Hi droppnlbs!  First off, cheers to those who wants to live a healthier lifestyle.  It is not the easiest task out there.  I actually did the Slim Fast program about 3-4 years ago and lost 50 lbs in 3.5 months.  This was during my internship at college where I left school for about 6 months to do an internship with a company.  Then I met my future husband and school got more intense, so before I know it, I gained it all back.  I didn't find any time in my day to exercise, especially with my rigorous engineering curriculum and trying to balance life and school, I simply didnt have time in the day to go hit the gym.  Now that school is over and I am now married, I want to start the Slim Fast Diet again.  My best advice to you is to stick to the Meal Plan online and never skip meals.  Back then, I dranked a slim fast shake in the morning, a shake for lunch, and a chicken salad with low fat dressing for dinner simply wasn't enough.  I used to work out 2 hours a day, 6 days a week.  So yes, I was able to loose so much weight so fast that it was scary, and I did found it to be unhealthy.  When I cheat and eat something out of the ordinary such as pasta, I find myself gaining the weight back.  Why?  Because my body is not used to that amount of calorie intake.  So definitely follow the meal plan online, and excercise!  You shouldnt want to loose more than 2 lbs a week.  The slim fast diet does work, but you have to think of it as a long term goal than a short term.  It is easier to loose the weight than to maintain it. 

Right now, my meal plan consists of a slim fast shake in the morning, some sort of vegetable and dip for snack, shake and a turkey wrap for lunch, some sort of fruit for snack, portioned dinner (I usually just eat chicken *** with alot of flavoring and tons and tons of vegetables), and if I am still hungry, I eat another fruit for dinner.  This keeps me full and energized throughout the day, plus I am eating throughout the day to increase my metabolism.  I hit the gym 5 days a week (with 2 days of strength training).  In addition, I use the Billy Blanks Bootcamp video right at my home for a 6 day workout schedule.  I find his video to be the most effective.  It is really fun, though abit intense if you are not used to alot of excercise.  This is just my 2nd week of getting back to this plan, but I feel good about myself already and ready to hit the ground and do this! 

I would like to be buddies.  Message me anytime.  Looking forward to hear from you and your progress. 

-Kristine

Hi Droppnlbs,  Glad you wrote back. I try to ck my comp daily and respond but sometimes I am not so good. Just remember I will be praying for you and I am here for you. As far as snack, try some fruit, small bagles with cream cheese fat free, crackers with peanutbutter, just have to watch the count on crackers and bagles. I find to count out what I can have and put the others away, eat slowly. also Slim Fast peanutbutter Crunch is good. look in the walmart pharmacy section you can find a number of differnt flavors of slim fast bars.  I also found that for lunch a 1/2 of sandwhich and shake holds me. also for supper if i dont want to eat alot because some days I dont get home till almost 730pm I will take a shake and mix with 2 scoops of ice cream 1/2 fat in the blender that makes a good shake also for a good chocolate fix mix peanut butter with chocolate shake and you have a reeses peanutbutter cup (well almost, it is good).

That is great you have decided to go to school and a great choice we always need med. it seems. Stay in touch. Where will you be going to school? Where are you from if you dont mind me asking?  I am from SC.  It is hot here today. I am on my way back to the hospital. My mom had knee surgery yesterday. we live about 25-30 min from the hospital. I took off 2 weeks to help with her. So eating is going to be tough but I have to remember I do not want it back on my stomach or hips.

Take care,  Becky

Hey Becky thanks for the encouragement!  I need to do better with the sensible dinner.  I think I let myself get too hungry yesterday.  Any tips on that?  I will try and remember your "slow and steady wins the race".  I will be in pharmacy school in the fall.  Four years of hard work so I know I need to at least get in the habit of eating less this summer.  It is good in that I have time to plan, but bad in that I am always home (and close to the kitchen).  Congratulations on your weight loss so far.  I hope I can accomplish that!

Hi Droppnlbs, I am glad you have joined us.  I will be glad to be your buddie. Don't try to lose the weight fast, just steady the most important goal is to lose the weight and keep it off.  Remember we did not gain the weight overnight so it will not come off overnight.  wish it would.!!!!!  I am using the OPTIMA SHAKES AND BARS.  I try to drink 2 shakes a day at least 3-4 days and the other days I eat breakfast and a light supper and 1 shake. I have a hard time with a good eating plan but so far the best I can tell you is try to cut back on portions, drink lots of water. try to cut back on any sodas even diet drinks, I find they seem to make me hold weight when I have drank them daily. Water is the best, if you have trouble with plain water add some crystal light , again be careful not to drink too many they also will hold weight on me.  Don't get discourage if you float a little on weight for 2 weeks at a time because you will loose if you watch the intake and exercise.  Walk as much as you can.  Best of luck and stay in touch dont give up if you fall just get up and start again. I started May 12 I have lost 10lbs as of last Wed June 24 so about 1-1.5lbs a week. but that is not the way it was I may hold the same weight for 2 weds. the drop 2lbs then the next wed go up about 1/2lb and so on so just remember a little is better than not trying and still gaining.  Best of luck with school,  what classes will you be taking?

take care,   Becky

Hi all!  Ok I'm 40 next week (blah!) and I'm trying to lose 22 lbs. so I can feel better about myself for many reasons, one being that I'm starting a new school as a college student in a new town (unknown at the moment).   Since I'm already going to be older than most everyone in this program I want to feel good about my size.  I have a history of being totally committed to a diet on Monday morning and by Tuesday night being totally off of it.  That's why I know I need buddies!  Anyone out there want to buddy up? (this feels very much like girl scouts- but could work).  Thanks!