Weight Loss Guide

Reviewer:  Aaron Creighton | December 3, 2018 

Losing weight can be easy and fun when you choose the right program for you. But with so many programs claiming a permanent weight loss solution, where do you start?

 

Weight Loss Program Evaluation Criteria

We really put our editorial staff through the wringer on this one! We’ve tested over 67 weight loss programs, and evaluated them on multiple levels: what the experts think, what past customers think, and what we think.

• Support – The social components that make losing weight easier
• Customer Service – A responsive team can help significantly
• Affordability – Can’t lose weight if you can’t afford to stick to a program
• Customer Satisfaction – What former customers say about the product
• Quality – If the products they push measure up
• Taste – Many programs provide food and it must taste good
• Lifestyle – If you’re active you need a program that gives you enough calories
• Realism – A piece of lettuce and a lemon wedge is not a realistic lunch for most
• Duration – A 48 week program might be more than most can handle

How Weight Loss Programs Work

Weight loss programs work best when they work for you. To reach and stay at a healthy weight over the long term, you must focus on your overall health and lifestyle habits, not just on what you eat. Successful weight-loss programs should promote healthy behaviors that help you lose weight safely, that you can stick with every day, and that help you keep the weight off.

Safe and successful weight-loss programs should include:

• Lifestyle Coaching – which involves counseling or guides to healthier living
• Whole Health Approach – sleep and stress can have a big impact on your success
• Regular Feedback – monitoring success and progress towards goals is important
• Slow and Steady – programs that offer too much too quit should be avoided

Weight Loss Program Types

If you’re deciding what type of weight loss program is best for you, think about times that you successfully completed a goal in the past and try to remember what motivated you before. How much time do you have? Are you social or prefer to work independently? Do you have any physical ailments that will limit your ability to exercise?

In-person weight loss programs

Typically these programs meet at community centers or storefronts and provide social support and coaching for a group of people trying to achieve the same goal. This can be very helpful for social people, but discouraging for people who prefer to work alone or feel self-conscious of their weight.

Online weight loss programs

This is a good option if you are self-conscious about meeting in person, but also wish to benefit from social support. Use of forums, apps, and all kinds of technological means of communicating has made these programs popular and successful.

Customizable weight loss programs

Customization comes in all forms. From diet plans to meal delivery programs all tailored to your ability to exercise or not.

Packaged meal programs

Packed meal programs can be extremely helpful for busy people. Having a meal delivered right to your door is obviously convenient, and also make a big impact if you commit to not snacking in between scheduled meals.

People generally find the best results with programs that use a combination of the programs above for a whole-health approach to weight loss. Now it’s time to consider what’s going to work best for you.

 

What to look for when choosing a weight loss program?

Don’t be fooled by the fad diets or fly-by-night salesmen. Stick to the programs that work for others because statistically they’re more likely to work for you too. But it bears repeating, you must choose a program that is going to work with your workstyle and lifestyle. So be honest with yourself first, and then read on.

Lifestyle fit: Figure out whether a plan is compatible with your lifestyle before committing. Think about how much time and planning goes into each weight loss program. Some people find that meal planning and preparation takes up too much time, while others enjoy planning meals and spending time cooking and shopping for ingredients.

Diet restrictions vs. dietary needs: Look carefully if you have dietary restrictions. Most plans these days can accommodate a wide variety of food restrictions but it’s important to take a very careful look at these things if you have a food allergy.

Caloric intake: Some people naturally need more calories to keep them from feeling hungry. If you’re someone who suffers greatly when hungry, you may want to read the comments people who have taken the program before you.

Accessibility to foods: Some diet plans ship foods straight to your door, while others require you to shop for very particular ingredients. Consider whether the food allowed on a particular diet will fit into your budget and be relatively easy to find at grocery stores.

 

Summary

Use our guide to get a better understanding of what you need and what might work for you. Then, take a look at our top picks and request some free information. Many companies offer specials for signing up that include free food, free memberships, and much more.