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?

You know, I practically lived off of generic Special K Red Berries (I was eating the Meijer brand, 'Essential M Red Berries' lol...I'm cheap), just because I liked it. It tasted really really good, and it's all I'd crave. So for lunch and dinner and/or breakfast I'd eat 1.5 cups Special K Red Berries with a Light n Fit nonfat vanilla yogurt. It was a filling meal, but not overly filling, and perfect before bed if I didn't want anything else too heavy. I didn't lose any weight from it that I can discern, but...I know that if you're eating late at night (which is totally okay to do if you're hungry! It's way more dangerous to go to bed hungry and risk going downstairs and binging because your hunger won't let you sleep), then it's okay.

LOL @ nirvrush! 3 muskaters diet??? Sign me up!

But you're right. You could eat anything, ANYTHING with the same amount of cals as a bowl of Special K and still lose weight.

I usually eat it twice a day. Once for breakfast and then again for a snack. When I was trying to lose (Im at goal now) I always had a nice sandwitch or something for lunch. i would always end up eating the ceral after lunch.

You really don't get enough calories if you only eat ceral. Its all about balance and I really don't think the Special K diet can offer that.

That said, I'm sure it works. If you stick to it. But, I couldnt do it. I gotta have some MEAT at lunch time!!! :)

Now, I'm off to stock up on candy bars... :)

I've been on the Special K diet for 7 days now - starting week 2... i love it.. i've lost 9 lbs already!

Not really hungry at all!

sounds kinda' risky to me...  I think there are many healthier ways to lose weight than by replacing nutritious meals with a bowl of (sweetened) cereal twice a day.  Although I'm sure you'd lose weight, because it's such a small amount of food.  but keep in mind that losing weight in an unhealthy way won't be worth it.  I'd look into this further before trying it if I were you.

Reviving old thread? :)
For all the Special K berry that I have consumed, Kellog should make me their reps LOL. Honestly, I used to eat that stuff like breathing air. I can tell you off the bat that cereal diet not working. Short term yes, but not in the long run at the least

But, whatever that you think works, sometimes learning from experience is the best way. :p

I mostly eat Special K with a 1/2 cup of light soymilk as my after workout snack.  As a meal by itself it's nothing sustaining, mix it in with another higher calorie cereal like Kashi Go-Lean Crunch.

I'm have been doing the Special K Challenge since April 24, 2006. I have lost 40 pounds so far. I have also been exercising. I feel a whole lot better since I have lost all that weight. Half of the weight I lost was from pregnancy (20 lbs). I would recommend this diet, because it is simple. It may be difficult at first, but when you get used to it, it's awesome! 

Wow im now going to start my specail k challenge i have really learned a lot from this, I made it my new year resolution. I think you can loose weight because of how small the serving is. But like any other diet you would proberly get better resolts if along with the diet, you get some excercise. And its not that you can eat anything with the same calories its getting used to eating healthy, and getting yourslef full faster so in the long run you wont eat as much.  And if its to o mush to losse for such little reaturn, well beauty is pain you got yourself up now you get yourself down , and if you reaaly have the will power and some money to buy the product, go 4 it. Who knows maybe you'll find your right diet plan. Well of i go ,  and all these comments helped me get more will power.

more like the starve yourself diet.

jazmin dear, I don't think I get what you posted XD. You lost me somewhere around "And its not that you can eat anything with the same calories its getting used to eating healthy, and getting yourslef full faster so in the long run you wont eat as much. "

I was hungry alot when I have that 'diet' and ate more of the cereal to satiate the hunger. I was doing that for a year, and I still eat that cereal (I like it) but as breakfast and snacks :). During that 'challenge' I still had 1 decent meal a day or at least tried to.

For me, it does NOT work. (ya, ya, "result is not typical" disclamer) I mean, do you really want to live like that for the rest of your life? Because once you drop off that diet your weight will come back with a vegeance. I think the calorie intake is not only too low, you also miss out a balance and proper nutrition required. Also, I thought the challenge is not for a long term result. They only promise as far as 1month? 2? and that's it.

And if its to o mush to losse for such little reaturn, well beauty is pain you got yourself up now you get yourself down , and if you reaaly have the will power and some money to buy the product, go 4 it.
"To be Beautiful is Painful" I always say that to myself. Sure. No one ever say trying to loose weight is ez or 'painless'. Just the definition of "PAIN" varies in intensity and in types for everyone.

Like I said on my post above, if you are curious, do research, if you think it will work for you then go for it. We all learn in different ways, advices, observations, and self experience.

Just be healthy ^.^ Good Luck.

"Eating after 9 is killing me huh?"

Not if you are working out regularly every evening.  When you do a good workout, your body continues to burn calories even when you're at rest, so a light snack before bed isn't going to hurt your weight loss efforts (this is according to my physical therapist/trainer).

I am going to start this diet tomorrow-

I exercise on average 3-4 times a week but during these two weeks I plan on hitting the gym most everyday.  I know that this will work for me as it will make me consume a healthy amount of calories so my body won't think it is starving and stop metabolzing at a fast rate. 

If you eat a protein filled lunch and cereal for dinner I think you will be able to make it through the work day with out walking around to find the hidden goddies stashed all around the office.  Also drinking lots of water and hot tea makes you feel much fuller- especially when coupled with meals, but also through out the day.  I feel that if you are hungry during the day have an apple and a bottle of water and you will feel fine.

Once your stomach is used to comsuming the proper portions of food it's easy.

I only need to lose about 10 lbs so I know this will be a great jump start.

Natashenka- You must be American and a retard because the challenge says lose up to 6lbs in 2 weeks thats  2 NOT 1 and if you lost 2 lbs in 1 week then its working. also american portions tend to be HUGE no wonder you are all fat down there and EXERCISE get off your lazy asses and go for a walk. I'm Canadian and I took the challenge and lost a good 25 lbs in under 2 months. So IT does work. Stop being a retard and get with the program.

I found that if you eat cereal for breakfast, like I do,  most serving sizes are 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup.  The Special K cereal is a whole cup for one serving and has less calories than most other cereals per serving.  I don't eat it for 3 meals but I do for breakfast just add some fruit to it to make it more filling or have some yogurt with it.  I love Special K!  I ate it every day for 3 months for breakfast I took up weight training lost 20 pounds and 18 inches.  I wasn't considered fat either and a year later I haven't gained any back.  Oh I'm american too and proud of it.  One last thing.  Mon- Fri I walk 3 hours a day.  For soccerchick to classify Americans as she did, she really must watch to much TV.

Good luck everyone!!!! 

i tryed the specil k diet jus after my 1 yr old was born and found my self starving the whole time and all i thought about was food. nnot a good diet i must say.

the calorie counting thing does work though i have been a member as of 7 th jan and had my first weigh in today and i lost a pound already. my calorie intake is 1300 aday give or take a little. i am never hungery and wanting to raid the fridge. i would say any one trying this diet should be prepared to give up afer the first week like i did there are easyer and healther options out there you dont need to starve your self with a measly cup of special k.

janine.

the special k diet isn't worth the money or the pangs of hunger you'll feel all day. it may show you quicker weight loss but are you really going to eat two bowls of cereal and one regular meal for the rest of your life? once you get off the "diet" and start eating regular again you'll just gain that weight back that you lost. it doesn't teach you any good skills for losing weight. it's like looking for the easy way out.

ive heard about that diet and i love their cereal but eating it twice a day?? for a week?? that sounds too boring for me! i like variety!

Soccerchick - that was unnecessarily rude.  Everyone searches around for something that works for them.  Frankly, I think the Special K diet is a crock - someone would be much better off eating big helpings of fruits, veggies, and whole foods than processed sugary cereal - but everyone struggles to find that nutritional niche that they can fit into.

And please attempt not to classify people by where they come from.  I am American and not "fat" at all, and so are many Americans.  In fact, everyone on this site is here because they want to improve their health in some way.  To say we are "all" something suggests ignorance on your part.  Hrm, and I plan on re-locating to Toronto in 5 or so years.  I sincerely hope that "all" Canadians are not as ill-mannered as you are.

First of all, really rude and ignorant to use the word retard.    Also, star1020 has it right by saying that everyone searches for something that works for them.   

Now, that said, I tried the diet and lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks.    That was not bad.    I then waited a couple of weeks and tried it again - 1 lb lost.     That was discouraging.    So, my feeling is this, it is a good way to start you off and feeling those pants loosen up and feeling lighter is definitely a good motivater.   So take from it what you can.   If it makes you more mindful of eating smaller portions then great.   If you lose a bit the first time - great.   

And trust me Soccerchick there are lots of fat Canadians - I was one of them!

First of all, really rude and ignorant to use the word retard.    Also, star1020 has it right by saying that everyone searches for something that works for them.   

Now, that said, I tried the diet and lost 9 lbs in 2 weeks.    That was not bad.    I then waited a couple of weeks and tried it again - 1 lb lost.     That was discouraging.    So, my feeling is this, it is a good way to start you off and feeling those pants loosen up and feeling lighter is definitely a good motivater.   So take from it what you can.   If it makes you more mindful of eating smaller portions then great.   If you lose a bit the first time - great.   

And trust me Soccerchick there are lots of fat Canadians - I was one of them!