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• April 17, 2013 1:22 p.m.

  I don't mean to toot my own horn, but I have lost 40lbs so far on Curves Complete and I really like it. You go to Curves to work-out, wear a pedometer and up your walking, get a great diet website with healthy eating (lean protein and dairy, veg & fruit, whole grains, nuts, great recipes), and weekly one-on-one coaching (great accountability). My hubbie is following the diet with me (1.5 times my servings) and he is losing well too. There is also a plan for taking a break from dieting or going on maintance where you just eat normally and healthfully and do a quick version of the diet if you ever go up by more than 3 lbs. Seems to be a well-kept secret, but it also seems to be the OPPOSITE of a fad diet. I heartily recommend it.

  - Sarah

• March 7, 2013 8:27 a.m.

  I got sucked into the Omnitrition hCG diet. I did lose some weight but had to stop because the side effects became overwhelming. Once I stopped, even though I was eating less than I would to maintain a weight normally, that weight was coming back quickly. One of the biggest problems I have with this diet is that after you've had a good weight loss the first week (as with any diet), you get pressured to become a distributor and sell their products. I realized that this was because so few people stick with the program. It is unstainable for most people. If they didn't have newbies selling, the company would probably go under.

  - Kay

• November 20, 2012 1:15 a.m.

  The only diet that worked for me was the GM one. I have tried a couple of others, including meal replacement, but neither can I stick to them for a long time, nor do they work on me. I have hypothyroidism as well.

  - Swagata

• November 13, 2012 3:42 a.m.

  I lost weight on Weight Watchers, but then had to be on morphine six months while waiting for back surgery, and gained it all back, even though I still followed the program. I am waiting for more surgery on my shoulders, and am frustrated and feel like giving up. Nothing seems to work. My doctor just says, 'do the math'.She tells me my thyroid is fine. You can do the math, and still gain! I'm tired of the battle.

  - No name given

• November 3, 2012 5:36 a.m.

  I tried many diets and lost and gained back. I finally realized that the only way I would lose weight and keep it off was to change my lifestye and eating habits. Was great to hear of someone who did the same thing. I cut back what I normally ate and ate half. I lost 30 lbs and am still working on losing more. Weight Watchers is a good diet but my mind just can't get around all the counting points. Thanks for your excellent advice.

  - Jen

• October 11, 2012 12:20 p.m.

  I FOUND THAT THE MEDICAL WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAM BECOME VERY EXPENSIVE, I JOINED THE LIFE LONG PROGRAM, THAT I DID NOT KNOW AT THE TIME MEANT THAT I NEEDED TO GO IN AND BE WEIGHTED ONCE EVERY WEEK OR TWO FOR LIFETIME ALSO PURCHASE THEIR FOODS, WHICH WAS VERY EXPENSIVE FOR AN AVERAGE PERSON LIKE ME. I AM NOT VERY OVERWEIGHT, BUT LOST ONLY 10PDS FOR THE 3 MONTHS I STAYED DEDECATED, I EVEN BOUGHT THEIR SUPPELEMENT PILLS, 2 DIFFERENT KINDS. I DONT THINK THE PROGRAM IS WORTH THE MONEY, YOU MIGHT AS WELL DO WEIGHTWATCHERS AT LEAST THEY HAVE REAL MEALS, NOT STUFF IN PACKAGES THAT YOU ADD WATER TO.

  - CAROL

• September 24, 2012 12:50 p.m.

  I've struggled with my weight all my life. I've tried every kind of fad diet. The only thing that worked for me to take off and more importantly - keep off - large amounts of weight are eating smaller portions of healthy food and increasing my exercise. I've been a steady fan of Dr. Ian K Smith's diet books. I've lost and kept the weight off with each plan. I lost 60 pounds, had a baby and gained 45 pounds, lost that weight, had a second baby and gained 25 pounds, and now I'm down 60 pounds again. Always, I go back to Dr. Ian's books as the plan shows you how to eat, portion size, and when/how long to exercise. Once I finish about 5-6 weeks on this, I can maintain because I'm so used to eating this way. If I ever fall off, I re-do the diet again to get back on track. I still have about 20 pounds I want to lose. I discovered a love of exercise in the past 5 years. I work out twice daily on most days. I do cardio in the AM and then weight training at night. Increasing my workouts steadily has definitely helped me to keep the weight off these past 3 years. Try to find something active that you love to do and then it won't be difficult.

  - Zoe

• September 24, 2012 8:36 a.m.

  Dieting - the story of my life, since I was 12 years old. Not because I was an overweight kid, just the usual watching yourself grow up and developing curves is SCARY, not to mention how the media portrays women. I've tried everything (just about). Starving myself, Weight Watchers, Atkins, some 'magic pill' and energy drink that some telemarketer sold me in a weak moment, even having a dieticien follow me up. I'm 28 years old and sad to say diets just don't seem to work for me anymore. I'm 5'2", 150 lbs. The BMI chart says I'm overweight. I don't know what it is but when you have kids life just seems more stressful and I eat to cope with stress. My down fall is sweet stuff; overall I eat very healthy, I love my fruit & veggies, I can cut out all carbs from starch BUT I have to have my chocolate, desserts, etc. And when I start I don't stop at only one helping!! I don't know whether I should go for the Mayo Clinic Diet, I mean I KNOW what I should do I just can't seem to do it anymore. I seem to be able to stick to a diet for 2 weeks and even get results (about 5 lbs) and then all hell breaks lose and I can't stand the starvation/limitations anymore and off I go gaining back all the weight I've just lost and more. Do you recommend the Mayo Diet Book or? What's this HCG diet that everyone's talking about?

  - Cindy, France

• September 20, 2012 11:56 p.m.

  I gained weight after quitting smoking and after I had my children. In my mid-30's, I made up my own version of The Protein Power plan, making it fit my lifestyle. I had tons of eggs, meats, cottage cheese, vegetables and salad. I did feel great during my weight loss period - I lost 40 pounds and it was the first time I was not hungry between meals. However, I went back to University as an adult student and the weight slowly crept back on as I gave up the diet for more convenient and 'on-the-go' foods. 10 years after the protein based diet I am 50 pounds overweight. This summer I decided to join a 'sensible' weight loss clinic that focuses on slow weight loss and a healthy balance of a variety of foods. The only down side is counting calories, but its a way to know what you are consuming. You do have to measure until you get to know what a tablespoon, a half a cup or 3 ounces looks like. I'm hoping I won't have to do that forever because it's tedious. Another great thing my weight loss clinic suggested was Myfitnesspal - its an app you can download to make calorie counting much easier and even fun! It has keep me on track so far. I've lost 10 pounds but it's take me a whole month. Two of my friends are on the HCG diet, have lost 20 pounds repectively and claim that theyre not hungry. We'll see!

  - Tracy

• September 19, 2012 10:22 p.m.

  Not being interested in unhealthy "fad" diets, but finding post-menopausal weight gain almost impossible to shift even on strict regimes of 800 calories a day, I saw Dr Moreno's 17 Day Diet positively evaluated and decided to try it. Although I have had little difficulty complying with various dietary restrictions, I found the allowable choices on this plan so lacking variety and choice that I actually felt like crying with disappointment most of the time. I am a skilled, eager cook and there is barely a food I don't enjoy, so no matter the eating plan, I have always been able to create meals I can enjoy; however the allowable foods on this diet were so tightly restricted that I found myself just eating things I did not enjoy at all. For example, my breakfast the first morning was scrambled egg whites, only. I managed to perservere for 4 days, and did lose some weight, but had also lost all joy in eating and a great deal of my general good spirits and normally irrepressible cheerfulness. I reverted back to my normal diet of low calorie, widely varied, healthy food. I took the book I had purchased to work and left it in the tea room for anyone who wanted it to take home. I attached a note : This diet will help you lose weight, but will also make youi very sad.

  - Sue

• April 6, 2012 9:34 a.m.

  Three of my friends did the HCG diet and raved about it. One lost 150lbs, another 80lbs and the last 40lbs. When they first described it to me I thought it sounded crazy and dangerous. Then I read about it myself and it was on Dr. Oz and as miserable as I've been decided to try it. I'm 4 days into it and have lost 2.5lbs. I've heard so many positive stories about it that I really hope it works.

  - Dee

• February 6, 2012 2:06 p.m.

  Just ended South Beach diet for 4 whole days and almost killed my partner, lol, finally broke down and had a piece of whole wheat pita bread and feel 100% better. The side effects of a extremely low carb diet like Atkins and South Beach are not pleasant!! Would not recommend, plus you do eat too many high calorie fats!!! Have been on diets my whole life, weight watchers worked the best and lost 30 lbs and kept it off for many years. Yes, the points are a pain to count but it does work. Weight loss and getting healthy is not a quick fix! Whole grains, lean meats, fresh fruits and veggies, with of course the dreaded exercise thrown in is the only way to lose weight. I do believe counting carbs or eating more whole grains does help and keeps you more satisfied than white flour and sugar. I also agree with a earlier post that Atkins and other low carb diets can get you addicted to really high fat, high calorie foods. Please join Weight watchers or see a registered dietitians for best results and remember if you want it to stay off it will come off slowly.

  - Renee

• January 30, 2012 10:23 a.m.

  I started the Body By Vi Challenge a year ago and haven't looked back! The shake tastes amazing and has so much versatility of flavors , I never feel deprived and eat regular snacks along with the program throughout the day. I lost my muffins top in the first month and now continue to use the products to maintain healthy weight and gain more lean muscle. The product seemed pricey at first but I saved money on groceries that would go bad in my fridge and now make smarter buying decisions in the grocery store. The huge bonus that I've never seen with any other company anywhere is that I legitimately get my products for free since the second month! A $200 kit every month costs me $17 for the shipping! This program is no joke! It is helping real people like me and I have many friends who have joined with me who have lost up to 28 lbs in their first month, others are reducing their need for prescription medications which I think should be anyone's ambition! It's legit.

  - Valari

• January 19, 2012 8:53 a.m.

  Eight years ago, I gave birth to my second child, only 14 months apart from each other. I ended up being 25 lbs over weight. I looked to the Mayo Clinic and learned how to lose weight without all the gimmicks. I bought the Mayo Clinic Healthy Weight for every body and started counting calories. I thought I was starving, and kept going until my weight matched my 5 ft frame. I have never looked back. Counting calories keeps me sane and feeling energized. Today, I have osteoarthritis, and an autoimmune disease so I have turned to a plant based diet. Plant based has reduced my symptoms of osteoarthritis and, I have an enormous amounts of energy. I train for triathlons and swim 2 miles a few times a week. My weight is still below prepregnancy weight.

  - Joanne

• December 31, 2011 7:39 a.m.

  I have been on the nutrisystem diet for the last 6 months and have lost about 30 pounds. But the thought of eating those processed foods for the rest of my life has made me decide to go to something sensible that I can maintain - portion control, mostly fruits and veggies (vegetarian by choice) and increase my activity levels. I've been fat my entire life and at 67, I'm tired of my life revolving around the latest attempt to diet. One of the things that has helped me the most is that I weigh in weekly with my doctor - that accountability is critical for me. I'll continue to do that. But I have to find something that I can actually live with!

  - dottie

• December 14, 2011 2:34 p.m.

  I have just finished losing 50 lbs. with Take Shape for Life. You have a health coach and they use Medifast products for the weight loss phase. I have never felt so energetic, nor has my dr. been so pleased as where I am now with my health. Google "Take Shape for Life" and read about it. Be sure you do it with a health coach (free). Having someone to be accountable to has been very helpful.

  - Laura

• November 23, 2011 5:23 p.m.

  I like what Jim said about eating half portions. Cutting down on what eat makes since, probably more fiber (apples, Carrots, etc.) would help. I would also suggest doing twice the activity. So eat half as much and do twice as much.

  - Denis

• November 17, 2011 2:11 p.m.

  I've tried most of them. As an ex-military officer I had to diet twice a year to make the semi-annual weigh-in, so I'd starve Sunday through Friday eating 2 eggs on dry toast in the morning, an apple for lunch, and a baked chicken breast with a small can of spinach at night--and no drinking. On Saturday, I'd wake up with a drink in my hand, drink all day long, then eat whatever I wanted that night in enormous portion sizes. That worked fine when I was young; but after 50 it's a bit extreme; Oh, I've tried it again, but I never made it through the first day. Atkins worked extremely well for over a year. I lost right at 100 pounds before French bread and Fettuccine Alfredo won them back. Nutrisystem worked very well, too--50 pounds gone, until I got tired of opening their foil pouches to find a piece of mystery meat floating in chemicals. Weight Watchers did a great job at knocking 75 pounds off me but I couldn't stand the "unsatisfied" feeling anymore and left them. South Beach was a slower-result Atkins--I didn't find it at all different. Just recently, after hitting the 300 lb. mark again after 10 years of struggling, I watched "Forks Over Knives" and gave vegetarianism a try--No meat, no fish, no poultry. Only vegetables and dairy. I gained 30 pounds in 5 weeks. I have no idea what to do now, but I might as well check out the Mayo Clinic Diet. "Lifestyle change" is foolish, though. I'm 58 years old and I'm not going to change my li

  - Don

• October 25, 2011 11:21 a.m.

  Does anyone have any experience they can share about the Body by Vi (Visalis)diet pyramid scheme? I am a health care professional- this diet scheme seems to be the flavour of the month so to speak. Dietitians in my area have been seeing quite a few patients for wt loss who are asking about this program. It is very expensive and the company makes outrageous claims which are not research/evidence based.

  - Grace

• October 20, 2011 2:16 p.m.

  My Boyfriend and I did the Belly Fat Diet. It was hard to start but we caught on quickly. The food choices were ok, but most of the specialty items were only available in the US. All I know is that I was constipated, which not the case for me ever, and I felt sick all the time. Just didn't feel myself at all for 2 weeks. I lost 1 lb in 2 weeks. I think my tummy was less bloated, but not really. Not really a fan of it. I did try Weight Watchers years ago and it was by far the best. Its so easy to gain weight, but its 3x harder to lose it.

  - LP

• August 14, 2011 10:17 p.m.

  Weight Watchers helped me lose weight, but I also think it made me insane. Counting points becomes an obsession, and when you even suggest to the leaders that you may go off the diet, they make you feel horrible by telling you that you will gain everything back. My friends were so sick of hearing about my points that I almost had none. I guess I'd warn people that its a good diet for weight loss, but bad for your mind.

  - April

• July 30, 2011 10:10 a.m.

  Has anyone tried SLIM or Medifast?? Looking for opinions, did either work? Would like to see Mayo Clinic Professional opinions/research

  - JR

• July 22, 2011 2:32 p.m.

  The Bernstein Diet. I followed the diet to a tee, I exercised regularly with a personal trainer and over 2 months lost 35 lbs. However, I gained back all of the weight plus 20 lbs over the past 3 years. While on the diet I felt weak all the time and it was very costly. I am peri-menopausal in my mid 40's and have hormone levels that are completely out of wack, according to my doctor. Perhaps this is the reason that I have gained the weight, I don't know. I watch my fat intake, I avoid salt and I eat my vegetables, protein and carbs. I take a multivitamin, vit B, D and C daily and I drink very little if any alcohol. Although I got fast results as promised from the Bernstein diet, I would NOT recommend it. The HCG diet is basically the same thing with even fewer Calories. Again I lost weight quickly, but had severe headaches, nausea, weakness and dizziness as well as severe diarrhea every time I ate. The no or low carb diets work quickly but the second you begin to eat carbs again, your body just packs on the pounds. I love my carbs, bread, pasta and rice so this type of lifestyle would not work for me long-term. I feel better when I am eating a balanced diet, even though I may be overweight, being thin and feeling awful for me is not a lifestyle I would choose.

  - Loretta

• July 12, 2011 6:41 p.m.

  I tired the Atkins diet; i can say that in that month, I was extremely weak, nauseated on occasions and "down". I lost a couple of pounds, but felt that my belly fat was reduced. Unfortunately as soon as I stopped the diet, the pounds came back.

  - Linda

• July 6, 2011 1:25 p.m.

  I tried the South Beach diet. I felt pretty awful for the first few days of phase 1 while my body got used to the reduced amount of carbohydrates. The cravings for carbs stopped and I lost about 15 pounds in phase one. Unfortunately, with phase 2, when I started adding back in a small amount of 'healthy' carbs, the cravings came back worse than ever! Not just food cravings, also cravings for alcohol and tobacco and I had quit smoking 25 years ago! I think this diet messed with my body chemistry in a most unhealthy way. I've gained about half the weight back but it is ALL at my waist so even though I am still lighter on the scale, my waist is a couple of inches larger than when I started the diet. I wish I'd never tried this experiment.

  - Samantha