Weight Loss Support Via the Internet
Jul 22 '00 (Updated Oct 03 '00)
For those of us who enjoy "surfing the net," there is a new kind of weight loss support group. There are now web sites which were set up to help people lose weight. As with any of the traditional companies who make claims that they will help a person shed pounds fast, the consumer must beware. I'm sure that all the standard cautions apply. You know the ones: don't sign contracts unless you fully understand what you're signing; if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is; don't believe everything you read. All of this is sound advice. However, I stumbled accidently onto a site that has exceeded all my expectations.
For me, Ediets.com, has been the answer to a prayer. Let me tell you a little about the site. There is a small monthly membership fee of $10. After you have been a member for a month, you can become a coach, helping other dieters. This entails writing one or two e-mails a week, and for this, your membership fee is waived. Coaching is entirely voluntary. No one has to do this.
The Ediets staff includes two registered dieticians, two medical doctors, and a fitness expert. They are easily accessible by email. Also, there is 24 hour online support if you have questions about Ediets.
The program itself is comprised of several parts. There is a customized diet that is based on your weight, height, age, level of physical activity, and special dietary considerations. For example, you may tell the dieticians that you need a low sodium diet. You weigh in once a week and are given a menu to follow for the week. You have your choice of using mostly convenience foods, cooking, or doing a combination of both. Once you are given your menu for the week, you may choose to change any meal you wish. If you elect to change a meal, you are given a choice of 25 to 30 alternate meals to choose from. This makes it very easy to tailor the meal plan to foods that you like to eat. After you have the weekly menu arranged to your preferences, you may print off a copy of the menu, as well as a copy of a shopping list to take to the grocery store. This is regular food, not something prepackaged and sold by Ediets.
You are strongly encouraged to drink 8 glasses of water a day and to begin an exercise program if you are not already following one. At the present time, Ediets is in the process of developing a customized exercise program. At the moment, members are encouraged to walk, beginning slowly and working up to, at least, a 20 or 30 minute walk three or four times a week.
Now about the support groups. Ediets.com has daily online "meetings" on various topics relating to weight loss and nutrition. There are also many message boards, including one for New Members, a Motivation Board, and an Emotional Support Board. Chat rooms are also available. New members are asked, upon joining, whether or not they would like a "coach." This person will email them and be available to answer questions for their first month of membership. There is also a "buddy system" which members have the option of joining. Buddies are dieters with similar goals or backgrounds who want one on one support from a fellow dieter.
Now, I know that there is no one magic weight loss plan that will work for everyone. However, for me, this web site has been a God-send. I am 49 years old and have been over-weight for the last twenty. It has taken me 37 weeks, but I have lost 51 pounds. I feel better than I have in years. I give a major part of the credit for this loss to the supportive people at Ediets.com. They make no miraculous claims or promises. They freely admit that losing weight is a hard feat to accomplish, but they are there for you every step of the way, day or night, with encouragement. If you are the kind of person who enjoys using the Internet and you are sincerely ready to put in the effort to take off some pounds. . . even if you are not normally a "group person". . . this is a site that you should visit.
It worked for me. Maybe it will for you. I wish you luck!
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Epinions.com ID:
Ruark39
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Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 2 members
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