[KatZF]

Ha! I'm a sucker for silly emoticons! I may have found my place!

I decided to join this forum looking for some support, and for some insight and advice from all of you.

I'm 34, and I have struggled with my weight my entire life. Seriously, I can clearly recall my parents referring to me as "stout" or "round" from the time I was 5-years-old. My mom used to take me shopping for clothes that would flatter my "special type of figure" (her words) when I was 8. I was a bright enough kid to understand what she meant by that. Looking back on old photos, I wasn't even that big! I've always been short, I've never been a twig, but I was, by no means, fat. But, of course, words can sting, they will stick with you, and I have gone through my entire life seeing myself as The Fat Kid.

In my 20s I discovered pills that killed my appetite, Ephedrine and Ritalin to be exact. I guzzled Diet Coke (I still love that stuff!), and restricted my diet to a can of tuna for lunch, and an apple for dinner. On the weekends, I would let myself have some wine or vodka. The pills made me shaky, and turned me into an emotional basket-case, but I became the skinniest I have ever been! My parents were thrilled, every time they saw me I was flooded with compliments and praise.

So, now I'm in my 30s (yikes) and I am 13lbs down from the heaviest I have ever been. I'm looking to lose 70 more pounds, which will take me down to around 120. I get so overwhelmed when I think about it, and I get VERY down on myself. I love to workout, I joined a bootcamp a little over a year ago, and it changed my life. I now do a combination of bootcamp, spinning and running 5-6 days a week for an hour to an hour and a half. My diet is under control 85% of the time, but the weight has been SSSSLLLLLLOOOOOWWWWW to come off. My husband also struggles with his weight, but our issues are very different. So, I often feel like I'm on this journey all on my own.

A month ago I went to a nutritional seminar at one of my trainer's houses. It turned out to be a pitch for Shaklee. Honestly, it was weird and came across cult-like to me. There was an older woman there who kept coming up to me, and putting her arm around me, and insisting that "You are worth it!" "You need to do this for yourself!" I'm not touchy-feely unless I already know you. B**ch totally creeped me out. But, I figured I would give it a shot. Why not? Nothing else has been working. I told myself that I would do a 90 day experiment.

So, I've been on the program (relatively consistently) for 3 weeks. I'm down 7lbs, and it's easy and totally fits into my busy lifestyle. The waist of my jeans is considerably looser than it has been in quite some time. I'm happy with the results. BUT, the woman I bought this stuff through is SUPER PUSHY. She's constantly calling, she wants me to meet her for coffee, she told me I could call her in the middle of the night with any concerns. Yeah, like I'm going to call a stranger in the middle of the night. I already work with my doctor and my trainers, I don't want to ALSO work with a sales rep. I know that she wants me to start selling the product, I have no interest in that.

I'm constantly searching the internet for Shaklee reviews from a critical perspective. I can't find any. Is it possible that 100% of their users are over-the-moon happy with the product? That can't be.

Have any of you tried this? What did you think? I want a realistic review!

I'm looking forward to getting to know some of you and seeing your progress. I've already seen some inspiring photos on this forum!

I hope you all have a great day, stay healthy! XOXO

[redvelouria]

Welcome to the forum! Advice and support are always in high supply here

I've never tried Shaklee, but am always skeptical of anything that doesn't involve good old fashioned portion control and exercise. I took a quick look at the website out of curiosity (never heard of Shaklee either) and just saw some smoothies, snack bars, and green tea tablets with lots of cute marketing/graphic design. If you're losing weight and feel good about the product, why not do it?

Again, welcome to 3FC!

[Rhiko]

Yeah, weight does take ages to come off. I lose about 5lbs per month, but that's because of a few factors. Also, it's better to lose the weight slowly so your metabolism doesn't pile it all back on in a few years AND so your skin doesn't become loose.

I don't know about the Shaklee diet as I follow my own (via calorie counting).

[Mozzy]

Welcome and good luck on your journey!!

[ander]

I agree with Rhiko, you should try to lose slowly, but also, exercising helps to tighten your skin. I lost some weight and found my stretch skin got a bit saggy and kind of felt gross to the touch and I didn't exercise - just cut back on food.

Also... That woman is realllll creepy.

[kwin1973]

I am using Shaklee. My Aunt sells it and my Uncle started using the 180 program a couple of months ago. He was doing really well on it so I figured what the ****, I'll give it a shot. I have lost about 20 lbs so far in about 7 weeks. (Haven't updated my ticket yet). I am not using the whole system though. I don't like the shakes, I don't like the sand texture (although they do TASTE good), but I have a meal bar every morning with my coffee and a snack bar for lunch. I also take the metaboost pills or whatever they're called, when I remember. lol I'm not convinced that they help yet but whatever. I love the bars because they are so convenient. I don't have to prepare anything - just grab a bar from the box under my desk and work and open the wrapper. That part is important to me, because knowing myself as I do, I know I would not stick with something that I would have to prepare each day. I am lazy and I know it!

I also count calories as well with MyFitnessPal. Once I leave work for the day I still have about 900 calories to play with for the day so I don't have to be quite so restrictive with my dinner. I still try to keep it healthy though of course. I also go to the gym most nights after work for about an hour. Being on this type of diet might not work for everyone, but this is what is working for me and I am happy with it so far!