I became a consistent smoothie person when I learned to used frozen fruit instead of ice. I don't have to worry about keeping fresh fruit handy just for smoothies (though I do use fresh banana most of the time), and I don't get chunks of ice in my smoothie, which I don't like. I like the consistency the banana gives it, but I guess you have to do without.

My favorite frozen fruit is actually called "Smoothie Blend", which you can get at Ralph's (in So Cal), which has pineapple, mango and strawberries. (Or you can buy those things separately, of course, or any variation of fruits). I throw that in with a banana, some OJ and rice milk.

Another tip for banana people, I almost always have bananas around, but sometimes they don't all get eaten before they start to turn brown. When they start to get brown I cut them up and put them in a zip lock bag in the freezer for smoothies.

I do find that smoothies somehow help me lose weight. If I stick to having a smoothie for breakfast with nothing else, a very small lunch and reasonable dinner, I typically lose weight. Good luck on your quest!