Drop 5 lbs. the Vi Way?

It's the new weight-loss miracle to hit the market and it's called Body by Vi, and everyone I know is selling it. I was at book club the other night and some of the gals offered up a sampling of the protein shake. A couple weeks earlier, my neighbor also told me about it as he grabbed a package to sell me out of the trunk of his car and at the Arthritis Walk, there was a booth dedicated to the diet supplement.

The host at this particular book club has become a distributor and while she doesn't need to lose any weight, is sold on the program. She's only been on the program for a couple days and has already seen results. For weight loss, you're supposed to have a shake for breakfast and lunch, snacks and a sensible dinner. Once you reach your goal weight, you occasionally have the shakes for maintenance and health. At that, she offered us all a sample of the shakes. And I'll admit, while I don't usually buy into these fad diets, it was pretty good.

I work out, eat pretty healthy, but have my weaknesses when it comes to processed foods. And let's face it, I could stand to lose 5 lbs. But one of the ladies at the club brought up a good point, "Are you losing weight because you're working out and eating healthier? Or is it the shake?"

Good point. When I recently went to Spain, I drank alcohol and ate plenty of fatty foods. But I also walked several miles a day and when I came back, I was actually a couple pounds lighter than when I left. The only thing I can fathom is the foods I ate were unprocessed, high in protein and were full of "good" fat. Also the walking. Other than the tour bus, that's how we got around the historical cities and towns. And it's amazing, I didn't see any fat people in Spain. Now they weren't super in shape, but they were healthy.

So here's my question: are Americans constantly just looking for the easy way to lose weight? A quick fix so we can continue to live the lifestyle we want? And does that help or hurt us in the long run? Or does a 90 day challenge help get us back on track? Upon reaching our personal goal, then we'll be the make the sacrifice and achieve lasting results? Who knows? Maybe I will just buy a month's supply...