| I've been on Medifast since October and have lost | | | | access to online recipes, tools, and workouts. |
| about 70 pounds, so I feel qualified to explain how it | | | | Medifast Overview: This program is quite different as |
| works. I am not currently on Weight Watchers online, | | | | it provides your food via prepackaged meals. If you |
| but I do have a very good friend on the program | | | | go with the five plus one plan that most people do |
| and have conducted research on the same. In this | | | | (including myself), you will only prepare one meal per |
| article, I will point out what I feel are the major | | | | day on your own. This is called the "lean and green |
| differences between these two effective plans: | | | | meal" and it is typically lean protein and veggies. |
| Weight Watchers Overview: For the longest time, | | | | I find it pretty easy to slap an individual portion of |
| Weight Watchers was considered to be a points | | | | meat on an indoor grill and plate up some bagged |
| based program that relied on face to face meetings | | | | salad or stir fry vegetables. You will assemble your |
| at weight loss facilities. The company has been | | | | prepackaged meals as directed, but this is pretty |
| pretty successful with this business model. | | | | simple and fast. |
| Recently though, the company seems to have | | | | I feel that the food tastes pretty decent. This is |
| recognized that most people are very busy. Many of | | | | fortunate because I eat five of these meals per day. |
| us just don't have time to count a lot of points or to | | | | There are almost 70 choices so there is a good deal |
| attend meetings. In response, Weight Watchers has | | | | of variety. You can also add sugar free syrups, fat |
| introduced two new online programs: its flex plan and | | | | free cheeses, and salsa to the foods to enhance |
| its core plan. | | | | them if you like. |
| The main difference between the two is how they | | | | Many recipes allow you to take the prepackaged |
| calculate safe foods. The flex option relies on the | | | | foods and make them into cookies, omelets, muffins, |
| point system that Weight Watchers is known for. | | | | etc. So, there are some options if you enjoy cooking. |
| Different foods are assigned various amounts of | | | | You can probably make this as elaborate or as simple |
| points. You can eat until you hit your point tally for | | | | as you chose, but frankly most people don't. On |
| the day, and then should stop. | | | | week days I usually go for the simplest route |
| The Core option evaluates foods based on energy | | | | possible, but this is not a requirement. |
| density which basically means how many calories the | | | | The cost is about $8 - $10 per day, but this includes |
| food contains per ounce. You're obviously | | | | most of your food. In my personal experience, I |
| encouraged to eat lower density foods much more | | | | believe this is cost effective because I am not |
| often. | | | | spending much on groceries or gas. |
| Neither of these new programs requires you to | | | | So, Which Is Best? Which program is best for you is |
| attend meetings, but you are still calculating your own | | | | going to depend very much on your preferences. If |
| calories and, for the most part, you are preparing | | | | you enjoy choosing, preparing and calculating your |
| your own foods. People who enjoying cooking or | | | | food, you might prefer Weight Watchers. |
| having control over their meals usually prefer this. | | | | If convenience and having much of the work done |
| The cost of the plans is about $20 per month with a | | | | for you appeals to you, then Medifast may be a |
| $20 sign up fee. There is a small price break if you | | | | reasonable choice. |
| are willing to commit to three months. You get | | | | |