Online Dieting
Can You Lose It Online? Internet-Based Weight Loss Programs
Most online ‘diet websites’ offer a suite of e-Tools, including BMI calculator, food logs and activities tracker some offer real-time support, for a fee. Some are informational, such as the USDA’s ChooseMyPlate.gov; some have a vibrant and active online ‘community’ such as SparkPeople.com, but to get the info, most of the sites with community make you register with your email, and you may not welcome the barrage of emails that come in to your email inbox. (You may be able to opt out for emails).
The self-help model lacks accountability, a negative for the dieter that wants and needs personal interaction and motivation. Most are also limited in their ability to help overweight persons with medical conditions or food allergies. And, after all, when you’re trying to find time to eat right and exercise, it’s counter-intuitive to be asked to spend more time on the Internet!
Here are some of the Internet's leading weight loss websites:
Allrecipes.com - $36 per year
BestDietForMe.com - FREE, online survey finds best diet for you
Biggest Loser Club - $4/week
CaloriesCount.com - $4.80/month
ChooseMyPlate.gov – Free
Diet.com - $60-80 for 3 months
Dietsite.com - $40 for 4 months
DietWatch.com - $77/year, $39 for 13 weeks
eDiets.com - $4-5/week
FitDay.com – Free or Premium $49.95/year
Lindora Online - $149 -339
Sparkpeople.com - Free
Weight Watchers Online (WeightWatchers.com) - $16.95/month
WebMD Weight Loss Clinic - $5/week
Most online dieters tend to be younger and computer savvy. They are more likely to try to lose weight and design an exercise program themselves, rather than join a structured commercial or medical program.
Younger dieters apparently don’t want to spend much on a diet program and they don’t want to go to meetings every week, be weighed (embarrassment factor) and spill their guts about their personal issues in front of 30 other strangers.
Positives of Online Dieting
- low cost versus other programs
- 24/7 accessibility
- can be done from your home, convenient, no travel to centers or meetings
- anonymous for those seeking lots of privacy
Negatives of Online Dieting
- lack of in-person motivation
- you have to be self-motivated and disciplined
- program may be lacking in customization to your needs
- still have to prepare your own meals, unless you sign up for diet food delivery
- have to design your own exercise program
- may take a long time to get answers to your emails.
