Dieting without the assistance of a commercial diet program can be challenging, as many programs offer emotional and strategic support that may be difficult to find on your own. Many successful dieters have used commercial programs, while others have dieted on their own. Statistics from the National Weight Control Registry show that a little more than half of successful dieters used a commercial program, and a little less than half lost their weight on their own.
Types
Because of the variety of commercial programs available, you're likely to find a commercial diet program that fits your personality, lifestyle, budget and weight-loss goals. Common types of commercial diets include programs that offer weekly or daily group meetings, programs that require you to meet for one-on-one sessions with a counselor, plans that expect you to purchase specific food provided by the company and paid programs through community or religious centers.
Costs
A commercial program charges a fee to either make a profit or recoup the cost of materials. A community or religious-center program may charge a one-time fee per 10-week session. A program that offers weekly meetings at a diet center or workplace often requires a one-time registration fee and a weekly attendance fee. Programs that offer prepackaged food expect you to purchase food, specialized bars or supplements from their offices or websites. Use the diet program's website to analyze costs, or visit the center and ask for a complete fee schedule. Some programs require prepayment but offer a partial refund in certain circumstances.
Evaluating a Program
For the best chances of achieving your weight-loss goals, choose a program that teaches you how to incorporate healthy foods into your life, encourages you to increase your activity level and guides you into weight-maintenance. Look for a program that your doctor or nutritionist recommends, and avoid joining a program that relies on gimmicks or unhealthy foods. If you follow a vegetarian lifestyle or need to eat a gluten-free diet, ask the administrator if the program's philosophy adapts easily to your needs. Ask about long-term weight maintenance statistics, as a review study published in the January 2005 issue of the "Annals of Internal Medicine" found that the majority of commercial weight-loss programs analyzed produced low weight-loss amounts and less than impressive long-term weight maintenance results. However, using a commercial weight loss plan can help you with long-term maintenance, provided that you follow the example of successful weight-loss maintainers from the National Weight Control Registry and learn new habits, exercise regularly and continue eating healthy food in the appropriate quantities.
Suggestions
If you travel, have small children or know that you will be unable to attend regular weigh-ins or scheduled meetings, choose a commercial program with an Internet component. The September 2007 edition of "Obesity Reviews" indicated that using Internet diet programs may help you change your eating habits and discover new information on fitness. Some programs include Internet access in their fees, while others require a separate access fee. Ask if you can attend an introductory session or meeting without cost so you can evaluate the personality of the leader, the facility and obtain informational materials. Be willing to switch programs or adapt a commercial program to your needs to enable you to meet your weight-loss goals.
References
- National Weight Control Registry: NWCR Facts
- Weight-Control Information Network; Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-Loss Program; April 2008
- "Annals of Internal Medicine"; Systematic Review: An Evaluation of Major Commercial Weight Loss Programs in the United States; A.G. Tsai, et al.; January 2005
- "Obesity Reviews"; The Impact of Internet Use for Weight Loss; S.A. Saperstein, et al.; September 2007
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