DIET SHAKES & SNACKS ETC - what do you think

[newstart2380]

Over 12 months I have tried every diet shake and all the supplements advertised on TV as an experiment. I have included a gym regime of 1 hour every second day and also included a weight session 2 times a week. I have toned and lost weight.
I stopped the diet supplements 4 months ago and kept up the exact same gym regime however I supplemented the diet drinks etc with my own recipe.
The result is - the recipe I use is easier, much much cheaper, tastes heaps better and I have more energy than when I used the diet drinks etc advertised on TV.
This has proven to me that you don't need the diet drinks, supplements etc advertised, a little preparation which takes the same time to mix as the shakes in the packets is better, CHEAPER and you know exactly what you are using. I have my high protein, very low carb drink in the morning, I am never hungry until 1 or 2 in the afternoon and then only want something light.
The diet industry makes millions from people looking for an easy fix, I can honestly say from my experience doing it yourself is better, cheaper and even with a busy family is easier. I have also made a huge mix for 5 people in my family and we all have a drink with breakfast. Healthy for the whole family and a good start to the day. Imagine making up 4 or 5 of the prepared shakes everyday, would cost a fortune.

[purple_haize]

I did OptiFast for 3 weeks solid - didn't lose anything :_|

My daughter who is now going to go on the shakes suggested by the OP, was on opti fast, and she lost weight, however, with 2 young children and a limited income, she couldnt keep doing it, so she will see how she goes with this one the OP has suggested.

It is worth a try.

[katymatey*]

I just ate two cream biscuits. :_|

[purple_haize]

Kayza........do you drink 2 litres of water a day?

[i-once-was-bump]

I am using the Optislim shakes and the are 2 boxes for $55.00 so $27.50 per week for just them is not expensive and I only add bananas and apples to my diet.

I would love the home made shakes but can't have the egg.

Home made from healthy ingredients is always going to be better than buying packet shakes.

[purple_haize]

My daughter is not going to use the egg in it, so should be alright still, she is allergic to eggs.

The opti fast worked out to be nearly $100 a fortnight that was from the local chemist that always had it on special.

[newstart2380]

I don't want people to think I only have the drinks and nothing else, I have 2  meals such as salads and chicken or fish with veggies Most meals. The drink is to replace the packet shakes for 2 reasons .

1. Most importantly I know what I am putting in the drink and can vary what I put in.

2. Not as important but a consideration is the cost, it is so much cheaper.

over the 12 months on the diet shakes I lost a bit of weight but due to exercise and weights I toned, I found I got very sick of the taste of the shakes And what I mixed up was also thicker , I found the diet shakes very watery and the full feeling did not last as long.

i have never been over 70 kilos so was never huge anyway.

answer to replacing honey- try a sweetener if you need one, I use honey mainly because it is high in anti oxidants and a good natural sweetener.

Or - use a fruit such as passion fruits which are quite sweet.

i think the diet industry is a bit like the funeral insurance business, they must both be making a fortune with the amount of advertising they do on TV, particularly in the mornings buts that's another story.

[purple_haize]

My OH, now says he is going to do your shake recipe.......he needs to lose some weight, so we will see how he goes.

I didnt think for a minute that was all you had, the shakes........

Oh will have salads and my daughter will cook healthy meals for her family as well.

[kayza40]

I drink a ltr of water a day and probably about 500 mls in other things.  Water is something that I'm adding daily to so I am increasing it as I go.  I've been doing this over the last 2 years to try and get my metabolism back into shape because I ruined it, so I didn't all of a sudden go healthy I added things and did something new one at a time.  On the VLCD's I had no energy and because my body was only used to really low calories I couldn't even enjoy a coffee and cake with friends occasionally or else I would gain kilo's and then not lose weight for a couple of weeks.  Now I could have that now and then (rarely want to though) and still lose weight... which is how it should be.  Your body should be able to deal with an occasional treat without too much punishment. 

I also do a liver cleansing diet twice a year, but its not a very low calorie one of just lemon juice.. I'm still eating around 1200 calories but its a LOT of greenery and lemons, ginger, avocado, all good types of liver cleansing food.  I do this diet because the liver is what metabolises our food and needs to be able to do its job properly if we want to lose weight.

Newstart, I'm confused... are your shakes Meal Replacements?  Or do you have a meal with them and they are more of a health shake?

[kayza40]

And the diet industry has been ripping us off for years.  I totally agree with you on that point Newstart.  I am so sick of the crap they sprout on with.  A lot of products that are meant for people wanting to lose a kilo or two to fit into their latest outfit are also targeted towards obese people who need long term solutions and also need to be in the right head space.  Which never gets addressed with these types of diets.  Ofcourse they end up failing and then blame themselves, they're set up for failure going on these types of diets which are really only meant for a short time.

[kyliecrv]

Just adding my 2cents...

i wouldn't have more than 1 egg a day ... From memory (too tired to google) an egg yolk has 7 gm of fat, thegood fats in your diet should be varied not just from eggs. 

Almonds and avocado come to mind.

also I can't have raw egg, don't know if this is common with other peeps, but I'm not allergic to them, can only stomach them cooked.

i buy a huge box of protein powder for after a workout or as a meal if needed, it is good value! I tend to only add fresh fruit or flavoured essence drops to stop the boredom.

better to avoid the honey/syrups if possible. Fruits should add enough sweetness.

very ripe bananas and mangoes are quite sweet I've found, frozen raspberries disappointingly not sweet!!

Clean eating is the "talk" with all the so called professionals... Fresh foods, non processed, water, lean meats, good fats. All foods in moderation. Up to 6 small meals a day to regulate /speed up the metabolism and regular exercise.

i have 15kg to lose after the pregnancy, and slow and consistent is the theme.