Rob Nager, 38, in 42-inch waist, faced a choice. He tried weight watchers, then Atkins. Both theses plans helped him slim down, but the fab always returned. Finally, nager tried a weight-loss strategy that’s been around since TVs were black and white; a strategy so old-school that one of the studies showing that it works went on for a decade. His throwback approach: meal replacement beverages (MRs). Nager just said not to solid food, but instead, he quaffed shakes in place of meals.

MRs come in 2 basic forms: liquid-only programs administered by physicians, and the more familiar, over-the-counter products sold in groceries and drugstores. The doctor-prescribe ones replace all meals and are usually for seriously overweight patients. While the over-the-counter options, contain about 200 calories per serving, plus a does of vitamins and minerals and they typically used to replace one or two meals a day. Most are available in ready-to-drink cans or in powder packets that can be mixed with water or milk.

You van use any of the two MRs with a regular consultation with a licensed nutritionist to become fit and feel better. [via]