There are many factors that go into choosing to sign up for a diet plan, and cost is one of the most carefully considered. Jeanne Lee for CBS MoneyWatch takes a look at this question from a unique perspective: the cost to lose 20 pounds. She calculates the cost per pound lost for eighth different popular weight-loss systems. Most of these diets are meal delivery services that provide balanced, portion controlled foods. On the other hand, Weight Watchers and eDiets are support-only programs provide the customer with tips, goals and meal plans, but not food. These support-based programs are far cheaper per pound lost, but some may find them hard to follow.
In the end, the diet program that’s the best investment is the one that helps you lead a healthier lifestyle and see long-term results. MoneyWatch recommends the diets with proven track records and economical fees.
Flip through this slide show to compare the costs of Medifast, In the Zone Delivery, eDiets, Bistro MD, Weight Watchers, Nurtisystem, Jenny Craig and South Beach Online.
The diet industry is constantly evolving. That means even the big three in weight loss – Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and Nutrisystem – are all making various changes to their plans. Here is what you can expect in 2011:
Weight Watchers
One of Weight Watchers’ most famous and popular attributes is going by “PointsPlus.” Based on new nutritional science the nutritional values accounted for have been updated and encourage people to eat less processed foods with added sugars and fats and more natural foods that satisfy more and take more energy to digest.
Under PointsPlus, dieters get an allotment of points each day. Karen Miller-Kovach, the scientist who created Weight Watchers PointsPlus, compares the overhaul to what goes on in the car industry.
“The same car will get a tweak or two every model year. Then, once a decade, it gets a total re-design,” says Miller-Kovach. See the Weight Watchers PointsPlus 2012 Update.
Read Full Post >
Fresh off the press, the weight loss giant Jenny Craig just announced that its new spokesperson is actress Carrie Fisher. Fisher is probably best known for her role as Princess Leia in Star Wars as well as the stream of her best-selling books, like Postcards from the Edge.
The 5′ 1″ actress told People magazine that she is humiliated over her weight gain.
“I’m fat,” says Fisher, 54. “All the clothes in my closet belong to another chick. They have to make a new alphabet for my bra size.”
Read Full Post >
One of the most trusted weight loss systems, Jenny Craig is now offering its eTools for free! Regardless of whether or not you purchase other Jenny Craig products, you can use these online features to help you reach your weight-loss goal.
There are five great eTools to incorporate into your weight-loss plan. The first is a Progress Tracker, that can help you assess your current needs and make goals. There’s a Menu Planner, that can help you pick meals to stay on track. There are tons of great recipes to help inspire delicious and healthy meals, and lastly, there’s an Activity Planner to help you get moving.
Read Full Post >
The wildly popular and well respected Jenny Craig has ventured out of the “one size fits all” diet realm. The Jenny Craig Metabolic Max Program offers a personalized plan suited to each individual’s metabolism.
With the Metabolic Max Program, you will enjoy the trademarked one-on-one support from Jenny Craig and Jenny’s Cuisine just like with the original Jenny Craig weight loss system. While on the program, you will eat three meals a day and one snack. The majority of the food you eat will be Jenny’s Cuisine, a prepackaged meal system that is brought right to your home.
What sets Metabolic Max apart is that it includes a BodyMedia FIT Armband and BodyMedia FIT Activity Manager. The BodyMedia FIT products allow you to better log your activity level, calorie consumption and calories burned.
Read Full Post >
