Sydney mother says she lost 10kg in 20 weeks using meal-replacement shakes
Natalie Armstrong credits two daily 'Glow Shakes' and a calorie deficit for her weight loss; the brand and other customers report similar results
A Sydney mother of two said she lost 10kg in 20 weeks after incorporating daily meal-replacement shakes from The Collagen Co. into her routine, a company campaign and a series of customer accounts reported.
Natalie Armstrong told the brand she lost 7.7kg in the first 12 weeks after replacing breakfast and lunch with the product marketed as "Glow Shakes," while keeping a balanced dinner and two low-calorie snacks. Armstrong said she ate about 1,300 to 1,500 calories a day to remain in a calorie deficit and that most of the change came from dietary adjustments rather than exercise.
Armstrong said she lost the weight while 19 months postpartum and breastfeeding without experiencing problems. She told the company she typically aims for one to two reformer Pilates classes and one hot yoga class a week, but acknowledged her activity has varied and that she had periods with little exercise because of busy weeks. The Collagen Co. representatives visited Armstrong in Sydney and brought ten 1kg bags of flour to illustrate the amount of weight she had shed.
The company has publicised other customer accounts with larger short-term losses. One woman identified as Tamara was reported to have lost 15.8kg in fewer than 30 days while following the brand's "Shake & Glow" challenge, which paired twice-daily shakes with a high-protein, low-carbohydrate meal plan and daily exercise; she said her daily intake was capped at 1,200 calories during the challenge. Another customer, Liza, reported losing 10.7kg in 28 days after using the shakes for breakfast and lunch as part of the same program, while a woman named Abby said she lost 5kg in less than a month.
The Collagen Co. markets its Glow Shakes as a protein-forward meal replacement. Company information supplied with the customer accounts states each serving contains more than 29g of protein, 15.5g of hydrolysed collagen peptides, over 5g of prebiotic fibre, 24 vitamins and minerals, and added ingredients such as medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil and green tea extract. The brand says the product is low in sugar and calories and is available in several flavours.
Thousands of customer reviews on the brand's website and social media are cited in the promotional material, with users reporting appetite suppression, increased energy and rapid weight loss. In published testimonials, customers described reduced snacking, higher energy levels and satisfaction with the shakes' taste and texture. The company also offers a "Weight Loss Hub" with recipes, eating and exercise plans intended to accompany the shakes.
Nutrition and medical experts caution that meal-replacement products should be used as part of a balanced diet and may not be appropriate for everyone. Rapid weight loss claims, particularly those that involve very low daily calorie intakes, can carry health risks and should be supervised by a qualified professional, doctors and dietitians say. The Collagen Co. and similar brands advise consulting a healthcare provider before beginning a program that replaces multiple meals.
The experiences reported by Armstrong and other customers reflect individual accounts provided to the company and published in media coverage. Results can vary based on total calorie intake, underlying health conditions, activity levels and adherence to a broader dietary plan.