If you are trying to lose weight, you can be assured that there is a diet or weight loss program that will fit your lifestyle. Many programs are backed by science, and with the help of the Internet, your weight loss can be tracked online and motivation is available with the click of the mouse. Follow a plan only after careful research and approval from your doctor.
Weight Watchers
The Weight Watchers program incorporates four components for weight loss--healthy food choices, exercise, behavior modification and a supportive atmosphere--and a point system to help you keep track of your nutrition and exercise. The food plan, Momentum, awards the highest point value to foods that are nutrient dense and low calorie. A target number of points is set for your day based on your current weight, height, gender, activity and age. A target point range is also set for exercise. Initially, the exercise point range will assist you in getting healthy and the points will progress to a weight-loss level as you become more fit.
South Beach Diet
Dr. Arthur Agatston, cardiologist and associate professor of medicine at the University of Miami, created the South Beach diet. This diet and weight-loss plan is divided into three phases. The first phase helps eliminate cravings for sugar, processed foods and refined starches. The second phase helps you achieve a healthy weight through steady weight loss. The third phase is where you will implement an eating plan that you will follow, ideally, for the rest of your life. Your meals will come from the "South Beach Diet" cookbook and will be made of nutrient-dense and fiber-rich foods. Sticking with this diet means you will eat foods that are low glycemic to help keep your blood sugar levels and weight under control.
Alli
Alli is both a pill and a weight-loss program. The FDA-approved pill promotes weight loss by decreasing absorption of fat by the intestines, which helps reduce the number of calories absorbed. Alli is taken with meals that contain high levels of fat, up to three times each day. The My Alli Plan is an online support and tracking tool to assist you in weight loss. Like Weight Watchers, Alli is designed around four pillars--fitness, food, lifestyle and nutrition.
NutriSystem
If you are not interested in counting calories, keeping track of points or controlling portion size, the ease and convenience of NutriSystem may work for you. After online selection, a month's worth of meals--breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert for each day--are delivered to your home in pre-measured, microwave-ready pouches. All of the meals are high in fiber, low in sodium, saturated and trans fat. NutriSystem is based on the glycemic index of eating foods that stabilize blood sugar levels and reduce cravings therefore helping you reach or maintain a healthy weight.
LA Weight Loss
LA Weight Loss is more about motivation and support than it is about diet. On this program, you have weekly meetings with a trained counselor who will guide you through a three- or five-step program. The three-step program combines weight loss, stabilization and maintenance for permanent weight loss. The five-step program combines balance, personalization, accountability, flexibility or variety and a managed program. Neither plan requires calorie or point counting.
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