During the month of February, I had the opportunity to try out several products from the Shaklee Cinch line. I’ve never been one to really diet and I had never tried a meal replacement plan. I’m hoping that 2012 will be the year that I lose the baby weight (which a year later shouldn’t really be referred to as baby weight) so I gave the Cinch plan a shot. In all honesty, I certainly did not give it my best shot, but I did give it a shot.
*ahem*
The Shaklee Cinch Starter Kit includes:
- Vanilla shake mix canister (15 servings)
- Assorted Cinch shake packets (14 packets)
- 3-in-1 boost™(42 count)
- Assortment pack snack bars (10 count)
- Energy tea mix (28 sticks)
- Daily journals (2)
- Cinch program guide
- Cinch logo shaker cup
- Cinch pedometer
- Cinch tape measure
The first thing people ask when you mention products like Shaklee shakes and bars is “How does it taste?”
I enjoyed both the vanilla and the chocolate shakes (the only two I tried) and was actually impressed with the taste. They come in powder form, so you have to make sure to mix well to avoid a powdery drink. I liked them both much more than expected and I’d say if you are worried about the taste, don’t be. My 3 year old wanted a taste and liked it. That’s a fair test, I think.
The snack bars were a different story though. I enjoyed the peanut-butter flavor, the chocolate was okay, but the lemon-raspberry was not for me. Overall, I found that they didn’t have a real effect on my appetite and that fruit is a better snack for me.
The next question people as is “Do they make you feel full?”
The answer to that (again for me) is yes AND no. After drinking a shake, I would feel full but the feeling didn’t last. It was usually only 2-3 hours before I felt hungry again.
I’m certainly not saying that the Shaklee Cinch plan doesn’t work, but it isn’t the right fit for me. I think it would be perfect for a lot of people, especially those who are on the go, need specific guidelines, and who are looking for a well laid out plan.
I learned that replacing meals isn’t going to work for me, unfortunately. I just can’t do it- or won’t, whichever. It’s too convenient to fix myself something for lunch while I’m fixing the kid’s lunch. Not only that, but I found myself snacking to get to the next meal. Maybe if I worked outside of the house in an environment where it wouldn’t be as easy to fix lunch or snack, it would work.
I am so glad that I tried the Shaklee Cinch plan, because it forced me to get honest with myself. I realized that I didn’t get fat because I have a problem with food. I got fat because I gained 40 lbs during my pregnancy with Bryson. I lost all but the last 10 pounds within weeks, but then I didn’t go back to work. I didn’t do anything else either. I didn’t think about the fact that I needed to replace the work-out I got at my job with another work-out in order to stay healthy. I devoted myself to my baby and paid no attention to what was happening with my body.
Fixing it isn’t a matter of saying no to food- it’s a matter of saying YES! to getting active and exercising.
It really is as simple as that.
I received the Shaklee Cinch Starter kit free of charge. All thoughts and opinions remain my own.
Thanks for the honest review! I have been wondering how these shake diets really work for people!
Thanks for the great review! I’ve lost 35 pounds so far with this program!
That’s awesome, Sommer! Way to go!
Wow Sommer!! Thats amazing! I was thinking about trying this program. What did you eat daily? and How long did it take to lose the 35lbs?