Best Weight Loss Programs

Choosing the best weight loss programs requires a careful evaluation of your needs, food preferences, and fitness goals. Shedding excess pounds requires a real commitment; there is simply no effortless way to lose unwanted weight. However, the following weight loss programs can make the task more manageable.

Exercise is an important part of weight loss

1.

 A sensible diet plan that consists of food even a picky eater can enjoy, Weight Watchers helps you shed excess pounds and maintain your weight loss over the long term. As an added bonus, there are support group locations in almost every U.S. city.

2.

 Made popular by celebrity spokesperson Kirstie Alley, Jenny Craig is a flexible way to reach your weight loss goals. You can plan your meals around prepackaged food or use the recipes in the Jenny Craig cookbooks. There are also options for weekly in-person or by-phone motivational counseling sessions.

3.

 This weight loss support group, intended primarily for people who must lose weight for medical reasons, is a good option for dieters who need lots of encouragement. Enrollment includes lectures, weigh-ins, and weekly group meetings.

4.

 If your schedule won’t permit you to attend weight loss meetings, or the thought of a public weigh-in makes you cringe, eDiets is the right choice for you. Once you’ve taken their free diet needs analysis, this online support group gives you up-to-date information about nutrition and exercise.

5.

 Instead of encouraging rigid calorie counting, The Sonoma Diet focuses on planning tasty meals filled with olive oil, fruits, berries, whole grains, wine, and other classic culinary elements of Southern Europe. However, be advised that this weight loss plan does require you to spend a fair amount of time in the kitchen.

6.

 If you love good food, this is definitely the best weight loss program for you. Similar to The Sonoma Diet, The French Diet uses the principles of the glycemic index to help you shed excess pounds while still dining on cheese, fine wine, chocolate, and other delicious foods.

7.

 The Zone Diet is based on the premise that meals and snacks should follow a ratio of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein, and 30% unsaturated fat. The theory is that eating carbohydrates combined with the right amount of protein will help to stabilize blood sugar and reduce unhealthy food cravings.

8.

 Like The Zone Diet, the basic principle of The South Beach Diet is that you can lose weight by eating the right balance of carbohydrates and fats. The three-step program is relatively easy to follow, although the first phase will be somewhat difficult for dieters who suffer from intense food cravings.

9.

 With the Slim-Fast weight loss program, you drink a weight loss shake for breakfast and one for lunch, followed by a sensible dinner and regular snacks throughout the day. The shakes are nutritious and the plan is relatively easy to follow. However, dieters who crave variety may find it difficult to stick with this weight loss method on a long-term basis.

10.

 If you’re too busy to cook, not worried about the cost, and have no issues with the taste of prepackaged food, NutriSystem lets you lose weight without fussing over meal decisions. However, some critics say this approach doesn’t teach you the skills you’ll need to keep the weight off for good.

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