It’s that time of year again –when gym memberships ramp up and people start looking for weight loss programs that will help them meet that “lose 10 pounds” New Year’s resolution they’ve been making for the past 15 years straight.
It’s all good. I’m right there with you, vowing to make this the year I get back in shape.
Just like I did last year, and the one before, and the one before that, and so on and so forth since I birthed my first baby and realized that my waistline was no longer a line and more of an area.
Don’t get me wrong, I lose weight every single time I say I’m going to and, I anticipate that this time will be no different.
I will work out more, I will eat better, and I will drop some pounds.
The problem is not in the getting them off, it’s in the keeping them off.
There are countless reasons why I (and probably you) fail at this, and I (just like you) can even make a list of them: I need to change my thinking, revamp my lifestyle, focus on a feeling, not a number.
I know that none of the weight loss programs are going to be a magical answer to my expanding waistline. I know that it is going to take hard work, willpower, and commitment. I know that it won’t happen quickly or easily. I know that no pill, program, or person is going to be able to pull this off but me.
And so do you.
But, that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little help!
Personally, I have tried countless weight loss programs and products designed to help jump start my weight loss and get me on the path to wellness.
Generally, all of the weight loss programs I’ve tried work, just some are better for me than others.
Let me help you not waste your time.
The Best Weight Loss Programs: Which Ones Really Work?
Medifast
What is Medifast?
Medifast is doctor developed to deliver fast, effective weight loss while providing the nutrition and protein you need to maintain lean muscle mass. You eat a meal every 2-3 hours each day and the majority of your daily meals are provided through your Medifast program. In addition to the meals you provide, you’re allowed to eat a “lean & green meal” each day.
The program provides you with guides, nutritionists, weekly body monitoring and more. The goal is for you to lose weight in the form of fat while maintaining (and building) muscle. There are a couple of different plans to choose from based on personal preference and lifestyle.
Cost: It’s not cheap. If you go into a center and pay for the entire experience you will pay more than if you just order your meals online and follow the program that way. It’s currently $329 for 30-days of meals which boils down to about $10/day.
My Results: I’ve done the program twice and both times I lost about 20lbs and countless inches. It was super easy to follow and, with having to report to the center each week, I felt the pressure to not be weight loss program shamed. My issue with it was post-program maintenance. Once I hit my goal weight (which I did in less than 12 weeks), the transition to regular food each day was tough and I gained all of my weight back eventually (which is why I did it more than once). I did not, however, do the Medifast Thrive program which is their answer to this problem.
Learn More Here: Every Single Thing You Need to Know About Medifast Weight Loss Program
Weight Watchers
What is Weight Watchers?
Everyone has heard about Weight Watchers. It has been around for ages, is commonly endorsed by celebrities who we all know and love, and has easy to follow, in-person or online programs to make losing weight attainable and affordable for the everyday human.
Weight Watchers’ points based weight loss program assigns points to foods so that you simply track your points and lose weight by hitting your daily goal. There is a ton of flexibility in the program and the beauty of it is that you can basically eat anything you want –as long as you don’t go over your weekly points allowance.
They make it easy to track your points, no matter your lifestyle, and even people who are constantly on the go can simply manage their weight loss.
Cost: Depends on the plan you elect (online, meetings, coaching), but you can anticipate you won’t pay more than $12/week no matter which route you go, and online is less than $5/week.
My Results: Weight Watchers is always wildly successful for me (I’ve started and restarted it several times). It’s a simple program that works if you follow it. I love it because it eases you into an actual lifestyle change by allowing you to eat regular food that you actually like. It teaches you to make good choices and control portions and frequency in a more healthy manner. And, I don’t feel super restricted with it like I do with other programs –I can still enjoy birthday cake with my sons on their birthdays, I just have to plan my week for it. You can expect a healthy pace of weight loss (like 2lbs a week) which means it’s not one of these fad diets where tons of weight quickly melts off only to be just as quickly packed back on when you’re not adhering to their strict rules.
Learn more here: My Weight Watchers Experience
Laser Fat Removal
What is Laser Fat Removal?
Commonly called laser lipo or Zerona, this non-invasive body contouring procedure effectively targets excess fat without the negative side effects associated with surgical methods. Laser lipo utilizes the same cold laser technology developed by Erchonia, which has been shown to emulsify fat and allow it to move to the interstitial space.
The process requires multiple treatments in a special facility (a minimum of 6 treatments over the course of two weeks is recommended) using the cold laser on targeted areas of your body. Each session takes approximately 40 minutes and is entirely painless –in fact, it’s quite relaxing.
The center I went to recommended that I pair my treatments with diet and exercise to make them most effective.
Cost: Depends on the provider, but expect to pay quite a bit for each treatment.
My Results: Not awesome. I wound up only losing 2 inches off of my waistline after the procedure making it not worth the financial investment at the end of the day.
Learn more here: My Laser Lipo Treatment
Personal Trainer Food
What is Personal Trainer Food?
Personal Trainer Food is a conveninet weight loss program that takes the guesswork out of what to eat to lose weight. They deliver healthy, pre-cooked and flash frozen meals right to your door so all you have to do is heat and eat. They offer a variety of meal plans based on your weight and goals. It’s real food, not boxed or processed, and it can be eaten in a variety of combinations to allow you to enjoy variety.
Cost: Less than $18/day
My Results: Not awesome, but this time it was totally my fault. This is one of those weight loss programs that, followed, will definitely work. There is no reason for it to fail other than non-compliance on your part (i.e. eating meals not on your meal plan). I did lose about 5 pounds on the program, but because I also ate ice cream for snack pretty much every night (I KNOW!) it didn’t work out the way it could have.
Learn more here: Personal Trainer Food