Isagenix - Health/Weight loss program

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  [Deactivated] on 29/08/2014 - 15:33

  +3

  Ok I’ll bite… To be honest it’s a very overpriced gimmick as most shake diets are. The base ingredients are nothing more than Whey Protein Concentrate ($20 per kilogram) and a multivitamin.

  You are only losing weight because you are controlling your calories, and eating to a calorie deficit. Not from the product itself.

  It would be more beneficial to educate oneself on calories and understand what is in the food you eat so you are not reliant on fad diets. www.myfitnesspal.com.au would be a great place to start.

  Plain and simple, weight loss = calorie deficit.
  Not Isagenix!

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 29/08/2014 - 16:41

    This so very much.

    It's as simple as educating yourself on calories. I dare say you should even forget about reading the other crap on nutritional panels, like fats, carbs, sugars etc as they're already factored into the overall calorie count on those panels, and trying to go all low fat etc will not help weight loss.

    Research the calorie content of the foods you eat. Calculate how much you need for your body weight and energy expenditure. Count how many calories you already eat per day normally, then work to gradually reduce it (sudden drops in calorie intake will make you feel like crap physically and mentally.. imo, do it slowly). The closer your daily calorie intake is to your BMR (basal metabolic rate) + exercise/physical expenditure, the better… and if you need to lose a lot of weight, drop it further so you're in deficit until you reach your target weight - then aim to maintain.

    You can't live on products like these forever. Practising good dietary habits and modifying what you eat and how much you eat, and how much you exercise will be the best long term solution to weight issues. Gimmicky products will help you drop weight fast, but what do you do after the 'program' is over?

    Also making sure that the calories you're taking in are QUALITY calories is helpful in preventing any sluggish, low energy effects while you're easing onto a new meal plan. Cutting down refined foods, boosting unprocessed yummy proteins, including healthy carbs etc and an occasional treat… balance, basically… should make any transition a lot easier. Ie. you could eat just 800calories a day of chocolate and crisps, but you're gonna feel like death compared to eating 800cals of balanced meals that keep you fuller longer (think unprocessed lean meat + veggies + carb side as a meal - as 'pure' and unprocessed as possible, which also makes it a hell of a lot easier to calculate and keep track of your calories).

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  CrocDundee on 29/08/2014 - 17:18

  All very good and true comments and i appreciate them. Why then do we not just adhere to the calorie count that we are supposed to keep within? Why do people have a need or have to go on these programs in order for it to sink in? I don't think it's a lack of 'education' as you put it, more so a lack of commitment and self restraint. It's not rocket science to know that Australia as whole are overweight or obese.

  I know beforehand that the meal or foods that i eat will be far more than the energy i require for that day and will ultimately turn into fat if i don't exercise or burn off the excess calories.

  Are we that reliant on programs like 'Isagenix' because of a psychological influence?

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 29/08/2014 - 17:22

    Society is loaded with too many conveniences…. 7-11, Night-owl, 24/7 McDonalds, etc, etc. If people only ate the food our bodies were designed to eat (meat, veggies, fruit, nuts, basic grains) - hardly anyone would be overweight.

    Also we as a nation love alcohol.

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 29/08/2014 - 17:28

    +1

    Interesting series worth watching if you like to think about the psychology behind stuff like this :)

    part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-_LoAm_etU

    part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_6v6pQrDbk

    part 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=njr4SOsPL4E

    part 4: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0xvzRPWVbs

    If you enjoy those, also look up The Men Who Made Us Fat.

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  CrocDundee on 29/08/2014 - 17:38

  So can you really classify programs like Isagenix as 'gimmicks' because they try to help improve your intake?

  From that theory would it not be the same to say that about a car going a short distance as appose to walking? You pay a lot of money to use a car with rego, fuel, insurance not to mention the initial outlay of buying a car all for the convenience of getting somewhere faster when you could achieve the same end goal by walking?

  Probably a little to extreme of a comparison but that's all i can think of on a Friday afternoon :)

  I guess really what it comes down to is 'each to their own'

  • 

    [Deactivated] on 29/08/2014 - 17:53

    +1

    I personally classify them as 'gimmicks' because they're known to fail in helping people keep off the weight they've lost, and most importantly fails in helping them learn real, practical, healthy/balanced ways of keeping excess weight off.

    The fact that diet products do sometimes (or even often) help people lose drastic amounts of weight quickly is in one sense a positive from a perspective, yes. But it brings me back to my first point - do they help you long-term? Or are they quick fixes that don't solve the root of the problem?

    Why don't people just grab a big tin of Ensure for $35 (hospital formula meal replacement) and drink a few shakes of that each day rather than pay a lot more for fancy diet programs with nutritionally inferior shakes and supplements compared to Ensure? You'd still lose weight on it as you'd most likely be consuming less than you would eating normal food, plus you're getting everything you need in the shake.

    because they try to help improve your intake

    It's not an altruistic thing they're doing. They're making a mint out of people who buy them. They're narrowing in on a vulnerable market and tantalise with promises of all your goals being achieved quickly and easily.

    • 

      scrimshaw on 29/08/2014 - 18:39

      turnip is correct.

      I wouldn't pay a single cent to these weight loss schemes or packs. They are quick fixes that rely a little too much on dietary supplements which are ridiculously expensive. I'm sure they are nutritionally balanced, but even you would get pretty tired of drinking them all the time.

      I won't go into the debate of how 'convenient' they are. But you pay for that convenience, plus are you going to keep sipping on shakes the rest of your life? Can you bring your protein shakes into a restaurant and not look weird? When you return to eating normal meals you will simply rebound to your old weight — because you haven't stripped your bad eating habits through self-learning. It's actually better to make small incremental adjustments rather than to outright replace normal solid meals with protein shakes.

      Go ahead and read up on some reddit forums, particularly, /keto subreddit.

      I was fairly pudgy at 74 KG 3 months ago and after following a low carb diet I lost about 10KG (now at 63.5kg)
      I didn't spend a single cent on meal replacement shakes. I didn't eat any protein bars or whey supplements. I just ate healthy and cooked most of my meals. Most importantly I didn't even have to starve myself. Dieting isn't about fighting hunger and relying on shakes/protein powders, it's simply just watching what you eat and changing the composition of your food.

      TDLR You can diet without spending $$$$.
      The only thing you need to put in extra effort into dieting is time to read up on nutrition info, and time to learn how to cook healthy food for yourself.

    • 

      CrocDundee on 29/08/2014 - 19:17

      I agree in truth for some products. But like most programs, they continue on after 30 days if you want to maintain/improve performance. But of course for a price.

      I guess you have to really look into what they are providing (supplements, shakes etc) and compare to the cost of groceries that you would be spending on anyway. Or better still, what you would spend dollars wise if you strictly ate healthy. I think you would find they are comparable.

      Yes, they would be making a lot of money!

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  kobrien456 on 30/08/2014 - 08:36

  Some are very nutritionally balanced, with the right amount of calories and carbs (because your brain needs carbs). Also Vitamins minerals, selenium to protect cells. And cheap. Optislim has all these and is $55 for 2 boxes at Chemist Warehouse. Each box has 21 sachets. So it's $1.30 per meal. Sure it's basically skim milk powder, but with good stuff added. It works for those who like the convenience of this type of thing. I see CSIRO diet has gone to a shake option with in chemist support, bit like Tony Ferguson. Weekly chats can help people comply too.

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  kobrien456 on 30/08/2014 - 08:44

  Looks like its $49 to join.
  Value depends on whether they require you to keep on purchasing their product, and how much that product costs.
  http://www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Health-and-Wellbeing/Prevention…

  When I'm in the right frame of mind, sachets work for me. I eat one meal of protein and veg and replace other meals.

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  samfisher5986 on 08/10/2014 - 14:45

  +1

  • Pyramid Scheme

  • You can buy better product for less elsewhere

  • Its mostly a scam because of the way its advertised.

  • Its not healthy in the long term

  • When you stop taking it your weight will skyrocket up

  • There is actual food you can eat that has a similar effect but with the benefit of being healthier and tasting good

  • 

    CrocDundee on 13/10/2014 - 23:03

    Haha so this discussion was not intended for the uneducated, samfisher. Do some actual research before making a comment like that because ALL of your statements are false and inaccurate.

    Others have at least made meaningful input to the conversation.

    • 

      damnable on 23/10/2014 - 10:06

      Why don't you tell as why each of those are false then.

      And people posting comments above have stated the same thing with you responding to their comments with thankyous.

      • 

        CrocDundee on 23/10/2014 - 14:03

        -1

        Sorry damnable, those that posted comments above showed intelligence with their response and actual understanding. Samfisher's response showed no intelligence, especially after their response with their first statement, 'Pyramid Scheme'… Pyramid Scheme's are ILLEGAL! If you really knew what a pyramid scheme was then you would understand… Isagenix is not a pyramid scheme. Here is something that might make you laugh - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZiw15VgWoI

        Simply put, I know this is not for everyone, nor do i think this is the ONLY program to maintain weight/healthy lifestyle. If you read my original post correctly you would have noticed this… "My question or discussion is, are there others on Isagenix here in Ozbargain world? Or are you on another program that you have found success in, or not so much success??"

        I was after/wondering what other people's experiences were. Not uneducated minds who have no idea what they are talking about.

      • 

        samfisher5986 on 23/10/2014 - 22:51

        @Tuhan:

        The common way people defend pyramid schemes is by going on about how they are illegal so there can't be anything wrong with their company.

        But what you don't understand is that its just a legal pyramid scheme or in other words, multi level marketing, just because you follow Australian law it doesn't mean that Isagenix isn't a scam.

        The people who are apart of Isagenix's multi level marketing are the unintelligent people who likely never finished high school and wanted to get rich quick.

        Defend it all you want, you only make yourself look worse.

      • 

        CrocDundee on 23/10/2014 - 23:27

        @samfisher5986:

        Haha - ok Samfisher :) Whatever you say. BTW - I am not the one negging you.

      • 

        samfisher5986 on 24/10/2014 - 01:52

        @Tuhan:

        I'm also not the one negging you.

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  kobrien456 on 14/10/2014 - 07:14

  How did you go on your 30 day program Tuhan?

  • 

    CrocDundee on 14/10/2014 - 08:27

    Really well thanks, Kobrien! my first 30 days I lost 10kgs, have now got a heap more energy and sleeping so much better! After 60 days I've now reach my goal weight and have started putting on lean muscle. I was really skeptical in the beginning but now can't speak highly enough of what it's done to me.

    I understand that it is not for everyone but it has certainly worked for me! I obviously understand a lot more about the program now and how it works.

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  kobrien456 on 14/10/2014 - 08:33

  Great result!
  60 days just shakes or shakes plus 1 protien veg meal?

  • 

    CrocDundee on 14/10/2014 - 09:11

    30 days was as per the schedule; two shakes per day plus one meal and a range of vitamins/supplements. 2 cleanse days in a row x 2 weeks… 2nd 30 days was maintenance; mostly one shake per day with two meals and on the occasion, two shakes per day and one meal. Was easy to follow, no diarrhea or endless trips to the toilet. The pack came with snacks to crave any hunger pains but by the end of the 30 days I didn't have any need for them.

    • 

      PoundFoolish on 29/05/2015 - 18:38

      Are you still on the program? Going well?

      • 

        CrocDundee on 29/05/2015 - 22:06

        Most definitely still on the program! Loving it and the best decision I've ever made!! Business side is steady but going strong. Nothing crazy yet but slowly building it). I have maintained my ideal weight now for almost 12 months. Very happy!

• 

  kobrien456 on 14/10/2014 - 09:47

  Snacks as in protien bars?

  • 

    CrocDundee on 14/10/2014 - 10:00

    Yeah similar to protein bars. There were a few different types to choose from.

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  PoundFoolish on 29/05/2015 - 18:16

  +1

  So I've started my first 30 day cleanse- both for weight loss and business building. I'm curious when some people call it expensive.. a meal costs me under $4 now. Plus, saving heaps by not buying choclates, coke and coffee anymore.

  Weight loss apart (I've lost 6 kgs in 3 weeks, if that matters) I don't know of another nutritionally balanced meal out there that can cost me any lesser? To compare it to any other shake diet would be unfair because the ingredients are superior, by far. Here is the skidmore research on it: http://anz.isafyi.com/download-our-new-isagenix-12-month-ski…
  Looking to learn from the inputs of fellow Ozbargainers.

  Also, I've already earned $1000 from it and my target is to make $100k in a year. I believe it is doable, I personally know folks who have done it.

  Ta

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  His_Holiness on 07/06/2015 - 00:30

  A much easier and sustainable way to lose weight is just to go on a ketogenic or 'low carb high fat' lifestyle. I dont calorie count or anything anal like that, I've just cut out all processed carbs, fruits and sugars and start eating butter, eggs and bacon regularly. Never looked or felt better. Learn more here http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4126228.htm

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  kyttiekat on 10/06/2015 - 15:00

  I believe in moderation across all foods, eating with a mindset of wanting to respect your body, and intuitive eating (ie eating to your appetite). There should be no "bad"/forbidden foods. Instead, learning how to tune back into your hunger & satisfaction signals means your body will start to regulate itself. If you're overweight, you'll naturally start to lose weight this way (look up setpoint theory).

  Of course, this is much easier said than done. And this approach does not result in fast weight loss, like a fad or shake diet will. However, it does create sustainable, long-term results, since you're modifying your behaviours and mindset. Also, there's no "deprivation" as it's not a "diet", so there will never be the need for cheat days or binges or guilt etc.

  Please be careful with shake/fad diets. I did those for 10+yrs, constantly yo-yo'ing, and developed an eating disorder during 8 of those years. Not saying that everyone will of course - some are more vulnerable than others. But it's helped me learn that any 'diet' is not going to work long-term… whereas wanting to nourish my body with good food, eating to my appetite, and eating everything in moderation HAS resulted in long-term weight loss for me - but most importantly, I'm happy and not depriving myself of anything I like and not making huge difficult changes. I still eat one dessert item every single day. :)

  Have a think about this again if/when you 'fall off' the current wagon.

  Best of luck with whichever approach you choose.

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  Twitchy on 11/12/2017 - 14:21

  @Tuhan :

  Just wondering if you have another update now we're a few years down the track?

  My brother has recently started his 30 days and I am curious enoough to give it a go. I'm not so much looking for weight loss (maybe around 5kg) but i'm interested to see the difference in energy levels and sleep quality etc.

  Do you still recommend this product and stand behind the "science" of it?

  • 

    CrocDundee on 11/12/2017 - 22:19

    Hi Twitchy

    Thanks for asking. I 100% still stand behind the product and its benefits. I personally have had a break from using Isagenix, but when used properly, it gave me unbelievable results. I currently just have a shake here and there to maintain results and often cleanse every few months to reset the body again.

    All I can say is, you've got nothing to lose! They offer a 100% money back guaranteed if you're not satisfied within 30 days. Dive in!

    Good luck!