Jillian Michaels gets her own show on NBC
Posted by Caitlin on October 21st, 2009
Jillian Michaels, the trainer and life coach from NBC's The Biggest Loser, will star on her own show next year. On Losing It With Jillian, Michaels will temporarily move in with families from around the country, in order to help them identify and break unhealthy habits. Each week, she'll show a different family how to chart a new path toward health and happiness, with some assistance from celebrity chef Curtis Stone, who will teach families about nutrition.
In addition to sharing her wisdom on television, Jillian Michaels dispenses advice through her online diet program. She may not be able to train and coach you personally, but her online program is the next best thing. To learn more about Jillian Michaels' weight loss plan and other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.
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How to I switch to Jenny Direct?
Posted by Caitlin on October 14th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: How do I switch from a center to mail order because there is not a center near where I am moving?
A: Jenny Direct, Jenny Craig's at home weight loss program, offers the same food, tools, and personal support that are available at Jenny Craig's local centers. Your Jenny Cuisine and program materials will be delivered by mail, and you'll speak with your consultant over the phone. Current Jenny Craig memberships are transferable back and forth, from a Jenny Craig center to Jenny Direct and vice versa. To transfer your membership to Jenny Direct, just speak with your personal consultant or request an instant call back from a Jenny Craig customer service representative.
To learn more about Jenny Craig and other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.
Froot Loops are not a smart choice
Posted by Caitlin on September 16th, 2009
The new Smart Choices program places a green check mark label on packaged foods in order to indicate that the item is considered a "better for you" product. And yet many of the foods that have earned a green check mark are sugary cereals or heavily salted packaged meals. An unhealthy food can earn the label as long as nutrients are artificially added. The FDA is concerned that this new system will mislead consumers and discourage them from reading the nutrition label, and is considering the possibility of creating a standardized label for the front of packages.
If you are on a diet, or simply want to make an effort to choose healthy foods, do not be convinced by the sight of a Smart Choices label. If you are truly concerned about making smart choices at the grocery store, consider an online diet service. Many of the DIY diet services reviewed on NextAdvisor.com offer grocery list planning assistance. To learn more, see our reviews and comparison chart.
How does Weight Watchers' lifetime membership work?
Posted by Caitlin on September 14th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I'm a lifetime [Weight Watchers] member but I have not attended for a long time. I would like to join again. How does the lifetime membership work, are you charged for not attending a meeting or are you charged only for the meetings that you attend?
A: Weight Watchers meetings members who reach their goal weight and maintain that goal weight within two pounds for six consecutive weeks are awarded lifetime memberships. Lifetime members may attend Weight Watchers meetings at no charge, as long as they remain no more than two pounds above their goal weight.
Once you have reached lifetime member status, you will always be a lifetime member and will never have to pay another registration fee. You must weigh in at your first meeting of every month, and if you weigh more than two pounds more than your goal weight, you'll be charged the weekly fee. You will not be expected to pay for missed meeting unless you have not weighed in within a one month period. You are always eligible for lifetime benefits, and depending on your location, you may be eligible for discounted fees.
If you have misplaced your lifetime member number, you can call Weight Watchers at 800-651-6000, or by filling out a request form at WeightWatchers.com.
To learn more about Weight Watchers or other online diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.
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What if I don't like the food?
Posted by Caitlin on September 2nd, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: I want to try Nutrisystem, but I'm a picky eater and I'm afraid I might not like the food. Can I try it for free, or get my money back if I don't like it?
A: Nutrisystem does allow returns and offers a money back guarantee on non-frozen foods. After you recieve your first order, you'll have seven days to decide whether or not you like the food. You can call Nutrisystem at any time within those seven days and return the remaining food for a full refund, minus the cost of shipping.
If you do decide to continue with Nutrisystem, you'll also have the option to return or exchange any non-frozen food items that you don't care for, as long as the package is unopened and you return it within 30 days. Nutrisystem does not allow returns on frozen foods.
To learn more about Nutrisystem or other meal delivery diet services, take a look at our reviews and comparison chart.
The skinny on acai berry
Posted by Joe on June 11th, 2009
Acai (pronounced a-sigh-EE) is a berry has come into the collective conscious of many dieters in the last few years. Proponents of the fruit, which is indigenous to Brazil, claim that this so-called "super food" can help dieters rapidly lose weight and fight any number of ailments.
But, according to the independent Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), acai is no more beneficial for you than produce you would find at your local supermarket. The CSPI's Johnny Bowden recently addressed the topic of acai in an interview with CNN:
"Virtually every berry — blueberry, strawberry, goji, acai — are anti-inflammatory and high in antioxidants," Bowden said. "This particular one is exotic. It's found in Brazil. It's been marketed to have more of a magic ingredient. It's been over-hyped and marketed to death. There are claims to curing cancer, curing baldness that is all over the place."
The claims and marketing tactics used by acai proponents have been so outlandish that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently began a review of the practices of many of the companies promoting these products.
The truth is that there is little or no clinical research explicitly showing that acai is any more beneficial than any number of other fruits with similar antioxidant properties. So, while acai may be considered as part of a overall diet regiment, it is by no means a silver bullet for weight loss.
We have reviewed a number diet programs and meal plans that can help you develop a healthy lifestyle and lose weight the right way. Learn more by visiting our comparison of diet programs and meal plans.
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50% discount on Medifast purchases
Posted by Caitlin on March 13th, 2009
Medifast is offering NextAdvisor.com readers a 50% discount on any purchase of $275 or more until 3/31. To take advantage of this 50% discount on Medifast products, simply enter the promo code Mar31C when prompted during checkout.
To learn more about Medifast or other meal plan diet services, see our reviews and comparison chart.
The best diet is the one you can stick to
Posted by Caitlin on March 3rd, 2009
Last week, the largest ever controlled study of diet programs was published in The New England Journal of Medicine. The study tested different types of popular diet plans. All of the diet plans reduced calories, but each one emphasized a different combination of fat, carbohydrates and protein. All participants received group or individual counseling. After two years, the study showed that the dieters' results were similar across the board, whether they followed a plan like Atkins, which emphasizes cutting carbohydrates, a low fat diet, or the Mediterranean diet, with less animal protein. As long as dieters cut calories, their specific diet plan was relatively insignificant.
The researchers' conclusions give dieters the freedom and flexibility to choose whichever diet plan appeals to them. An online diet service provides the tools and support to help you stick to whichever plan you choose. If you are considering embarking on a new diet, check out our reviews and comparison charts for help deciding which one is right for you.
Why wasn't Jenny Craig reviewed?
Posted by Joe on January 8th, 2009
The following post in our Reader Question series is an actual user submitted question. To maintain the integrity of the original question, we do not edit or change reader questions in any way.
Q: Why wasn't Jenny Craig a part of the comparison against the other online diets?
A: Jenny Craig is a very well known brand in the weight loss world. Because the primary service offered by Jenny Craig takes place off-line in local service centers, we felt that it didn't fit very well into our comparison of online diet services. That being said, Jenny Craig does offer a service called Jenny Direct which includes meal delivery. You can learn more about Jenny Direct by visiting the Jenny Craig website.
We are constantly evaluating and expanding our comparisons and reviews, so we may add a Jenny Craig review to our comparison in the future. In the meantime, you can view the comparison on online diet services that we have reviewed on NextAdvisor.com.
Lose the Weight this Year: A Common Sense Dieter's Guide
Posted by Caitlin on December 2nd, 2008
In theory, losing weight is simple. Just consume fewer calories. In practice, however, losing weight can be a difficult endeavor, fraught with obstacles. But by using common sense and adhering to a few basic principles, you can increase the odds that your diet will be a success.
Have realistic expectations
Dieters with unrealistic expectations about how long it will take to reach their weight loss goals are more likely to give up on dieting altogether. They are also more likely to fall into a cycle of starving themselves and then overeating. Many people would like to lose a great deal of weight very quickly, but slow and steady weight loss is healthier and more likely to lead to long-term success. Smaller, more attainable goals are more productive.
Losing one to two pounds each week would be a reasonable goal, for example. Focusing on short-term goals can also help dieters stay on track. If your long-term goal is to lose 25 pounds, you should assume that this will take at least three months, and keep yourself motivated by concentrating on losing the first five pounds, or on getting through the day without eating too much.
Determine your weight loss goals before you begin a new diet, and plan accordingly. Consider factors such as your age and body type when setting these goals. Genetics do play a role in determining your body type, but they provide a range of weights that are possible, depending on your diet and exercise habits. And your metabolism slows as you age, which means that you sometimes have to change your diet and exercise habits if you want to avoid gaining weight.
Ask yourself why you want to lose weight, how much you want to lose, whether you will be willing to move past minor setbacks or plateaus, whether you will be able to focus on your weight loss goals, and whether you're committed to losing weight for yourself, rather than for someone else.
If you have trouble setting realistic weight loss goals for yourself, there are many valuable online resources that can help. The diet programs reviewed here at NextAdvisor.com include tools that can help you create a solid, realistic plan.
Choose the right diet for you
One of the most crucial steps toward achieving your weight loss goals is choosing the right diet. Most diet plans will help you lose some weight initially, but the best diets will also help you keep the weight off permanently. Fad diets that promise immediate weight loss often do more harm than good when it comes to losing and maintaining weight, and diets that advertise easy or painless weight loss are not usually effective. A good diet is flexible, and doesn't usually require you to completely give up certain types of food. It is much harder to stick to a healthy eating plan if it is overly strict.
When choosing a diet plan, it helps to take your personality and lifestyle tendencies into account. If you tend to be impulsive, you may need to concentrate on avoiding temptations. If you tend to snack mindlessly, you should avoid situations where you are likely to eat without paying attention, such as snacking in front of the television. If you eat to alleviate anxiety, boredom or depression, you should focus on breaking those habits.
With so many diet plans to choose from, you may find the diet analysis services offered by eDiets helpful in determining which plan is the best for you. This online diet program also gives users access to registered dietitians, who will answer questions and give advice.
Eat nutritious meals in sensible portions
It may seem obvious, but a strong emphasis on sensibly portioned, nutritious meals should be an integral element of any good diet plan. You may find that strictly monitoring your calorie intake works best for you, or you may prefer a more low-key approach to dieting, but either way, you should strive to make healthy decisions about food.
If you're hungry, eat something. Don't skip meals or starve yourself, because you'll probably wind up overeating later on.
If you can, cook your own meals as much as possible. When you make your own food, you know exactly what you're eating. It is easier to make healthy choices when you are in control, such as using low-fat plain yogurt in place of sour cream and mayonnaise and buying low-fat cheese and milk instead of full-fat versions. You're also more likely to slow down and connect with your food, rather than eating quickly and mindlessly. It it's difficult for you to find time to cook, plan ahead by making extra food when you do have time and then freezing it for future use. eDiets, WeightWatchers and other online diet services offer meal planning tools, recipe databases, and grocery shopping list generators to help you. If you simply don't have time to cook, meal delivery services from Nutrisystem, eDiets DeliciouslyYours and Diet-to-go make eating well-balanced, correctly portioned meals nearly effortless. These services provide breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as snacks and desserts.
When you do eat at a restaurant, you can still strive to make healthy choices. Many of the online diet services reviewed at NextAdvisor.com include guidance and nutrition information to help you when ordering at a restaurant. Skip the bread. Eat slowly, since it can take up to 20 minutes for your body to register that you are full. Don't count on the restaurant to determine the correct portion size for you; ask how generous the servings are, and if they're big enough, either share with your dining companions or plan to bring some food home for another night.
Most of us are conditioned to believe that we are supposed to clean our plate, but our plates often contain far more food than we should be eating. There can be a great deal of pressure to eat more than you should at family gatherings, for instance. Don't let your family derail your diet plan. Be polite but firm when you've had enough to eat.
If your stomach is grumbling between meals, there's no need to suffer until dinnertime. Eating snacks between meals can help you avoid eating too much later in the day. The trick is to eat healthy snacks, and only eat them when you are actually hungry. Try to eat foods that you don't normally have during meals. Moderate amounts of fruits, vegetables, nuts, cheese and yogurt make good, healthy snacks. If you must eat cookies or candy, keep your portions small. When you buy chips or other snack foods, read the nutrition information to find out how many calories, grams of sugar you will be eating, and avoid anything with “partially hydrogenated vegetable oil.” You should also check the serving size, which frequently turns out to be much less than the amount you actually eat at one sitting. The perfect snack should fill you up and give you energy for around 100 calories or less. It should include some carbohydrates, about 5 grams of fiber, at least 5 grams of protein, and a little bit of unsaturated fat. If you find yourself tempted to snack on unhealthy foods at work, plan ahead by bringing a supply of healthy snacks to your office. Avoid resorting to the vending machine. If you find yourself snacking due to stress or boredom rather than hunger, try chewing gum instead.
If you do indulge in foods that aren't part of your diet plan, don't give up. An occasional treat isn't going to ruin your diet, but giving up altogether definitely will. If you find yourself in a situation in which you can't avoid eating foods that are not part of your diet plan, don't beat yourself up about it. Drink water, so you can at least feel good about your beverage choice, and move on by planning to eat extra healthy the next day.
Exercise regularly
The best way to lose weight is to combine diet and exercise. When you embark on a new diet plan, you should also begin exercising regularly. In many cases, a new exercise routine will actually make it easier to eat healthier foods. And if you've eaten more than you should have, you can always compensate by taking a brisk walk or going for a run to burn those extra calories.
The most effective exercise routines combine cardio, which burns calories, with weight lifting, since building muscle increases the number of calories your body burns while at rest. An online diet service such as eDiets or WeightWatchers can be especially helpful in this regard, offering personalized fitness plans and access to certified fitness trainers as well as fitness news and tips.
Track your progress
Dieters who weigh themselves regularly and track their progress generally find it easier to notice missteps and stick to their diet and exercise plan. Recording your progress helps you stay focused on your weight loss goals and move past challenges. The online diet services reviewed at NextAdvisor.com include a variety of tools to help track your progress, as well as online support systems to help keep you motivated.
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