What do those three sentences have in common and how can you use that commonality to your advantage while pursuing healthy eating? Both call for easy, hearty meals, and both can be resolved with my greatest kitchen friend – the slow cooker. Thick, rich, hearty soups and stews are comforting and filling, and can be made inexpensively – always a bonus in these tough economic times.

Using the slow cooker helps transform that cheaper, lean piece of meat to a juicy meal, and cooking beans in the slow cooker takes almost no effort at all. Crock Pot cooking also has the bonus of requiring very little oil and therefore, many Crock Pot meals are extremely diet friendly. One other added bonus – using a slow cooker means you spend less time in the kitchen, which has a double benefit of keeping you out of the kitchen (less snacking!) and frees up your time for exercise. It’s a win-win situation for all involved!

There are tons of recipes available, and many of them are Weight Watchers friendly, if you are using the Points system. Make a commitment to use your slow cooker three times a week, and you’ll be amazed at how much extra time you have – time you can use for exercise! Not to mention, you may have leftovers, perfect for healthy lunches during the week.

Here are some of our favorite Healthy Crock Pot Recipes – sure to please everyone in your family!

• Provencal Beef Stew
• Chicken Picante
• Chili Mac
• Pineapple Chicken
• Crock Pot Pizza
• Sweet and Sour Pork
• Turkey and Black Bean Chili

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Slow Cooker Meals are Key to Diet Success

Next Tuesday, September 15, Weight Watchers is upping its ante, by offering to contribute up to an additional $25,000 in its Lose-A-Palooza one-day social media event. And it’s up to each of us to help them reach that goal!

For each mention of “Lose For Good” on Twitter (#LoseForGood), Facebook, MySpace, or your blog, Weight Watchers will add an additional $1 donation to Action Against Hunger and Share Our Strength. You can also follow each of these two organizations (@acfusa or @sharestrength) for an additional $1 donation.

All you have to do is exercise your social media muscle (and maybe feel motivated to exercise some real muscles!), and you can help Weight Watchers contribute up to $25,000 to fight hunger.

Learn more about Lose-A-Palooza and think about joining Weight Watchers and the Lose For Good campaign to make an even greater contribution for not only hunger, but yourself!

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Weight Watchers Lose-A-Palooza Social Media Event

Weight Watchers is doing its part in this dual battle with its Lose for Good program.

The second annual Lose for Good Program launched August 30 and runs through October 17, 2009. The Lose for Good program is a Weight Watchers’ initiative that addresses two global health needs: Obesity and malnutrition.

As you and other Weight Watchers members lose weight during this time, the brand will donate up to $1 million to their charitable partners Action Against Hunger, an international network to prevent hunger, and Share Our Strength, an organization that seeks to end hunger in America. For every pound of weight lost by a member, Weight Watchers will donate the cost of one pound of food up to one million dollars to these two organizations. In addition, local Weight Watchers chapters and members will organize their own food drives where anyone can donate non-perishable foods for those who need it.

Here are some last year’s successes:

• Weight Watchers members and Weight Watchers Online subscribers lost 4 million pounds of weight
• 1.5 million pounds of food was donated to organizations throughout the country
• $1 million was donated to charitable organizations like Action Against Hunger and Share Our Strength

You can join the fight against world hunger and also overcome your own dieting struggles by joining Weight Watchers. Consider that just a 5- or 10-pound dip on your scale will help provide nutritious food to a hungry family and will give a boost to your own health by lowering your blood pressure, reducing cholesterol levels, and minimizing your risk of other weight-related diseases.

The Lose for Good program is bringing new meaning to the adage: Think Globally. Act Locally. Weight Watchers is encouraging everyone to participate by donating food to Lose for Good organized drives in your area, even if you’re not a member.

Your (weight) loss is truly someone else’s gain.

To find out more about this program, visit the Weight Watcher’s website and see Weight Watchers member and health advocate Jenny McCarthy inspire others to join the fight on hunger.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Join Weight Watchers to Lose For Good

We decided to take a look at Curves, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and NutriSystem side by side to see where they’re similar and where they aren’t. Each of these plans are uniquely different, and each deliver results in their own proven ways. Our comparison looks at six different areas: meal delivery, diet, fitness, online availability, personal support and cost.

Meal Delivery

Curves: There is not a delivery service.

Weight Watchers: There is not a delivery service.

Jenny Craig: Delivery available, or may pick-up from center. Portion- and calorie-controlled foods delivered in shelf-stable or frozen packages once or twice each month. More than 80 meal choices available. May customize. Supplement fruits and vegetables from grocery.

NutriSystem: Delivery available. Portion- and calorie-controlled foods delivered every 28 days in shelf-stable packages. More than 120 meals available. May customize. Supplement fruits and vegetables from grocery.

Diet

Curves: Promotes diet of three meals and two snacks each day, plus plenty of fiber and water. Meal plans available online via Curves Complete or MyCurves with daily custom menus. Branded cereal and snack bars available at the grocery store.

Weight Watchers: Promotes a flexible eating program without any regimented eating plan or schedule. Requires use of POINTS system; dieters may eat what they like as long as they do not exceed daily POINTS allotment. Encourages whole grains, lean proteins, fruits and vegetables, and dairy.

Jenny Craig: Dieters eat an average of 1300 calories per day across three meals and one snack.

NutriSystem: Female dieters eat an average of 1200 calories per day; males eat an average of 1500 calories per day. Dieters consume three meals and two snacks, plus six servings of fruits and vegetables, each day.

Fitness

Curves: This program centers around its female-only gyms. You’ll burn 500 calories in three 30-minute circuit training sessions each week. Program promotes strength training and cardio workouts. You’ll work with a trainer. May also use Curves Smart, the electronic coaching system.

Weight Watchers: There is no structured plan. Dieters attending meetings will not gain much guidance in the way of fitness. Dieters using Weight Watchers Online will have access to a wealth of information to help guide their workouts.

Jenny Craig: Dieters will have access to a personalized fitness plan via their counselor at the Jenny Craig center.

NutriSystem: There is no structured plan. Exercise DVDs are available with certain plans.

Online Availability

Curves: Members of the Curves gyms may access MyCurves for community support and access to a variety of weight loss tools. Those not interested in attending the gyms can subscribe to Curves Complete for nutrition and fitness guidance online.

Weight Watchers: Weight Watchers Online is a robust program online that offers as much, if not more, than the Weight Watchers Meetings. Full access to the POINTS system, fitness guidance, community support, recipes and much more.

Jenny Craig: Members can register online to access online eTools, recipes, weight trackers, menu planners, recipes, and more.

NutriSystem: This is the only program of the four that does not have an off-line component. NutriSystem is managed completely online. Order meals, plus access tools, food and exercise diaries, the community, and more.

Personal Support

Curves: By visiting the gym three times each week you’ll have access to the training staff, plus the support of other women in the gym.

Weight Watchers: Weight Watchers Meetings began nearly 50 years ago, and have found great success with weekly meetings hosted by a trained leader.

Jenny Craig: You’ll have a personal weekly weigh-in with your Jenny Craig counselor, where you’ll also discuss nutrition, fitness and goals.

NutriSystem: With your online account you’ll have access to the NutriSystem community.

Cost

As cost can vary greatly by season, promotional offer or by franchise, it is best to contact each program directly to see what a plan for you might cost.

Curves: They advertise that their customers only spend about $1 more per day on food than the typical American.

Based on a recent report comparing the cost to lose 30 pounds with different diet brands:
Weight Watchers: Up to $300 for meetings; about $100 online.
Jenny Craig: About $400.
NutriSystem: About $1200.

Find one that fits with your lifestyle? Give it a try today and start losing weight!

• Start Weight Watchers

• Start Curves

• Start NutriSystem

• Start Jenny Craig

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Comparing Curves, Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and NutriSystem

The week of June 15 is Men’s Health Week at DietsInReview.com, just in time to celebrate the special men in your life. Bill Gookin joins as a Men’s Health guest blogger. Bill is a stay-at-home dad who has constantly struggled with his weight – he’s lost 115 pounds but keeps finding it again and having to re-lose it.  This time, with the help of some friends, he’s back at goal and determined to keep it off and stay fit. You can find him posting at Daddy Is Tired among other places…as long as he’s gotten a nap.

That’s right, losing weight is fun and easy! It must be, because I’ve done it several times. In 1993 I got to my goal weight after losing 90 pounds. By 2002 I’d gained 115 pounds, so in 2002/03 I lost it again. Then by 2008 I’d gained 50 pounds, so lost it in 2008/09. Hmm…now that I think about it, it wasn’t much fun. And it’s lots of work. So what went wrong?

I tried to do it by myself.

Each time I’ve successfully lost weight, I’ve taken advantage of support groups.  The first time it was some hiking friends, while the other times it’s been Weight Watchers combined with friends who motivated me to exercise. When I moved away from my support groups after the first two times, I was confident I could do it on my own!

*sigh*

While it may be easy to take on some tasks without help, studies show that people are more successful losing weight (and maintaining weight loss) if they have group support. Based on my own experience, I’m confident the same applies for exercising. I’m sure there are exceptions, but I’m not one of them. Without someone keeping me accountable I slip back into old habits, my favorite of which is holding down the couch.

Remember that your support system doesn’t necessarily have to be in person. Many people find online weight loss programs helpful, although I need the accountability of attending Weight Watchers meetings.  On the other hand my fitness group (the Shredheads, a group of mostly moms) is entirely online through blogs and Twitter, which is perfect as I don’t like working out in front of other people. Would these groups work for you? Maybe – or maybe not – it depends on you. The key is finding what keeps you accountable and motivated.

So as you begin (or continue) your journey of losing weight and getting fit, remember to take advantage of all the support available.  And good luck!

Guest Blog Series: Look for the following badge on your favorite health sites to see if they have been a featured guest blogger on DietsInReview.com. See other posts in the Guest Blog series.

If you would like to apply to be featured as a guest blogger, please contact us.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Dad Thinks Losing Weight is Fun and Easy

This week is Men’s Health Week at DietsInReview.com, and we want to highlight a few weight loss programs that are focused on the needs of men.

Weight Watchers Online for Men

Their advertisements kind of say it all – “Real Men Don’t Diet.” Following queues from the more than 45-year-old plan that women have successfully used, Weight Watchers Online or Men has recreated the program to fit a man’s lifestyle. You won’t have to tell your buddies you’re watching your Points at the football game, or ask the waitress for calories at a business lunch; you’ll simply eat and live in a more mindful manner. Plus, you can maintain anonymity by accessing the entire plan, resources and tools conveniently online.

Learn more about Weight Watchers Online for Men or click here to get started now.

NutriSystem for Men

Some very famous guy’s-guys have followed NutriSystem for Men with great success. Dan Marino, Mike Golic, Larry the Cable Guy, Don Shula and many others have openly used the weight loss program and proudly boast positive weight loss. The plan is suited for men, and the customizable program delivers meals directly to your home. You’ll supplement the meals with fresh fruits and vegetables, and incorporate a regular fitness regimen.

Learn more about NutriSystem for Men or click here to get started now.

Men’s Health Personal Trainer

This weight loss program for men was created by the experts at Men’s Health Magazine. Everything is accessible online, and you’ll follow a completely customizable meal and fitness plan to help you learn how to eat more nutritiously and get in better shape. If you choose, you can communicate with a trainer as well.

Learn more about Men’s Health Personal Trainer or click here to get started now.

Abs Diet

Men and women alike crave the picture-perfect six-pack abs. This program, also delivered by Men’s Health, was developed to help men achieve that washboard stomach. You’ll learn that it’s not all about sit-ups, as the Abs Diet introduces you to a balanced eating approach that won’t leave you feeling hungry. The workout program has you doing weight training and cardio so that you’re burning fat while building muscle.

Learn more about the Abs Diet or click here to get started now.

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Most Popular Diets for Men

The week of June 15 is Men’s Health Week at DietsInReview.com, just in time to celebrate the special men in your life. Tony Posnanski joins as a Men’s Health guest blogger. Tony is the author of The Anti-Jared. Tony struggled with weight loss his whole life until he realized he was not going to be fooled anymore. He has lost over 200 pounds and maintained it for four months. Tony works out six days a week, eats better than before, and has a new outlook on things!

“Daddy! What do you want for Father’s Day?”

In a couple of years, this is the question my son will be asking me! It is so amazing to believe that I am going to have a son this year! What is even more amazing is that my doctor’s projected me to be dead of a heart attack this year.

Weight has always been an issue for me. I have always been around 250-275 pounds since I was 12-years-old. I would lose a little once in a while (always in an unhealthy way), but I maintained a “chubby” appearance for a majority of my life.

Poor eating habits would get to me, and fast-food was a way of life. I would go eat at five different restaurants a day, not even realizing what I had eaten. This would happen for quite some time.

Then, it hit me. In 2008 at the age of 32 , I was 5 foot 6, and I was over 400 pounds. 420.2 to be exact! Very few people get to this level, and it is horrible. I could not wear a seatbelt in my car, or get on an airplane. I would keep our house at 67 degrees because I would sweat all the time and I had a hard time going to the bathroom. My doctor put me on four medications for my heart and cholesterol (210 over 140 at one time, and 300 cholesterol rate), and he told me if I did not get gastric surgery, I would die.

Not only that, but it was killing my wife, who loves me dearly. Every time I would be home late, she would think I died of a heart attack, and it would scare her. Finally, it scared me, too.

So I made the decision to lose weight. I joined Weight Watchers. I started to read books on fiber. I started to work out.

I learned to love myself. I changed my life for the better. I realized that I was a better person than the fast-food I was eating. I wanted to eat foods that would make me stronger, not make me feel guilty later on.

In sixteen months, I have lost 221.4 pounds and maintained it for four of those months. I still eat well, work out, and live a life I never thought I could. I also write about my experiences here.

So when my son asks me what I want for Father’s Day, I will tell him I do not want a thing.

I have everything I want in life now!

Guest Blog Series: Look for the following badge on your favorite health sites to see if they have been a featured guest blogger on DietsInReview.com. See other posts in the Guest Blog series.

If you would like to apply to be featured as a guest blogger, please contact us.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

No Father’s Day Gift Necessary for Dad Who Lost 220 Pounds

Like any woman who has spent years struggling with her weight, Lisa lost 30 pounds by giving up heavy starches, pasta and junk food. But once she hit her goal weight, she started to experiment with how she could re-incorporate some of her favorite foods back into her diet. She is now a Weight Watchers devotee who tries to keep her points in check and her dry carbs down to a daily minimum.

Using her own kitchen as a mini-laboratory and searching in grocery stores for the latest low-cal snacks, she began to create slimmed-down recipes from everything from nachos to chocolate peanut butter fudge. Using tricks like coating “fried” food with crushed Fiber One cereal, Lisa has coined herself as a foodologist, not because she has a degree from the Cordon Bleu (she doesn’t), but because she is shamelessly and enthusiastically obsessed with food.

Whether you owe Lisa a huge thanks for introducing you to shirataki noodles or showing you how to skinny-down your favorite coffee drink, The Hungry Girl shared some of her insight, experience and favorite food finds with us.

The Hungry Girl was a huge success. What was your motivation behind Hungry Girl 200 Under 200?

Thanks! I wanted the follow-up book to be super-useful and be something that everyone would be able to use and relate to. Portion control is key and I thought the idea of having a book that was crammed with satisfying recipes for foods that had 200 calories or fewer would be great.

Can you explain the magic that happens in the Hunger Girl Kitchen? For instance, how do you take a 800-calorie dish like cheesy nachos and bring it down to 200 calories and still make it healthy and tasty?

I’m a bit of a mad scientist. And so are all of the HG staffers. We pretty much decide what we want to make and then tackle it by dissecting all of the ingredients, then the swapping and testing begins. It’s really fun and we love a good challenge! The nachos were easy. You start with a fat-free or low-fat chip, then create a sauce out of an array of lower-calorie ingredients and reduced fat cheeses.  Add a few key things– like a low-fat chili and some salsa and you’re done!

What are four eating essentials that you can’t do without?

1. Laughing Cow Light cheese
2. Vitalicious VitaTops
3. Fuji apples
4. Eggbeaters

We grossly underestimate the number of calories we consume when we eat out or eat on the run. Since you have been traveling so much promoting your new book, how do you manage to not overdo it?

The key is to PLAN ahead. Always have emergency snacks on hand… and learn how to order the right things at restaurants. For me, it’s about skipping the bread, avoiding fatty dressings and ordering sauces on the side. I usually stick with lean meats or fish, and steamed or grilled veggies.

What are two of your favorite recipes in your new book?

Hmmm – I love them all — but I especially love the H-O-T Hot Boneless Buffalo Wings, and Double Trouble Chocolate Trifle. YUM!!!

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Interview with Hungry Girl’s Lisa Lillien

Here is how the challenge works: You can sign up between April 12 and June 6 at your local Weight Watchers or online. Once you join the challenge, you can create your own walking team or sign up for a 5K event. This will give you automatic access to a free eight-week online training program which can help you reach an activity goal of walking a 5K.

In addition, all participants who complete the eight-week walking training program will be eligible to download a special President’s Challenge Award from Weight Watchers. The President’s Challenge is a free, motivational tracking program of the President’s Council on Physical Fitness and Sports and encourages making activity part of everyday life.

The goal of the Momentum Walk-It Challenge is to encourage Weight Watchers members to become more active, to form mini social networks and to experience the myriad health and psychological benefits of exercise. Plus, walking is such a simple form of fitness yet it burns calories, tones muscles and helps you reach your weight loss goal.

For more information on the Momentum Walk-It Challenge, visit the Weight Watcher’s website.

Learn more about the new Weight Watchers Momentum program.

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

Weight Watchers Momentum Walk-It Challenge

Weight Watchers

• Registration $15-$20; Weekly Meetings $10-$15; Online $46.90 first month and $16.95 thereafter
• Average loss of 1-2 pounds/week
• 20 weeks to lose 30 pounds
• Investment: Meetings $214.80 to $299.80; Online $97.75

NutriSystem

• $299.95/month with monthly auto-delivery
• Average loss of 2 pounds/week
• 4 months to lose 30 pounds
• Investment: $1,199.80

Jenny Craig

• $399 or $359 upfront cost with 12-month Jenny Rewards plan
• Average loss of 1-2 pounds/week
• Investment: $399 or $359 (does not include cost of food, about $84 to $126/month)

The Zone Diet Meal Delivery

• $44.99/day (+ shipping)
• Average loss of 8-10 pounds/month
• 3-4 months to lose 30 pounds
• Investment: $3,869 to $5,159

Post from: Diets in Review Blog

The Price of Losing 30 Pounds