Things to know about weight watchers diet

1) How is Weight Watchers different from all of the other programs for weight loss?

Unlike the majority of popular diet programs that are based on "low carbs" or "non fat" foods, the Weight Watchers diet allows dieters to lose weight by continuing to eat the foods that they love (but just in smaller portions). Dieters are allowed to continue to eat the same kinds of foods that made them a bit overweight in the first place, but in "smaller-than-normal" portions. This type of weight loss program is based on a reduction of calories as well as "portion control", and in this regard Weight Watchers is very similar to the Jenny Craig weight loss program. This type of diet program also differs from other weight loss programs because dieters are encouraged to attend weekly meetings (where dieters will receive emotional support and learn healthy habits that will help them lose weight).

2) Who can benefit most from using Weight Watchers?

Weight loss programs based on a reduction of calories as well as portion control work best for fairly overweight dieters who can get away with eating somewhat fattening foods, but in smaller than normal portions. Basically, the more weight a dieter has to lose then the more he/she will be able to lose via a "portion control" type of diet (such as Weight Watchers). This type of weight loss program is not for people who are relatively close to reaching their goal weight, but of course anybody can benefit to some degree from this diet.

3) What amount of weight loss can Weight Watchers produce?

About 1-2 pounds of weight loss per week on average.

4) How much does Weight Watchers cost?

It costs about $44 for the "sign-up fee", about $10-15 per weekly meeting (and for the actual food it can possibly cost hundreds of dollars each month to purchase the Weight Watchers pre-packaged meals, snacks and desserts -- this cost can possibly be much less depending on how many Weight Watchers meals you choose to eat each day).

5) Are there any programs better than Weight Watchers?

For the type of program it is (portion control type of diet), it is not bad. However, those who are serious about changing their bodies would be better off using any diet that does not allow any fattening foods to be consumed at all. Fattening foods are still fattening when used as part of a reduced calorie diet, however, they are simply not "as fattening" compared to when these foods are consumed in much greater portions.

Zero Carb Diets explained

1) How are Zero Carb Diets different from all of the other diets?

Zero carb diets are different from other diets in that they are high in protein, high in fat, and exclude the consumption of carbohydrates (sugars) altogether for certain periods of time.   By comparison, most popular diets try to keep "fat calories" to a minimum since it is believed by many that only "fat calories" are fattening. This type "zero carb" diet goes against the norm by saying that carbohydrates are equally as fattening as fats, and that carbohydrates can even be MORE fattening than "fat calories" in some instances.   Remember that our brain and body get their primary energy from carbohydrates. However, if no carbohydrates are eaten then the body will begin to use stored body fat tissue for energy instead. Although, this does come with a price, because carbohydrate withdrawal "side effects" can last for several weeks and be unbearable.

2) Who can benefit most from using Zero Carb Diets?

All dieters can benefit from a diet that does not allow carbohydrates to be eaten whether the dieter is overweight by 350 pounds or 25 pounds.

3) What amount of weight loss can Zero Carb Diets produce?

On average about 2-4 pounds per week, however, a 350 pound dieter would lose much more weight than that each week (and someone who only has one pound of fat left on their stomach would obviously lose less than that each week).

4) How much do Zero Carb Diets cost?

Technically nothing, since a dieter simply needs to completely eliminate the consumption of carbohydrates from his or her daily dietary regimen. Although, if so desired then dieters could spend hundreds of dollars per month buying zero carb (or low carb) food products and supplements from companies like Atkins.   Remember that Dr. Atkins is the original man behind zero carb/low carb diets.

5) Are there any types of diets which better than Zero Carb Diets?

Low carbohydrate diets are good, portion control diets are also good.  Low fat diets can be good as long as they are not "fat free" and as long as not too many carbohydrates are consumed. Although, to say one type of diet is better than another is a personal matter which depends on each dieter (and their own ability not to cheat using a particular diet).

South Beach diet FAQ

1) What is the South Beach Diet?

The South Beach Diet is a three phase diet which was developed by a cardiologist based in south Florida, in order to help patients avoid or combat heart problems. Phase one lasts for two weeks and is basically similar to the Atkins Diet, because this first two weeks focuses on the consumption of nothing but protein sources (low carb period). No carbs allowed during this first phase. Phase two incorporates "good" carbohydrates in order to keep insulin levels stable (which is very similar to the approach used by the Zone Diet). Phase two lasts for an "undetermined" length of time -- whatever length of time it takes for each dieter to rid their excess fat tissue.  During phase three, dieters are done "dieting" and now they simply begin eating a healthy, well balanced diet (so as to maintain their new body for life).  Phase three is sort of a "maintenance" period, a way to begin eating healthy for life.

2) What are the negative aspects of the South Beach Diet?

Phase one is a negative aspect, because nearly all dieters will simply not be able to go without carbohydrates for two full weeks, and thus many people cannot handle this tough low carb period. The side effects caused by a "zero carbohydrate" period are unbearable for most people (these side effects include irritability, severe fatigue, sleeplessness, headaches, intense hunger for carbohydrates, nervousness, etc).  Phase two is not much better, but is more tolerable than phase one.  Side effects are not as bad during phase two, but they will still pose a problem for most dieters making it difficult not to cheat.

3) What are the positive aspects of the South Beach Diet?

Phase one and two are incredibly effective at ridding the body of its excess and unwanted fat tissue, the low carb period serves as a positive aspect because they allow for tremendous fat loss IF the dieter can stick to the diet and not cheat during these periods (which is difficult).  Therefore, phase one and phase two serve as both "negative" and "positive" aspects of the South Beach Diet program.

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect each week using the South Beach Diet?

Dieters can expect to lose between 5 and 8 pounds during each of the first two weeks of phase one, after that dieters can expect to lose and 1-2 pounds per week during phase two when they are eating carbs again.

5) What are some alternatives to the South Beach Diet?

The Atkins Diet, the Zone Diet and the Caveman Diet would be good alternatives -- because phase one of the South Beach Diet borrows heavily from the Atkins Diet, phase two borrows heavily from the Zone Diet, and phase three is a general "well balanced" nutritional program which is basically what the Caveman Diet is.

Who can lose weight with diet programs by Richard Simmons

1) What Diet Programs are created by Richard Simmons?

The original diet program developed by Richard Simmons was the "Deal-A-Meal" diet program. With the "Deal-A-Meal" diet program dieters kept track of the foods they ate by moving "cards" from one side of a wallet to the other after each meal, etc.  After all of the cards (representing food items) were moved from one side to the other, a dieter was done eating for the day.  

The latest (and newest) diet program developed by Richard Simmons is similar to "Deal-A-Meal" and is called the "FoodMover". The "FoodMover" is different from Deal-A-Meal because the "FoodMover" has "windows" representing each food item (open windows and closed windows). Once a food is consumed the window representing that food item is then closed. Dieters are done eating for the day when all windows are closed.

The Richard Simmons Diet Programs are geared for severely overweight people.   These are people so overweight that they can get away with eating the foods that they love, just in smaller portions each day, while they can still lose weight.

2) What are the negative aspects of the Richard Simmons Diet Programs?

These programs are only good for severely overweight people. Those who have at least 50 pounds to lose can benefit from the diet programs developed by Richard Simmons (those who have at least 100 pounds or more to lose will benefit the most). However, eating the same foods that made a person severely overweight in the first place (but just in smaller portions than before) will only allow a person to lose a limited amount of weight (it will not allow a person to burn off all excess fat tissue).   A serious diet will still be necessary after a severely overweight person is done using the "Deal-A-Meal" or "FoodMover" diet programs.

3) What are the positive aspects of the Richard Simmons Diet Programs?

Severely overweight dieters can begin to lose weight without having to give up the foods they love (and are actually addicted to).

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect each week using the Richard Simmons Diet Programs?

One pound per week on average, possibly much more than that for really overweight people.

5) What are some alternatives to the Richard Simmons Diet Programs?

As mentioned above, the Richard Simmons Diet Programs are for severely overweight dieters only. Therefore, alternative diet programs for severely overweight dieters include Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers. Although, a sensible and well balanced diet consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables and high quality protein sources would be even better.

Good low carb diet for losing weight

1) What are Low Carb Diets?

Low carb diets are diets that are low in carbohydrate calories (obviously), they are also typically low in "fat calories" and high in "protein calories". There is no way to burn fat faster than by using a diet that is low in "carbohydrates", low in "fats", and high in "protein".  This type of diet works so well because the two types of fattening calories are kept to a minimum (carbohydrates and fats) while the only non-fattening type of calorie (protein) makes up the vast majority of the diet.

2) What are the negative aspects of Low Carb Diets?

Both the brain and body get their energy from glycogen (carbohydrates after digestion when stored in the muscle cells).   Therefore, greatly decreasing the intake of carbohydrates will cause the body to experience negative side effects such as headaches, light headedness, irritability, inability to sleep, overwhelming desire for carbohydrates, fatigue, etc. This can last for several weeks until the body "adjusts" to the low carb routine.

3) What are the positive aspects of Low Carb Diets?

Low carb diets represent the fastest way to burn fat when compared to other diets.

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect each week using Low Carb Diets?

It would not be uncommon for the average dieter to expect weight loss of approximately 6-9 pounds during the first week (some of it water weight of course), and 1-2 pounds thereafter. Of course, a dieter who only has 10 pounds to lose can expect lesser results and a dieter who has 100 pounds to lose can expect greater results.

5) What are some alternatives to Low Carb Diets?

Obese dieters could do well with other diets that are based on portion control such as "Jenny Craig" or "Weight Watchers". Overweight people (not thin but not obese) could do well by simply eating a well balanced diet making sure to eliminate their intake of "empty calorie" junk foods. However, there really is no alternative to low carb diets, they are quite unique.