Losing weight properly is changing your habits because if you don't the weight comes back on. I would look into www.slimbodycoach.com. They have a free support website and have they best plan out there that I know of. I know because I was the Round 1 winner in 2007. Also, they honestly have great tasting shakes that don't have bad ingredients.
Shakes just replace meals. You don't have to have them because it doesn't help you lose weight faster. The main thing is to eat at least 100 grams of protein per day by eating 5 mini meals (each meal consisting of protein, carb, and color carb), and drinking lots of water (120 oz.--I drink 12 oz before and after each meal to get it all in). The calories you are to consume to lose weight is taking your current weight x 8. This number drops as your weight drops, but never go below 1100 calories because your body goes into starvation mode.
I really did lose my weight by doing this, along with exercising 6 days a week. I did 1 hour of cardio first thing in the morning because you are burning stored fat and not what you just ate, and 20 minutes of resistance before going to bed. I also did stretches and meditation on the 7th day because I found that as long as I did something I didn't get out of the habit. Plus, that is always good for you.
Best wishes, D.