After a month of following the plan (to the best of our ability), Allie has lost 6 pounds and I have lost 3!

“In the morning when I have extra time, I love to put milk, the powdered drink mix, and frozen fruits in the blender to make a cold and fruity smoothie. I look forward to it every morning!” Allie says.

She goes on: “For example today, I added 1/2 cup frozen peaches and 1/2 cup frozen raspberries then 1 cup skim milk and a scoop of strawberry powder.”

Allie is a teacher with a very on-the-go schedule, so Slim-Fast has been perfect for her to grab and go with. It’s a great way of saving money by not buying expensive, unhealthy lunches every day at work, as well!

I love the chocolate powder – I mix it with some vanilla soy milk and put it in the blender, it tastes totally indulgent, but isn’t!

Image: Carolyn Hsu/The Daily Obsession

My friend Carolyn, over at The Daily Obsession, also took part in the challenge with us! “I decided to take the SlimFast challenge because I had only a few weeks to get in shape for a fashion video shoot I was taking part of. As a busy city gal, I don’t always have time to cook or plan out my meals ahead of time, so Slimfast seemed like the most optimal solution for me since I wouldn’t even have to think for two meals of my day. I consumed a combination of Slimfast shakes and bars throughout my work day and then would come home and (usually) cook something healthy for dinner. I found the taste of Slimfast to be very appealing actually. In fact, one of the biggest challenges for me on the challenge was not to over-consume my allocated number of Slimfast meals and snacks per day! As it turned out- when video shoot day came, I actually fit into a form fitting dress (see picture) while managing to keep my rolls in check!”

So, we are fans. So much so, that we may continue to drink it…recreationally!

Post from: eBeautyDaily

As we all know, wedding and beach season has crept up on us, and all of us have a few pesky pounds we want to lose just in time. And whether you have a big party to attend, a wedding, or just want to look hot on your summer getaway, it’s crunch time!

To show how easy (and inspiring) it can be to lose a few pounds, Slimfast has issued a challenge to me: They sent everything that me and a friend need to do Slimfast for one month – shakes, bars, even a sexy new yoga mat. (Said friend can feel free to comment below to ID herself!)

At the end of the successful challenge, should we succeed, we get a gift certificate for a new swimsuit or LBD – AND one reader will win the same challenge kit we both got. (Which, let me tell you, is IMPRESSIVE.)

And the plan is quite simple: Replace breakfast and lunch with a shake or meal bar and then have a sensible dinner (25% carbs, 25% protein, 50% veg/fruit) and u se snack bars to curb hunger mid-morning or mid-afternoon. Plus we can go online and sign up to slim-fast.com (free registration) and get the benefits of their meal-planners and access to RDs if we have any questions!

It’s too easy for me to mess up…except, in my case, “sensible dinner” usually involves crabcakes and a cocktail at some event. I must learn how to adapt!
We will give you weekly updates about our progress – both of us really only want to lose a few pounds, but it’s still exciting!

Image: Slimfast

Post from: eBeautyDaily

Oh well, do what you know! And this is awesome…”Psych Yourself Skinny” is a deliciously brutal look at your FAT self, with a 28-day schedule of meditations, freestyle dance tips, meal ideas, daily “skinny” psych sessions, explicit visual motivators and blunt advice on how to make a big change, real fast.

“Psych Yourself Skinny started out as a weight loss program written for my eyes only,” says Sharon Geisen Hayes, the author, “but then it evolved into a funny little entertainment book full of laughs that I wanted to share with others who face the same struggle with weight control. It has solid weight loss advice, but it’s also for those who can laugh at themselves and not take ‘the diet thing’ too serious.”

In a season of countless media events and endless amounts of martinis and fried balls (I’m not talking dirty here, it’s the life of a socialite), this book really helped to spark my psyche and bridge my fat mentality with my skinny soul.

Check it out here: www.psychyourselfskinny.com/.

Image: Psych Yourself Skinny

Post from: eBeautyDaily

The scientific principle behind Sensa is remarkably simple. You may recall learning in biology class that smell and taste are connected. As you eat, the two senses work together to stimulate an area of the brain called the “satiety center,” which tells your body when it’s time to stop eating. By enhancing flavor (sensory input), Sensa Tastants help to enable the brain-stomach connection and trigger the "feel full" signal.

I had the opportunity to try out Sensa at the Total Beauty Blog Summit that I went to in L.A. this past spring, as well as meet and talk a little with Dr. Hirsch.  I had seen him on television in days gone by and thought his work was fascinating – so it really was kind of thrilling to get to meet him.  Now granted, I have (obviously) not been a good girl with my Sensa just yet, but I have used it enough to see that it works – it is almost bizarre how it works, but I swear it does.  I eat half the plate of food I normally would.  I keep saying it might be in my mind, but I think that is the point – the senses are telling your mind that it is time to stop.  Nifty.  And one more really important (to me anyway) thing about it is that there are no weirdo chemicals in it – here are the ingredients:

Sensa contains Maltodextrin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Silica, Natural and Artificial Flavors, FD&C Yellow 5, and Carmine. Sensa also contains Soy and Milk ingredients. There are no calories, no sugar, no stimulants, less than 1 mg of sodium, and no MSG.

I think this is a truly, truly innovative product, and I think its going to be a massive hit – I really do.  Check out the site at TrySensa.com – there is ton of information about the product and the clinical trials involved in its production.  They were featured on Extra last night (which sadly I missed because I was on a plane), and are going to be featured on 20/20 tonight.  20/20 seems to be debunking them (don’t they always?), or at least questioning their technology – but after having used Dr. Hirsch on their program as an expert in the past – might not be so easy to do?  Im not buying any debunking anyway.  I’ve tried it and it is definitely worth a good shot.  Anyway, have a look and do check it out – there is really something to this product.  Teri just gave away a 6 month supply from Sensa this morning, so keep an eye on them over there and see how they are doing.  Teri – lets do this, girlfriend!!  I swear, I am starting TOMORROW!  I must!

Post from: eBeautyDaily