Weight Loss

Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP talks about the trouble with fad diets

Popular weight loss plans for women — what works?

by Marcelle Pick, OB/GYN NP

What makes a good weight loss plan?
Comparison chart of popular diets
Why women like our Personal Program for Weight Loss Resistance

One night when my daughter was four years old, I was rubbing her legs before putting her to bed and telling her what beautiful legs she had. She looked at me and responded with, “No, Mommy, my legs aren’t skinny like Barbie’s.”

I was floored. I thought I’d done everything I could to protect her from the media’s unrealistic standards for beauty — she didn’t watch TV other than Sesame Street and Barney, and didn’t own a Barbie doll. If a four-year-old is getting the message that she’s not thin enough, it’s no wonder we have such a weight complex in this country.

And it’s no wonder so many women are running from one fad diet to the next, desperate to shed the same pounds they thought they’d lost with the last diet they were on. Trust me, I’ve tried my share of diets and too many of them let me down. From the Master Cleanse and Martha’s Vineyard diets, to the ice cube and Twinkie diets — it seems we are always open to try the next idea, no matter how ridiculous or unhealthy it may be.

But there are some diet plans out there that really work. Let’s take a look at what makes a good diet plan and help you find success in your weight loss goals.

What makes a good weight loss plan?

There is so much confusion out there about dieting, I wanted to set the record straight and give you the components I feel are most important to a successful weight loss plan. A good weight loss plan does the following:

Gets to the root of weight loss road blocks, also known as weight loss resistance
Generously feeds the body all its necessary nutrients
Incorporates healthy meal ideas and recipes that taste good
Offers fresh ideas for exercise
Emphasizes the importance of emotional wellness
Provides information on the importance of restoration (stress relief, sleep, and fun)

Comparison chart of popular diets

Diet Plan	Pros	Cons
Balanced Personal Program for Weight Loss Resistance US News & World Report recently published an article ranking the best diet plans. The DASH Diet and the Mediterranean Diet were the winners for best overall diets. Our Personal Program for Weight Loss Resistance is built on a Mediterranean-style diet and parallels key DASH diet principles, but comes with many more benefits.	Addresses metabolic imbalances that may have been keeping you from successful weight loss Provides an easy-to-follow meal plan, a top-quality multivitamin, and a shake with metabolic boosters Offers loads of yummy family-friendly recipes that will satisfy you Connects you with one of our Wellness Coaches for personalized support and guidance Offers tips for exercise and restoration
Low-carb Schwarzbein I & II The Zone South Beach Perricone DASH diet	Healthy food combinations Energizing	May not get to the root metabolic imbalance/s leading to weight loss resistance Additional support may be required to meet individual needs
High-protein/low-fat/low-carb Atkins Protein Power	Loss of fat Helps create more muscle You feel full	Does not address metabolic imbalances, and may even lead to metabolic issues if followed for too long Poor choice for those with kidney problems
Calorie-control / portion control Weight Watchers Jenny Craig NutriSystem	Emotional support Easy to follow Encourages lifestyle changes	May not get to the root of weight loss resistance Point-tallying, calorie counting, and packaged meals can be hard to continue long-term Decreases metabolic functioning
Low-fat / high-carb Dean Ornish Pritikin Vegetarian diets with inadequate protein	Good for some men with heart issues, but too heavy on carbs for most women	Not enough dietary fat to support hormonal balance in many women Loss of muscle tone Difficult to stick with
Reduced calorie / meal replacement Slim-Fast Optifast	Ease Convenience	Damages metabolic function Sets up yo-yo weight gain Depletes serotonin Contains many artificial additives
Appetite suppressants Fen-phen Ephedra Caffeine OTC appetite suppressants	Extreme hunger is controlled	Freezes metabolism Creates or worsens adrenal problems Doesn’t work for intense cravings Saps energy

Why women like our Personal Program for Weight Loss Resistance

We’ve worked long and hard on creating a healthy program for weight loss because we know how important healthy weight is for your overall health and for your peace of mind. We’ve taken all the essential weight loss components and made it easy for you by offering help with balancing root imbalances; a top-quality nutrient plus metabolic support in the form of a delicious snack shake; tips on exercise, stress reduction, and emotional healing; and support from real women who have been where you are.

We all know drastic changes are typically short-lived, while small changes, made every day within a setting that fully supports you, are more likely to build long-term success. A full 80% of the women who staff our Contact Center have tried our diet, and can help you with first-hand advice. We would love to help you on your final weight loss journey.