Slim4Life Review

Wanting to learn how to fix my eating habits for good, I went to the "free" consultation at Slim4Life.  After an hour and a half of sitting in a room with the consultant, she laid out the cost for me.  I had about 40 lbs to lose and the program is based on # of weeks THEY say it will take, not the amount it actually does at the end.  They estimated me to take 20 weeks, so my rate was based on that.  I asked what happens if I only take 12 weeks, do I get a refund? The answer was no, but you can work towards losing more weight (what if I don't want to lose anymore?).  The rate they gave me was over $500, which I balked at, but of course the rate was only good for that day (they tell you you're getting a discount, but it's hard to tell).  I felt so pressured after sitting there for so long with her that I went for it.  I then had to pick the REQUIRED snacks (2 a day) that I wanted in my starter kit, after only getting to sample a few of the items.  I was told I had to start 3 days of "prep" eating to prepare my body and that I'd have to attend a nutritional class that was only offered at 10:00 am and 5:00 pm the following week.  When I asked if there was any other times because I would be at work, I was asked if I could leave work early?  I guess I had no choice.  I walked into my house afterward crying because I felt like I made a really bad decision and wasted a ton of money.

The 3 days of prep only allows you to eat protein, raw vegetables and a half an orange in the morning and a half in the afternoon.  I felt extremely dizzy and nauseous the entire time along with a headache for 3 days.  I was told it was I wasn't getting enough of the Morton's Lite Salt you're also required to buy.  I attended the nutrition class, where we were allowed to try a few more of the snacks, but were told that to get the bulk pricing, we had to purchase them that night or they were the regular $16 a box (they contain 5-7 items).  Wanting to save some money, I purchased $250 worth of snacks only to find later that most of them are disgusting.  The nacho cheese pasta that I bought 4 boxes of, since it would be the only pasta I would be allowed to eat, made me gag the 3 times I tried it.  And you're stuck with them, because you can't return anything after you buy it.  Additionally, you're put on 4 different pills (adds up to nearly 20 a day) and you're supposed to mix 2 of the drinks during the day as well as writing down everything you eat.  It's a TON to keep track of.

In the first week I lost over 5 lbs, all of which was water weight since you cut your sodium dramatically.  However, I was having to cut out of work early in order to make it there 3 times a week, since they're only open until 6:30 pm. By the beginning of the second week I was feeling extremely deprived, which only causes me to binge.  No carbs after 3:00, only 2 fruits a day, not even air popped popcorn, even though you have to eat the snacks that have just as many carbs.  I also had a headache every day, felt dizzy shortly after taking the pills with my meals and was very crabby because I was killing myself trying to follow the menu.  You're supposed to go in so often so that they can read your food diary and tell you what you're doing wrong.  So, I just ended up lying on it anyway, because when I mentioned that I had a bite (and it really was just a bite) of my husband's dessert, they were not supportive saying "it's ok, just bounce back", it was "ok..." and a disappointed look. Yeah, well, I'm here because I like to eat.  It's not that easy to just start all of this cold turkey!  Mid-way through my third week I decided I had enough.  I have not been back in over a week and they continue to call me and wonder where I am, like I'm a child that needs babysitting.  I know they do it as a "support" system, but for me, it was frustrating.

This was not the program for me.  I needed something that took me through the process gradually and allowed mistakes.  This is not that program and I should have listened to my gut and not signed up.  If you are willing to completely give up your old eating habits and not be weaned off of them, take nearly 20 pills a day, mix 2 drinks a day, fork out money every week for their snacks (or buy in bulk and be stuck with them), go into the center 3 times a week and write down everything you eat, then this is a good program for you.