Tag Archives: Weight watchers

Weight Watchers and Medifast Top Consumer Reports Best Diets

Consumer Reports just released their top diets of 2024. They reached out to 9,000 of their subscribers to get honest, real-life feedback about some of the most popular diets on the market. This comes a couple of weeks after we compiled our fifth annual Most Popular Diets of the Year list, featuring 25 brands and products that our readers favored most in 2024. There are some strong similarities and also some big differences between the two lists.

When it comes to commercial diets, Weight Watchers ranks number one on both lists. It seems, according to the Consumer Reports feedback, that users like that there’s no specific food that has to be purchased, it’s just a matter of counting those PointsPlus values. Another diet high on both of our lists is Medifast. Those who replied to the Consumer Reports survey (of 9,000 readers) noted that they lost the most weight with Medifast than with any of the other diets. A few of the big names were ranked lower in the report; for instance, Nutrisystem, which ranked six on our list, and Jenny Craig, which did not rank for us, were not seen as fan favorites in this survey. It seems many are not big fans of the foods in these programs. (more…)

Posted on January 3, 2024 by Lacy

2,466 Pounds Lost by True Weight Loss Story Members in 2024!

Talking with people who have made drastic changes in their lives for the better is one of the most inspiring and humbling experiences I’ve encountered. Recognizing how difficult it is to lose 5, 10 and even 20 pounds myself, I sympathize with those who struggle with their weight. But after speaking with individuals who have lost more than 100 pounds in some cases, I am often left speechless.

In 2024 we shared the true weight loss stories of more than 20 remarkable individuals from around the world, and their combined total weight loss was 2,466 pounds! This an accomplishment we were truly humbled to be a part of. Though each person shares a uniquely inspiring story, we’ve gathered six of our favorites to give a glimpse into the truly amazing transformations we’ve witnessed on Diets in Review this year. Let’s start with the first true weight loss story I had the privilege of writing: Grace Goodman.

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Posted on December 31, 2023 by Dana

8 Biggest Celebrity Diet and Weight Loss Stories of 2024

This year brought us no shortage of celebrity news. Once we’ve learned who is in and out of love with who, our curiosity shifts to asking about their diet and how they get those Hollywood figures. There was plenty of juicy diet news to follow in 2024, so we’ve gathered the biggest celebrity weight loss stories of the past year.

Jennifer Lawrence for Hunger Games

Jennifer Lawrence wowed many with her portrayal of Katniss in this summer’s blockbuster flick, The Hunger Games. What also caught our eye was the actress’s stunning figure. Lawrence told reporters that she doesn’t diet, instead she stays active. Her routine that prepared her for the role of Katniss involved running and archery training with an Olympian. Lawrence even admitted that she’d be OK with looking chubby on screen if it meant she was healthy. The young star has great perspective and a healthy future in front of her.

Chaka Khan Dropped 60 Pounds

Legendary singer and performer Chaka Kahn showed off her new curves this year after dropping 60 pounds. The singer was able to drop the weight and even treat her diabetes and high blood pressure issues with the healthier weight and lifestyle. After years of substance abuse the superstar has shined once more.

Snooki’s Post-Baby Weight Loss Plans

Jersey Shore’s Snooki was all over the news this year. As the reality TV star announced her pregnancy, the world immediately began to worry that her weight issues and eating disorders would become a problem. Snooki gave birth to a healthy son and began losing weight naturally with breastfeeding. As a spokesperson for Zantrex, a weight loss supplement that ranked #18 on our 2024 Most Popular Diets list, Snooki expressed her desire to use the pill after the baby was weaned. (more…)

Posted on December 28, 2023 by Lacy

2024’s Most Popular Diets Lead by Weight Watchers, 17 Day Diet, and Jillian Michaels

For the fifth year we’re excited to announce our Most Popular Diets of 2024 list! And it’s a good one!

While Weight Watchers gave up the number one position in 2024 for the first time in our history, they reclaimed the top spot this year earning them the title of Most Popular Diet of 2024. As they are weeks away from celebrating their 50th anniversary, they announced Weight Watchers 360 to help people establish healthy, lasting habits right at the new year.

In a sort of diet tag, 17 Day Diet moved to number two, a more than respectable position for a series of weight loss books that has been hard at work since its debut in late 2024. This year 17 Day Diet expanded its value to its loyal followers with the publication of a cookbook and an anti-aging plan. One of only two brands that makes multiple appearances on the list, 17 Day Diet’s Meal Plan, facilitated by Bistro MD, landed at number 24 (down from number 3 in 2024).

For the first time in our list’s five-year history, acai doesn’t show up. It seems the heyday for this diet pill has run its course, but hasn’t taken the entire supplement industry down with it. Dr. Oz’s hyped promotion of raspberry ketones landed it at number 19 on the list, no doubt stealing a lot of thunder from acai.

Jillian Michaels is the only other brand that makes multiple appearances on our list, as she does every year. Her nearly five-year-old workout DVD 30 Day Shred took position 8, an improvement over last year’s number 10 ranking. Right after that is her Detox and Cleanse product, and anchoring the list at number 20, down from number 4 in 2024, is her Jillian Michaels Online subscription program. Her exit from both Biggest Loser and The Doctors in the past 18 months may have caused a slight decline, but her popularity is rarely wavering. In fact, America’s Toughest Trainer returns to NBC’s Biggest Loser for season 14 in January. We expect to see her on the list again next year.

CLICK HERE to view the Most Popular Diets of 2024 (more…)

Posted on December 13, 2023 by Natalie K

New Weight Watchers 360 Aims to Make Healthy Choices Second Nature

Weight Watchersis turning 50 next year and they’re rolling out a brand new program to celebrate. The longtime weight loss brand is introducing a new diet program that’s specifically designed to equip people to sustain lifelong weight loss in a culture where obesity has become a new normal.

“We live in a world of food overabundance,” said David Kirchhoff, Weight Watchers President and CEO. “Hence we have an obesity epidemic because people are doing what they’re wired to do: respond to their food environment.”

While Weight Watchers’ goal has always been to help people lose weight and keep it off, their new program Weight Watchers 360 takes it a step further. By building on the PointsPlus tracking program, 360 addresses two main areas that often pose road blocks in maintaining a healthy weight: Spaces and routines.

Spaces seeks to equip members in how to handle situations that may pose problems and get their weight loss efforts off track. Whether it be donuts at the office, portion control in the home or the temptation of drinks and desserts in social settings, Weight Watchers 360 aims to help members navigate these often difficult diet situations. (more…)

Posted on December 3, 2023 by Dana

Jessica Simpson is Down 60 Pounds Five Months after Baby Maxwell

Jessica Simpson’s hard work looks like it’s paying off. A picture of her in her Halloween costume on Wednesday really highlighted the 60 pounds she’s lost since having baby Maxwell.

Last Halloween Simpson dressed as a “mummy” as a fun way to announce her pregnancy, this year she used the holiday again to reveal things about herself, like her noticeably smaller waist. A picture that went out on Twitter showed Simpson in a leather corset and a lace skirt that really accentuated the significant weight she’s lost since she began her journey with Weight Watchers in May this year.

Simpson has been very open about how much weight she gained during her pregnancy with her nearly six-month-old daughter, Maxwell. The fashion designer and entertainer admits to indulging in comfort foods during that time and really made no apologies for it as she stated she simply wanted to enjoy her pregnancy. Her time of enjoyment lead to 70 pounds of weight gain. (more…)

Posted on November 2, 2023 by Lacy

Vanessa Lembo Lost 120 Pounds After Deciding She Was Worth The Change

Vanessa, 26, of Upstate New York was overweight her whole life. When she graduated from high school she weighed close to 250 pounds and was a size 24. Reflecting back on her childhood, Vanessa never recalls being a skinny person. Despite trying many diets like Weight Watchers and committing to various fitness routines, she’d lose weight for a time but it always came back.

When she tragically lost her mother to cancer in October 2024, she continued to struggle with her weight in the midst of such a difficult season.

“In 2024, I found out that my mom had cancer. She never told us and I found out on accident,” recalls Vanessa. “I carry guilt with that because I knew and I never told her. She started chemo on May 23 and she passed away on Halloween 2024.”

After her mother’s death Vanessa carried a lot of guilt and pain which led to emotional eating. “I would come home and eat a bag of Dove chocolate. As a result I gained 40 pounds that fall,” she said. “I was in a size 26 pant size, but it didn’t even register. I thought to myself ‘Enough is enough. I can’t do this anymore. My mom wouldn’t have wanted this for me.'”

In that moment Vanessa made a change that stuck. She started working out three days a week for 40 minutes. Now she’s up to 4-5 times a week and doing an hour of cardio plus weight training. To track her calories she started using the Lose It smart phone app, and believes she wouldn’t have been quite as successful without it. (more…)

Posted on October 31, 2023 by Dana

People on Weight Watchers Lose More Weight Than Those in Clinical Weight Loss Programs

Losing weight can be a struggle, which is why there are many different types of weight loss programs people can try. Weight Watchers is a leader, topping best-of lists year after year, and a weight loss program formulated to help people eat healthier while incorporating more physical activity into their lifestyles. Millions have had successfully lost weight with the help of Weight Watchers, including celebrities like Jessica Simpson, Jennifer Hudson, and Ginnifer Goodwin. Weight Watchers isn’t just another diet, it may very well be one of the better approaches to weight loss overall.

As reported by ABCNews, a new study published this week in the journal Obesity found weight loss programs like Weight Watchers could be as effective in losing weight as clinical programs.

The study followed 141 overweight or obese adults who were split in three groups. One group was in a weight loss behavioral program led by a health professional, or Weight Watchers. Another group was led by instructors who have had a successful weight loss journey. And, the third group was a combination of the two.

Participants were involved in group counseling with either professionals or their peer groups and they changed their diet and incorporated more physical activity into their lives. Researchers followed the participants for a year and in the end saw tremendous amount of weight loss from the participants. (more…)

Posted on October 10, 2023 by Samantha

Elizabeth Nyland Lost 60 Pounds With Crossfit and a Paleo Diet

As a visibly ripped and fit food blogger, you’d never guess that Elizabeth Nyland of the blog Guilty Kitchen ever struggled with her weight. But in fact, before she ever hit her teenage years she was already well into a years-long battle with weight gain.

At age 18,  Elizabeth stood at just 5 foot 4 inches tall and weighed 185 pounds. Now, at age 29 (and the same height) she’s down to a happy 125. But getting to that point wasn’t easy.

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Posted on October 9, 2023 by Dana

Jessica Simpson is “Your Everyday Woman” in No Hurry to Lose the Baby Weight

When it comes to celebrity pregnancies, Jessica Simpson’s may just trump them all. The 32-year-old star and new mom was nothing shy of stalked throughout her pregnancy by paparazzi and adoring fans. Now that it’s been four months since giving birth to daughter, Maxwell Drew, everyone seems to have the same question in mind: “When will she lose the baby weight?”

“I didn’t realize it didn’t all come off with the baby,” Simpson admitted to USA Today in a recent interview. “It’s been a challenge to lose the baby weight. I let myself indulge in everything I wanted because it was the first time I was pregnant and I wanted to enjoy it.”

What exactly did Simpson indulge in during her pregnancy? Anyone who recalls her days on MTV’s reality show Newlyweds knows that the southern star loves her carbs and decadent foods, including macaroni and cheese and fried chicken. If she was giving into temptations like these quite often during her pregnancy, it’s no wonder the star gained her fair amount of weight.

Though Simpson hasn’t confirm exactly how much weight she gained during pregnancy nor how much she hopes to lose, she seems in no big hurry to slim down despite signing a $3 million dollar contract with Weight Watchers to start trying to shed the pounds once the baby arrived.

Simpson was spotted hitting the gym in L.A. this week for the first time since giving birth. People also reported that the singer-turned fashion designer has been working out with personal trainer Harley Pasternak several times a week, though she mostly walks and hasn’t tried running yet since her “boobs are way too big to run at this point,” she said. (more…)

Posted on September 6, 2023 by Dana

4 Sure-Fire Weight Loss Strategies to Keep You Satisfied

By Lauren O’Connor MS RD for AroundthePlate.org

Weight Watchers has shown us that we can eat cake and lose weight, too! Today there are a variety of weight loss plans and meal planning services that can appeal to our taste buds and keep the promise that (as long as you follow their plan) you’ll lose the weight. Finding your own healthy lifestyle without the structure of a weight loss program can be a challenge. But there are simple things you can do to instill a lifestyle that promotes good health, gradual weight loss and healthy maintenance. And that includes a healthy diet and exercise.

“Not every calorie is created equal – the bulk of your diet should be wholesome, nutritious foods in order to achieve sustained weight loss, improved health and satiety,” says Theresa DiMasi, VP Editor and Chief at WeightWatchers.com. “Eating well and exercising are two key strategies important for long-term success.

Here are some other strategies for weight loss success (and maintenance, too): (more…)

Posted on July 6, 2023 by Around The Plate