Weight loss is a huge industry in the United States. More than $60 billion is spent on weight loss programs, dieting methods, gym memberships, and obesity-cures annually. With about two-thirds of U.S adults struggling with their weight, this is not too surprising. Unfortunately, more money isn’t invested in programs that encourage long-term weight loss.
The U.S Weight Loss & Diet Control Market estimates more than 108 million people in the U.S look to start a weight loss program. There are lots of options out there to accommodate each one of these people.
But before you choose a weight loss program, take the time to review your options. Look for a weight loss program that is well-suited to your needs.
Herbal Remedies
Alternative weight loss methods include the HCG diet and herbal solutions. They help control hunger and increase your body’s ability to burn fat. Programs like these often encourage dietary restrictions without supplementing nutrient intake. This can lead to nutrient deficiency and other serious health problems. Remember, a weight loss program should help you feel stronger and more energized, not weak.
There are weight loss medications that are FDA tested and scientifically proven to help with weight loss. Herbal remedies don’t have any standards or guidelines they must meet. If you’re interested in herbal weight loss remedies, consult with your physician first.
Commercial Weight Loss Programs
Non-clinical weight loss programs use over-the-counter medications, meal replacements, diet books, health coaches, and fitness programs to encourage people to lose weight. Most of these programs can help people lose weight, but keeping it off is another story. What makes them so popular is their availability online, making it convenient.
Unlike medical weight loss programs, commercial diet plans don’t offer physician guidance or support. These programs are self-regulated and not recommended for long-term use.
Some of the most popular commercial weight-loss programs:
- Weight Watchers
- Jenny Craig
- Slim-Fast
- Atkins
- Nutrisystem
- South Beach Diet
Medical Weight Loss Programs
Medical weight loss programs recognize obesity as a disease. They offer solutions that include a combination of dietary strategies, exercise, and medication. These programs are physician-supervised and help patients lose weight faster than other programs.
Medical weight loss programs often feature:
- Low-calorie or very-low-calorie diet plans
- Meal replacement products
- Personal fitness training
- Weight loss medications
- Nutritional counseling
- Behavior modification
Surgical Weight Loss Programs
Surgery is only recommended for people who:
- have struggled with their weight for a long time
- have had difficulty losing weight through other methods
- who are willing to make drastic changes to their diet and lifestyle
- There are four primary weight loss surgery procedures:
- Lap-Band surgery
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Sleeve gastrectomy surgery
- Duodenal switch surgery
During a weight-loss operation, changes are made to the stomach and digestive tract. It reduces stomach size to limit food intake can, and how that food is processed. This is the most extreme treatment option for obesity available.
The desire to lose serious weight, and how one chooses to go about it, is personal. Sometimes diet and exercise efforts are not enough to shed unwanted pounds and it’s often a much more complicated formula. Whether you choose a medical or commercial approach, what’s most important is that it aligns with your personal needs and values.
This is How You Lose the Weight, Once and For All
If you’re ready to say goodbye to quick fixes that never last? And you’re serious about losing the weight for good? We’re the experts you can trust to guide you through a weight loss program that will not only take the weight off but keep it off.