Meal Replacement Shakes...Yuk?

It seems everyone I know that is losing serious weight is using meal replace,ent shakes. So far I have resisted the temptation. It just doesnt sound that good. So I continue on training for triathlons. Where the cruel irony of exercising is that muscle weighs more than fat. But my Dr. Tells me that's okay, losing inches and not looking flabby is much better. I wish I could do both, quickly, but eking out my few pounds down, a couple pounds up is my life and I'm okay with that.