HMR

Caroline: Love the HMR program, it makes eating healthy and dieting so simple, the shakes are good, which is saying something, usually those diet/health shakes taste a lot like dirt, I’ve lost 3 pounds in the first week, so obviously I’m going to keep going with this, and the support people are wonderful, too!

Viv: Is it better to go to a HMR clinic or is the home program effective as well?

tamara: The HMR meals are De-LISH! So far I am loving it.

Harper: HMR is WAY better than Jenny Craig, the food’s good, and I love it that I get dessert! Yum! Hardly even feel like I’m dieting, so this I know is going to finally be the answer for me.

Shareese: The first advisor/counselor I had with the HMR program and I had sort of an instant dislike for each other, it was like she blamed me for letting myself get so overweight, well, she didn’t begin to understand the stress I was under, how could she, she was maybe 24 and thin as a rail, so I asked to be switched and no one batted an I, and now Anna and I are the best friends, and she’s helping me through this great, I just think maybe the first sort of misunderstanding could have been avoided…

Elliott: Sorry to be down on this but I have been following HMR at home program for several weeks, i bought the kit, and I just do NOT like the meals or shakes. I’m slowly losing but I just wonder if anyone has found a way to make this more, uh, bearable? I don’t want to give up but I;m really struggling here.

Nella: Hey, Ellott, I know what you mean, and you sure don’t want to add salt, although clearly that’s what this food is screaming for, so I’m been chopping up fresh herbs, like rosemary and thyme and sometimes some cilantro and parsley, making my own blends, and then if you sprinkle it over the tops of some of the worst ones, like the spaghetti is pretty bad, you’ll find that it tastes better and you’ll be able to stick with it, try, because it really does work, I’ve lost 12 pounds so far and I’m convinced this is a good plan.

crystal: I like doing the HMR in-person program, bcs I really do need guidance and support. And hey, the food and shakes cannot be beat.

Jerri: This does sounds like a good & healthful program & people are losing weight with HMR. My concern is, does the weight stay off when you stop the diet? It is so restrictive, I worry that, shouldI start this, I will end up in the same spot 2 yrs from now.

Vicky: So far so good with the HMR home program, love it that I can call my girl when I need her, and she gives me good advice like if I just HAVE to eat something that’s not in the daily plan, like a bite or two of celery and peanut butter isn’t going to kill me forever, that’s what makes this a good plan, the whole thing is very restrictive but when you just must break it, at least I’ve got somebody to tell me how to do it in a way that’s not total self destruct!

HelenaM: I guess HMR is like a take home Weight Watchers, it’s sure more expensive! But I see most of you are liking the results, so I think I’ll check it out, love to read here first to see what’s what!

Cath: Really, I just feel more supported on Weight watchers than I did on HMR. I thought the food was decent enough and the weight loss, steady but in terms of the support, all I really got was the food & shakes. I mean, I used the charts & the diet guide but i guess i wanted more interaction, to keep me inspired, than what i got here. I would choose this over say, the slim fast plan any day, but, weight Watchers is my favorite.

Candy: We all have such different opinions! So interesting! For me, Weight Watchers is WAY too intrusive, I hate it that anybody knows what I weigh but me, and honestly the last time I went to a meeting it was like it was being run by Jillian Michaels or someone, everyone was so loud and too ON for me, if you know what I mean. So HMR is much more moderate, very thorough, I can get help when I need it, much more my speed.

selma: Hi all, I’m just trying to make up my mind between HMR and south beach..wondering if yall could weigh in on that, no pun intended.

Adrienne: HMR is ok, but I’m really thinking South Beach at this point, I think it’s the only way I’ll ever get control of this dieting thing, if I KNOW that I have to do it myself and that it’s a life change, not just a change I pay for for a few months when I’m feeling desperate. This HMR is fine to sort of break the eating cycle, but I’ve got to get real about lifestyle if I want to keep the weight thing under control.

Gail: I don’t want to be the negative naysayer here but i guess i’m one person here who didn’t really love the HMR food too much. of course, that’s a matter of taste and everyones different…sounds like most of you love it and thats great. sorry i didn;t!

Denise: Has anybody done the clinic? I’m beginning to think that’s the way I’m going to have to go, just lock myself up for a few weeks until I can stop being so compulsive. I mean, we went to a party yesterday, and there was so much food on the table to start with, just the snacks, and somebody made parmesean crisps, let me tell you how good THOSE are, and all sorts of dips and then dinner was huge, tons of meat and potatoes and vegetables, and sundaes for dessert…and I ate everything! I’m thoroughly disgusted with myself, I guess I understand why this whole country is FAT, I’ve got to draw my own personal halt!

Robin: I dunno, maybe it’s my taste buds, I just got over a wicked sinus infection, but the HMR foods just don’t taste like much to me, so I’d eat what I was supposed to and then think about something that I KNEW would be yummy and eat that, too, so it didn’t work out too well for me, my own fault I guess, maybe I should use one of those nose irrigator things to get my sense of taste and smell back and try it again?

Victoria: THe program, basically, is good I think. I am eating right (and less) with HMR, and also walking more. However, that’s really the only form of exercise that is addressed on the home/online program. I have to admit it was a little disapointing to not have additional guidance for exercising. I recently got a toning device called Flex Enervive which is brilliant, bcs I can use it on every muscle group to tone. I KNOW it’s aiding in my weihgt/inch loss as well, I;m definitely seeing some improvements, more so than when i was just following hte program alone.

Taylor: HMR is kinda expensive for me, I don’t think I can keep up with it, think I’m going to try those vegetarian frozen dinners I can get at Von’s, that’s about my economic speed about now, too bad, I liked the HMR, but I have to cut WAY back!

Allie: The HMR shakes are just not that great, I keep having this huge urge to put a big dollop of whipped cream on top to make them taste better! The rest of the food is fine, but the shakes are important in this diet, does anybody have any idea of how to make them more delicious? I’m having a tough time with them…

Carol: I have been on HMR for just over a week. I do 5 shakes a day, no food. I love this program. My first week I lost 7+ lbs. I am never hungry and I even have trouble getting the 5 shakes in. I have 120 lbs to lose so I am really glad I did this. Yes, it’s costly, but isn’t my health worth it?

Joy: HOnestly, after 2 weeks I could not stomach one more of the shakes and just had enough of HMR. Its too bad, I think that if this were less extreme, i maybe coulda stuck with it. I went full speed into this and drank shakes all day and as a result I I got sick of the shakes and only wanted real foods. My next step was to get decent diet aid, and the Slim 10 pill had high ratings. I still eat real foods but am not eating as many caloires per day and lost 22 lbs in just over 5 weeks.

Tom K: My wife and I have joined a HMR class and are doing well after 1 week. I really like the shakes, and options to make delicious fruit smoothies. We are on the Healthy Solutions program, which incorporates a minimum of 5 fruits and veggies, 3 shakes and 2 entres. A lot of food especially when you incorporate their “more is better” philosophy. Eat as much as you like, within the programs foods. I expect to lose a lot of weight.

Karoline: I am into my 3rd week of HMR — shakes only (5 a day). But, I feel very nauseous and fatigued. I think it’s the vitamins they give you with the supplements. I find that everything is an effort! Does anyone else have this experience with HMR? Thanks!

rhonda: I am in my ninth week of HMR program at an clinic program. I am doing 3+2 right now. I have lost 31 pounds so far (206lbs to 175lbs). As for the food tastes, I add spices to the entrees to suit my tastes. You can add SOOOOO much different things to the shakes (pudding, extract flavoring, jello, diet sodas-orange is my fave) that there’s no reason for taste to be an issue or variety. I understand you can get sick of drinking shakes, so make a pudding or have another entree or a bar or a cereal. And, hunger should NEVER be an issue on this program because you can eat as much of the plan food as you want. I have had crazy eat everything in sight days and ate almost double my minimum prescription of food and still lost weight. It is hard when you are out at an event with food. I bring my own AND eat before I go. It’s still hard, but it’s worth it and I’m PROUD of myself when I’ve made it. I can talk to my nutritional counsellor every day if I need to and I even email her in the middle of hte night to blow off steam or cry about how hard it is at that moment. I know she will call me the next day and check on me as well as cheer me on. Good luck to all of you on your journey and find the program that works for you.

Sonia: I started HMR a month ago and have lost 7 pounds. I have about 25 to lose. I am doing the 2 entree, 3 shakes, 5 portions of fruit/veggie one. and The first few days were rough because I have given up Coca Cola and all soda – but now it is fine. The food and shakes take getting used to , but now I love the shakes and I have never eaten so many fruits and veggies! I need to work out, but I think if nothing else, this diet will get you eating healthier. I think the food is better than weight watchers and Lean Cuisine (that you buy in the stores). It is not too expensive and I recommend buying the power bars in case you get hungry for a snack. Of course dieting and eating healthy is a life style change if you are looking for a quick fix with any diet it just won’t work. Also, the HMR foods have the vitamins and nutrients you need so I think they are healthier than other programs. If you hate drinking water, just add Crystal light, it is only 5 calories. I would keep track of your food intake in a paper journal or on-line at caloriecounter.com. Good luck.

Amber: I have been on HMR for almost a year now at my Primary Care Physician’s office. I have lost 100 pounds! Going to the meetings is a hassle, but I knew from the beginning that I needed that weekly accountability, although the Health Care Educators never make you feel bad if you have not lost or even maybe gained. It has been an easy program for me to stay on and as someone else said – I find the food good for the most part and you never have to be hungry. I am on the 3+2+5 program. That is a minimum of 3 shakes, 2 entrees and 5 fruits and vegetables a day. Plus they have the protein bars that are similar to a candy bar. I take in between 1500 and 2000 calories a day and still manage to lose weight. Of course, they ae high protein low fat calories. I cannot say enough good things about the program. Of course, I walk, workout at the gym and do as much other exercise as I can. As someone else said, it is a lifestyle change. There is no magic cure, but this is as close as it gets.

Carol: I have been on the ‘home’ version of HMR. I love it but have been working on being creative. I use vegetables with every meal to jazz it up and make it better tasting. I love my decaf coffee in the evenings with the choclate shake mix put in it with a touch of sugar free choclate! And my banana shakes with a teaspoon of sugarfree pudding mix makes it yummy. I have to think like this, I have to love it so that I will feel better and look better and as my health improves and my weight drops. Lost 11 lbs in 4 weeks. Hang in there everything depends on HOW IMPORTANT IS IT TO ME.

Kyle: I’m on a medically-supervised HMR diet (Dr. visit weekly, blood bi-weekly, etc.). I was 300+ lbs 3 weeks ago and have now lost a little more than 29 lbs., although I was prescribed potassium following a blood test. I attend weekly classes run by a health educator where exercise is emphasized (maintaining muscle mass burns calories). Nutritional/food choice education is part of the plan as well. Including maintenance classes, I’ll probably be on the plan for close to two years. Obviously, my plan is run by a health care provider but I have the same shakes, entrees, cereal, etc. that all of you have. One comment I wanted to make was that the specific diet is less important than committing to lifestyle changes. So long as you stay away from the gimmicky “no carb/limited carb” diets (Atkins/South Beach) that pop up every few years claiming X (grapefruit, rice, ketosis) is the secret to weight loss, you’ll do fine. It will ALWAYS come down to calories in and calories out. Restrictive diet or not, self-control is your responsibility. Some people lose weight and gain even more back while other people lose weight and maintain it. You can always find excuses for a diet to fail. Stick to your plan and you will succeed. Good luck!

Anonymous: Negatives

Christinekw: Thanks for including the HMR at Home, self directed program in your summary

Brian: I have just started the program and everything is well. Is there anyone who could comment on their maintenance experience…that is the real key

Jean: On HMR shakes/puddings for almost 9 wks now and am down almost 40 lbs. It works! I am transitioning to Healthy Solutions to continue the weight loss but at a slower rate. The only thing that is bad is the cost!

Roz: Buy a bullet blender, they are sold all over the place, add one serving of the shake, a cup of ice and 1/2 of a large banana or one small banana to it, and a 1/2 cup of water, blend in the Bullet blender until thick and icy. It will taste like ice cream, and is much better than any other way that I have prepared the shakes. You can also add some of the diet pudding powder to the shakes before blending. The Bullet blender is the secret to really getting the shakes thick and icy. You can leave the banana out if you’d like, but it tastes much sweeter with the banana. I never got tired of the shakes this way. It even tastes okay for breakfast made this way.

Anonymous: I just finished week 10 on HMR core. I have lost 37.25#. It is a very easy program to follow, I can honestly say this is the first diet I have been on that I do not feel hungry. My health educator is great and very supportive and helpful. In 10 weeks my total cholesterol has gone from 255 to 144, Triglycerides from 206 to 124 and LDL from 176 to 74. It is very expensive but well worth it.

Lou: I have been on the HMR eating plan since last June. First 12 weeks in class lost 32 lbs plus 12 lbs since. It is a great plan worth the $. I feel GREAT.

Char: This is the best program I have ever been on. I enjoy the foods and am very happy with the support that is provided. I am currently doing the in clinic plan and have had great sucess. 50 lbs in 5 months. I highly recommend it!

Chris: To Allie: your post asked if there was any way to spruce up the shakes. I have my shakes with the water, ice cubes; though I use less so it’s thicker, then I add frozen fruit. I always keep strawberries, blueberries, sliced frozen bananas, raspberries & peach slices in my freezer. I’ve also added a little equal to “sweeten” up the flavor without adding calories from sugar. I hope this is helpful.

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