L.A weight loss...anyone else on this program?

[tatwo]

I just signed up with the L.A weight loss program almost two weeks ago. I followed the plan they gave me and lost 2 lbs in 2 days. Then, I guess I had only ONE little slip up and gained almost 4 pounds in 4 days! This program, is expensive also! However, what I did was, I went for my consultation and told them it was too expensive for me because I only want to lose 15lbs. We came to an agreement and they knocked the price in half.
Anyway, I'm just wondering if anyone else is on this program. I find that the people there really know what they're doing though and I've learned SO much about what I can and can't eat.

[blueyz]

I signed up for LA last January.  It worked for a couple weeks.  I lost about five pounds the first two weeks.  I followed the program to the T.  After the two weeks I did not lose or gain.  I paid quite a bit and when I went in for my weigh in's, they wanted me to buy that drink to jump start my metabolism again.  I bought several of those and continued to follow the diet.  Still no loss and no gain.  After about 4 months of this game with them, I stopped going.  I have continued to eat well, but that program is a cookie cutter program and not for everyone.  

I recently met an old friend who used to work for them.  She said the employees have very LITTLE training and are mainly trained to SELL.  They want you to continue to buy their products.  Snacks, supplemtents, drinks etc...She said they portray that they are makking a personal plan designed for you, but they don't, it's pretty much the same for everyone.

I just went to my Dr. today and asked for Meridia.  It was no problem and I will start tomorrow.  I have asked several times on this board about it, but received no response.  I am optomistic.  I too only want to lose about 15-20 pounds.  My sister used it and had a great response and we are built about the same.  

I wish you well and hope LA works better for you.  Be wary of them trying to sell you additional products when you are not losing as you should.  That's when it started for me.  I also have a friend who went on it the same time I did.  She did well, but eventually stopped and has now gained all the weight back.  Some things to consider.  Not that I am encouraging you to, but can you still get your $ back???

Keep us posted....Good luck!

[mystikldrmr]

I did the complete LA Weight Loss program in 2003.  I lost 75lbs in 6mos.  My weight loss was slow for the first couple of weeks and I thought that I was going to starve to death...lol.  But eventually, my body became used to the limited foods and I was able to stick with it.  I'd actually been able to keep the weight off until earlier this year and gained back about 15lbs after going through a traumatic period.  I agree with blueyz, the counselors are advised to SELL so don't "buy into" the supplements, however, they ARE very supportive (at least the ones at the center that I went to were).  I had bought a couple of things when I was doing the program and it didn't faze the weight loss one way or the other.  I still lost weight as long as I ate the portioned out food.  Also, the LA Lites can be avoided too if you have some type of allergy to nuts.

blueyz:  Meridia worked for me like LA worked for you...lol.  I tried it long before LA and it didn't do anything at all for me.

The best of luck to the both of you!!  The weight loss war is hell and we need all the help and support that we can get.

[tatwo]

thanks for your feedback. My progress has been slow, but after stepping it up a notch and really focusing on the program, I'm down to 133 lbs! I agree, the people at L.A don't seem to have that much training, but they are still good support for me. What I've found is that the numbers don't really matter that much on the scale, it's how you start feeling about yourself and I think this program is SO worth it because I've learned how to eat the RIGHT way. I wasn't heaving to begin with so I'm not losing a lot of weight, my body doesn't want to! grrrrrr. However, My stomach is flat, I feel more confident, more energetic and L.A has taught me the right foods I can eat for my body type.
Everyone is different, this program may or may not work for you but I have no regrets.

[tatwo]

Almost a month later....haven't lost ONE POUND. I don't think this program is right for me. I stopped going in to the center this week because I'm finding that the constant weigh ins are actually making me feel bad about myself, something I never felt BEFORE this program. Funny thing, they never call me to check in, see how I'm doing, nada. Besides this fact, I get a big fat bill in the mail the other day. $1500 for this program and for WHAT!? If I'm spending that kind of money, I'm sorry, but I'm expecting a freaking miracle after following this program to a T. Who wouldn't? I thought this program was expensive for a reason, so I gave it a chance, now, I'm having some serious doubts.  So, I guess I have two options: quit, get my money back or go back there and raise some hell and get the MOST out of my money and what I paid for! Like I said, when I'm following this program perfectly and my weight hasn't budged, something is wrong here.

[desperate_inKY]

I joined LA Weight Loss in July of 2006, I lost 48 lbs. thru Oct. 2007.  I didn't stick to it all the time or I would have lost more.  I haven't been back to the center since October because I have had so many personal problems (parents sick) so of course with all the stress I am eating anything that gets in my way.  I have gained 16 lbs back and I'm afraid that it's just a matter of time until I gain it all back plus more.    I have spent a fortune on this diet, signup fee was over $800 and than the bars were another $450  plus all the snacks, takeoff drinks, slimdowns and jetstarts.   I loved the program and they were very considerate about calling when I didn't show up, but I guess they would be, they know a sucker when they see one, I would buy anything they put in front of me.   I just need something right now to control my food cravings.  I have tried Phentermine which worked great for me, but I can't find it anymore.  Good luck on your weight loss.  Being overweight sucks.....

[tatwo]

Well I went back to my L.A weight loss centre and raised hell. However, after all this, I decided to stick with the program and really give it my all, following it %100 perfectly.
Honestly, yes the women there are there to sell etc, but they really have been a great help and are very nice to talk to. One even gave me her personal info so I could reach her anytime.
I'm happy to say I am now down 7lbs and dropping. Not sure if I would go to L.A weight loss again, if I had to do it all over again, but I have learned a lot about healthy eating.

[jinna]

I used to work at an LA weight loss center.  It is true that a lot of employees there don't have strong backgrounds in nutrition; actually, when we are trained, all we learned about is how the program and products work (with lots of emphasis on the products).  Other than that, we're just supposed to be supportive and positive.

I've seen a lot of clients with success on the program, and just as much clients without success.  Personally, I think that weight loss is an individual thing.  What works for some people may not work for others.  LA weight loss's program is pretty balanced, but leans more towards being a high protein diet with limited carbs.

I'm currently on Jenny Craig now and I've noticed that you get way more carbs on the plan.  So, if you're going to decide on a program, think about what you can live with for the rest of your life, because on LA weight loss's maintenance program, carbs are still pretty limited.

I mean, on LA weight loss, there is a "carb cravers" plan, but anytime a client doesn't lose weight, the counselors just tell you you're having too much carbs.

I guess what I'm saying is, for the most part, all weight loss programs work; it's just a matter of what works for you as an individual.

[revins]

My neighbor is an LA Weightloss counselor.  I was going to start the program last summer, but had some Thyroid issues that came up and decided I needed to have it looked at before starting anything... so never went in to see her.  I then started taking the B12/Lipotropics for my weight loss assistance this passed September and have done it ever since, losing 28 pounds to date.

I saw here the other night after a little issue in the neighborhood brought us together, and she was floored at how much weight I had lost and better I looked.  When I told her what I was doing, she said that she'd heard a lot of people are doing great on it and that she's seriously looking at starting it so that she'll lose weight.  "It's not good for me to have extra pounds and work there" is what she said.

I think it's sad, and I feel bad for her.  I can't imagine having to wear the uniform or nametag of a business whose program isn't working for you personally (for whatever reason)... so you have to in essence "go behind their backs" and find something that works for you, so that you can keep your job.

I's like the poster "Jinna" said... you have to find what works for you as an individual.  Some people do awesome on LAWL and others do good on JennyC.  The truth is, no program is going to do it for you.  You have to do your part until your metabolism finally resets itself.  And doing your part means watching calories, exercising, and drinking water a bunch so that the fat that breaks down has an avenue of escape.... so simple.

[tatwo]

Wow...honestly, since thanksgiving I've lost a total of 11/12 lbs. For me, this is huge. I was SO skeptical about the program, but it works. I did it with the stubborn body that I have and it took a program like this to help me (because I'm not a big girl in the first place.) I could never have done it without L.A. It's expensive, it's a pain in the a$$, and it's really hard to follow...but it works. Thank God.
I got off the scale the other day and saw I was in the 120 range, my pants are too loose and my belts don't fit...what I like about LA weight loss is that it teaches you HOW to eat and eat healthy without fad diets.
I feel sheepish! LOL

[tatwo]

Just to comment on something revins said....the women at my L.A weight loss are actually quite big women, like almost 100lbs over me yet they have lost over 100 pounds too. The women there are very personable and are willing to share their stories with me.
The ONE thing that is so so important that I've realized...these women, even though they're "big"...they are so gorgeous...super hot lol.
L.A or not....I wish we all would stop obsessing over what size we are. Wouldn't the world be a better place? *sigh*

[Momtoteenboys]

I have done LAWL in the past and was pretty successful for a while.  I lost about 25 lbs but the further into it I got, the harder it was to maintain.  I eventually stopped going and have since gained everything back plus a few pounds.  I noticed a few weeks ago that the one and only local LAWL Center has closed now.