Hey there! Serena here. If you‘ve been following me for a while, you know I‘m a total wellness junkie. I love trying the latest workout classes, clean beauty products, and nutrition hacks. But as much as I adore kale smoothies and barre, I‘m also a real girl who struggles with her weight just like anyone else.
Can you relate? Despite eating a mostly healthy diet and exercising regularly, I‘ve always carried around an extra 20-30 pounds that just wouldn‘t budge. I know I‘m more than a number on the scale, but I just didn‘t feel comfortable or confident in my skin. I wanted more energy, better sleep, and to rock a bikini without cringing at photos. I wanted to be my best self in and out.
Maybe you‘ve felt the same way and tried what feels like every diet under the sun with little success. Trust me, I get it! From juice cleanses to macro counting to intermittent fasting – I‘ve dabbled in it all. Some worked well for a few weeks but were impossible to stick to long term. Others just left me feeling restricted and honestly, kind of miserable.
That‘s why I was intrigued when I first heard about Optavia – a weight loss and healthy lifestyle program that promises to help you reach your goals through a combination of meal replacements, coaching support, and lifestyle changes. Originally called "Take Shape for Life", Optavia was started by a doctor who wanted to help his patients lose weight safely and learn habits for long-term health.
Essentially, it‘s a low calorie, low carb, high protein diet (~800-1000 calories per day) where you eat a mix of Optavia‘s pre-packaged "fuelings" and one self-prepared "lean and green" meal. The goal is to put your body into a gentle fat-burning state while still getting balanced nutrition. You also get assigned your own personal coach to guide you through the journey.
It sounded promising, but of course I had to dive into the details to really understand what I was getting into. I scoured Optavia‘s website, read customer reviews, and even talked to a few health professionals to get their take. I learned it‘s a well-structured program rooted in scientific principles of weight loss and behavior change:
How Optavia Promotes Weight Loss:
| Principle | How It Works |
|---|---|
| Calorie Restriction | By eating only 800-1000 calories per day, you‘re creating a deficit that forces your body to burn fat for fuel. Studies show modest calorie restriction can lead to 5-10% weight loss. |
| Nutrient Density | Optavia meals are packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins to keep you feeling full and nourished despite the lower calories. This makes the diet easier to stick to. |
| Carbohydrate Reduction | Limiting carbs and increasing protein puts your body into a metabolic state called ketosis, where you burn fat more efficiently. Optavia meals are only ~80-100g carbs per day. |
| Meal Timing | Eating a meal or fueling every 2-3 hours helps control hunger, keep your energy stable, and boost metabolism compared to the typical "3 square meals". |
| Accountability | Your Optavia coach is there to answer questions, provide encouragement, and hold you accountable to your goals. Studies show coaching makes people 95% more likely to succeed. |
| Habit Building | The program is about more than just losing weight – it‘s designed to help you build healthier habits around eating, activity, sleep, and mindset for lasting change. |
Armed with all this knowledge, I decided to give Optavia a try for 3 months. I ordered my first month of fuelings, connected with my coach, and eagerly awaited my box. When it arrived, I was struck by how many options there were – from shakes to soups to biscuits, all meticulously portioned and packaged. It felt so easy compared to meal prepping!
For the first few days, I‘m not gonna lie, I felt pretty hangry and low energy as my body adjusted to the reduced calories. Luckily, my Optavia coach Claire was so supportive and shared tips to push through. She reminded me to drink lots of water, move my body even for short walks, and focus on my "why" for better health. Having that accountability was everything!
By week two, something magical happened. The afternoon slump and sugar cravings disappeared. I woke up with more pep in my step, and my clothes were already feeling a bit looser. The fuelings were surprisingly tasty and kept me satisfied between meals. My favorite was the creamy chocolate shake for breakfast and the sour cream and onion crisps for a savory snack.
The "lean and green" meals were also easier than I expected. I could have a big salad, stir fry, or grilled protein with veggies and healthy fats like avocado or nuts. It taught me what a proper portion looks like (spoiler: it‘s way less than what I was eating before). And by combining Optavia fuelings with my own grocery foods, I never felt bored.
Over the next couple months, the weight kept coming off steadily – about 1-2 pounds per week. I noticed my face looked slimmer, my belly got flatter, and my arms and legs more toned. It wasn‘t just about the scale though – I had way more stamina chasing after my kids, I slept more soundly, and I just felt happier and more balanced overall.
Optavia actually teaches a "Habits of Health" transformation with exercise and stress reduction built in, which was a game changer for me. I loved having that holistic approach compared to other programs that just focus on food. It made me realize how connected my mind and body really are.
By the end of my 3 month journey, I was down 20 pounds and 5 inches off my waist – but more importantly, I felt AMAZING. It‘s hard to put into words, but I just had this newfound confidence and zest for life. I started wearing bright colors instead of always black, booking trips I‘d been putting off, and saying "yes" to more social plans. My only regret was not trying Optavia sooner!
I know you might be thinking – okay Serena, you‘re just trying to sell me something. But I swear to you, this isn‘t a gimmick. The thousands of incredible before and afters from other real clients speak for themselves. Some have lost 50, 100, even 200 pounds and reclaimed their health in ways they never imagined possible. Just look at these transformations:
[Before and After Photos]The cool thing is, Optavia works for people of all ages, genders, and starting weights. Whether you‘re looking to lose that stubborn baby weight, get healthy in middle age, or transform your life after a major setback, there‘s an Optavia plan for you. Even some doctors and celebrities like singer Carnie Wilson swear by the program.
Now I‘ll be honest, Optavia isn‘t for everyone and it does take commitment. It‘s not a quick "lose 10 pounds in a week" type of crash diet. The meal replacements aren‘t cheap (about $400 per month) and you have to be okay with a structured plan vs. total flexibility. Some of the fuelings are also processed, so it‘s not the most natural approach compared to cooking from scratch.
But if you struggle with portion control, emotional eating, or just lack the time and energy to meal prep healthy options, Optavia could be a great fit. It‘s so convenient, you learn tons of healthy habits, and the coaching support is unmatched. Plus, the new clients I‘ve referred have all raved about their results so far!
Optavia Alternatives:
| Program | Meal Replacements | Coaching | Cost | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WW (Weight Watchers) | No, uses a points system | Optional | $15-50/mo | Moderate, ~3-5% weight loss |
| Jenny Craig | Yes, prepackaged meals | Included | $500-800/mo | High, ~15-20 lbs in 3 mos |
| Nutrisystem | Yes, prepackaged meals | Not included | $300-500/mo | Moderate, ~10-15 lbs in 3 mos |
| Noom | No, just an app | Virtual coaching | $60/mo | Moderate, ~5-10% weight loss |
If you want to learn more about Optavia, definitely check out their website for all the deets. They even offer a 30 day money back guarantee if you‘re not satisfied (though I seriously doubt you‘ll need it). You can take a quick quiz to see which plan is best for your goals and lifestyle. And pro tip: definitely reach out to a coach to really maximize your results! They‘re like a built-in cheerleader and nutritionist in one.
To wrap it all up, I know losing weight and getting healthy can feel like a rollercoaster. There are tons of ups and downs, and it‘s easy to get discouraged when you don‘t see progress. But having a simple, proven plan like Optavia was seriously the missing link for me. It took the guesswork out of what to eat and gave me the tools to finally reach my happy weight.
So if you‘re reading this and feeling stuck, just know I‘m rooting for you! You are so worth investing in and deserve to feel amazing inside and out. Optavia might be the jumpstart you need to finally take control of your health – or maybe it will inspire you to find what works uniquely for YOU. Either way, remember it‘s not about being perfect, but just making progress each day.
Lots of love,
Serena
