Special K Challenge

I was wondering what people thought of the Special K Challenge. For anyone that does not know what it is....your supposed to replace 2 meals a day with the cereal (1 serving which is a cup w/ 1/2 cup of skim milk) healthy snacks throuhougt the day and then a real dinner. It says you can lose an average of 5 lbs in 2 weeks! Of course this sounds appealing, anything that says you'll lose weight does. First...I have a problem staying within actual serving sizes, so this would be hard. I personally love the cereal but I dont see how replacing meals is getting you the proper nutrition not to mention eating mostly carbs. Any thoughts?

I went to Sam's wholesale and bought the MEGA box of Special K, but I too, have a problem with their skimpy 1 cup serving. It just doesn't do it for me!! I'm going up and down and not getting much results doing what I'm doing, but I TRULY LOVE THIS WEBSITE!! I am going to hang in there as long as I can. I have got to get rid of this WEIGHT! Please let me know if someone has success with this plan. The cereal does have a lot of vitamins, etc. but I don't know that it would be very complete nutrition.
thanks! cms@uts.cc.utexas.edu Austin, Texas

Yes I tried this for 1 week, it totally didnt work for me... I lost only like 2 lbs... I thought that you had to do it for 1 week and you could lose up to 6 lbs... But yeah, I found myself not happy with this because it caused me to overeat... I went over my calorie range because I would have a nice big dinner.... I personally didnt like this challenge. I do still eat Special K for breakdast but for lunch I like to have some soup it keeps me fuller longer then a snack then just a regular dinner, and I found that I eat less of my dinner. I also stopped eating after 6pm. That helps alot.... Let me know if your special K challenge works.....

Sounds like they just want you to buy Special K.
I think any diet that tells you to eat their product as a meal replacement is bad.
I tried that cabbage soup diet a couple years ago but I could never get passed day 3...LOL

I've actually been trying to use this to replace my dinner. I get home late and then go to the gym so I don't like big meals at night. I'll have veggies or fruit before I go and then when I get home (at 9ish) I have my cereal. Do you think this is way too late to eat? I can't help eating after the gym, I'm usually very hungry and this cereal fills me up, so I usually stop at that. I use breakfast as my biggest meal. I have my egg whites, a piece of toast, and fruit.

Eating after 9 is killing me huh?

I was told that you should eat some protein within 1/2 hour of working out so I always eat after a work out. I'll have some cheese or a piece of chicken.
I don't think it really matters what time you eat plus after a work out your metabolism is up and continues to burn calories.

I agree w/ tarar - my trainer always had me eat protien before working out - it's supposed to help with the concentration as well as getting you through your workout:) I'm a little skeptical of the Special K diet - especially when it tells you only to have 3 meals a day - I break my calories into 5 smaller meals - that way I'm not hungry in between meals:)

I have to agree that this isn't the best approach, it's a snappy advertising gimmick though!

I love my whole grain total, but I eat it maybe twice a week not twice a day LoL. I like it for the added vitamins and being "whole grain" it is considered "good carbs".

I personally like variety myself and anything that promises rapid weight loss is likely not a healthy choice :)

I like the uncle sam cereal. Serving is only 3/4 cups but it has 10g fiber so it fills me up more than the special k.

Post has a similar challenge, but I haven't yet tried it - I eat the whole wheat & bran on a regular basis, and its really high in fiber and has almost no sugar - the carbs are kind of high and its almost 200 a serving - 1 cup plus 1/4 cup - but it keeps me full for several hours, 3-4 , almost all the way to lunch. I actually can't eat sugar cereals any more - if I do, I get the shakes. Weird, eh?

screw the special k diet! i would be hungry an hour after each "meal". of course you'll lose weight if you replace a meal with a tiny bowl of cereal. how bout the 3 Muskateers diet? replace breakfast and lunch w/ a 3 Muskateer and lose weight! no kidding, you're reducing your calories so you're going to lose weight. but you're going to be hungry the whole time!

I think the reason you're supposed to lose weight so fast is because of the serving size. Think about it- you're only eating a cup of a food that's got a lot of air in it, as opposed to a normal-sized meal. You're kind of fasting (or semi-fasting) if you think about it.

I'm a Special K girl myself and I incorporate it into my diet pretty often, but this strict diet doesn't seem like it would accomplish much more than simply shrinking your stomach- which could benefit you in the future, I guess, because you'd fill up faster...

good answers from everyone! No body but no body can fool this group! We're on the right track here, and we know better than to eat a bowl of cereal as a "meal." Snack maybe, but even that, is questionable.

bma83-

I was told to stop eating at least 4 hours before bedtime. So if you go to bed at 1 or later, you are all good :)

Don't do it. Too much suffering for too little return.

Actually had considered this Special K plan, or my own modified version, since one serving would not have been enough. After reading the nutrition info on the box you'll find just about any cereal without sugar will give you the same calories etc. Many of the other cereals would be a lot more satisfyiing and filling even if used as snack.

I just need to comment that I love this site b.c everyone is very smart about dieting. We don't buy into gimmicks and know what is healthy for us. Thanks for all of the replies!!

bma83 - you hit the nail on the head. I'm sooo impressed with all you guys and I only hope we can keep spreading the word and let everyone know the smart and healthy way to lose weight!

I tried this about a year ago and it worked. You have to stick to it for 2 weeks. That is the plan. Not one. And you CAN'T starve (listen to this, MeghannMarco.com) As long as you eat fruits and veggies throughout the day then there is no excuse for fainting from malnourishment. That is also part of the plan. You can eat as many fruits and veggies all day long. You can drink whatever you want. I didn't do the snackbar thing, and I also substituted Special K with other healthier cereals, including cheaper, generic brands. I lost exactly 6 pounds in 14 days. I am currently on the diet again, not so much to lose weight, but to get my eating habits back into shape and not be as irratic as I have been with food lately. It is great for that. It is great because it teaches you to plan ahead what you are going to eat for the day. If I know I have dinner with a friend the following evening, I just eat cereal and fruit for breakfast and lunch. I'm planning my meals! I love it. Also, as for the 2/3 skim milk...I usually go a little over. Since you can drink whatever you want, I think it is okay to do that.

It Works,

If your at moderate weight.

Otherwise, you set youself up for disaster.

A week or so ago I posted something about the Subway Diet and the Special K diet and got some pretty negative feedback.  But I've decided I'm going to try the Special K diet for myself this week and see what happens.  I just like the whole idea of planning my meals out!