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Managing your weight is a "balancing act" between calories in (food intake) and calories burned (physical activity).  By consuming 500-1000 fewer calories than your body burns each day, you can achieve a healthy weight loss of 1-2 lbs per week. This deficit of calories can be accomplished by cutting back on calories, by exercising more, or by doing both. The Slim-Fast Plan is designed to address both your food intake and your activity level.

The Slim-Fast Optima Diet helps you to reduce your calorie intake with proper portion control and provides a nutritional balance of lean proteins, complex carbohydrates and fats for effective, satisfying weight loss.  By replacing breakfast with a Slim-Fast Meal On-The-Go, combining a Slim-Fast Meal On-The-Go with 200 calories at lunch, and dining on a Sensible Meal that is approximately 500 calories at dinner, you can follow a simple, satisfying plan that will help you succeed at losing weight. Enjoy at least 3 servings of fruit or vegetables each day between meals and additional snacks (up to 120 calories each) based on your personalized meal plan.   Also, make sure that you include eight 8 oz. glasses of water or calorie-free beverages and 30 minutes or more of moderate exercise most days of the week.    Keep in mind exercise does not have to mean getting to the gym.  Running after your 2-year old is great exercise too!

Cravings may develop from intense hunger, so don't skip meals.  Try to eat your meals at regular times and enjoy healthy snacks between meals. Having a snack 2-3 hours after each meal can help prevent hunger and overeating later in the day. For delicious and satisfying calorie-controlled snack suggestions, visit our website at:

http://www.slim-fast.com/plan/how_to_snack.asp

If you are still hungry, fill up on plain, raw vegetables which are low in calories and high in fiber. Keep vegetables precut and handy, like baby carrots, cherry tomatoes and celery sticks. Also, drink 8- 8oz cups of water and calorie-free beverages like sugar-free tea, diet soda and flavored water, since sometimes we confuse hunger with thirst.  Other strategies to appease hunger are to suck on a hard candy, brush your teeth or chew sugar-free gum.

Sometimes the best way to deal with a craving is to not ignore it and to have a small serving. Taking care of the craving right away may help you from overdoing it later.  Another suggestion is to think of healthier alternatives that might satisfy your craving.  For example, if you crave sweets, a piece of fruit might provide enough natural sweetness to satisfy your craving--in a lower-calorie, healthier way than a candy bar.

If you do splurge, it's not the end of the world! Just because you have given in once or twice is not a reason to give up. If you lapse, try to analyze why, so you can prevent it happening too often.  If your craving is a result of a stressful situation, you might find other “non-food” ways to relieve stress, such as listening to soothing music or taking a walk.  For more information on "Dealing with Cravings" visit:  http://www.slim-fast.com/plan/eating/cravings.asp.

Sincerely,

Ali Auerbach, MS, RD

Registered Dietitian

hi i am have dieting struggles seem i start but then i forget all about it I am 18 &  I had two babies one in '07  & one currently  i gianed 143 with the second one and I don't have much time to go to gyms and have a craving problems with cookies and all i used to weigh 127 & would love to go back to that weight since summer is coming along