The Word on Weightloss

If you have unresolved weight issues from last year, don't blame yourself. Perhaps you were carried away by too many invitations to parties and celebrations that had a menu that was too good to refuse. Or maybe you have been too busy to truly spend enough time to get fit. It could even be that you already have a diet plan but simply slacked off for some reason. If you wish to lose weight and get healthier, you're probably looking for an effective weight loss programs. Diet plans are especially designed programs that specify the type and amount of food you should eat in order for you to achieve your target weight.

Diet plans are available commercially and often promoted on TV and magazines through ads and celebrity endorsements. But which of these is the perfect fit for you and has the best value for the money? Let's take a look at some effective and the most popular diet plans currently available today and compare their benefits based on diet type, meals and recipes, and cost. That way, you can decide for yourself whether a particular diet plan is worth your time.

Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers (WW)is an old hand at diet plans, having been around for almost 50 years. Weight Watchers relies on regulating the amount of food you eat and getting you monitored through weekly peer meetings to help you lose weight. Although you can now go to meetings online instead of in person, the Weight Watchers system still works marvelously, provided of course you follow the plan religiously.

What you'll get are recipes and exercise demos. If you choose online interactions, there are Web-based tools you can use, along with access to an active online community. You'll learn the PointsPlus™ program and how to assign specific points to what you eat. Best of all, Weight Watchers lets you eat whatever you like, as long as the food is portioned accordingly. Meals aren't included in the membership but there are Weight Watchers prepared foods under the brand that can be found in supermarkets. Membership costs about $47 for the first month and only $16.95 monthly thereafter. You could also choose the 3-month plan at $65 or get the monthly plan with unlimited support and meetings at just $39.95.

Why it works: working with a support group encourages you to lose weight successfully. A study reported by the Annals of Internal Medicine in 2005 showed users of the Weight Watchers program lost an estimated average of 10 pounds of body weight in just six months and had successfully kept the weight off after two years.

eDiets
Choose from two types of memberships: support-based and meal delivery. Their support-only plan costs $18 while meal deliveries will set you back an average of $100 each week (plus shipping). However, you get to enjoy fresh meals that are especially prepared to control your caloric intake.

As a member, you get to pick from over 20 different diet plans based on your body type, preferences and any health issues. You can use online tools to plan your menus, set weight loss goals and even make your grocery list. You can also rely on online support from fellow members and get in touch with a personal trainer or registered dietitian over the phone.

Why it works: your support group is usually composed of fellow members who have had experience using the diet plan. Given the right mindset, you can use the support you get and lose as much as two pounds a week. On the downside, the personalized meals can cost a lot of money, considering that you could get plenty of other value-for-money deals elsewhere.

Nutrisystem
Nutrisystem's diet plans are based on a meal delivery system, so your caloric intake daily is controlled and you maintain a low glycemic index. You also get online support, along with weight loss tools such as an online food diary, progress tracker, weight/measurement and exercise logs.

Nutrisystem isn't cheap, but the personalized meals make it attractive. The meal deliveries will cost you over $300 per month plus shipping. You could, however, choose a cheaper 14-day starter plan for just under $150.

Why it works: although meals are delivered to you, you also need to supplement with vegetables, fruits, salads and dairy products. In a way, the system trains you to become a smarter shopper and learn how to portion out your meals.

Jillian Michaels
Want to lose weight like the Biggest Loser? Jillian Michaels is one of the fastest rising diet plans today, thanks in part to Michael's celebrity status. The system focuses on making you fit, so expect exercise to be a major factor in your weight loss and dieting to only play a supporting part. You get all the information you'll need online. As a member, you will receive an exercise plan customized to your current statistics and target weight.

Jillian Michaels is one of the cheapest diet plans around, costing just $4 a week. And for that amount, you get access to Jillian Michaels herself. She'll offer inspiration and motivation to get you going and if you have a question, she'll answer it herself.

Why it works: emphasis is on eating less and moving more. By following the plan, you train your body to burn calories more efficiently and get nourishment from healthy choices.Po