Hi Austenfan---
I've had great success w/ slimfast. i buy it @ sam's club by the case and i buy the optima as it has more protein and sustains my hunger feelings longer. i do have to say that i believe my adderall helps me as well; i must take it to have any kind of energy. i'm not promoting it as a weight loss cure; it's a must in my medicinal regimine to make it thru the day.
i do exercise; but not as much as i'd like. i walk 2-3 times a week or during the summer i tried to swim laps at the pool; it's the most forgiving exercise. lately, my body has been hurting so badly and the humidity so high that i've not been able to walk. i've been wanting to try bikram yoga (hot yoga), but haven't as of yet.
i hope this helped...good luck to you! it's hard, and you have to be patient and lose slowly.