The Good and the Bad Side of the LA Weight Loss Program Articles | Nutrition

You have surely come across the several ads of LA Weight Loss program which is one of the fastest growing weight loss centers in the world. What started in 1989 has now spread to 900 locations in 48 states over and above in Canada, Costa Rica, Puerto Rico and Europe. What makes the program so successful for such a large number of people?

The most critical factor of LA Weight Loss program is that it concentrates on weight loss through portion-wise calorie intake rather than calorie counting. It supports any kind of food intake including restaurant and fast food. Even food bought from the supermarket is no problem. The counselors attached to this program would design a custom-made weight loss program for you after noting certain basic information like weight, height, medical history and your current exercise levels.

While you are allowed to eat all your favorite foods, they will advise you a food intake and exercise program which you are supposed to follow. They would regularly offer you counseling support to motivate you to go through the process, till you achieve your desired weight. If this sounds exciting, their advertising promises a loss of 2 to 3 pounds a week, as part of their success story.

How does this program in reality? To start with, the program is divided into three phases: the weight loss stage, the stabilization period and the maintenance period. The first or the weight loss phase is the most critical, where you are given meal plans which allows you to take 1100 to 1800 calories of food everyday. This diet plan consists of 45% carbohydrates, 35-40% protein and 15-20% fat. The best part is that this meal plan would include all your favorite foods backed up by a regimented exercise plan. This results in a gradual weight loss which does not bring any harm to the body. During this phase you are supposed to meet the counselor up to 3 times in a week. This is followed by a 6-week long stabilization period. During this period you can meet the counselor twice a week when your weight will be monitored and reviewed. The maintenance phase is when you are expected to maintain the weight loss which you have achieved and consists of weekly counseling sessions.

The best part about this program is that you can have all your favorite foods as well as eat in restaurants. The focus is on controlling the portions and cooking in a healthy way. While you are relieved from counting calories for every meal, your weight loss progress is also kept confidential. So, why is not everyone joining this program? There are some fallacies also built into the system. For one, the program is very expensive and the counselors are not professional dieticians but former LA weight Loss members who earn a commission from the LA food supplements as well as from the snack bars. Needless to mention, there is a lot of indirect pressure from them to the new members. The prices of these items are not usually known to the new member while signing up. The other dissuader is that the entire cost of the program is required to be paid upfront, at the time of enrolling.

While the LA Weight Loss program lets you lose weight in a healthy and gradual manner, be ware of programs which asks you to restrict your calorie intake to less than 1200 calories per day. According to experts, the minimum calorie requirement is between 1200 and 1500 calories which is considered safe and approved by most nutritionist. If you have the money to invest and need individual attention to keep you motivated, then this program is for you. Except you have to keep a tab on the extra costs involved for the supplements, etc.