So, you’ve made the commitment to lose weight and establish a healthy lifestyle.  You’re on the right path, but you don’t know where to start.  There are so many options out there.  If you find yourself in a whirlwind of confusion, don’t worry.  You’re not alone.  A walk down the diet aisle of your local Walmart store or a trip to GNC is enough to stir up the winds of confusion. 

If you’re seriously looking for a program or a diet aid to help you, the first thing you need to do is establish some goals.  Do you have a lot of weight to lose or just a few pounds?  You also need to figure out what will work for you.  Be realistic.  No plan is going to work if you’re miserable and hate what you’re putting in your mouth.  If you have a healthy appetite and are a total foodie, more than likely drinking 2 shakes a day as meal replacements isn’t going to work for you.

Let’s take a look at a few popular programs and diet aids…

Weight Watchers – Personally, this is my favorite for a few reasons.  This program isn’t a diet.  Weight Watchers works because it teaches you how to eat right and live healthy.  You eat real food.  Weight Watchers helps you to make healthy choices with the PointsPlus program.  It’s based on the latest nutritional science and is based on how your body processes food.  They also base their program on the ‘four pillars of healthy weight loss’ which include helpful habits, get support, move more and eat smarter.  You’ll learn to choose delicious foods that are filling and healthy.  You’ve got two options.  You can choose Weight Watchers meetings and get expert advice and support.  You’ll also receive confidential weigh-ins and learn practical strategies to reach your goals.  Your other option is Weight Watchers online where you’ll get a comprehensive set of interactive tools to help you stay on track.  The customized online plan is one that you can follow step by step and manage your resultss at your own pace.  Join now through 1/24 and you’ll save $29.95 off when you sign up for 3 months.  Make sure to click on the coupon to receive your savings.

Nutrisystem – This program is a little pricier than Weight Watchers simply because you have to buy Nutrisystem food, however, you’ll have less grocery shopping to do so it evens out in the long run.  People that I’ve spoken to who have tried this program say it’s convenient because everything is already made.  It’s the heat and eat luxury.  At Nutrisystem you can find the perfect plan for you.  Choose from the Nutrisystem customized plans that feature 28 days of food that are delivered right to your door with auto delivery.  You can hand pick your entire menu or opt for pre-selected.  Meals are designed by using the nutritional guidelines of national health organizations and backed by the Glycemic index for optimal weight loss.  The protein rich foods will help you feel fuller longer, retain muscle mass and your body will get plenty of vitamins, minerals, fiber and other necessary nutrients.  Nutrisystem allows you to choose from Women’s Plans, Men’s Plans, Diabetic Plans and Vegetarian Plans.  Combine Nutrisystem foods and protein drinks with fresh grocery items.  Track your progress with the online tools and daily planner.  You’ll lose weight and learn how to keep it off.  For a limited time get 20% off all 28 auto delivery programs and free Chef’s Table Entrees.

Jenny Craig – This program has been around since 1983 and is one of the largest weight management service companies in the world.  I’m sure most of you have seen a celebrity or two advertise their Jenny Craig success stories on TV and in magazines.  Jenny Craig offers their clients a program that helps them learn how to eat the foods they want, develop a healthy and enjoyable eating style, increase their energy level through simple activity and establish balance to get the weight off and keep it off.  The program has been designed by registered dietitians and an expert medical advisory board.  When you start out you’ll get personal attention and the support you need with a personal consultant.  They will help you design a plan to meet your specific lifestyle and needs.  Each week you’ll go over your past week’s results, create an activity plan, plan for upcoming events and to plan your meals for the following week with Jenny’s cuisine.  Try Jenny-Set-Go for only $30 for a limited time.  You’ll get a 4 week starter program, online workout plans and menus, get up and go playlists and active lifestyle recipes.

Alli – This diet pill is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be used as an over the counter weight loss aid.  Alli is half the strength of the original prescription pill Xenical.  Although not as severe, Alli has some of the same side effects that Xenical caused.  This includes gas with oily discharge, inability to control bowel movements, oily or fatty stools and spotting.  If you’re face is cringing at the thought of these side effects, good.  This is the stuff you need to know before taking pills to aid in your weight loss.  Better to be aware of them now rather than later when it could cause discomfort and embarrassment.  These side effects are caused by Alli preventing 25% of the fat you eat being absorbed into the body and should ease up after the first few weeks.  To avoid these side effects, the Alli program advises that meals do not contain more than 15 grams of fat. The Alli pill, in conjunction with a healthy diet, will able you to lose up to 50% more weight than dieting alone.  The main ingredient in Alli is Orlistat.  It is not a stimulant or appetite suppressant, but instead is formulated to work only in your digestive system.  As described by Alli, it will not effect your heart rate, liver, brain or cause sleeplessness like most weight loss supplements do.  If you want to get started on the Ali plan, check out the Alli Weight Loss Starter Pack at Walmart for only $38.88.  Shipping is only $0.99.