HMR, anyone done this successfully?
Okay, my opinion. HELL NO! DON'T DO IT. Okay, I know that's harsh and I state up front this is my opinion. Take from it what you wish, but you asked for thoughts. I also, for the record, rarely support the concept of WLS. I understand however, that you're thinking to do this to do WLS. So, my post may be unwelcome by you.
A liquid protein diet is a VLCD, very low calorie diet. Brazil, I have learned a lot on my recent journey with weight loss after being overweight all my life and on countless diets. My heighest weight was 340, I started this journey at 320 and have lost 50lbs. My goal weight is between 180 and 220 because of my bodytype and frame. From what I've learned, a VLCD will do this--it will likely make you lose the 100 lbs (though someone like me, I couldn't lose on Medifast, so that does happen). The problem is, I guarantee you will regain it the minute you return to food and go over the amount of calories you were on while on the VLCD. This is what Oprah went through, remember? See, this is the nasty secret of commercial diets (JC, NS, LAWL, WW) and WLS (some here don't agree with me and they don't have to, I stand strong on information). If you eat below your BMR for long periods of time, you treat your body to come to think that this is the amount of calories you are going to give it. Now, your BMR is the amount of calories your body needs to just function (I have a link on my blog to help you figure out that number). If you have yo-yo'd in the past, you've likely done this before, eaten too little to lose and primed it to regain after you return to any calories above that diet amount. Each time you go below your BMR for long periods of time, you further ruin your metabolism. However, that can be fixed, but that's another topic. The upshot is that you will have to remain on VLCD to keep the weight off. That is up to you if that is something you are willing to do. For me, it wasn't. I instead chose to lose weight with activity and eating over my BMR, letting activity burn the calories for me, so that when I get to goal I will be able to eat a normal amount of food and be satisfied with it and maintain the weight loss I have worked so hard for. I say this not to sway your choice, you have the power of your own decision, but because I want you to make an informed choice. I'd much rather see you eat at BMR and low carb and do exercise than see you prepare your body for unsustainable weight loss.... JM2C, but a knowledge I am certain of.... Good luck to you.
