Compare diets - which one costs the least and works the best?

View PDF | Print View
by: nanceekemper Total views: 62 Word Count: 1067   

When you compare diets, you need to examine a variety of issues to decide which diets are the least costly and are most useful. A lot of people discover that, in order to lose weight, they need some guidance - often in terms of group support. Some diet businesses can charge as much as $5,000 to $10,000 annually between what they charge for food, counseling, exercise equipment, instruction books, calorie counters/charts, meetings and DVDs. The obesity rates in the United States and Canada have become a staggering statistic and many folks are choosing to pay these prices in a desperate attempt to release pounds. It would serve them well to compare diets and prices before picking a weight loss plan.

Compare diets - what changes in 3 years?

Research shows that 95 % of people who manage to lose weight gain it all back in two to three years. Generally, they gain back MORE pounds and inches than they initially lost. After 3 years, the failure rate is even worse. Sadly, if you spent upwards of $10,000 to release the weight this year, and you get it back, it will cost you that much (or more) to lose it again.

Compare diets - let's look at five.

On Friday, January 8, 2010, Vera Gibbons, the financial contributor for CBS's "The Early Show" determined to compare diets and find out what the price per pound lost actually was. She studied five of the most commonly known weight loss plans and compared them according to the quantity of weight claimed to be released and the everyday cost per month. She then determined a cost per pound ratio in order to compare diets of these five companies. Here is what she determined:

Compare diets -
Weight Watchers

Claim: Lose up to 8 lbs/month
Usual cost/month: $716
Works out to cost per pound of $90

Weight Watchers has been in business for a very long time and is often referred to as the "AA" of food junkies and overeaters. It encourages portion control, sensible diet and changes in routine, including exercise and mental outlook adaptation. It is reasonably easy to follow. The typical price of food per month ($716) is acceptable for a commercial diet plan, which includes weekly meetings, access to the Weight Watchers website and the price of food. The cost per pound ratio works out to be $90.

Nutrisystem

Claim: Lose up to 8 lbs/month
Average cost/month: $529
Works out to cost per pound of $66

This program is quite distinctive from Weight Watchers. The company provides a choice of pre-packaged, portion controlled meals. There are at least 160 separate entrees and if you buy them at Walmart or Costco, they are available at 15% off the market price. It isn't required to count calories, carbs or points and the meals need no cooking. Meals are shipped to your home. The average expense of food each month is $529, which calculates out to upwards of $66 per pound.

Jenny Craig

Claim: Lose up to 8 lbs/month
Average cost/month: $715
Approximate cost per pound of $90

While they pitch 10 weeks for $20, in actuality when you enter the deal, they recommend you enroll for $399 plus the cost of meals. There is also an annual renewal of $50. The lifetime membership includes supplies, manuals and counseling and allows you to buy their food wholesale indefinitely.

The $20 offer expects you to buy the support materials - restaurant guide, weight loss and maintenance.

Jenny Craig Food Daily Costs - Minimum $15-$18
Jenny Craig Food Weekly Costs - Minimum $125 plus costs of groceries such as fruit, vegetables, dairy.
Jenny Craig Food Monthly Costs - Minimum $500 plus costs of groceries such as fruit, vegetables, dairy.

The regular cost per month is based on the meal plan plus minimum costs for extra required groceries. You consume 3 Jenny Craig meals each day plus snacks.

Atkins

Claim: Lose up to 21 lbs in the first four weeks - after that, 12 lbs each month.
Average cost/month: $948
Works out to price per pound is $45 in the first four weeks and $79 thereafter.

South Beach Diet

Claim: Release up to 17 lbs in the first month - thereafter, 8 lbs per month.
Normal cost/month: $818
Works out to cost per pound of $48 in the first month and $102 after.

Each of the Atkins and South Beach diets equate pounds at a much higher cost, about $1000 a month. The justification for this is you are buying expensive proteins, yet they are a lower cost per pound, principally in the first two weeks. The justification for this is that the first two weeks are known as an "induction" period. There is a restrictive ban on specific foods during that timeframe and consequently, a higher amount of weight is lost in that two week space of time.

Compare diets - One that wasn't on Ms. Gibbons' list.

One diet that Ms. Gibbons did not count in her diet comparison is the Isagenix Cleansing and Fat Burning System. I am including it here.

Isagenix (Recommended program: 3 - 9 Day Systems)

Claim: Lose up to 20 lbs/month
Average cost/month: $448 (including the cost of 18 400-600 calorie meals from the grocery store)
Works out to cost per pound of $22.50

Isagenix is not a diet, but a nutritional cleanse system that gently and effectively removes impurities from the body so you are losing fat while retaining lean muscle. It includes meal replacement shakes, a cleanse drink and sensible meals (400-600 calories.) It tastes delightful, contains no harmful stimulants or chemicals of any kind and is gluten free. It also comes with a 30 day money back promise. Including 18 400 to 600 calorie meals from the supermarket, the monthly cost is close to $448 which works out to almost $22.50 per pound.

Compare diets - what now?

So now that you have had a chance to compare six diets, do a little more fact-finding and make up your mind what works best with your lifestyle. But if you need to lose weight, don't wait - carrying that excess fat around isn't doing you any favors. Even as little as 10 or 20 additional pounds can put a strain on your organs, your joints and your overall health. Get started right away!

Additional information:

Nancee Kemper is a Nutritional Cleanse and Anti-Aging Coach and Independent Isagenix Associate. She was a legal secretary for 33 years and left her last position to pursue her passion of helping others to achieve their health and financial goals. In the last three years, she has helped many people realize their true potential. If you would like more information, please visit her at . If you would like to comment or sign up for her newsletter, please click on Compare diets - Which costs the least? . Be healthy for good!

Related "Weight Loss":

• How To Determine Which Fat Loss Tablets Will Work Best For You
  Fat loss tablets, as we've seen in this article, c ...
• Top 10 List: Star Weight Loss Transformations
  Machinist' representing perhaps the most extreme ...
• Three Questions Asked At Any Biggest Loser Weight Loss Program
  Time has come to stop starring at the mirror and l ...
• Biggest Loser Weight loss Club- Healthy Diet, Exercise And Motivation
  We need to have self- control and biggest losers c ...
• Irrespective Of The Cause Of Weight Gain- Loose Weight With The Biggest Loser
  A change in the consistent lifestyle, diets and ph ...

Comments

Add Comment