The Best Weight Loss Programs

There are many weight loss programs all promising wonderful results. How do you know which ones, if any, are going to work for you? The main things you should consider are whether or not the diet places too many restrictions on the number of different foods you can eat and/or too many restrictions on the types of food you can eat.


If it does neither, it is probably worth a second look. There are several weight loss programs that are very popular because they do work. They are listed below:


SONOMA DIET


The Sonoma Diet is one of the most balanced diets available. There are no dramatic restrictions on foods and no calorie counting.


The Sonoma Diet celebrates eating, not deprivation. You rarely lose weight and keep it off by severely restricting your foods; therefore, the best way to lose weight is by being able to enjoy your food without feeling deprived.


The Sonoma Diet is broken up into three waves or phases:


+WAVE 1: The first wave lasts ten days and its goal is to teach your body to curb certain food cravings. Unlike some diets, this phase does not restrict carbohydrates, but instead includes whole grains.


Your meals will consist of full, tasty meals of meats, fish, vegetables and whole grains. Many of your favorites foods are allowed.


+WAVE 2: This is the primary or major weight loss phase. This is the phase you will use until you reach your target weight. During this phase you will learn how to enjoy fresh foods and eat a large variety of foods. You can even drink wine!

+WAVE 3: Once you have reached your ideal weight, this will be your maintenance phase. By the time you reach this phase, you will have changed your attitude about eating and achieved the body you have worked for.


The Sonoma Diet is a full-featured online program featuring live support, shopping lists, and customized meal plans. A subscription fee is required.


WEIGHT WATCHERS


Weight Watchers is the longest-running, most familiar weight loss program available. The endurance of Weight Watchers is evidence of its success as a balanced weight loss program.


The Weight Watchers method is to consider dieting as one part of permanent weight management. Weight Watchers does not tell you what to eat, but they provide the tools and information to help you make healthy choices.


+FLEX PLAN: This plan offers a full range of food choices using a points system. You can choose any food as long as you control how much of it you eat. There are online tools that provide points values and a daily tracker.


+CORE PLAN: This plan allows you to eat from a list of certain foods from each of the food groups. You can also have occasional treats (in measured amounts).


Weight Watchers has extensive online resources to help you follow your plan step-by-step. There are chat rooms and message boards all designed to help you in your journey.


The strength of the Weigh Watchers program is the encouragement and support you receive from other members in the program when you attend the monthly meetings. This can provide powerful motivation to stick with the program. Weight Watchers online has information that includes where the meetings take place worldwide.


Weight Watchers works and has been working for over forty years. Many people try various other programs only to return to Weight Watchers because it is so successful. The Weight Watchers Flex plan costs about five dollars per week.


SOUTH BEACH DIET


The South Beach Diet was originally developed for overweight heart patients. The patients experienced not only weight loss but better overall health, as well. The South Beach Diet is now one of the most popular diets available.


+PHASE 1: The South Beach Diet starts with a partially restricted two-week phase that results in quick weight loss. Most carbohydrates must be avoided. You can eat three meals a day, consisting of meat, fish, vegetables, eggs and nuts.


+PHASE 2: This phase remains in effect until you reach your desired weight. It consists of specific meals and includes some of the foods that were forbidden in the first phase. The average weight loss during this period will be one to two pounds per week.


+PHASE 3: The third phase is the maintenance phase. Once you have learned to eat in a healthy way, it will be easier to maintain your ideal weight.


NOTE: This is NOT the Atkins Diet. The carbohydrate limitations are based on eating good carbohydrates and avoiding bad carbohydrates. The first phase IS very low-carbohydrate but the diet is based on the glycemic index.


NUTRI-SYSTEM


Nutri-System is a portion-controlled on-line program. The program provides an analysis that calculates your calories needs. Once the program gleans this information, meal plans are then calculated and shipped to you.


The advantages to this type of program are:


+It provides a healthy and comprehensive weight loss program for a short time period to get you back on track.


+A consistent weight loss of two pounds per week and there are programs available for diabetics and vegetarians.


+It is based on the glycemic index.


+You do not have to count calories, go shopping, cook meals, or worry about whether or not you are getting the right mix of nutrients (good carbohydrates, low fat, and protein). It is all provided and delivered to your door.


+On-line support with membership (including phone support with a weight loss counselor).


+FREE meal planner, exercise program and all features of the program. You only pay for the food.


There are hundreds of meals to choose from and you can choose any foods you like. Go to the Nutri-System website and click on the Men's or Women's Program to get started.


The weight loss programs listed above are considered to be the most effective ones available. Research each one before you decide which one will work best for you.
 
 

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