As popular and effective as some commercial weight loss programs may be, there are pros and cons to these plans that people should be aware of. On the plus side, “they provide clear guidelines and structure,” says Davis, “and they may include accountability measures, such as check-ins and tracking, which can help with consistency.”
With regard to downsides, however, both Werner and Davis agree that the lack of personalization in commercial weight loss programs may present a problem for some people. For example, because these programs don’t consider a person’s medical history, prescription medications or one’s potential history with eating disorders, they may be harmful without medical supervision. Both experts also note a lack of long-term, peer-reviewed research on many commercial weight loss methods means that proven scientific backing remains limited.
In practice, there’s the additional challenge of sticking to the routine on your own. “Some popular programs promote very rigid and restrictive guidelines that are challenging to maintain long term,” adds Werner, which can make the weight loss process more overwhelming than it needs to be.
Following these programs can be exceptionally difficult for those who love going out to eat, adds Neel Raval, M.D., a board-certified sports medicine physician and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. “For instance, if someone is on a strict keto diet, going out to an Italian restaurant with friends might pose some difficulties as to what to order,” he says. “Additionally, if someone particularly enjoys a hearty pasta or pizza, it can be difficult to be forced to give that up for good.”
Many of these potential challenges can be mitigated through dedication and personalized help from a health care professional, but they’re worth knowing before starting your weight loss journey.
Is a Weight Loss Program Right for You?
Given the positives and negatives associated with commercial weight loss programs, it may be tough to decide if they offer the best weight loss method for you. Our board members suggest that understanding your personal level of discipline is essential to answering that question.
“The people who do well on programs like these can maintain strict discipline about the types of foods they eat and tend to prepare most of their food at home, so they have a complete understanding of what they are eating,” explains Dr. Raval. “People who should consider other avenues [are] those who eat out a lot, do not want to give up specific foods [or] are looking for more flexibility in their diet,” he says.
Our experts also agree that those with a history of eating disorders or specialized medical conditions are best served by working with a health care professional, such as a registered dietitian. If a certain level of discipline is not desired or possible, commercial weight loss programs may not be an ideal fit.
