Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 308	The problem is that Slim Fast is just a diet change. You also have to excercise. If you excercise six times a week and maintain a good diet, you can loose two pounds per week. Then after fifteen weeks, you will be thirty pounds lighter and in shape. Excercise includes weight lifting and you have to sweat otherwise it doesnt do any good at all.