I've lost 68 pounds. Want to know my secret?
Written: Jun 16 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy to make, some flavors taste great
Cons: Not for everybody
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| bonzobean's Full Review: Ultra Slim Fast Powders |
I have an addiction to admit. I am addicted to Slim Fast. I realize many may shudder when they hear that.
A Little Background
I've actually been drinking Ultra Slim Fast for years. When I first joined the Army, I found this was a quick, simple, and satisfactory breakfast. I didn't want to be bothered getting up at 0 dark thirty (anybody whose been in the military knows what I'm talking about) to eat breakfast and then work out. Instead I'd sleep in an extra half hour and have my shake. Seen from that perspective, maybe you'll understand how my addiction began. Partially, I drank Slim Fast to maintain my weight, but mostly I found it convenient.
So when did I gain all that weight?
In 1998, I had a high risk pregnancy. I couldn't work, exercise, or even, for that matter, move much. I was highly stressed because it looked like I might lose my baby. You know the story, stress plus inactivity equals major poundage and, yes, I gained 70 pounds. I didn't worry too much at the time because those ice cream sundays and (I am so ashamed to admit this) McDonalds Cheeseburgers with extra, extra pickles and ketchup tasted oh so good.
So, what happened next?
After delivering my son via C-section and breastfeeding, I didn't even think about dieting. I felt like a beached whale, but I wasn't really doing anything to lose weight. And, no, big myth, not everybody loses weight breastfeeding. In fact, I gained back most of the weight I lost during delivery. I visited my old Army unit to show off my pride and joy and it took them a moment to recognize me. Finally, after almost a year, I suddenly felt motivated to regain the old me. I wanted to be in shape again and fit into my old size 7's. Mind you, at this point I was up to a size 18.
So, how did I lose all that weight
Let me be honest with you, no weight loss plan is going to stick if you really don't want it to. Sure you may lose weight at first, but if you are not motivated and not making lifestyle changes, you'll gain that weight back and then some. Now, let me let you in on the ultimate weight loss secret. I know the secret to losing weight. It's true and I'm going to share it with you. You need to burn more calories than you are consuming. Follow this formula and you will lose weight. I guarantee it. This is where Slim Fast came in. I went to Sam's Club and purchased a huge canister of Slim Fast and began slowly. I started out just substituting a shake for breakfast and found that I suddenly stopped gaining any weight. A couple weeks later, I started exercising again. I joined a gym, but I picked a meat-market type gym (epinion to follow) and was too embarrassed to drag my fat body to it to work out. So, I purchased a few Denise Austin and Billy Blanks tapes and started out slow there too, only once a week. I know me, and if I dive into a diet or workout plan too quickly, I burn out even quicker. So, take my advice, start out slow and you'll see better results.
And?
Losing weight takes time. You'll lose quickly at first and then become depressed when it tapers off. Don't be. Set in your mind that you only want to lose one to two pounds a week. I started working out at home three days a week and several days a week, I'd drink two Slim Fast shakes, one for breakfast, and one for lunch and every week, I lost at least a pound, usually two. Sounds so cliche I know, but I started feeling better and had so much more energy. I have now lost 68 pounds. I still have some weight to go. I still have two pregnancy pounds and about ten to fifteen that I had put on pre-pregnancy (it was winter, need I say more?). I don't do well dieting in the winter, so I really wasn't trying to lose weight this winter and went up a few pounds again, but once the warmer weather hit, I joined a racquet club (and actually work out there!) and am back to drinking one to two shakes a day and have lost all my winter weight.
The secret to Slim Fast
Honestly, the secret is that each shake is only two hundred calories. You could substitute a yogurt or some fruit and get the same results. However, I like the fact that Ultra Slim Fast contains five grams of dietary fiber. Each shake when made with eight ounces of fat free milk contains 100% of your vitamin E requirement, fifty percent of vitamins C and D and aids in meeting many other daily requirements. Each shake is only 200 calories, so you may find that if you drink two a day you may feel slightly faint. Eat a banana or some other piece of fruit. In fact you can combine fruit in your shakes to make an even tastier treat. Basically, I've found with Ultra Slim Fast that one shake a day will maintain my weight. Two shakes a day, three days a week and I lose one to two pounds. And, yes, on days I have my two shakes I will eat a healthy snack and have a normal dinner.
Some Slim Fast tips
Ultra Slim Fast comes in Chocolate Royale, French Vanilla, Strawberry Supreme, Café Mocha, Chocolate Malt, Chocolate Fudge, and Milk Chocolate. Being the chocoholic that I am, I don't care for the non-chocolate flavors. They tasted too diety to me. I love my Chocolate Royale and Cafe Mocha. Unfortunately, Sam's Club only carries the Chocolate Royale, so I don't indulge in the others too often. I am a purist when it comes to my shake, I do not add anything in as others do. I have several shaker cups and simply shake the powder and milk together, and, Voila, instant meal.
Warnings
Again at the risk of sounding cliche, speak with your doctor before attempting a weight loss plan. Your doctor may have suggestions on the best and healthiest way for you to go about losing weight. If you find yourself feeling faint, you are not taking in enough calories, add some healthy foods to your diet. Start this diet plan sensibly and don't overdo it or you will burn out as so many others do.
As I stated earlier, you will not successfully lose weight unless you are truly motivated. If you find you cannot stomach the taste of these shakes after trying a flavor or two, move on to something else. If you hear somebody say, Slim Fast does not work for them, it's not the product, it's the person and Slim Fast was not for them. And, no, Slim Fast was not the sole reason I've lost close to 70 pounds. When just drinking my shakes, I lost the weight a bit slower. Find an exercise program that will work for you and your lifestyle. Take stairs instead of elevators (I am now anti-elevator), walk to the park with the kids, join a health club. You have so many options.
Good luck on losing your weight.
Recommended:
Yes
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bonzobean
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Location: West Coast
Reviews written: 134
Trusted by: 220 members
About Me:
I think the mistake many of us make is thinking the-state-appointed shrink is our friend.
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