[babeyeblue]

I have been reading a lot about meal replacement plans, and think that is something I need to try to lose some weight fast. I have just started menopause and my metabolism seems to have stalled. I need a jump start to feeling and looking good. I read many different plans medifast and wonderslim sound like something I could be very faithful to the plans, but the expense is too much. So I'm looking for some suggestion to substitute the shakes and protein bars and low calorie meal plans with foods that I can buy at the grocery store and nutrition center (like GNC). any advice would be much appreciated!

Babeyeblue

[Lakilaulea]

Welcome, babeyeblue! I don't have too much insight to meal replacement plans---I've tried many myself and have ALWAYS failed at them, but I've also seen other people do very well. I'd always end up cheating because a shake for breakfast and protein bar for lunch does ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to satisfy my hunger---I'm a huge eater LOL My mom recently went through menopause and it wreaked havoc on her body. I mean, from the inside out she was all messed up.... Kinda scares me because I know that'll be me soon enough... Anyway, her metabolism went from stagnant to completely still. I was able to talk to her into trading in usual diet of junkfood for fruits and veggies. Basically, she replaced two meals a day with produce. Instead of her usual breakfast of waffles, sausages, whatever, she had two pieces of fruit, like an apple and banana. For lunch, instead of McDonald's, she'd have sliced peppers or a veggie tray. It was kinda a modified raw diet. She still ate regular dinners, but portioned it much smaller than her usual (which actually made it regular portioned size since she normally supersized each meal). She was able to stick with it (and she's NEVER tried to diet before) and lost a considerable amount of weight, which wasn't even her intention. She just wanted to feel better and not get so winded easily. I'm babbling, I know. But this long post was just my convoluted way of trying to talk about a different option from protein bars and shakes (which, for me personally is sooo hard to stick by because they 1. don't taste all that great and 2. aren't filling and 3. very restricting) and ask if you tried reading up on the raw diet and maybe modified it like my mom and I have. It's filling because you can load up on veggies. It's healthy, you can mix it up, and you're not restricting yourself. Sorry for the rambling... I'm a huge talker in real life as well. Anyway, hopefully someone else with meal replacement experience will chime in! I'll end this by saying good luck, there are loads of very inspiring helpful folks here, and I look forward to going with you on this weight loss journey!!

[Mumina]

My take on the meal replacement is to duplicate what it is trying to do.....chose a plan and look at what is in each bar, shake or meal and duplicate it with real foods. Smooties are easy to make at home with fresh fruit, fat free or low fat yogurt and splenda. You might need to buy a bar but read carefully to get the one that has what you want in it. And don't forget the lean and green meal at the end of the day. Just go with wise choices like brocolli or asparagus, with chicken breast or fish and enjoy your salad,,,it will fill you up. I could never get satisfied with those prepackaged diet foods but love my breakfast of fresh strawberries and yogurt and a tablespoon of nuts and two tablespoons of raw oatmeal. It sure beats a bar!!!!

[Felifel]

A lady I work with went on a program last year that allowed her to lose 76 pounds in a short period of time. She eats meal replacement bars every 2 hours. She has done very well on her plan, but you know what? Meal replacement bars will not work for me.

Tried it. Sucked at it.

First, her need was medically necessary as she was a borderline diabetic and she had no insurance for insulin.

Second, she realistically knew her metabolism was going to slow down due to her calorie deficiency and made it aware that she was allowed NO physical activity to the supervisors at work. She now has to slowly ease out of the program to boost her metabolism back to normal, but finds that she is still adding weight eating "regular" meals, even though she is still not eating daily recommended calories for someone of her height and build. She is actually pretty scared about eating "normal" meals due to the aforementioned issue.

Third, I cannot stomach the flavors of the bars she had me try. I do not want to EVER think of food as punishment or "eating" as a prison sentence.

She did a great job and it proves that these meal replacement plans can be efficient, but it is also important to know if you are someone who can happily stick to the plan or will probably eat outside of the plan (thereby cancelling the concept of meal replacement) to supplement your hunger needs.