A Look at the Leading Weight-Loss Programs

Losing weight is always a struggle—whether you’ve got five pounds or fifty pounds to lose. With all the fast food and business luncheons filled with less-than-healthy food, it’s hard to stick to a diet plan. So where can you find a plan that you’ll enjoy and, more importantly, stick to?

Consumer Reports (CR) recently released a study that examined some of today’s most popular diet programs. Weight Watchers led the field with the highest overall rating. A major component of the Weight Watchers plan is participation in weekly group meetings and weigh-in that provide the support and motivation that help participants stick with the program over the long-haul. Another plus for the program is the nutritionally balanced meal plans.

Slim Fast, another popular diet program, came in second overall behind Weight Watchers and actually produced the most actual weight loss. This program requires participants to drink a Slim Fast shake for breakfast and one for lunch with a sensible meal for dinner. The program works well for those who don’t like to cook and people usually stick with the program long-term as well.

Other programs, such as Atkins, the Zone and Ornish were also studied and produced short term weight-loss but proved difficult to stick to for longer than six months. Some even had the potential to be destructive to the dieter’s health.

The familiar Weight Watchers “point system” has recently undergone some changes and seen some additional weight-loss tracks to further help dieters and provide increased flexibility.

• The Flex Plan: This plan establishes a set range of points each day. Members can eat whatever they like, as long as they stay within that range.

• The Core Plan: This is a new plan that provides members with a list of nutritious foods from which they can pick and choose without every keeping track of points.

• Weight Watchers Online: While attending weekly meetings is a big component of the Weight Watchers plan, you can now participate from the comfort of your own home, or wherever your computer takes you.

“If there is one thing I’ve learned from going to all those Weight Watchers meetings, it’s that you are the expert on you. I’m an expert on weight loss, and I can provide people with a method, but you have to figure the solution that works for you,” said Karen Miller-Kovach, chief sceientific officer and vice president of program development for Weight Watchers International, to USA Today. “It’s very freeing when you can enjoy food and control your weight.”

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