Short answer: Yes

Long answer: Yes, but not if you're seeking long term results

Longer answer:

We know why so many of us try the shake route for weight loss:

All the nutrition I need without having to eat "healthy" foods
Don't have to think about food choices or count calories to hit a caloric deficit
My friends/training buddy/coworkers are doing it and having great results

And the most obvious reason:

I want to lose weight fast.

If you're seeking a shortcut, these shakes will give you one. Unfortunately, the shortcut reroutes you onto a U-turn.

So many clients come to me exhausted from umpteen iterations of Shakeology, Isagenix and Medifast. If it takes a drastic intervention to lose the weight, it will take an equally drastic one to keep it off. Stop drinking those shakes without addressing dietary, lifestyle and emotional issues that put the weight on in the first place, and I can almost guarantee you the weight will come back.

What about the amazing results of your friends/training buddy/coworker? Short term results are nearly guaranteed if you're on a calorie-restricted diet. Notice I said "short-term." I hate to be a jerk, but give it time and see whether results stick for our pal. There's a reason why these companies are required to use the phrase "Results not typical" on there products and in their advertising.

And remember Shakeology, Arbonne, Herbalife and many more of these powdered snake-oils are multi-level marketing products. That means that not only does Cindy in accounting want to sell you shakes, she wants you to join her sales team. "You'll get a discounted rate and all you have to do is tell your friends how much you love the product! It sells itself!"

Claims like "more vitamin X than 10 pounds of broccoli!" or "as much calcium as a gallon of milk!" should be looked at with a very skeptical eye. Just because a food-like substance has been enriched with 600% of your daily value of vitamin X does not mean that your body can actually absorb it. In fact, the most likely outcome of consuming these high levels of fortified products is expensive pee.

But there's good news: I'm going to share the real shortcut to lasting weight loss:

Identify what habits and behaviors led you to where you are today
One day at a time, build new habits that support your health and fitness goals
Eat real food

I know this is a grand over-simplification.

This route takes time and soul-searching, but if you take this route, which seems like the long route at first, you realize that you only have to take it once (maybe with the occasional refresh if you get a bit off course here and there).

If you're ready for to get off the weight loss shake treadmill and to affect real change in your diet and your life, let's talk.