Andrea Gulley-Robinson was selected by Slim-Fast (out of thousands) to feature in one of their TV commercials.
This came after Slim-Fast finished its alliance with actress Whoopi Goldberg and opted to use real success stories.
We were able to catch up with Andrea – not surprisingly she is very positive about Slim-Fast.
The answers here are directly from Andrea and are completely unedited.When did you decide to start losing weight with Slim Fast?
Andrea: I started the plan January of 2000. It took two years to get to 150lbs, because I wanted to lose the weight but not rapidly. All studies state that you do not want to lose weight quickly. Because I did it that way I did not end up with a lot of stretch marks.
When were you satisfied that you had lost enough weight?
I was happy just to reach a size 20 and before I knew it I was down to a 150 pounds. My mother came to visit and stated that I was too thin for my body frame. That we I looked at myself again and realized that she was right. For the past three years I have remained a size 10 and 165 pound. I love to wear designer clothing like Baby Phat, Jordan and Sean John. 
That is just another one of my rewards from either myself or my husband for keeping the weight off.
Have you managed to maintain the weight since you were first featured in the slim-fast ads?
Yes I have been able to maintain my weight since the commercial. It is very easy once you have made up your mind to do so.
What do you think of the taste of the Slim-Fast foods? Some people find the taste atrocious!
I like all the products that Slim Fast has on it’s line. The peanut butter crunch is my version of a butterfinger. And the peanut nuggat bar is a snicker and boy are both of those bars good. But far as the method I chose I’m a shake girl.
Do you like the newer Optima program?
I like the Optima Plan even though I lost all my weight on the original shakes. Most people that I have spoken to say they did not like the plan because it was a shake instead of food.
Now I encourage them to visit the web-site because the new plan now allows individuals to drink a shake and incorporate food. I also let them know that there are many features on the site such as meal ideas, buddy system, weight loss chart and speaking with a real live dietitian and much more. It is important to have a support system while dieting especially on those days when you just want to give up.
Do you prefer shakes or bars or what?
I love the cappuccino delight and for a change in taste I’ll drink a strawberries and cream. Which reminds me of strawberry quick:-)
How much does exercise play a part of your life? And what sort of exercise do you do (cardio, weights, etc)?
Exercise plays a major part in any diet that an individual may choose. Even 30 minutes of walking every other day will show results. Myself I own an ab lounge, gazelle, total gym and a weight bench. I am more prone to use the gazelle and ab lounge due to the fact one trims the hips and it’s just as fun as Tony Little makes it look and the other slims the waist and is not hard on the back.
Do you feel you will be taking Slim-Fast products for ever or will you (or have you) wean off them?
The job that I have is very busy at times and with drinking my shake I know that my body is getting what it needs. I am sure that I could because the Slim Fast diet has shown me how to eat right and feel great. But at this time I am a die hard Slim Fast girl and will share my story with all who would like to learn about the diet. And I am hoping to be able to work with the team again on another project.
Slim fast have been criticized for making products that are high in sugar (particularly before Optima), and many people feel suspicious of the big diet companies. Is it fair for us to feel this way or are we just all looking for excuses?
Slim Fast is a diet program that has listened to it’s consumer. One reason why the Optima Plan was designed is because of the consumer. Most people stated they missed food and the sugar content was high. That is why it is now made with Splenda and you can eat six times a day. And they understand that losing weight is challenging. That’s why they have a FREE SUPPORT CENTER with a wealth of information and tools to help the individual achieve their goal. The consumer can even contact them for FREE get started material.
What message would you like to give to all those who are struggling with their weight and struggling to figure out what sort of diet they should be following?
I would like to let people know if they are serious about a diet and have tried others with NO SUCCESS to please try Slim Fast. It is a healthy way to lose weight and will make them feel GREAT. When I was a size 22 I did not think anything would work for me. And you see all the ads showing skinny minnies, which on some people is fine. But everyone’s body is different and so is weight loss. Individuals do not need to feel like they can not achieve a healthy weight loss.
____________________________________________________
Congratulations Andrea on an amazing transformation. It’s nice to get the real story rather than the edited ads.
NOTE: The Slimfast plan can be followed here
Hey amber,
I am not possitive, but I think this diet is better if your 18 years and older. Thats what I read on the website …. I would consider maye just working out a little more than usual and also watching what you eat.
Hey, I’m going to buy the slim fast shake at the store when I get payed again which will probably be Friday, I was also thinking about getting the bars too & yogurts. I am 15 years old, 5’3″ and weigh 145lbs. I hate my stomach and my legs! Will the Slim Fast diet help me lose weight? & How much weight could I lose in a week if I use the diet everyday?
Hi today is Jan, 6, 2011 n today was my first day on the slim fast diet…. I wanna lost 30lbs.. But my question for those with success stories is how much weight can u lose n one week…
As a person who never really “stuck” to a diet, I’m really enjoying slim-fast. I started about 2 weeks ago and I’ve lost about 7lbs. I’m looking to lose 15-20 and, to me, Slim-fast is the perfect way to reach this goal. I enjoy the shakes and the snack bars, so in reality this diet is not torture (I couldn’t stand South Beach!) I need to up the physical activity, but other than that this diet has really helped me stay on track and see how important it is to be aware of calorie intake.
Hi,
I recently started the Slim Fast Diet plan by taking the shakes for breakfast and lunch and a sensible dinner. It hasn’t even been a week and my colleagues and friends are commenting that I am losing weight.
I also incorporate exercise to the mix.
I walk and do exercises in my house. During my lunch break I try to walk a half a mile too.
The Optima shakes have helped tremendouly as my job is very time consuming and stressful and I can’t find time to go to a store or do too much running around for food.
dear andrea. i have a slim fast for breakfast and one for dinner. then for supper one day i will have a small hamburger cooked on the joe foreman grill on low calorie hamburger burns, then the next day repeat breakfast and lunch , and for supper i have a few skinny slices of chicken from the deli on two 35 calories pieces of bread with a little dab of light mayo. i alternate my food. i am with the slim fast never get hungry. andrea, please answer me ok?
can you answer me? please?
for supper i have 1 can of flim fast, to suppliment it i have 1 nutrgrain bar, 1 yogart, and repeat breakfast. which is 1 cup of skim milk and a piece of 35 cal. bread buttered lightly with diet butter. within 4 days i lost 3 inches off my waste and 2 lines, 2 inches off my hips. please advises me. i love my slim fast.