Comparing Popular Weight Loss Programs

Today is Part 3 in a series of How to Lose Weight and Get Healthy. In Part 1, I told you about my background in the weight loss industry, and Part 2 was about a great cleanse I recommend that focuses on health (not weight loss necessarily) and I shared one of my favorite healthy recipes.

This post will focus on comparing some fitness and weight loss tools. I also have some recommendations. And at the bottom of the post you'll see details on a challenge I have for YOU! Join the CharmingDoodle DietBet!

 

First, let's talk about inspiration. When you want to change the way you eat, or you want to get the motivation to start exercising more it's important to find something that inspires you. There are lots of places to go for inspiration.

One of the most inspiring things I've seen in a long time was last season of The Biggest Loser. A friend of mine from college named Michael Dorsey was one of the contestants. I came across this picture recently (look at those young kids!). That's Michael and I in college our sophomore year.

And here are his before and after pictures from The Biggest Loser.

Amazing, right? It was SO fun watching him and all the other contestants as they lost their weight. I hadn't watched a full season of the show before Michael's season but a new season is on again now and I'm watching it.

Another completely inspirational person to me is Michelle from One Fit Widow. (image from her facebook page)

Michelle is a good friend of one of my good friends and I have followed her story through the years. Michelle's husband, Mitch died several years ago in a plane crash and Michelle very openly talked about her grief and helping their two small children deal with the loss of their dad. She began using fitness as a go-to stress reliever and grief therapy and not only whipped her body into amazing shape...she also began One Fit Widow as a fitness program. It's definitely not just for widows, she has amazing exercise programs for anyone and I highly recommend them! Her facebook page is super inspiring to follow as well!

Now let's talk about weight loss programs. Below I outlined 3 popular plans. I learned most of what I know about the weight loss industry from the same person who trained Jenny Craig herself, and also founded Nutri-System. These are big companies and I'm familiar with most programs out there since many follow a similar model. But I'd also like to highlight one that you may not be familiar with, The Grace & Strength Lifestyle.

I found out about The Grace & Strength Lifestyle a few months ago after my best friend from high school lost weight very quickly with them. What is interesting about Grace & Strength is that they are a spiritually based Christian program and really see weight loss as not just an issue of what you eat...but why. They look at the spiritual side of a person which is not common in the weight loss industry. They also suggest reading a book that I also highly recommend called Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst.

Here is a link to my friend Bekah's story. She is amazing and is also a coach with The Grace & Strength Lifestyle so if you sign up you may get to work with her.

Below is the comparison of three different programs. Are there any others you'd like me to review? Just let me know in the comments or send me a message on facebook and I'm happy to add to this chart.

Last, but not least, I wanted to share a fun site with you called DietBetter.com. At DietBet you can place a 'bet' on yourself to lose 4% of your body weight in 4 weeks. You can join any bet you want and do a few at a time if you'd like. I've done several and always make my money back plus more. The way it works is that you join a bet (like a recent Jillian Michaels one I joined). Each game has a set dollar amount (usually $25-$35). You send in your pictures per the website's instructions at the beginning and end of the game. Then, if you've lost 4%, you get your initial money back plus whatever is left in the pot. It's an interesting way to find some accountability to yourself.

I'm hosting a DietBet starting next week and ending a few days before Thanksgiving (so yes, you'll be able to have that pumpkin pie!). Join up today!

Have you tried any of the programs I've mentioned here? Or any others? I've love to hear about your experiences!