LA Weight Loss Program...Does it Work?? Please Help

[kileycass]

Hi,I have been on a diet that consists of only 20 grams of fat per day and 1200 calories by my Doctor, I have been doing this for 3 weeks now and have only lost 2lbs I am really really discourged and my Dr. is not helping me any futher than that so it looks like if im going to loose weight I will have to figure out what is best for my body and how to loose the weight on my own...I was looking into the LA Weight Loss Program but wanted to see if anyone has done or doing the program now.. If so how is it working for you? Are you getting great results? Any Help would be greatly appreciated...

[wishiwerethin14]

I did the LA weight loss diet years ago and I have to say that although it is the most expensive program around (my opinion) it DOES work!

I never felt hungry - EVER!  

I actually felt tired of eating.  The bars were so good that I couldn't believe they were something I could eat on a diet plan.

There were many nights that I couldn't even either eat the dinner or finish it.

This plan uses ordinary super market foods, that you would probably buy anyway instead of frozen or prepared meals, the plan just teaches a person how to prepare it and how much of it to eat at a serving.

I loss 33 lbs in 3 months.
____________

The cons:
You have to buy; the bars, shakes, Take Off!, etc in addition to paying for the program as well as for the groceries.

Hope this helps you make your decision.

[michele7385]

I joined the LA weight loss program in November 2007.  In January 2008 I could have joined for 50% less  - and they made no refunds or accomdations to anyone who had joined recently for full price.  This should have been my first wakeup call.

The program is good - actually it really is all the things your mom told you to do - eat a good breakfast, low carbs, more lean protein, lots of fresh fruit and vegetables.

The problem is cost.  The initial cost is $549 - of which $149 is a non-refundable program cost.  If you quit, they deduct $149 for the program fee and $10.55 for each week of weight loss.  This means that the deduct their program fee twice ($549 / 52 is $10.55) so that if you quit after week 38 you get no refund at all.  The real costs comes in the product you are required to buy.  My initial investment (over and above the program fee of $549) was about $600 so I could purchcase protein bars at 10 bucks a box instead of $16.  The bars are a required part of the program.

I did loose the weight, but the company is pulling out of Colorado so I asked for a refund.  I had 36 weeks in the program, so my refund is a whopping $20.  So much for the hype of getting any money back.  In addition, if you don't purchase and consume their product as part of the weight loss program, you are not eligible for the refund anyway.

The product, if you purchase it in bulk to get a lower price (which feels like a good idea as a box of 7 bars costs a whopping $16 if you don't buy in bulk) is NON-REFUNDABLE.  

Read the fine print.  The program makes sense because you are not limited in the foods you eat - mostly just in quantity do you don't feel deprived.

YOUR WALLET AND YOUR WAISTLINE WILL BOTH BE MUCH LIGHTER

[owendog]

I am a 57 year old woman who was physically fit a year ago, but in Nov. 2007 I hurt my shoulder and ended up with something called "frozen shoulder". I gained 30 lbs. from November to this July. I still cannot do my usual physical exercise and this program has been a God Send. Yes, it is horrifically expensive, however, I needed the guidelines and the truth is that it is completely based on a very healthy diet. The Lite Bars are a really special treat. I know that there are power bars out there that will take their place, but they are expensive as well.

So far, I have lost 10 lbs. I've eaten in a manner similar to this before, but like training, I needed a guide and accountability.

I am worth it and so are you.

My only negative with them is that I stupidly, out of desperation, bought  a 6 month supply of 2 of their supplements and I cannot stomach them. I can't return them even though they are unopened. But that was my desperation and my stupidity. It was my choice.

Live and learn

I look forward to being able to work out again and be my healthy self. I've set a goal of 45 lbs. Christmas should be looking good.

I believe in this program because I've used something similar before. It's scientifically sound

[Sunwellness]

I was hired by LA weight loss centers as a counselor 3 years ago.  I was so excited that I would be able to help others achieve a healthy lifestyle.  While in training I was extremely discouraged. There was no mention of helping others. We were trained to sell our clients.  If you did not get the client to spend 2000 (two thousand) dollars in the first 4 weeks, you would not make your quota. This is for each client. After 4 days of training I quit. I could not ask people who emotionally were struggling to lose weight and put a financial burden on them on top of it all. I am a certified personal trainer and I am going for my masters in nutrition.  Bottom line is....calorie restriction - but not too restricted-- and exercise is all it takes to lose weight and maintain.  LA weight loss gives you quick weight loss initially to keep you hooked. It is just another program that when you go off and you are not restricting calories, you will gain the weight back if you have not made major changes to your lifestyle.

[Tee324]

I joined the LA Weight Loss program on 1/4/08. When I sat down with counselor, she didn't persuade me. My mind was made from the start. I thought about my fellow co-workers who had major success with the program and I said this too could be me. I have tried diet bills, no carb diets, which they worked at first but my will power wasn't strong enough. Yes, I think it is costly. For me it was $549.00 no specials at the time I started. Some of the things they try to sell, you have to go with a budget it in mind. The center I go to is in Alabama. I purchased 1/2 LA Lite Bars which was $210.00. I am saving the remaining, money I would spend on lunch (fast food) to buy the other 1/2. I also saw some La Weight loss products on ebay.  Here’s my weight loss story: I initially started on 1/6/08 with Take Off program in the 2 days I lost 5 pounds. I have lost a total of 13lbs in 4 wks with little or no exercise. Yes, I would recommend this program if you want a life style change of eating healthy and feeling great. I love the counselors because all of them have been there, and I know this is not an easy road, but it will be rewarding if you stick to it. I look forward to my Goal date on 6/23/08 my 40 lbs. I wish you healthy and much success with your program.  

[revins]

My neighbor is an LA Weightloss counselor... and tells me all the time how she and her husband "have gained so much weight and need to get it off", but two years later it's the same deal.  Makes no sense to me... what gives??  

[slimbo112]

As a 59 year old female that has lost and gained weight all of my life, I needed a program that would get it off slowly and keep it off.  I am a lifetimer at weight watchers but had not managed to stay at goal  I joined 1/6/07 and proceeded to take off the 30 pounds I desired.  By the time I finished Stabilization in June I had lost a total of 50.  I have maintained if for 5 months and am thrilled.  I will admit that the program and the bars are expensive, but I feel my health is worth the cost. And I can assure you that we are not loaded with the green. The LA lites have completely taken away my sweet tooth.  I call myself a sweetaholic.  I will take one a day for the rest of my life if it will help me to maintain this wonderful weight loss.  I feel like a new person, and can now be a very energetic grandmother.  I guess the price you are willing to pay depends on how important good health is to you.  Good luck  in whatever you chose to use.  This has been great for me.

[nursegaby]

I tried LA Weight loss and is was horrible, there is no medical structure in programs. The program they offer are a joke.....There is many programs out there, I recommend that you do your research on the programs. Also make sure the physician you see really does specialize in weight loss, not just any Dr. that just gives you phentermine and tell you to eat less. There many good programs. Electra, UCLA, Dr. Kerendian and many more. Check them out , do your research. Research the physician......

[WAYTOGO]

I joined LA weight loss in 5/07.  As of today 10/29/07 I have lost a total of 29 lbs.  I did not purchase any bars, shakes, snacks or any of their products.  After I made the financial comment of 687.00, I vowed not to spent any thing else except gas to make my 3 a week meetings.  I chose foods from their booklets on carbs, fats and starches to plan my meals.  So far the plan works.  I tried Nutisystem and gained 15 lbs with due to the high amount of sodium and perservative in their pre packaged meals.  I tried Weight Watchers and lost 10 lbs.  If you do like me and join LA weight loss do not purchase their foods chose your own  With this I realized Weight Watchers was the better choice.  No refund so I made the best of my LA weight loss experience.  I have 5.2 lbs to go in two weeks then I in the 6 week thingy.  I do not like the 52 week maint at all.  But I will say this for them at LA weight loss they are very good at helping you may good menu choices, eventhough I did not purchase any thing they offered.  It would have be a greater loss to me If I became dependent on their foods and not on re-educating me on how to make better menu choice for each day.

I'LL TELL ANYONE TRY WEIGHT WATCHERS BEFORE YOU TRY LA WEIGHT LOSS DUE TO THE COST.  THE PROGRAM IS GOOD THE COST IS ***!@$ UP.

[nursegaby]

I think this program is useless I spent so much money and not to lose a pound. I think you are better seeing a specialist that treats weight management., I saw one in Beverly Hills, he is the best.
Many people speak about him all the time, I dare not to mention his name, because I do not want to sound like I am advertising for him. I really do recommend you see a Bariatric Specialist, you should check out the American Society of Bariatric Physcians and select one that is in your local area. Trust me when I tell you this I am an RN.

[Lady_bug0609]

I joined LA Weight Loss about 12 weeks ago, and have lost 30lbs.  I too believe that the cost is an insentive to stay true to the program.  The bars are expensive but with a sweet tooth they really help with those craving!  

This is LA Weight Loss program is a lifestyle change and yes, it is very expensive!  But if your committed the cost really shouldn't matter if your overall well being is better!

[lisa1967]

I joined LA Weight Loss Centre 12 weeks ago because a male co-worker had joined, and so far lost 155 lbs, he had tried a lot of diets in the past and had failed every time.  He has been on the LA plan since March and loses on average 4-6 lbs per week. I do not lose as fast, but in 12 weeks I have lost 34 lbs and find it very easy, I am 40 yrs old.  As far as the cost, I believe that for me anyway, it is the accountability to someone other than yourself that helps with success, and also I know that I have paid the money for the program and do not want to waste it.  I needed to lose 55 lbs and this cost me around 700.00 Canadian dollars.  The suppliments are pricey, as are the bars, but I believe that these can be substituted with cheaper alternatives later (take your bottles into any reputable health food/suppliment supplier and ask them to find you something similar),  the suggestion given for the bar replacement above by Free Will 14, was a good one and something I will try.   The key is moderation and changing of bad habits.  This should be a lifetime commitment because you are worth it.

[ifarie25]

My mother joined LA in June. They recommended to her that instead of me joining right away to just allow me to follow along with her program (minus the LA lites Bars.) We both lost 20 pounds in the first 2 months, but then I kind of plateued. There was a 6 weeks free program if my mom brought in a family member. So I joined for just the 6 weeks. Mind you, they say you should lose 2 pounds a week. After 4 weeks I have only lost 3 pounds *and this is on their EXPRESS PROGRAM* They also told me after the 4 weeks I would get a different plan in which I could eat more types of foods and different amounts of them, but when I went in for the new book today, the counsler told me I wasn't supposed to get one---two days ago the other counsler said I would get one today. It would cost another 400 dollars to continue the program after 6 weeks,but with the Bars being $16 a box, the take off drink being $22 and giving me headaches, and the disappointment.... I don't think I will join. My mother is still stuck at her 20 pounds too. So it worked at first -- but now we are stuckl. The supplements they push are to increase metabolism, and mulitvitamins and the newest one they have is an appetite suppressant. It costs about 150.00 for a month supply of these vitamins...... OK REALLY. I used to take Trim Spa and lost 20 pounds doing that, for only 15 dollars a month. I just thought this would be a healthier program due to diet change--- but the supplements are basically diet drugs and nothing more in my opinion.

[BS65]

I had a very bad experience with LA Weight Loss and had to write to the Better Business Bureau for them to refund my money after not allowing me to join because I had high blood pressure.....but they DID take my money first. I would be VERY leery of joining that place. I know you can lose weight but what happens when you stop eating their bars and following their program? And another thing, later I did join Jenny Craig and one day while sitting in the lobby the girl who consulted me at LA Weight Loss was coming in to join Jenny Craig!!

If you care to read my story, this is what happened.

I tried to join LA Weight Loss Centers on 2/28/05 and AFTER I paid the money and signed the contracts they told me that I had to have my blood pressure taken. They took it several times and determined it was too high and that I would have to get a doctors approval. They faxed over an approval form to my doctor and after speaking to the doctor's office they said they would NOT authorize my joining the club at this time and would not do so until my blood pressure was down. They told me it would take 2 or 3 weeks before they would even consider approving my joining the club and that was only if my blood pressure was down.  So I went back to the LA Weight Loss Center office that I signed up at on 3/2/05 to cancel and they told me I would have to call the corporate office. They gave me the number (the wrong number, by the way) and I tried to call but the office was already closed. I went back and got the correct number and tried to call them but they don't answer their customer support phones there and have you leave a message, which I did. My doctor's office faxed back the authorization form to an employee named Julie Anne and said I was not authorized and to refund my money. I had tried to call LA Weight Loss Centers several times and kept getting voicemail. I left several messages asking them to call me back to discuss the refund and cancellation and they never called back. I called back and finally got the option to stay on hold to speak to someone so I waited and spoke to Julie Anne again on 3/18/05 and she told me that my initial down payment of $98.00, which I wrote a check for, would be refunded and that no APS payments would be taken from my account and that the matter would be processed on 3/21/05 and the refund would be under way. But on 3/21/05 they took an additional APS payment of $68.83 out of my account instead. On 4/1/05 they issued a "refund" of $17.83 and I received it on 4/5/05. I called on 4/5/05 and spoke to Julie Anne again and she told me that the $149.00 was a non-refundable "APS set-up fee charge". There should not have been any set-up fees OR payments taken out of my account period and I was told on 3/18/05 that there would not be and a full refund would be sent to me. During my 4/5/05 conversation with Julie Anne, I asked to speak to her supervisor or manager and she would not allow me to speak to any other employee. She said she would have to "look into it and call me back" but would not do so today because I told her I would wait on the phone until she did. Because this company has never called me back any of the times I left messages I am not hopeful that they will call me back this time either. Julie Anne also tried to place the blame on me and my doctor stating that it was my fault the doctor didn't approve my joining the club. In reality they are operating under unscrupulous business practices by not making sure a customer is going to meet the requirements to join the club before they pay the money and then refusing to refund the money and for taking out additional money even after they know you have canceled the membership. I reminded Julie Anne that it was SHE that told me my membership was canceled, that I would get a full refund, and that no additional money would be taken from my account. She said she knew she said that and doesn't know what happened and would look into it.

After nearly two months of trying to get a hold of this company I still hadn't heard anything back from them and had not yet received a refund. I continued to try to contact them but I only get voicemail. If I chose to stay on the line and wait I usually had to hang up because 20-30-40-50-60 minutes would pass by each time and I had to work and they closed at 5pm.

Finally I wrote to the Better Business Bureau and filed a complaint. I also filed a complaint on a consumer affairs website and another consumer complaints website. There were TONS of stories similar to mine on these websites and I STILL get email from people telling me that they experienced the same thing I did.

After the BBB got involved I finally got my money back....it took six months and the BBB getting involved but at least I did recoup my losses on that mess.

[Free Will 14]

Hi-

I use to be a center director for them  a couple years ago.  The bars are helpful because they help with sugar cravings but they truly are expensive and unnecessary.  If you are going to go without them you need to add half to one serving of protein (preferrably a protein shake with zero fat and carbs) and half serving of of fruit (which you can blend with your shake) for each bar you dont use.  They really are made for the convenience of people on the go to make sure you get all your daily requirements.  Most of the protein bars on the market are too high in fat or carbs so recommend staying away from substituting them unless they are pure protein.  chicken breast is best!  Another great thing is to make sure you are not eating ANY carbs 3-4 hours before bedtime!  Keep your carbs to earlier in the day and protein at night and you will do well....women need to pay attention to this regimine more then men.  d

[Teresa19]

How many times a week do you weigh in?

[Shelo]

I joined a week ago, I have lost 3lbs.  I have purchased 3 boxes of lites so far and they are VERY pricey at $16.00 + tax per box...as a single person this is most of my grocery money a week.  I was pressured in the beginning to purchase in bulk and told that I could apply for a CareCredit credit card (@23% interest) and pay for them..the cheapest was 40 weeks for $850.00...I started laughing at her (I do that when I'm nervous)....I said I know you don't really think that I am going to pay that kind of money for protein bars...she was NOT happy with me....I said I believe I will buy them as I need them....she has not tried to get me to buy in bulk again, but everytime I go (I am required to show up 3 times a week.) she asks how many boxes I need.  I bought a 113 week plan (New LA) for $400.00 which I have been told is a VERY good price.  (This is 55 wk loss, 6 wk stable, & 52 Main) and there is a clause in there that says I have to eat the bars if I want the guarantee (which I was asked to initial), but I was never told what the guarantee was.  I have purchased some boxes on line for $10.00 a box, but have not yet received them.  If anyone knows where to get them any cheaper, PLEASE let me know.  ***@****

[cdawg58]

I just started la weightloss, and so far so good.  i didn't have to buy the bars (it used to be that way to get a refund of your program costs when you lose the weight, but they changed it.  i made them cross it out of the contract and initial it).  i asked 10,000 questions before i joined, and this is what i learned.  take the weight you want to lose and divide it by 2.  that's how many weeks of weightloss they are going to put you in for.  then add 6 weeks for stabilization where they add back in foods to your diet and see what you need to maintain your goal weight.  then add in a year of maintenance.  that's the amount of weeks you need to pay for up front.  so, if you want to lose 60lbs, that's 30 weeks + 6 weeks + 52 weeks = 88 weeks.  Multiply that by your per week price (currently it's $5 with a promotion).  So that would be $440.  If you are within 5 lbs of your goal weight half way through your maintenance year you get 25% of that back, if you are within 5lbs of your goal weight at the last week of your maintenance you get another 25% back, so if you are successful with your weightloss you can get half of your program costs back.  i have done weightwatchers in the past and most other diets too, but the thing i like about this is that you have to have a certain amount of protein, veggies, fruits, fats, and starches a day.  So, unlike on weight watchers you can't blow all your points on donuts in the morning.  

Every plan has it's pros and cons, and some things work for some people and not others.  I need the one on one counseling they have for accountability, so I think this will work for me.

Good luck with whatever you choose!
Chris

[serendipity26]

I don't know where in L.A you are but call Etcetera Medical Group in Agoura Hills. They are awsome i just started with them in AZ, but i first heard about them when i lived in cali. It's the B12 with Adenosine and phentermine. they give you a really strict diet only about 975 cal. I am on it and i'm not hungry. I know a lot of people that have lost over 40lbs on this. Its about @
$250 a month. I have heard peolpe have lost 3 to 10lbs a week on this and you have a ton of energy. Let me know if you call. Good Luck!

[Darlin123]

LOMO,
I hope that you are not talking about Herbal Life?
This did not work for me and they talked me into investing thousands of dollars..not hundreds! They had all kinds of tricks.
If this is not Herbal Life, I would be interested in learning what it is and how much it costs, etc.
Please advise,
Darlene

[LoMo]

have you tried cleansing? it's all natural and affordable. i just did a cleanse and lost 9 lbs and 13 inches in 9 days and feel really, really great. i'm in the middle of another cleanse and i've already lost another 6 lbs. i have not had this much energy in years!! my friend's doctor turned her on to it and she lost 12 lbs in the 9 day. truly amazing. you can check it out at www.cleanse4wellness.com there is a FOX news and ABC news segment on it. hang in there and good luck!!

[kickaj97]

I have done Weight Watchers and lost 50 lbs with it but when I got off of it I gained it back and then some.  I am currently doing LA Weight loss.  I lost 30 lbs on my own but needed something to kickstart me again so i have lost 26 lbs now on this diet...i am trying for another 50.  I think it is like any other diet...exercise and watching your food intake and what you eat.  That's the key to weight loss! Good luck!

[lwenn]

LA Weight Loss does work; however, when I went off it I gained the weight back.  I'd recommend Weight Watchers.  It is a healthy and excellent way to lose weight.  A lot cheaper too!

[didi595]

It isn't cheap.  For me, I want to lose about 65 pounds and it would have cost me $1001 for 33 weeks but you have to pay for it all up front and then you HAVE to buy these LA Lites Bars and those are I think $16 a box and you will need 2 boxes a week.  Not cheap at all.  I don't know how anyone could afford it.  But I do know that it goes by how much you have or want to lose.