The Readers Digest Change One Diet Review

The Readers Digest Change One diet is an offering from the publishers of Readers Digest Magazine. While the publishers don’t have a lot of direct experience in the health and fitness industry the diet is based on extensive studies and research. The online diet became available after the diet and fitness program published both in hard and soft cover books.

Similar to other online diets the program guides you through an online data gathering application that then makes recommendations based upon the information that you submit. While the options aren’t quite varied as those of programs other program the information is satisfactory.

The focus of the program is rather than making dramatic changes to your lifestyle all at once make small changes gradually over time. The gradual changes allow you to adapt to the new more healthy decisions, without undergoing a “lifestyle shock”.

The choices and plans laid out by this diet are based on solid health research and studies, and the plan has proven to be effective. However when you compare this with other online programs it is considerably more expensive, in some cases 2-3 times more expensive. However the online message boards and forums for this program are also less crowded, so you are able to get the attention from the program moderators much more easily.

Compare to other online programs such as eDiets, Denise Austin Fit Forever, Weight Watchers, and Readers Digest Change One Diet.

Official Change One diet Website
Readers Digest diet

eDiets Review

eDiets is a relatively new company in the diet industry. They offer a series of programs such as Atkins Diet, Zone Diet, and many others as well as their own signature eDiet program. When you sign up you go through an online “wizard” that asks you questions not only about your height and weight, but your lifestyle and food preferences. When you finish the wizard you are given a series of choices reguarding which diet path you would like to choose. While their own diet is usually the cheapest choice it is not always the best match and is not presented in that way.

The software behind the diet selection is actually very advanced and is based upon years of learning and fine tuning. Most people who try the plan have found it to be a good match. The food and recipe suggestions given, while not revolutionary and groundbreaking are none the less sensible and healthy. What you are paying for is the software to match you with food suggestions. The recipe base is constantly being updated and revised so there’s no need to be concerned about not finding foods you like. The program has a companion module known as eFitness which provides you with exercise advice.

While not expensive eDiets is not providing you with something you couldn’t do on your own with a little research, time and planning. However many people are quite happy to spend between $3-$5 a week to not have to be bothered planning out a week’s worth of food.

Compare to other online programs such as eDiets, Denise Austin Fit Forever, Weight Watchers, and Readers Digest Change One Diet.

Official eDiets website
eDiets

Weight Watchers Review

Weight Watchers, a well known and respected name in the diet industry now offers an online program. The program is an extension of their latest Turnaround program, which comes in two different versions, Flex Plan and Core Plan.

The Flex Plan is based upon the popular Flex Points programs. Each food is assigned a point value and you are given a daily allotment of points to use on whatever foods you want. Foods that are less healthy and packed with empty calories are given high point values, Foods that are healthy have lower point values. You will be able to eat whichever foods you choose, but you will have smaller portion sizes.

The Core Plan is based around making healthy food choices. On this plan your food choices are limited, however you are free to choose your own portion sizes. This program also frees you from the burden of having to count points, making it much less complicated to follow.

Both Weight Watchers Online plans are based on monthly subscriptions. When you join and become a member, you will receive email messages and have access to online meal and exercise suggestions. In addition you have access to bulletin boards and message forums that allow you to talk with other members.

While the Weight Watchers program seems very similar to many other online diet programs it differs in two respects. Weight Watchers has been in business for over 40 years, helping people diet and lose weight. Additionally recent studies have proven that the Weight Watchers methods are one of the most successful in the industry.

Weight Watchers USA Today

Compare to other online programs such as eDiets, Denise Austin Fit Forever, Weight Watchers, and Readers Digest Change One Diet.

Official Weight Watchers Website

Denise Austin Fit Forever Review

The Denise Austin Fit Forever program is a relatively new offering by leading health and fitness expert Denise Austin. The plan combines regular exercise with balanced healthy food choices.

This program is similar to many of the other online diet and exercise programs. In exchange for a monthly subscription fee, you will be able to log in and receive meal suggestions and recipes. In addition to the recipe suggestion you will receive “customized” exercise suggestions. The customization of the recipes and the suggested exercises is based upon the information that you gave when you joined the program. So while not exactly a “personal trainer” the suggestions and recommendations are different from one person to another.

Like many other online programs this one comes with online forums or message boards. This will enable you to chat and exchange messages with others who are following the program you can post questions and the moderators and advisors will answer them as long as it’s nothing too specific.

Another feature of the program is the online journal. This allows you to keep track of your results and progress online.

If you are comfortable with a program that uses a computer and email as the primary method for giving exercise instruction this program should work well for you.

Compare to other online programs such as eDiets, Denise Austin Fit Forever, Weight Watchers, and Readers Digest Change One Diet.

Winsor Pilates Review

Winsor Pilates is fitness and exercise infomercial program with fitness expert Mari Winsor. This infomercial has a few celebrities such as Daisy Fuentes who are Winsor Pilates followers. The program is based around the Pilates exercise method developed by Joseph Pilates. There are different packages available with prices ranging form $10 to $80. Included with the exercise program is a recommended nutrition guide.

While there is a nutrition guide included the focus of the program is on the Pilates exercises. While these exercises are very easy to do for people of any fitness level they are by no means high impact or strenuous enough to elevate your heart rate dramatically. So by itself it will take a longer time period lose a large amount of weight. Following the recommended dietary suggestions would help as would adding a high impact aerobic to your workout. However if you are very close to your goals weight or just want to firm or tone up this is an excellent tape. Also if you are obese this is a good tape to use to get used to exercising regularly, just don’t expect dramatic results right away.

When purchasing this tape the $10 program seems like a no lose option. However you should be aware that you are signing up for a subscription and will be sent and billed for additional tapes at a later time. So if you think the program is for you one of the higher priced packages will actually work out to be cheaper in the long run

websites selling the Winsor Pilates exercise program
Winsor Pilates from I-Saw-It-On-TV.com
Winsor Pilates from Fitness-Web.com

Winsor Pilates official website

Core Secrets Review

Core Secrets is a fitness and exercise program with fitness expert Gunnar Peterson and actress/model Brooke Burke. The exercise program consists of a series of tapes each with a different 25 minute exercise routine. You will only need to exercise 3 days a week. Included with the video is an inflatable exercise ball and pump, and nutrition guide.

The recommendations in the nutrition guide are on target and shouldn’t be difficult for most people to begin to use. The one thing that may be difficult is the fitness ball. If you’ve never worked with a fitness ball you may want to watch the tape and practice some of the moves once or twice to get the hang of it. Balancing your body weight while using a fitness ball takes some getting used to.

The fitness ball is actually the key to this programs effectiveness. It forces you to exercise muscles in way they probably aren’t used to being worked, which will give you much better results. You will find you need a larger area of open floor space then you think until you really get the hang of using the ball. There are several different packages ranging from $10 to $80. While the $10 may be a very appealing choice, be aware you are signing up for a subscription and will be sent and billed for other tapes in the future. So the higher priced packages are actually a better deal.

As we said before the most difficult part of this tape is getting used to the fitness ball. As long as your have decent mobility and balance you should have no problem with this tape even if you aren’t in that physically fit to begin with. The exercises are too difficult and only need to be done for 25 minutes three times a week, making this tape a good choice for beginners.

Websites selling the Core Secrets tape
Core Secrets from I-Saw-It-on-TV.com
Core Secrets Program from Fitness Web

Official Core Secrets Website


Gunnar Peterson’s website
Brooke Burkes website

Related fitness programs

Power 90 Review

Power 90 is a fitness and exercise infomercial from Beachbody with Tony Horton as the fitness expert. The program is centered on exercise but also comes with a fitness and nutrition guide. Like many exercise infomercials this one comes complete with people who make claims of astounding weight loss and muscle gains.

While we believe it is possible to achieve these results, we agree with the manufacturer’s disclaimer that these results are not typical. If losing weight and getting shape was as easy as this video makes it sound we don’t think the diet industry would be as large and lucrative as it is today.

The program recommends a 45 minute exercise period for 6 days a week. This is something that is possible for someone like a professional bodybuilder like the instructor, it’s not something most consumers are going to be able to do. While the program places less of an emphasis on nutrition it still does make sound recommendations for food choices and portion control.

One of the things you find in many exercise tapes is an overly enthusiastic host or instructor. While there are some who will find this motivational many find it somewhat annoying after watching a tape multiple times. Additionally the music on this tape is somewhat troublesome for some people. Many didn’t seem to mind it others found it very distracting or irritating. If you purchase the DVD version you can watch it with the sound turned off.

So while we feel that you could lose the weight and firm up as the tape claims, you would have to follow a rigorous boot camp like pace to accomplish it. A change that dramatic is not for everyone, especially for someone who does little or no physical activity now.

Vendors selling Power 90
Power 90 exercise porgram form Fitness-web
Power 90

Manufacturer’s website
Beachbody.com

Related fitness programs

Slim in 6 Review

Slim in 6 is a diet and exercise infomercial that will help you lose weight in as little as 6 weeks. The infomercial is very well produced and filled with “real people” who claim to have lost large amounts of weight, and gotten in shape by following the program. The program also comes with a nutrition guide to help you get maximum results.

The concept behind the tape is very good, eat smaller portions make healthier food choices and exercise often. However you probably didn’t need a $60 tape to tell you something you already knew.

Another problem with the infomercial is that the goals that are set are pretty high. Losing 20 pounds in 6 weeks is a lot of weight to lose. Most fitness experts recommend between 1 and 2 pounds a week maximum. While you may be able to shed a lot of fat in 6 weeks, turning fat into muscle during that time period is a very ambitious goal.

Something else to consider is the intensity level of the tape. If you had a very low activity level before starting the program it will probably be too much for you to keep up with. In fact many people will have a problem keeping up with exercising for 1 hour a day 6 days a week.

If you are able to keep up with the advanced level and schedule of this tape you will certainly get results. However we feel this is not the best tape for people who currently have little or no exercise in their daily life.

This tape is sold by Beachbody who also manufacturers the power 90 video

vendors selling slim in 6
Slim in 6 DVD from fitness-web
Slim in 6 from ISawitonTV

Manufacturer’s website
Beachbody.com

Related fitness programs
Power 90, Core Secrets, The Firm, 6 Second Abs, Denise Austin Fit Forever, eDiets