The L.A. Weight Loss Program

The L.A. Weight Loss program is not a diet perse, but rather a weight loss program that promises quick results without a dramatic change in lifestyle. The program involves personalized weight loss plans crafted by counselors at LA Weight Loss centers. There is no calorie counting, but you have to count portions from different food groups (protein, fruit & vegetables, fat, starch, and dairy).

Your counselor will design a meal plan with a specific number of servings from each food group. You can schedule your weekly counseling sessions whenever it is convenient for you, but each time you go, you may have a different counselor with different advice. Each weekly session will cost you about seven dollars. There are also L.A. Weight Loss program snack bars and LA Lites snacks, which can be purchased separately. Although these snacks are encouraged and quite tasty, they are not cheap and do not contain any nutritional facts or list ingredients.

What makes the L.A. Weight Loss program different?

The L.A. Weight Loss program is based on a balanced diet of 45% carbohydrates, 35-40% proteins, and 15-20% fats (you can eat meat, starch, fruits and vegetables, but fat is limited). It is different from most other diets, in that it includes one-on-one counseling and the plans are individualized, based on height, weight, age, activity level and medical history.

What is the L.A. Weight Loss program?

L.A. Weight Loss is based on balanced nutrition and sensible portions. Upon first visiting a LA Weight Loss center, you are assigned a calorie level that will enable weight loss based on your individual body type. Your counselor designs a meal plan and provides you with a book that lists various brand name foods, popular chain restaurants, food products, and entree selections that are allowed on the L.A. Weight Loss program.

You will most likely feel compelled to carry this book everywhere you go, and constantly refer to it in the grocery store or dining out.

The L.A. Weight Loss program is composed of three phases. You set your own goal weight, no matter how unrealistic it is!

• Phase 1: The weight loss phase. Dieters are assigned a caloric intake value, ranging from 1,100 to 1,800 calories.
• Phase 2: The stabilization phase. Once your goal weight is reached, you must stabilize your weight for six weeks.
• Phase 3: The maintenance phase. Counseling is used to maintain weight loss.

Throughout the day you are required to drink sixty-four ounces of water. A typical day on the L.A. Weight Loss program could include:

Breakfast: A whole wheat Lender's bagel with fat-free cream cheese and twelve small strawberries.

Midmorning snack: A L.A. Lite bar and a small tangerine.

Lunch: Spinach soup (recipe from the L.A. Weight Loss cookbook), four fat-free saltines, two ounces of light Swiss cheese, and one teaspoon of mustard.

Afternoon snack: Another L.A. Lite bar and a 3/4-cup of fresh pineapple.

Dinner: Six-ounces of grilled chicken, a 1/2-cup of steamed broccoli and half a small baked potato with one teaspoon of butter.

What are the weight loss expectations?

Although everyone will lose weight at different rates, on average most people lose about two pounds per week. However, it is possible to lose up to five pounds each week. However, the LA Weight Loss program encourages inches rather than pounds be used as the true marker of weight loss.

Is exercise promoted?

The L.A. Weight Loss program encourages fitting exercise into your schedule. It can be 10-15 minutes at a time and you should choose activities that you enjoy. If you are just starting an exercise program, the program recommends that you start slowly and gradually increase the time or pace as you become more fit.

Are supplements recommended?

The L.A. Weight Loss program recommends two main types of supplements that you can purchase. The first claims to speed up your metabolism, and the second controls your cravings. Although they are recommended, they are not a mandatory part of the program.