List of Weight Loss Programs on the Market
Program Overviews and Recommendations

Do you look at the long list of weight loss programs out there and get overwhelmed by all of their claims and information?

If you are currently following one of the many weight loss programs but are having little or no success, don’t get down on yourself! You have likely just chosen a program that does not fit your needs and/or lifestyle.

You need to take a step back and look at how you are trying to lose weight. Of the long list of weight loss programs on the market, which one are you using (if any)? Have you tried others in the past? The differences among this list of weight loss programs are significant.

Finding the right weight loss program for YOU can be challenging!

We can help! Read our program overviews for each of these weight loss plans to help you make an informed decision.

LA Weight Loss – The LA Weight Loss Plan is based on regular grocery store food and one-on-one counseling at one of the many company weight loss centers. Many clients, however, report considerable pressure to purchase company nutrition bars and other products as part of the program. This, combined with a variety of required up-front fees, makes the LA Weight Loss program quite expensive.

Jenny Craig – The Jenny Craig Weight Loss Plan is based on the Jenny Cuisine line of pre-packaged food and one-on-one counseling at one of the many company weight loss centers. Clients give mixed reviews of their experiences with this program with some very positive and others very negative. At approximately $420 to $532 per month plus a required enrollment fee of up to $399, the Jenny Craig plan is very expensive.

Weight Watchers – Started in the early 1960s, Weight Watchers is a commercial weight loss program that is based on the use of regular grocery store food. The focus of this program is portion control and moderate, steady weight loss. No foods are "off limits", but you do account for everything you eat and assign a point value to it and stay within a point limit each day. This program is affordable and can be effective, but it doesn’t necessarily help you learn to make healthier eating choices for the long term.

NutriSystem – Started in the 1970s, the NutriSystem program utilizes pre-packaged meals that you order online from their website. There are no membership fees and the program is relatively affordable starting at approximately $300/month. By most accounts, clients are successful with the NutriSystem program and are happy with the food and support they receive. Relative to many of the others in this list of weight loss programs, NutriSystem is a very good program.

Medifast – The Medifast Weight Loss program uses Medifast Meals, which are individually portioned, calorie- and carbohydrate-controlled, and low fat. Medifast products were developed by physicians in the early 1980s and clinically-proven safe and effective for healthy weight loss by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the National Institutes of Health. Medifast has been recommended by over 20,000 physicians throughout the United States.

Take Shape for Life – The Take Shape for Life program is based on the Medifast Weight Loss program and pairs you with a Certified Health Advisor. Your Health Advisor is your personal ally throughout each phase of the program – weight loss, transition, and maintenance – to support you and your new, healthier weight for the long term. There is no charge for the service that your Health Advisor provides.

The South Beach Diet – Developed by Miami cardiologist Arthur Agatston, The South Beach Diet offers a program to teach you how to modify your diet to avoid the “bad” carbohydrates and fats and instead eat “good” carbohydrates and fats. This program requires that you prepare your own meals and teaches you to change the balance of food you eat to emphasize health and weight loss. Many clients have been successful with this program. However, it is less structured than some of the other good weight loss programs and some may find it more difficult to successfully incorporate into their daily routine.

Atkins Diet – Originally devised by the late Dr. Robert C. Atkins in the early 1970s, the Atkins Diet is commonly referred to as a “low-carbohydrate” plan. The program restricts processed/refined carbohydrates (which make up more than 50% of many people’s diets), such as high sugar foods, breads, pasta, cereal and starchy vegetables. This plan instead emphasizes generous amounts of meat, eggs, and cheese, which are relatively high in fat content. Many people have experienced successful weight loss results on the Atkins plan. However, both the medical and dietary nutrition communities remain concerned about what they feel are the potential health risks associated with this type of plan compared to the others in this list of weight loss programs.

The Zone Diet – Developed by Barry Sears, PhD, the Zone Diet eating plan does not recommend that you eat fewer calories than you’re currently consuming, just different ones. This diet plan is a combination of a small amount of low-fat protein at every meal, fats, and carbohydrates in the form of fiber-rich vegetables and fruits. The Zone Diet applies a specific ratio of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates to all meals all the time. A broad range of foods are allowed making it easier for people to follow; however, nutritionists give the diet mixed reviews.

Alli – Alli is not a weight loss program, but is rather the less-potent version of orlistat (Xenical), a prescription drug that is used to treat obesity. I have included Alli in this list of weight loss programs simply because it has become widely popular as a tool for losing weight. Alli is approved for over-the-counter sale to overweight adults (must be 18 years and older) and is intended to be used in conjunction with a low-calorie, low-fat diet with regular exercise.

Free Weight Loss Programs – The list of weight loss programs on this page are just the tip of the iceberg. These are all commercial weight loss programs. There are many other options for losing weight, including a vast amount of free information available on the internet or books you can check out at your local library. In any case, before choosing and committing to a particular plan, be sure to research the program, talk to your physician and ask questions.

Summary
Losing weight is very important to so many of us. We all have different reasons to lose weight, from simply wanting to look and feel better to the need to address real and specific health concerns. My hope is that you can use the information in this list of weight loss programs as a guide to help you make an informed decision to choose a program that will suit your needs and lifestyle. Of course, the list of weight loss programs that I have included here is not complete. There are many more available. These are simply the most popular and most used programs on the market.


Additional Weight Loss Resources
For more information about weight loss topics in general, check out these additional weight loss-related resources:

Best Weight Loss Programs
Understand the "science" behind weight loss, and you'll zero in on the achievable ones.

Resveratrol
Research shows that the Resveratrol supplement may aid in treating and preventing obesity, similar to a low calorie diet.

Atkins Diet Review
Provides resources and reviews on Atkins diet recipes and weight loss programs for weight watchers wanting to lose belly fat.

Diet Reviews
DietReviewsGuru.com provides reviews of healthy diet plans, diet meals delivered, low carb diet plans, online weight loss programs, weight loss exercise programs, weight loss diet books, calorie counting diets, and diet supplements.

Return from List of Weight Loss Programs to Success with Weight Loss Programs