As I have stated before, it is that time of year.  Let everyone jump on the weight loss ride.  Time to really push Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig and any other program or product that will cause miraculous weight loss.  We've got pills that burn fat, sugar drinks that give you energy and curbs your appetite, programs and products that make you lose a lot of weight with no exercise and the best yet, eat whatever you want and lose weight.  Oh yeah!  I have to mention the quick weight loss program I just saw on TV that is so unrealistic I can't make myself mention the name or their claims.

This is the time of year that this industry makes a lot of money.  Many people start these programs and products in hopes of keeping that famous resolution of weight loss that is made every year and lasts about 2 months if that long.  Many join Weight Watchers and Jenny Craig hoping to have the same results as Jennifer Hudson or Mariah Carey or Janet Jackson (Nutrisystem).  Is this really realistic?  One of the main reasons why these celebrities have been successful on these programs is  because 1) They are paid as spokespersons and have to be successful or don't get paid and 2) You have a trainer and a representative bringing you food daily and making you exercise regularly.  Anyone can be successful with that kind of service but is everyone able to get that kind of service?  I don't think so.  Keep it in perspective.  I'm not trying to take anything from those who have been successful on these programs.  I'm not saying that these programs don't work but I am saying that the success rates are low and many people throw away a lot of money by joining these programs.  They play a numbers game.  When you look at how many people are on these programs and the actual success rates, it puts it in perspective.  A great article for your review is Mike Adams article 'Weight Watchers says eat at McDonald's to lose weight (opinion)'.

Fast food companies also jump on the bandwagon.  I read an article yesterday that McDonald's will have gluten-free products as well as Weight Watchers being added to their menu boards.  McDonalds and weight loss?  I wonder how much Weight Watchers is getting paid for this one.  I've been on Weight Watchers.  You can eat anything you want, healthy or not.  You just have to watch your points.  I discontinued the program because it did not teach me to be healthy.  It gave to many options to not eat right.  Therefore, you can eat Pizza Hut pizzas or McDonalds hamburger and fries as long as you stay within your points.  I had a client to lose weight on the Weight Watchers program but was very unhealthy.  She controlled her points but ate a lot of bad food.  The client had to learn what to eat to be healthy (Eat Right 4 Your Type) and then did the program because counting the points worked for her.  The same can be said for those programs that provide actual meals.  What happens when you have to prepare your own food?  Will you know what foods to eat and how to prepare them?  I question the contents of these meals.  Are they healthy?  They have to be full of preservatives to keep in the packaging.  Remember, just because something says it is 'natural' does not mean that it is good for you.  Always look at the ingredients in pre-packaged foods and if you can't pronounce it, more than likely you should not be putting it into your body.

Gluten-free is another issue on the rise in our society.  Gluten intolerance has been connected to obesity as well as many other diseases.  According to Dr. Mark Hyman, 'Yet an estimated 99 percent of people who have a problem with eatin...'  Food companies have gotten wind of this and are jumping on the band wagon.  McDonalds, Burger King and Chic-fil-A are all claiming to be gluten-free restaurants.  Serving salads with vinegar and oil do not make you a gluten-free restaurant.  McDonalds and Burger King are supposedly soon to offer gluten-free buns.  The buns may be gluten-free but is the processed meat that is put on the buns?  Nothing has been said about the meat.  Most don't realize that the processed hamburgers as well as Burger Kings veggie burgers are made with gluten.  Most people do not know this.  Always check the ingredients of food eaten out.  Especially if you are on a strict diet, suffer from food allergies or intolerances.

Please don't get me wrong.  I am not bashing these programs or fast-food establishments.  As I said before, these programs do help some people.  I recommend that you really look at the program and/or products thoroughly and realistically before investing time and money into them.  As far as fast food, it is a choice.

My question is 'Are these programs healthy'?  Is the food healthy and are they guiding you to make healthy food choices.  Losing weight means nothing if you are not healthy.  How can you enjoy the New You if you're not feeling good?

See Focus On Fitness Health and Wellness for a weight loss program that is more than just a program but a lifestyle change to one of health.