I tried SLim Fast once, and honestly, I dont know how anybody can stay on it. I nearly starved to absolute death, and i guess that stuff must be loaded with fiber or laxatives, because I found out pretty quick just how you loose the weight on that stuff. Once I realized that I could have 2 slices of dry wheat toast, and an oz of FF cheese for the same calories as one of those shakes (and feel fuller for much longer), I chucked the stuff.

I love my shakes!!
 

I drink a shake for breakfast every morning. I don't buy the Slim Fast ones, I buy the Equate generic ones from Walmart. Not only are they cheaper but they also have half the fat in them than the Slim Fast shake. They still have 10g of Protein (the same as a Slim Fast shake). There are tons of vitamins also, I feel it is a good start to my day. Besides, I am not a breakfast eater, my shakes make it easy to get my breakfast in. I really don't like or agree with the whole meal replacement bar thing. They don't always taste too great and they are not enough to eat.

I have been eating 5-6 meals a day, each between 150-300 cal each.
A typical day for me (calorie wise):

Breakfast:
Shake
220 cal 3g fat 10g Protein

Mid Morning Snack:
2/3 cup Low fat Cottage Cheese (I can't stand the fat free)
119 cal 3g fat 17g Protein

Lunch:
Healthy Choice Frozen Meal - Creamy Dill Salmon Pasta
240 cal 6g fat 19g Protein

Afternoon Snack:
Apple Slices w/lite vanilla yogurt for dipping
205 cal 1g fat 7g Protein

Dinner:
Two MS Garden Vegetable Burgers
200 cal 5g fat 20g Protein

Pile of Broccoli (10oz)
82cal 1g fat 9g Protein

Evening Snack:
3 cups lowfat microwave popcorn
93cal 2g fat 3g Protein

This makes my total for the day: 1108 cal 21 fat 85 protein

I also try to keep my percentage of calories from protein above
27% My example day was 34% protein.
I feel like I am eating all the time and the food is good food, I don't feel like I am dieting at all. I am also getting more than is required of necessary vitamins and minerals, including calcium.

Just wanted to share my opinion, I am new here and trying to include myself in the group.

Tiffany - 29 pounds lost! :bravo: You are right on track! I aim for 30% protein as well.

Gina,

How did you do it? We both started at around the same weight. How long has it taken you? Etc. My goal weight is at 170, which is the top of my healthy weight range. I am 5' 10", and my family is very "hippy" so I don't know how much lower is feasible. When I was 18 I weighed 170 and I was described as thin, so I am hoping the same will be true 12 years and 3 pregnancies later.

It took me about a year of keeping my calories 1200-1400 avg a day. I also was walking about an hour a day. Then I attempted to maintain for another year after that...well I was still supposed to be losing...but I ended up putting 15 poundds back on. I started actually using my gym membership...and have been going to the gym 5 days a week for like an hour. (1/2 hour weight training 4 days the rest cardio, mostly elliptycal) I still walk- but the dog is getting older...not much of a workout for me. Last September I bought the book Winning by Losing by Jillian Michaels.....lots of great workout tips and plans as well as some decent advice about the mental stuff of weight loss like negative self talk.
Food-wise I'm taking it slow this time....I figure I can keep the eating plan I use today for the rest of my life. It hasn't lost me very many pounds...only like 14 pounds since September...(mostly because I haven't been keeping the calories low enough to lose....I'm averaging closer to 1600 than 1400) but I've gone down from a loose 16 to a size 10 because of being much more toned. I am in danger of being happy with myself where I am right now....which might explain the lack of urgency to lose the rest to get to 150... :p
BTW....I'm 5'4"...

I understand the feeling when you are happy with yourself. I was there 12 years ago and this is where it got me. I was fat in high school and then lost about 70lbs when I was 18. I was happy with myself, right?? I was wearing a size 11, not bad for a 6' tall woman. Then I got pregnant and gained 60lbs back. But I was happy with the baby, right??? Then I got pregnant again. Lost 40lbs during the pregnancy, I gave birth and all my old clothes were too big, so I was happy with myself again, right?? After that I gained 50lbs back, got pregnant a 3rd time gained 20 more lbs, Haven't been happy with myself since. Gaining a losing here and there lose 15 gain 20. Vicious cycle. After my roller coaster over the last 12 years, I will not let myself get "comfortable" again. The way I am eating now, I know I can continue indefinately.

By the way, I used to be 6' tall, I lost an inch in my first pregnancy and another inch sometime since then. I am 5'10" now, I am wondering if my height will come back from losing weight. Like maybe my spine is bowed from accomodating my belly??