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By Tracey Minkin
From Health magazine
From Health magazine
If losing weight is at the top of your list, you’re not alone: An estimated 80 million Americans go on diets every year, spending more than $30 billion annually on programs and products. That’s a lot of money, a lot of advice, and a lot of emotional investment.
So, which diets really work—and work safely? To find the weight-loss programs with that golden balance of nutrition, calorie control, motivation, and activity, Health harnessed a panel of experts to put more than 60 well-known diets to the test and narrow them down to the top 10. (Compare the pros and cons of more than 40 popular diets here!)
Here’s our list of winners:
Next page: The Structure House Weight Loss Plan
Comments (74)
Thanks for doing this Healthy Living.
I think that the quality of “diet books” has actually improved over the last few years.
I think people are realizing that a combined approach of mental techniques, nutrition and exercise is vital to a successful long-term fat loss.
Just look at Oprah…with all of her money and resources, she realizes that she needs to get her mind and lifestyle in tune with her health/weight loss goals
I am really ready to get working on my weight loss and eating healthy. I am on my way to a short life if I don’t start right now working on some form of execise program and eating healthy foods without a lot of fat cal’s. I am looking for good advise on ways to improve my outlook and be more healthy. I might look healthy to people, but I know that is not the case.
Dorothy
I am there too. I am 46 and about 60 lbs over weight. I refuse to diet. I am making a healthy change. I will not eliminate chocolate and pizza from my life. Five minutes on the treadmill is a start. Unloading the clothes dryer one article of clothing at a time gives you a good stretch. I wear 2lb weights around my ankles 3-5 hours a day to give me muscle tone.
I am interested in more info re Structure House Wt Loss Plan. Thank you, (321)727-7313, 988 Danville Circle, West Melbourne, FL 32904
I did complete the required fields. What else do I need to do?
one big problem with all diet plans is no one has set up one for people who work nights and sleep days.This means sleeping when plans show foods to eat for lunch.any comments/help?
Sally, the best advice I can give you…is to eat a small meal every three hours…starting as soon as you wake. Good luck.
Sally,
Lunch is relative to when you’re awake. If your waking hours are from 6pm to 10am, for example, your “lunch” time would be around midnight. That’s basically equivalent to someone who gets up at 6am for a day shift.
I think the basics of Scarsdale are great – It made me stop eating man made foods, with the exception of the healthy food bread and I have lost and maintained for years. Giving up man made foods was the best thing I ever did – go Jack Lelane. It is easy if you just go with fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins. Your comments were off base in my book. CR
Read the book “French Women Don’t Get Fat.” It’s sensible and will show you what a joy life can really be.
Hey, hope this comment works I’m still new to this whole blogging thing.
interesting post! I discovered your blog while
Googling other people’s weight loss experiences. I’ve actually just started blogging about
my weight loss calculator – I lost over 30 pounds in a month
with a diet I developed!
I would love it if you could visit my weight loss blog and let me know what you think.
Warmest wishes,
-Joan
In order to lose weight one has to take into considerations the following factors.
1. Food that we eat
2. Exercise that we do
3. Supplements we take
4. Diet program we consider
5. Family hereditary
Not everyone is successful in losing weight or not everyone is successful in gaining weight, one has to understand their body and accordingly vary their intake of food and dietary supplements, whether its weight loss diet pills genetically modified ones or the natural diet pills and work out and stay fit & healthy…
Thoughts like this get people sick. I was taking various diet pills and it affected my liver. DO NOT take any diet pills. Do it naturally. In addition, if you have any issues with anxiety you will experience it ten fold. stay away from pills. Our society is pill happy, there is a pill for everything. For once people should do it naturally, I have and I lost more weight without the pills than on.
Mish is right. If there was a drug that worked, none of us would be overweight. Have you noticed how often the ‘miracle drug’ for losing weight ends up killing people? Lower calories, add exercise, and viola you’ll lose weight. It doesn’t take any miracle. It’s just finding what combination works best for you.
We wish to express our sincerest thanks to Health magazine and its team of experts for voting Structure House as one of America’s Healthiest Diets. We are privileged to have a wonderful team of treatment professionals who have helped thousands of people successfully lose weight and keep it off.
We want to individually address all of your questions. Please visit our Web site at http://www.structurehouse.com for more information, or call (800) 553-0052 and ask for Kelly or Stacey.
Jill Elliott,
Participant Services Director
Structure House
Awesome keep on going!
In the past I’ve always used Slim Fast products. This time I need to try something stronger!
I’m a past “graduate” from Structure House and would highly recommend the whole program – I maintained a blog while I was there and kept it up after I left… http://mytime2dance.blogspot.com I still have a ways to go before I reach my ideal …but really appreciate all that I learnt while there!
I’m a Structure House grad. A life-long compulsive eater, I was morbidly obese and couldn’t imagine that I could have a life of movement, energy, and health. After a life of failed diets, I was extremely skeptical that the Structure House approach would have any different ending for me. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity for a stay at Structure House. The experience saved my life. However, for those who cannot spend time at this Durham facility, please know that Dr. Musante’s book outlines the program completely. I continue to use it as my primary reference guide. Now, we need to find someone who will publish a book of Structure House recipes, which I promise you are delicious. Many Structure House grads attend Overeater Annon. meetings for support once they get home.
Based on 17 years of research at the University of Vermont Vtrim has become the gold-standard approach to weight loss.
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I was blessed to be able to spend 3 weeks at Structure House almost 15 years ago. I have been back 3 times for refreshment and reenforcement.
The key to obesity is your head. The calories in and out do count, but until you get a handle on what is driving your out of control hunger the yo-yo is in perpetual motion.
For those that are serious, and are morbidly obese this is the place where you need to be. You won’t be intimidated by size 2 skinny-minis in the gym or pool, because we’re all 20+size.
Although I’ve never reached my “goal” weight, I’ve also never returned to my original weight, and for 15+ years on a weight loss plan that is an outstanding result!
I spent a month at Structure House 2 years ago and I have to say it was the most enlightening, rewarding experience of my life. A totally safe environment, surrounded by people of a like mind and an unparalleled education experience. The difference in my body, my stamina from day 1 to day 30 was stunning! I never thought I could do half the things they suggested, but I did that and more over the course of the month. I learned the body is most responsive to positive change…both mentally and physically. If I had the resources to live there for 6 months I would have happily stayed! A wonderful, powerful experience!
Mary
I am thinking of attending a 4 week program at structure house. Your comments make feel safer. I wish I had a way to know if it is the right facility.
I was privileged to stay for a month at Structure House some 12 years ago. It was the most memorable expreience of my life. The focus on dealing with the emotional/mental as well as physical process to overcoming the weight is truly ideal. I would certainly return if I were able to. Highly recommend this experience. Congratulations Structure House.
I’m not a fan of “dieting.” I believe in developing a smart and sensible approach to eating and many of these books appear to offer some great advice.
If you’re looking to learn more about healthy eating, fitness and nutrition, tune into my radio show each Saturday at 10am EST – “Everyday Eating with the Nutritionette.” It can be heard live in Boston on WBNW 1120am or live online at http://www.wbnw1120am.com.
Anne Maas, The Nutritionette
http://www.thenutritionette.com
I recommend Weight Watchers. From March 2007 to February 2008, I have lost 107 pounds. Next month I will celebrate one year of keeping the weight off.
I would love to see the results on the 10 worst diets. My daughter has lost a lot of weight on a certain diet that I think is very unhealthy but since she has lost weight she thinks it is great. I need some data to show me the diet she is on is not healthy or maybe I am wrong and it is.
Have been using Medifast, have lost approx 36lbs. Plan to lose 15 more. Am getting a little tired of the little white envelopes but feel I should stick it out and then do transition and maintenance. Just wondering about changing to Weight Watchers to reach my goal and continue with their maintenance program. Anyone who has used MF ever tried switching?
Pat – i did medifast for a while back a few years ago. hated it. i didnt learn how to eat and i gained it all back. i am on WW now. been on it for almost a year. i have lost 35lbs of which 26 i lost since August – i switched between plans then and found the one that fit me…and it clicked in my head…i love it. i am learning to eat and live and am losing weight and clothing sizes at the same time. in am over 1/2 way to goal and should be there by May.
Thnaks Shivaun for your reply. I may look into WW to lose the rest of my weight. I too feel that I am not quite learning how to eat right, I had to go off MF in August due to surgery, really watched what I ate and still have gained 15lbs back. I think to keep it off you will have to eat some MF every day or at least go back on it everytime you gain any weight. Well, thanks for your input.
The diets all sound good, but (and I am including weight watchers), any recipes included in the books feed 4 or more. I don’t like frozen dinners so won’t freeze left overs. I live alone, I don’t want to cook for 4 or more and finding diet recipes for 1 or 2 is not that easy. Hence my reluctance to buy diet books. Something good happened today. I have not been dieting although i really need to. I have lost 10 lbs and A1C 3 month average is still dropping and now to 5.4 from 5.9 and that from 6.4. What am I doing right?
Any diet will work in the short term. The key is to find an approach to eating and living that can be sustained for life. Otherwise, you just gain back the weight and have to begin again. 95% of the weight lost on a diet is gained back in less than 2 years so it’s not just Oprah and previous The Biggest Loser winners who are struggling!
The holistic approaches that address all aspects of food and eating, including the emotional side of eating will be most successful. Ultimately, it is about figuring out what works best for you and learning to trust your own inner wisdom.
http://www.simple-nourished-living.com
just curious, I love the gadget page “America’s Healthiest Diet Tricks” and would love to send it to a friend, but is it not on the website?
Diet is very necessary to our well being. Thank you.
Great list – I saw another top diets list over at this site
http://www.dietsinreview.com/diet_column/01/25-most-popular-diets-of-2008/
The key to losing weight on any diet is to be consistent and to choose a diet that will easily fit in with your current lifestyle.
I found another list of top rated diets here:
http://10topdietplans.weebly.com
Well I dare say that so many Yanks are morbidly obese due to their Starbucks and McDonalds. Couple that with several hours a day sitting on their fat arses while watching the tele, and you get the status quo.
just want to clarify one statement made regarding Oprah Winfrey and her weight gain. She has a thyroid condition! Contrary to what many may think, it’s not about taking a pill and then you lose all you gained due to usually premenapause, which is when many women put on the weight and develop this disorder. I know and I put on 60 lbs in a few months!
-Artzstuf
I am bothered by the fact that the oldest “diet” isn’t on the list to compare. Raw and Living foods have been eaten for over 6000 years, and is the best way for humans to feed their bodies. The reason it probably isn’t on the list is because there is NO COMPARISON to the “diet”. It is a way of eating for life and health, not a diet. But everyone confuses the term. DIET simply means the food we eat. CLARIFY PEOPLE!!!!! Is is a weight loss diet? Or a diet to gain weight? Perhaps a diet to lower blood pressure or cholesterol. Get my point?
If you are not familiar with the raw diet….and PLEASE don’t ask if we eat raw meat….just dont be dumb……just do a search for it and learn for yourself how diabetes, cancer, arthritis and a myriad of other ailments and diseases have been reversed with FOOD. What you put in your mouth can heal you….or kill you. Reasearch it …….
You do people a great disservice by not including the Atkins or South Beach Diet. I’ve tried over half of the diets you did suggest and had no luck at all. I lost over 50lbs, cut my blood sugar and cholesterol in half and have kept it off for over 2 years. Empty carbs are killing the world.
Don’t waste money on high-priced diets. Try a little daily exercise, and eat less meat.
there’s a reason Atkins isn’t on this list. it isn’t a great overall diet for a lifestyle change–it isn’t recommended for a lifestyle change. the people who have kept the weight off and remained healthy are few & far between. true, empty carbs are not good for you but you do need carbs & Atkins did a disservice to the community by making people think that all carbs are bad.
Starbucks doesn’t make people fat if all you’re drinking is coffee and lattes! :P
I went to Structure House in the late 1980’s. After 3 weeks I had only lost 8 pounds (I was 5′8″ and weighed 210 lbs.). I suppose the program is good for people who are obese (like I was) but out of shape. I had been exercising regularly at a gym 6 days a week (2 evenings of strenuous aerobics & 4 days in the gym on machines). For me, the exercise portion of the program was much too easy, and each session ws too short. We spent most of the time SITTING in lecture and discussion groups.
When I got home I started a Weight Watchers program at work. At that time the program didn’t have ‘points’…it was just a realistic guide stressing fruits and vegetables; limiting meat and eggs to 3 times a week; encouraging us to eat fish…
basically a sensible diet. And I lost 80 pounds in 9 months.
Different programs work for different people.
That was in the 80’s when you attended the program. Do you think it has made improvements in the work program. Have you heard anything about the program today.
THAT SHOULD BE THE HEADLINER FOR ALL DIET ARTICLES- SERIOUSLY!! IT IS SO TRUE, AND IVE LIVED THROUGH IT. EVERYBODY HAS THE EXTRA WEIGHT FOR DIFFERENT REASONS,SO OF COURSE EVERYBODY WILL HAVE TO LOSE THE WEIGHT DIFFERENT WAYS! BUT THE POINT IS U CAN DO IT, DONT GIVE UP, LOVE LIFE,LIVE, AND BE AS HEALTHY AS YOU CAN
I went to Structure House in the late 1980’s. I was 5′8″ and weighed 210 pounds when I got there; 3 weeks later I had only lost 8 pounds. Unlike most of the people who were there, I had been doing strenuous exercise at a gym 6 days of week. So, for me the exercise portion of the program was much too easy & each session was too short for me.
When I got home I joined a Weight Watchers program at work. I was skeptical about it. We met once a week, and our leader provided realistic guidance to incorporate a sensible diet for losing weight and maintaining it when each person’s “goal” weight had been reached. It was simple, sensible and easy for us to adapt to. They also encouraged us to exercise, but we were on our own for that.
AND, I lost 80 pounds in 9 months.
Different programs work for different people.
I have always eaten with the idea that I prefer to be thinner than fatter and that one bite WILL hurt. Evenso I still have about 5 lbs to lose although many would say, “Give it a break” this extra 5 lbs is important to me. It represents a sense of control over a life that sometimes seems out of control. It also represents a goal and attaining goals is just as important to someone who has “only” 5 lbs to lose as they are to someone who has 50 lbs to lose .
I love fruit and veggies and fish and chicken and know how to eat well and firmly believe if I control my calories the weight loss should follow. Then I see my daughter and her husband shed pounds easily and almost effortlessly with a low carb diet , which is not low calorie. They will not even eat whole grains and I don’t agree with that but now I am wondering if I should even put some fruit into the bad carb category because of the reports that I am reading about how bad fructose can be for blood sugars.
I used to be a firm believer in low fat/low calorie is the healthiest way to eat but the low carb came along and I read articles (the last O magazine for example) that says low carb diets will reduce blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides. I am getting so confused.
I began a weight loss program at the beginning of the year that is working out great for me. You might want to try it out. It is called “The Lord’s Table”. You can check it out at http://www.settingcaptivesfree.com. It is changing my life one day at a time.
It is true that different diets work for different people. I’ve been on a low fat calorie controlled eating plan on varying degrees of strictness all my life, but find that every time I reach my goal weight I forget to monitor my weight, and before long I have another 20 lbs to lose. What I like about Structured House is the fact that the eating plan becomes a lifestyle. I also keep my food diary online and track my weight on a daily basis. You can find some free tools to do so at OptimalBodyWeight.com
Have any of you ever heard of or tried the Acai Berry and Colon Cleanse together? I had just read recently that these 2 weight loss drugs when taken together are supposed to have amazing results. I recently lost 46 lbs. on my own w/ cutting down on my food intake and exercising 45 min. to 1 hr. 5 days a week. Just yesterday I got my free trial offer of Acai Berry, and the Colon Cleanse should be here anyday. Both products have been promoted by Dr. Perricone and advertised on Oprah(with Dr. Oz) and broadcasted on ABC, CBS, and CNN as a fast, healthy weight loss combination. If any of you have questions or comments please feel free to leave me any information and thoughts regarding weight loss. Thank you.
Hi everone! I am so excited about this site. It has so many resources. I used to be overweight and unhealthy until I decided to take charge of my life and my health. Since then I have lost 60lbs and am well on my way to my goal.I have so much more energy and wish I would have had the motivation sooner.My trainer stuck with me through it all and she was absolutely amazing. Now I just use her for tune ups here and there when I need it. I am heading to the doctor today to see if I can stop my diabetes meds. I am hoping for the best. Look forward to getting to know everyone.
Thanks
Tammy wwwfit4lyfe.webs.com
Hey very nice blog!! Man .. Beautiful .. Amazing .. I will bookmark your blog and take the feeds also…
The igallop is the best machine evar.
one big problem with all diet plans is no one has set up one for people who work nights and sleep days.This means sleeping when plans show foods to eat for lunch.any comments/help?
Very nice information. Im trying to lose weight and this should help on my journey.
It’s so easy to get bogged down in making the right choice. Often the best way to tell if a diet will work for you is to just try it consistently for at least 2 weeks.
I am shocked that the nutritarian approach is not mentioned. For an eye opening read, pick up Dr. Joel Fuhrman’s “Eat to Live” and/or “Eat for Health” books. I lost 23 lbs in 6 weeks and am continuing to lose about 1 pound a week with 10 pounds left to reach my goal. Eating a plant based, nutrient dense way is my way for life.
Hi Sarah
I have just started to read Eat to Live. But I suspect I am pregnant. I will only know after 2 weeks. Do you think I should be on Eat to Live or just eat healthy and watch my portions.
Suzy Cohen had a great article about losing weight with natural supplements — not the scammy stuff — that actually work:
http://www.healthiertalk.com/5-weight-loss-supplements-actually-work-0205
She’s got some really good columns that straddle that line between “natural cures” and common sense cures.
Nice recommendations. I was a bit let-down that the GI Diet wasn’t on there. I lost over 30 LBS with it, and have continued to keep the weight off. I’m sure the others work well too, if followed properly.
Thanks!
Many people nowadays are weight-conscious,they want to lose weight because they want to be sexy,some want to be fit and healthy,while others just want to experiment things. Whatever their reasons, it’s always up to us to select what methods and plans we will follow in order to lose weight and be healthy. Just think positive and it is important to discipline ourselves!
How sad that you didn’t include the Cinch Plan Inch Loss program. It not only helps you to reach your ideal weight, it prevents the loss of muscle so that you don’t end up with a slower metabolism than before, and no other diet, no matter how much exercise you get, does that. You learn good eating habits, have an amazing array of wonderful tasting meals with recipes and even with shopping lists, you can tailor your own favorites to the program and all of the health indices improve. You can see it at cinch plan . com / abrams. You will need to remove all the spaces to get the url to work. Hope this helps.
Sandy
okay, i am getting ready for wrestling next year and i still have to loose 6-8 lbs. and it’s been pretty hard. but I’ve been eating better and exercising regularly. But i only have 3 months to loose the wieght.
Good luck, Trish! That works out to only half a pound per week. One pound is 3500 calories, which equals 500 fewer calories per day, so a half-pound is 250-300 fewer calories per day … which is TOTALLY doable!
i think it’s graet to eat heathy
The Mediterranean Diet has been in the press quite a lot in the past few months. Lots of studies showing that it reduces risks of premature death, it has various other health benefits such as being good for diabetics and mental well being (see http://mediterraneandiet.tv ) and it helps people lose weight as part of a long term strategy. So why doesn’t it get a mention in the best diets?
Thanks for the great article! As a Nutritionist, I provide lots of tips and strategies for eating a healthy low calorie diet on my website Women and Weight. However, I have yet to publish my own book so I do my best to steer women to the best diet plans/programs available. I wasn’t aware of a few you have included here. Thanks again!
I suppose that most diets do help get off the pounds. I usually laugh real hard at those pills that make you drop off the weight – Read the small print: “Combined with a sensible diet and exercise program.” Now remembering that, diets such as these may well be the answer. Sensible diet and exercise. Forget the pills!!
What is missing in all these diets is long term data.
How many people have maintained weight loss 5 years after the testimonial?
So far, the elephant in the room, long-term reproducible data is completely ignored.
These “experts” are doing nothing but cashing in on the misfortune of others. How sad.
I think one of the best ‘diets’ out there is the Eat-Clean Diet by fellow Canadian Tosca Reno. The fact is, it’s not a diet at all. The recipes take some time to prepare but they’re well worth it. I highly recommend checking it out.
The best diet is eat healthy.. avoid the carbs, fats, sugar, and compense those with vegetables, fruits, proteins, lots of water (3 L ). Do exercise like cardio.. jump the rope, run, etc.. and alsoo sleep well couse in the night is when we digest the food so we shoud sleep well so we digest the food… the digestion process is between 11 and 4 am.
ps. but dont stop eating carbs, fats, and sugars at all, cause one day you will stop the diet and you will start eating carbs, fats, and sugar so your body will get all those carbs, fats, and sugar that your body has been missing and you will get your weight back.
if we want to eat health, I think the chinese diet is very important to us to study, and the traditional chinese medicine too.I am so glad that I know how to keep health through some simple methods that I learn from a traditional chinese medicine site.It is a very very good site for busy men.you can have a look if interested in it. http://www.tcmlive.com
I just read your article on the top diet programs. I think for future reference you should add this app on the iphone or ipod touch called loseit! It is a calorie/exercise counter that is very effective. I weighed 198 lbs when i began and am now maintaining at 160 lbs. :)
Any exercise is great for weight loss but generally…