Good morning, Let me explain your situation. When the thyroid does not work correctly (which is why you are on Eltroxin), the cholesterol will go up. And, I believe your dosage is 50 mcg. Try to reach for a TSH (a marker of thyroid health) of 2.5 to help with weight and mood. Your BMI puts you in an obese category meaning the good doctor wants to lower your risk for heart disease because you have two risk factors (weight and cholestero/lipids) for heart disease. Shakes, to answer your question, are not the best way to go. You need a total lifestyle approach and you have started with the 30 minute walk everyday. Keep up with that and as you go on try to walk a little faster, a little harder to burn that fat and strengthen your heart. Normally, if you were a patient in my clinic (skipping the full assessment and treatment plan) I would say that you should switch to a 1200 calories food plan and monitor your weight once per week. After the first week where water weight is lost, aim for 2 lbs per week. Have 2 fresh fruits per day, 3 1/2 cup servings vegetables, 2 servings of dairy, only low glycemic load carbohydrates 5-6 per day and emphasize water soluble fibers, especially oatmeal; and the equivalence of 5 oz of protein per day (varies with vegetarianism vs. non) and 8 glasses of pure water per day; no sugar of any kind. Some of these items you may want to follow up by looking them up on the computer such as water soluble fiber, but this is a template of how I would set up your meal plan. I hope this gets you started. No, I do not recommend following Herbalife as it is a quick fix. Better read the Mediterranean Diet and follow my serving sizes. My best to you, Kathryn Shattler, MS,RDN