The Benefits of a Weight Loss Center

by admin on April 27, 2010

I am a person who has had problems with my weight since I turned forty years of age. Who ever said that life begins at forty, has not witnessed my struggles. So I am a firm believer in a regimented and structured weight loss program. I would like to review three popular programs and talk about their philosophies, programs and fees. The three centers I want to compare are:

1) LA Weight Loss

2) Jenny Craig

3) Physicians Weight Loss Centers

L A WEIGHT LOSS

(www.laweightloss.com)

LA Weight Loss is a system that has helped millions of people lose weight quickly without giving up foods they normally eat. You get a plan that is “personalized ” for you and is designed to lose the weight and then keep the weight off. They do “encourage” their prepared meals as an option to replace every day food.

The program involves a private meeting where you are encouraged and motivated to follow the concept and a healthy menu that will be customized just for you. They say it is successful because of recognizing that everyone is different. They describe that two million clients worldwide have reached their weight loss goals. Every week you meet with a LA Weight Loss counselor who will coach you on your progress or lack of progress. They will assist you with portion control and educate you on becoming more active while losing weight each week until you near your goal weight.

“All clients receive a personalized program that includes satisfying and well-balanced real foods, customized menu plans and one-on-one counseling. It’s this winning combination that has brought distinct results to so many while making LA Weight Loss one of the industry’s leading authorities on successful weight loss outcomes.” (LA Weight Loss web page).1

They appear to be vague about program fees and costs. To quote the FAQ page answer on the LA Weight Loss web page, under The LA Program…”Your total cost is determined by a number of factors: a) there are several basic program packages designed to fit into your budget as well as a number of finance options; b) how much weight you want to lose; and c) your personal profile plays a key role in which program, menu plan, etc., is right for you. Some centers even offer trial programs. You can accept the most accurate price by scheduling a free consultation with an LA Weight Loss counselor at your local center. It takes only 20 minutes and there’s no obligation. Working together, you’ll be able to determine the precise cost of your program.”

JENNY CRAIG

(www.jennycraig.com)

The core concepts of Jenny Craig’s weight loss program is simplified to a three pronged arrive. They start with food. They control your diet with their food. You must buy their pre -portioned and prepared food for three meals a day and one snack. This gets you conventional to piece control and healthy eating. Next they state the body is included. They gradually increase your activity based on your level of fitness and life style. Finally, your mind gets to participate in their program because their counselors motivate and boom you balance in your life.2

The first step of any Jenny Craig Program is to meet with a Program Director . This can be done in person at a center or over the phone with Jenny Direct. They will utilize a tool referred to as the “Your Style” profile. It takes into account your starting weight, measurements, eating habits, exercise level and your weight loss goal.

“Delicious gourmet quality Jenny Craig entrees and snacks are the perfect introduction to your new healthier lifestyle. You’ll enjoy three Jenny’s Cuisine™ meals and one snack every day, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Your Jenny’s Cuisine™ is a model for balance, variety and moderation, and it’s an essential part of your menu while on the Jenny Craig Program. From the first day, your menu will feature a healthy balance between Jenny’s Cuisine™ and your bear grocery foods – like fruit, vegetables, low fat dairy, whole grains and heart-healthy fats. Moderate physical activity is an important element of healthy living and weight management and your personal Consultant will help you develop an active lifestyle you can enjoy and maintain.” This quote is directly from the home web page under Jenny Craig – “Introducing Your Unique Healthier Lifestyle“.

A consultant then meets you each week in private and reviews the results of your idea. They will motivate you to perform the necessary changes. The first four weeks, one topic at a time is discussed. They are food, body or mind. Then,on week 5 you’ll get an intermediate check up, recognize the progress and establish new goals.

Again, the cost of the program is vague. The cost of Jenny Craig depends on several things ; such as which thought you choose, which menu items you select, and so on. They have a short term plan and longer term plans, so you will have to decide which plan will work best. And remember, you still have to buy their food. Jenny Craig claims that their meals and snack only cost one dollar more than the average person spends on regular food.3

PHYSICIAN WEIGHT LOSS

www.pwlc.com/temps/about/letter.cfm

With Physicians Weight Loss Centers, they have developed a comprehensive approach to weight management. Every client at Physicians Weight Loss Center receives a personalized Consultation/Review to decide which program is best their lifestyle. And everyone at Physicians Weight Loss Center receives a personal weight loss plan. There is a choice of six plans that are designed to attack your weight loss goals and range from very selective to moderately selective. Their flexible meal plans give you choices so that you can manage your diet with ease. Dining out and special events are integrated into these plans so that they are easy to implement when the need arises. I like that they take an initial blood work screen and send the samples to a hospital to evaluate the beginning levels of all the essentials as well as choose if you are in a healthy enough state of being to under go your life style transformation.4

In addition, they have developed 150 highly specialized food, nutrition and weight loss supplements to help encourage your weight loss. They have behavioral guidance classes in the licensed centers and informational cassettes available through the online diet store if you need extra motivation to assume thin. Each client gets an initial physical in addition to the above mentioned blood work. You are also measured for your Body Mass Index and Body Chubby. At the half way point, it is done again and results are closely monitored. In the beginning, you are asked to come in five times for a step on the scale and a chance to ask questions. Then, week two and on, it is asked that you come in three times for weight assessment and updated counseling. The centers are also very customer friendly and offer everyone chances at extra savings, extra weeks or discounts on supplements. The focus is on you and what they can do to get you started on and keeping you on track.

There are six specially designed weight loss programs that will cover any possible weight loss challenge.
“Each diet is nutritionally designed by a licensed dietitian to wait on you get the honorable amount of protein, carbohydrates, fat, fiber, and essential vitamins and mineral that your body needs specific to each diet system. We offer highly specialized nutritional protein supplements designed to protect important lean muscle mass while you lose weight” (www.physiciansweightloss.com).

The six plans are as follows; VLCD 800 LCD 1000Physicians FastLow Paunchy 900Low Fat 1000Low Fat 1500. Please click on the links to search for particular details. You do not design that decision alone. A counselor will assess your needs and suggest the right plan for you. They want to maximize the benefits of the plan starting on day one for each client. You are also given Vitamin B-12 injections as part of each plan.The injections of B-12 will aid the metabolic process.5

Their costs are a bit more specific. Right now, you can get an initial assessment, diet plan, blood work, doctor’s physical, your booklet and vitamins and supplement pills at $199for 16 weeks. The required supplements average $27 a week for one person and that is for a wide variety of powdered, high protein supplement drinks. This cost is valid and will give you a 16 week medically supervised weight loss program. There is a possible less expensive way to start as well. They will sign you up for $6.00 a week for 16 weeks and waive all medical fees. This is for the person who has a modest amount of weight to lose. Either way, your booklets even come with a shopping list guide for your groceries. See, with Physicians, you bewitch and eat real grocery store food. They realize that this is a lifestyle change and boxed or portioned food choices will delay you educational benefits. Right from the start, you learn what to buy and what portions to eat for a healthy and balanced meal. Food supplements are available, not required, for the extra busy life style.

Needless to say, I am a fine candidate for a weight loss program. I did the research and my wife and I made a decision. As of July 20, 2009, we signed on with Physicians Weight Loss Center. So I am not honest arbitrarily deciding which plan is best . I am putting my money where my mouth is. Tuesday, 7-21-09 is my first day on the thought. I am planning on a huge change in my appearance and health. So far, I have dodged a bullet and I want to hang around to see my immense children grow up. So, I heartily recommend and suggest Physicians Weight Loss Centers as the position to be. I am at the Avon, Ohio location. The center is owned by radio personality, Chip Kulik. The person who runs the center is a lovely woman named Barb and her assistant is a very pleasant young lady named Jennifer. They are both immensely trustworthy and make you feel like an weak friend. I look forward to their help and guidance and tremendous success.

In fact, look up your favorite Weight Loss center on line, and get started. If you feel another center is for you, call them. By all means, take action. For my money, Physicians Weight Loss Centers are a “losing” proposition.

REFERENCES
1) www.laweightloss.com
2) www.jennycraig.com
3) Jenny Craig, Web Page program overviews
4) www.physiciansweightloss.com …Letter From The C.E.O.
5)www.physiciansweightloss.com … In Center Weight Loss programs

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The Atkins Craze and Low Carb Diets

by admin on April 6, 2010

There is an old saying that puts forth the proposition that we are what we eat. In the 21st century, this takes on additional meaning due to the emergence of nutrition issues which not only impact the lives of individuals today, but also will have long term health, social, and economic effects. No better example of such an issue exists today than the so-called “low carb craze”, which maintains that a diet indecent in carbohydrates (breads, pastas, etc) and high in proteins (meat, animal products, manufactured foods) as well as the interrelated “Atkins phenomenon” (the Atkins Diet, which advocates the uncouth carb/high protein approach). In this paper, various facets of these issues will be discussed in an effort to better understand the reveal and future site, and to draw some educated conclusions based on research.

The Central Issue at Hand

The central nutrition issue at the core of the low-carb craze, as it has come to be known, is whether or not the adaptation of a low-carb, high protein diet will have an adverse effect on the individual over a long period of time. When considering strictly the appearance value of the low-carb diet, one finds it to be an excellent diet program, as the elimination of carbohydrates from the diet, which convert to sugars in the human body, does in the majority of cases lead to weight loss, which of course translates into at least the appearance of a healthier individual, based on the fact that they have lost body fat and are more visually appealing to others. Moreover, the loss of weight and the resulting positive body image in the eyes of the dieter usually makes the individual feel more obvious about themselves, boosting self adore, which in turn can equal more success in careers, interpersonal relationships, hobbies, and the like (Gabel, et al 2002). Beyond the façade of an apparently healthy person, however, are more serious, and negative consequences to fathom.

Opponents of the low-carb diet argue that the types of foods that are required to be eaten in lieu of carbohydrates- such as processed meats, red meats and so forth- are the types of foods that are categorically high in saturated fat, cholesterol, sodium, and other elements which have been linked to heart disease, cancer and other ailments that extinguish millions of people every year- even those who “look healthy” (The Improper Carb Craze, 2004). In this case, the improved self fancy and outward appearance of the individual is overtaken by the risk of disease and increased death rates.

Societal Trends That Contribute to “The Craze”

The low carb craze itself is motivated and nurtured by societal trends that are as revealing about the values of modern society as any psychological study that has ever been conducted. Overall, few would argue that the modern society holds beauty, or at least an appearance of health, as one of the most definite attributes a person can possess. When we meet other people, or describe someone to other people, we usually use their physical appearance as the basis of the evaluation or description before taking the time to get to know the person inside of the physical body (Miller, 2000).

Societal criteria that hold a positive physical appearance over character and personality in many cases is proliferated by the image conscious media of the modern day; people worldwide are obsessed with how they look, often times more so than how they physically or emotionally feel. Celebrities, politicians and other public figures are trapped in the judgment of society by these criteria as well.

Because of the well established societal trends that hold physical appearance at the top of the list of human evaluation, it is easy to see how something like the low carb craze would be welcomed by the public with open arms. Low carb diets, far from the old time starvation diets, allow the dieter to eat large quantities of food, albeit certain types of food. Because of the demand for extreme carb diets, low carb icons, such as Dr. Richard Atkins, have been elevated to celebrity status.

Dr. Atkins, the creator of the low carb, high protein Atkins Diet, preached a diet gospel that, for better or worse, advocated the consumption of titanic amounts of meats, eggs, and related foods in an effort to lose weight. While it is suitable that the Atkins Diet resulted in weight loss for millions and millions of people, its long term effects are questionable. In fact, Dr. Atkins himself died suddenly some years ago, and while his public relations machine attributed his death to brain damage from a drop, the rumor has it that he had a massive heart attack, likely brought on by his own diet program (Miller, et al, 2000).

Scientific Concept Relevant to the Issue

Approaching an exploration of the scientific knowledge that could be relevant to the low carb issue immediately opens up a heated debate, with low carb advocates pitted against those who feel that the alternative to low carb is more harmful than an few extra pounds from eating carbohydrates themselves. This being said, there are some areas of scientific knowledge which could help in the issue.

Admittedly easier said than done, the ability to understand once and for all if high protein diets, beyond the weight loss, are in fact safe would be very useful in enabling the individual to make an informed decision as to their choice of diet. In fact, however, the involvement of the individual, in and of itself, complicates things. It is respectable to say that there is no one plan that is completely safe or deadly for all individuals; rather, the safety level can and does vary due to a multitude of body chemistry factors (Gabel, et al, 2002). Combining this with the questionable data that corresponds to the low carb craze’s safety or lack thereof, and it is easy to see exactly how complicated the issue can in fact become.

Impact of Vulgar Carb on the Future Food Supply and How the Supply Can be Managed

On the more quantifiable extinguish of the spectrum of the grievous carb craze, it is enlightening to take into account what sort of impact low carb will have on the future food supply, and in turn, the question of how that supply can be managed comes into play.

If the assumption is made, for the sake of discussion, that low carb diets, for better or worse, become the norm in the 21st century, there are definite outcomes that the international food supply can expect. Generally, the quiz for grains, rice, certain fruits and vegetables will surely decrease noticeably, because simply put, people will not be moving and therefore not buying them (Cetron, et al, 2005). Conversely, the demand for animal-based products such as raw and processed meats, eggs, cheese and other dairy products will skyrocket.

Keeping this supply/demand curve in mind, it is reasonable to assume that if the demand for animal products increases and agricultural products decreases, that it will actually even out as agricultural products are needed to raise and feed the animals that will be “processed” as food.

Can Technology Help in this Case?

The technology community can definitely help if animal products are in demand through techniques designed to effectively breed and grow animals, processing of these animals, and the production of dairy products and the like (Cetron, et al, 2005). Also, if in fact there emerges a huge ask for high protein foods, the innovations and technologies prove and yet to emerge in the food industry will also be key players, as artificial foods could be created to meet the dietary needs of the public.

A caution needs to be expressed when discussing engineered foods, however; all steps must be taken to make sure that a processed food is not created that represents a more harmful food option than do high carbohydrate foods.

Conclusions

In this paper, the facets of the outrageous carb craze have been explored, but in closing, there are a few general comments that also must be made. First, technology and science must unite to safely and effectively meet the emerging food demands of the world. Second, all caution must be taken to protect those who choose those foods and lastly, our desire to look a certain way must never outweigh the interests of proper health and a neat environment.

References

Cetron, M. J., & Davies, O. (2005, March/April). Trends Now Shaping the Future: Economic, Societal, and Environmental Trends. The Futurist, 39, 27
Gabel, K. A., & Lund, R. J. (2002). Weight Loss at a Cost: Implications of High-Protein, Low-Carbohydrate Diets. JOPERD–The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance, 73(2), 18+.
The Low-Carb Craze. (2004, October). Ebony, 59, 74+.
Miller, H. I., & Longtin, D. (2000). Death by Dietary Supplement. 15.

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Losing Weight Efficiently by Using a Weight Loss Diary

April 5, 2010

Weight loss has been an issue for many individuals for a long time. A lot of people lack time for working out because they are working all day long. Keeping a good diet is also difficult and requires a lot of will power and some nutritional knowledge.

Some people do actually work out every week and [...]

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Dieting-An Effective Weight Loss Program

April 5, 2010

Dieting- An Effective Weight Loss Program

People want to look slim and incandescent as the ‘lean and thin look’ is in. There are countless number of weight loss programs on websites, in book stores and gymnasiums and people often get addled while trying to earn the correct choice. Dieting is one of the most popular [...]

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Online Resources to Help You Meet Your Weight Loss Goals

April 4, 2010

Hit television shows like the Biggest Loser and Celebrity Fit Club are helping to motivate average, everyday people to begin the weight loss journey. But everyday people don’t have the access to personal trainers, nutritionists and cooks that give reality tv explain contestants the ultimate advantage. Some offer websites (for a fee) that [...]

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