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I've already told you about my 24 year history of losing weight after pregnancy. It's a long, sad tale…and I'm still dealing with it. I still need to update you on the saga of the past few months, but first I'll tell you about my latest experiment.

A couple of weeks ago, I was asked to review the Slim-Fast 3-2-1 plan. I'm sure you've heard of Slim-Fast for years and years. But I have never tried it, on principle. I understand the portion control, I understand the ease of use. The reason I've never used the product before is that I have a deep-seated objection to going on a diet to get fit by severely reducing calories and replacing most of my healthy meals with a sugar-laden drink. It just doesn't make sense. And I can't see how it doesn't bring metabolism to a screeching halt.

My opinion on that hasn't changed, but given my dismal failure at losing weight over the past strongeight years/strong, I figured a few weeks of sugar can't really be much worse on my body than years of fat. So, I grabbed a couple of eight-packs at the store and, last Sunday morning, began the regimen.

The plan is very simple. Here it is:

• 3 100-calorie snacks per day – snack bars, fruits, veggies, or nuts
• 2 Slim-Fast meal replacements – shakes, meal bars, or shake mixes
• 1 balanced, 500-calorie meal – plate filled 1/2 with vegetables, 1/4 with protein, 1/4 with starch
• Exercise
• Drink water

So, yea, I've been on Slim-Fast for the past five days. I haven't weighed myself but I'm sure it's curtailed some of the eating, especially during this holiday time. It's easier to resist tempting treats when you have a plan. And while I don't love the idea of the sugary drinks, I have to concede that a plan is better than no plan when the plate of chocolate dipped pretzels passes by.

You can have Slim-Fast delivered right to your door. Amazon has the products, sizes, and flavors I couldn't find at my local grocery stores. There's a great variety to keep you satisfied. You can like Slim-Fast on FaceBook to get coupons and special offers, too.

I'll keep you posted.

Alison Moore Smith is a 61-year-old entrepreneur who graduated from BYU in 1987. She has been (very happily) married to Samuel M. Smith for 40 years. They are parents of six incredible children and grandparents to two astounding grandsons. She is the author of The 7 Success Habits of Homeschoolers.