Conference rocks::weight_control

    Hi Chuck,
    
    I too tried Ultra Slim-Fast.....I was successful on it.....I lost
    approx. 15 pounds in about 6 weeks........but then I started eating
    like crazy again so that was that.....But it definitely worked for
    me...and it tastes good too, as long as you blend the %$&% out of
    it!!  I think that anything works if you just do it and do it right
    without cheating!!  For me, Slim-Fast was great cuz I'd have it
    for breakfast and lunch, which didn't bother me at all, and I really
    was satisfied!! Then I'd have a piece of fruit during the day, then
    have a normal meal for supper....when I say normal, I mean a piece
    of fish or chicken and some brocolli or spinach and a small potato
    (sometimes) with Molly McButter (no fat! tastes great!!) on it.
     Anyway, I'm trying to get myself motivated to do it again cuz
    I know it works for me......good luck!!!!
    
    Oh ya, read note 445.16 - it's a Slim-Fast success story!
                    
    See Ya!!
    
    Gen

Thanks Gen,

I think I'm ready to give it a try. 

Two questions: 

* Can you consume other liquids while on this diet(e.g. coffee,water,juice,wine
  etc.)?


* How long is one supposed to stay on this diet?



Regards,

-C
huck

    Chuck,
    
    Yes, you can drink coffee, tea, diet sodas or other no cal beverage
    while on the Slim Fast Diet.  Each can of Slim Fast comes with a
    menu and helpful hints for your diet.  It includes two menus, one
    for the first 2 weeks and another (slightly more calories) for the
    3rd and 4th week.  
    
    I find it hard to stick to a diet where someone tells me what to
    eat.  I have lost 30 pounds without Slim Fast but using the same
    idea.  I just ate once a day.  I am trying the SF because it give
    you nutrients. 
    
    Excerise is important...even if it is just stretching for 10-15
    minutes a day will benefit your diet. 

    And don't forget to drink your 4-5 glasses of water!
    
    Good Luck!
    Linda

    Re: .1
    
    >I too tried Ultra Slim-Fast.....I was successful on it.....I lost
    >approx. 15 pounds in about 6 weeks........but then I started eating
    >like crazy again so that was that.....But it definitely worked for
    >me...
    
    If you didn't keep the 15 pounds off, it wasn't successful.  
    
    I work in the Stow, Massachusetts U.S.A. building - looks like half the
    building is on Slim Fast.  It seems to be more a 'fad' than a real
    healthy way to lose weight - at least around here.
    
    My 2 cents.....
    
    Vicki

Thanks for the info Linda. I would like to lose 15-20 lbs myself.

Two questions for you:

* Did you have more success with eating at a particular time of the 
  day(lunch,breakfast or dinner)?

* How long did it take you to lose 30 lbs on this diet?


Thanks
-Chuck

    I've finally decided to take off the 15 pounds left over and added to 
    from my 2nd pregnancy [for the 2nd time, mind you!]  I can't afford the
    clinic programs right now, although the constant monitoring DOES
    work for me [not to mention the guilt feeling that stems from paying
    for something and not succeeding at it..]
    
    I've been debating about trying the SlimFast diet -- it doesn't look too
    difficult, and very similar to the Fantastic Life (I think that's
    their name) plan that I did successfully after my 1st pregnancy.
    I bought some chocolate Ultra-SlimFast cans last week -- 3 cans only for 
    now, they were on sale at the local Woolworth's -- and plan on starting 
    next Monday, when my routine will be settled again.

    I've got to do SOMETHING FAST!!!!!  {I know, just
    push myself away from the table.  Just doesn't work for me, I've
    tried that, unfortunately I've had lots of stress lately and I tend
    to react by eating}  Does this work fairly quickly?  I know I'll have to 
    watch what I eat forever, that's why I've managed to put weight on each 
    time, but if my summer wardrobe is any indication, I'll have to buy a whole 
    lot of winter-weight clothes unless I do something very soon.  I'll also be 
    going back to aerobics next week; I've been out with tendonitis for a month 
    and walking at lunchtime isn't enough, plus with my new schedule I won't 
    have a real lunch time.

    
    /sandy

    How much is this a can?  And how many calories a can?
    

  >>  How much is this a can?  And how many calories a can?
    
  I just purchased this at CVS -- no special sale -- $7+/can (close to $8)

  Each can contains enough for 12 servings...
  Each serving (a scoopful added to 1% fat milk) is 220 cals.

  -Geri

    you can find sales on this for under $4 -- i've seen a normal price
    of this in the supermarkets for about $5.99.  i thought they held
    15 "meals".
    
    anyone know how many more calories each serving will be if used
    with 2% milk?  that's what we use in our house -- my compromise with
    the pediatrician.  he'd rather whole milk, my husband wants 1%,
    i've used 2% for years.

    30 more calories

    for 30 calories i'm not about to buy a different type of milk. 
    thanks.

    My opinion only, you shouldn't be worrying about calories, but
    fat content or the number of calories of FAT.
    Your best bet is 1/2% milk.  I don't even detect a taste difference
    especially if mixed with slimfast.
    2% milk is BAD.  the 2% is NO reflection of the %fat.
    
    of course someoneelse is likely to have another opinion.
    #ed
    

    I have that other opinion. Calories are Calories and need to be counted
    no matter what their origin.
    
    - ���

    I won't disagree with you.  However, it is important to worry about
    the composition of those calories.
    

Thanks for all of the informative info on this product. However.....I still 
didn't get an answer to my original question, I think I can figure out what the 
"PROS" are.(e.g. quick weight loss). Now can someone give me the "CONS"(the bad 
news). Does this product(like NUTRI/SYSTEM) put your body into a state of 
ketosis as well?    

Is this just another hoax like "DREAMAWAY". (Imagine thinking that taking pills 
before you go to sleep will actually take off weight!) Is the inventor of this 
con scheme the same guy who wrote "THE STING" script?


Chuck_who_will_probably_try_to_lose_weight_the_old_fashion_way...
I'll_work_at_it

    Nutri/system doesn't put your body in a state of ketosis.  With N/S,
    you are taking in about 1050 calories a day.  I would suspect that
    Ultra Slimfast (if done to the letter) does indeed put your body close
    to (if not in) a state of ketosis.

    Re:  .4
    
    I disagree with your conclusion that because I put the 15 pounds
    back on, that Slim-Fast isn't a good diet........Slim-Fast didn't
    fail, I DID!!  It obviously worked since I did lose 15 pounds.....there
    were just alot of things in my life......emotional ups & downs,
    etc., that caused me to start eating uncontrollably again........
    so like I said I am the one that failed.....the Slim-Fast didn't
    fail me.....I am definitely going to do USF again......hopefully
    this time I will be emotionally ready to lose it and KEEP IT OFF!!
                                                             
    I Highly recommend this diet....it keeps you satisfied and it
    works!! By the way, I used Skim Milk and the shakes tasted Great!!
    If you use a blender and add ice to it, it comes out great.......and
    especially the strawberry, comes out really THICK & FROTHY & YUMMY!!
    
    Gen
    
      

.17>    I disagree with your conclusion that because I put the 15 pounds
.17>    back on, that Slim-Fast isn't a good diet........Slim-Fast didn't
.17>    fail, I DID!!  It obviously worked since I did lose 15 pounds.....there
    
    	A good diet is not just a way to lose way, it's also a way
    to eat right, a way to cook right, and a way to make smart food
    choices in the real world of preprepared foods.
    
    	Teaching someone how to make milkshakes and drink them down
    is not the right approach!   And neither is handing them a list
    of unique foods that they can buy, when they cannot get these in
    the market at 4am, or at a restaurant when out to dinner.
    
    -mike z

    	This is regarding Optifast, which is a medically supervised
    fast, supplemented with nutrition education and therapy.  See
    the success rate at the end (~15%), and judge for yourself what it
    would be without the medical supervison, education, and therapy.
    
    	That's what you should expect from Slim-fast.
    
    
      Hippocrates, Sep/Oct89, p43 (sidebar to "Why Diets Make You Fat")

	[...]
        
    	Optifast, popularly known as the 'Oprah Winfrey diet' is what
    experts term a 'supplemented fast'.  Like the similar Medifast and
    Health Management Resources (HMR) programs, it's designed to produce
    a rapid weight loss while supplying enough protein to preserve muscle
    tissue.  For several months, participants eat no solid food, con-
    suming only a special liquid formula and water.
    
	[...]
        
    	Such diets are generally safe, unlike the liquid protein diets
    of the 70s, which were low in essential amino acids, and led to
    at least 60 deaths.  Today's formulas ar derived from egg or milk
    protein with a full complement of amino acids.  Even so, some patients
    suffer side effests, including dry skin, hair loss, constipation,
    gingivitis, cold intolerance, and mood swings.
    
	[...]
    
    	And there are no guarantees.  One study found that 25% of all
    Optifast patients drop out within the 1st 3 weeks, and another 25%
    of the original group reached their desired weight.  After 18 months,
    however, less than half of that 25% had managed to stay within 10
    pounds of their target.  That left Optifast with an overall success
    rate of 10-20% after just 1 and one-half years.
    
    	[...]
    
    -mike z

    I started this plan this morning, and like the first day of most
    plans, I'M STARVING!!!  actually, it's not that bad -- i'm just
    growling slightly louder than normal.  There's an awful lot that
    you CAN eat on this diet plan, like chicken, beef, pasta with sauce;
    it's just that at the beginning you can't eat them till dinner time.
    they allow fruit and diet sodas [which count toward water intake,
    unlike most of the others i've been on, which is nice because the
    bubbles help fill me up, and one/day isn't going to give me an overdose
    on sodium].  the daily total is 1050-1200, i think [i don't have
    it in front of me], depending on how much of the slim-fast you consume,
    either in liquid or cracker form.  that's still much less than i
    probably was consuming, and now that i'll be slowly getting back
    into aerobics, maybe i'll be able to get off of it faster and maintain
    whatever i do lose longer.  i've got three cans, so i'm committed
    for at last that long.  of course, i have two eat-out dinners already 
    paid for, so i'll just have to watch myself and ignore the bread
    and maybe even the dessert...
    
    /s
    

    well, it's one week later, and i lost maybe 2 lbs. last week, not
    the 5-6 that you're "supposed" to lose.  and i followed it pretty
    strictly.  and i'm giving up following it strictly because i feel
    lousy, always hungry and headachy.  IMHO it's not worth feeling that
    way.  what i think i'll do is really modify it, like do the morning
    route with the drink and water and no food, then do the small lunch
    and moderate dinner that they suggest.  i found i was having trouble
    concentrating and my fingers were all over the keyboard [more than
    usual].  it must've worked somewhat though, because we stopped at
    pizzeria uno for an after-movie meal saturday night [i didn't eat
    anything solid other than an apple till the movie, then had popcorn
    there], and i had trouble finishing one slice, after splitting a
    salad with my husband.  i'm a bit disappointed, but i'm giving up
    totally yet.
    
    /s

    Chuck,
    
    When I lost the 30 pounds without SlimFast and ate only once a day I
    ate at night.  It was during the summer months last year and every
    night I would have a bbq.  I would make one hamburg (with cheese), one
    small bag of chips and a beer.  The weight came off.  I also walked 3
    miles everyday at lunch time.
    
    Good luck on the diet!
    
    

                 <<< Note 502.22 by DELNI::BASSETT "Design" >>>
Re .22

Thanks. I have in fact started a diet of my own. I've been on it for going on 
three weeks now. Not sure how much I've lost,('cause I haven't stepped on a 
scale). But my clothes are feeling just a smidgen looser. The approach that I'm 
taking is COUNTING CALORIES. I have tried for years without success different 
ways.  Heck, I run 16-20 miles a weeks, but somehow, that used to warrant 
stuffing myself every night after supper. Not anymore. A calorie is a calorie. 
If you put it in you, it ends up on you!

I'm limiting myself to 1500 a day. I'm 5'7", and started off two weeks ago at 
179 lbs.. My goal is to get down to 165.


BTW - This is the longest I've ever been able to stay on a diet.

I guess with USF, each serving is 220 calories times twice a day and once for a 
snack equals 660, plus a "NORMAL supper 400-500 more" equals  1100- 1200 per 
day. For the extra 300 or so calories a day, and the more gradualness of the 
process, I think that I would tend to keep it off better down the road. Plus, I 
don't have to give up things like cold cereal in the AM, or 4 oz. glass of wine 
in the PM.

...chuck

.23>               -< Profound statement...a calorie is a calorie! >-

    	That's not exactly true.
    
    	Fat calories are more easily converted to body fat that either
    protein or carbohydrate calories.  Plus, not only is the conversion
    more efficient, it happens about 4 times faster.
    
    -mike z

    Isn't it great to be on a diet where you don't have to give up the
    occasional drink or two!  That's why I can't stand diets that tell you
    what you can eat.
    
    Linda

    
    I just happened to read this note today and by coincidence a scary
    incidence happened to our good friend across the street on Thursday.
    Jerry had been using Slim Fast for about 8  weeks and lost 25 lbs
    when suddenly on Thursday evening he developed severe chest pain
    and extreme weakness.  He was rushed to the hospital and they found
    his electrolytes were way off. When the doctor found out how he was
    dieting, he told him that stuff was dangerous and stop taking it. 
    (Jerry was taking it twice a day and having a well balanced dinner)
    
    My husband and I both tried it several years ago. We lost weight too,
    but the weight comes back on unless you live forever on it. (which you
    can't) so you see that is just another temporary solution to the weight
    problem.   My husband and I have both lost (45 lbs and 55 lbs)
    respectively thru overeaters annonymous.  We have been maintaining it
    with no problem and no hunger since March April time frame.
    
    The strange thing about our friend, his wife decided to try what my
    husband and I were doing, giving up sugar and flour, and she lost 18
    lbs in 3 weeks. She was thrilled.  Now Jerry will try it her way!!
    
    Hope that those who try it realize it is not something you can live
    with for a long time. You have to face the fact that to lose weight
    permently, one *has* to change their eating habits. It's as simple 
    as that.
    
    
    Barbara
    

    
    What are electrolytes?
    
    Anyone know?.......Mike Z, sounds like one for you.
    

    More important..What can we eat which will maintain our electrolytes?
    
    nancy

    RE: Last couple
    
    ELECTROLYTE - a substance that disassociates into ions in solution
                  and becomes electically conductive.
    
                  These include all of the salts we consume, including
                  but not limited to those containing sodium and potasium.
                                     
                  They are important because our bodies communicate
                  from one part to another by way of electircal impulses.
                  If the electrolytes are improperly balenced this 
                  communication can get out of whack.  Including the
                  communication that control such major functions as
                  our heartbeating.
    
    WHAT TO DO -  The best advice is quite old.  Eat a balenced diet.
                  Short of having routine blood work and using suppliments
                  as requiredm I don't know of much else.  The problem
                  is that some items cause problems if you have too
                  much others when too little and even both ways.
    
    -Joe
    
    

   re: 502.26

   Thanks for adding this caution!

   My experience with USF began 4 weeks ago when I'd reached my HEAVIEST.
   As one who swore never to use those "liquid protein diets", desperation 
   must have taken over.  I followed the 2 x day + 1 meal plan for 2 weeks 
   (-9 lbs).  Then, noticing signs of ketosis (lousy taste in my mouth, 
   friends telling me my breath could knock a buzzard off a garbage truck 
   at 500 paces....) I switched to only using it in "emergency" situations, 
   like:

      -rushing to meet a friend at the mall with no meal-prep time
      -before dinner at my husband's favorite Italian restaurant (he's a 
       slim/trim runner) -- I had a great salad!
      -lunch on Saturday when the family is grilling burgers.

   Our CSL cafeteria is wonderful -- fruit and veggie salad bars, etc. So,
   I follow the same type of plan: light breakfast and lunch, sane dinner
   at home.

   Last week I started brisk walking 1 mile/day, 4 miles one weekend day....
   find this helps mentally, also -- time to reformulate positive thoughts.
   
   So, re: USF -- Without knowing this strategy ahead of time, it helped
                  me gain control....proved that I really COULD lose
                  weight (amazing how you doubt THAT while snarfing down
                  a bagel/peanut butter for breakfast!)  And it shed light on
                  insane snacking behaviours -- it didn't seem "right" to
                  stuff in extra calories while following the USF plan -- I 
                  was simply more conscious of my intake.  Realizing it was a
                  crutch -- one which I needed at the time -- I used it to  
                  "mend" my ways, and am back on the road to healthy
                  nutrition and exercise.
   
   BTW: I think the USF brochure "indirectly" recommends only 4 weeks on 
        their "plan".

   Geri

    Q: What's the main ingredient in Ultra Slim Fast?
    
    A: Sucrose
    
    'nuff said...
    
    -sunny-

    Well, I guess this is the best place for this note.  When I was
    younger, my only weight problems was that I was too thin!  That started
    to change a few years ago.  Last year, none of my clothes fit and I
    couldn't afford to buy new, so I joined Weight Watchers and lost the
    weight in good time.  Unfortunately, my mother dropped out and I had no
    one to go with, so I stopped going and picked up some bad habits this
    past year (around Halloween!).
    
    I, who have always preached against fad diets, decided to try USF as a
    supplement, of sorts.  I didn't follow the plan, but used one for
    lunch.  I thought it tasted lousy, so I stopped.  Then after my
    vacation last month, I knew I had better do something, so last Sunday,
    I decided to try Dynatrim, which uses less sugar than USF (only a
    little less, I think!) and has a few more nutrients.  I started
    following the plan "religiously."
    
    I can't wake up in the mornings, I am always exhausted.  Drinking the
    water isn't a problewm, because I'm *constantly* thirsty!  My lips and
    hands are peeling from dryness and at times I've actually been
    incoherent.  I've been under a lot of stress and I know that has some
    bearing on things, but I was relieved to see .19 about the dryness
    often associated with these diets. To top it off, I've lost 1-1/2
    pounds since last week (granted Friday and Saturday were not on the
    diet).
    
    All this has convinced me that my original beliefs were correct.  Fad
    diets are *not* healthy.  I would have lost more if I had just taken
    out my WW books and followed that.  I also would feel better. 
    
    On the positive side, however, I am very motivated (thanks to both the
    Dynatrim and this notesfile) to lose weight the *right* way.  I don't
    have much to lose (only about 6#) and I know I can do it by following
    my WW books from last year.  
    
    The original question was asked 1-1/2 years ago, but now you have my
    personal-experience CONS on these liquid diets.
    
    
    Susan

    If you are following a Weight Watchers plan (or trying to), what
    exchanges do you use for a lunch of Ultra Slim-fast.  The label lists
    it as 230 calories.

    Thanks
    Debby