Started in 1989, L A Weight Loss centers can be found in 49 states, Canada, and Europe. With more than 700 stores, they’re fast becoming one of the biggest players on the diet scene. In fact, the CEO has aspirations to “become the largest weight management company in the world.” What distinguishes L A Weight Loss from other similar programs is that it revolves around regular supermarket foods. In addition, the company sells its own brand of nutritional supplements and snack bars.
While it bills itself as “a unique combination of regular foods” and “personalized one-on-one counseling,” this program is not all that different from many others. In fact, it’s the same strategy registered dietitians employ when they work with weight-loss clients. Trouble is, dietitians aren’t the ones giving the expensive advice, but counselors who are compensated based on the revenue of the sales of supplements and snack bars at their center. You can’t help but wonder about the quality of their advice.
Basic principles:
It’s all about sensible portions. Diet counselors gather height, weight, age, activity level, and a medical history in order to figure out a specific program for each dieter. Plans are based on a specific calorie level, but you don’t actually crunch calories. Instead, you count portions from different food categories: proteins, fruits and vegetables, fat, starch, and dairy. Dieters follow prescribed food plans and learn how to prepare foods healthfully. Counseling sessions and weigh-ins take place privately.
How the diet works:
There are three distinct phases. The first is for weight loss. Dieters are assigned somewhere between 1,100 and 1,800 calories a day. After reaching their goal weight, they transition into a 6-week stabilization phase. The third and final phase is a maintenance program that uses counseling to help maintain weight loss. Candy, doughnuts, and other indulgences are reserved for this phase. The diet works out to approximately 45% carbohydrates, 35% to 40% protein, and 15% to 20% fat.
What you can eat:
Mac and cheese, steak and potatoes. You can pretty much eat your fill of meats, starches, fruits, and vegetables; fats are limited. The company encourages you to buy L A Weight Loss supplements and L A Lites, protein bars in flavors like chocolate-peanut butter and chocolate-mint crunch.
Does the diet take and keep weight off?
There are no independent scientific studies. The company reports that dieters can expect to lose up to 2 pounds per week based on internal audits it has conducted for the last 5 years.
Is the diet healthy?
Probably. A registered dietitian directs nutrition services for the company, and the balance of protein, fat, and carbs is within recommended ranges. One problem: The 1,100-calorie plan barely meets nutritionally adequate levels. Most health professionals recommend at least 1,200 calories or more per day, preferably 1,500 calories.
What do the experts say?
“Dieters do have success if they follow the program to the letter,” says registered dietitian Edee Hogan, a Washington, D.C., nutrition and culinary consultant whose clients have tried the program. “They lose weight. But they don’t have much wiggle room.” In fact, the program is so strict that dieters become lost when it comes to handling special-occasion meals and events not on the plan, Hogan says. Registered dietitian Shannon Crosby finds the diet is essentially “a safe and sound plan,” but she takes issue with the fact that counselors make commission on sales of the L A Lites bars and supplements.
Who should consider the diet?
Dieters with deep pocketbooks.
Bottom line:
Probably OK, but it’ll cost ya. Watch out for hidden expenses, such as supplements and snack bars, that can raise fees much higher than advertised.
Lead writer: Maureen Callahan, M.S., R.D.
Comments (67)
Yes the counselors make some commision off of the sales.. A whole Whopping 2% if we are lucky. We are not in this to make money obviously.
How would I be able to get in touch with someone from LA Wt. Loss? About 2 years ago, I paid for a full program as well as the maintenance program too. I started but only lost about 12 lbs over about 4 months or so due to the fact that I developed a severe case of anemia which required iron infusions on a weekly basis. My doctor recommended that I put the program on hold till I was feeling better. As soon as my iron was back on track I drove down to the local center in Easton, PA only to find that they had closed down and were not planning to reopen. I NEVER received a phone call to alert me about this or anything. I need to find out how to recover all the money I paid out and never got anything for it. Thanks so much :)
My husband and I purchased the LA Weight loss plan and were faithful users until we moved from our home town in CA to the state of WA. I was told that I could be reimbursed for the LA Lite bars, but the next thing I knew, the centers in Spokane WA were closed. What can I do to get either the product or the money back?
one word—NOTHING—
When our LA branch closed in PA, a representative for the “main office” came and took information on how many LA lites and how many unused weeks were outstanding, told us to send them a copy of our contract by certified mail, gave us an 800 number (which by the way was always busy and finally disconnected) and we would be reinbursed. This has been over 2 years ago and I have yet to receive anything and there isn’t any way to contact them. So as I said before chalk it up to a bad experience.
I purchased the full program about 2 years ago. I started losing weight and then became very ill. I went to my doctor and was told that I had an anemia issue along with a blockage that needed to be surgically removed. I had to put my program on hold and when I went back I was surprised to find that my center had closed. I need to speak to someone about the money that I paid and product I did not receive. If I need to I will seek the advice of an attorney and get in touch with LA WEIGHTLOSS through filing suit. Please have someone contact me as soon as possible. Thank you:)
I had the same issue. I went on medical hold due to pregnancy planning, etc. The center is now closed down with no others in site. The at home program I have been referred to is very customer unfriendly, does not appear to believe in returning phone calls, emails or even having a working website. I was never notified of any center closings and still have quite a bit of prepurchased product and weeks that it appears I may never see. So far my research has not gotten me anywhere in how I can talk to anybody at either company about this. I would be most interested in any ideas anyone has.
why can’t we buy la lites by mail i am doing the diet and don’t have any lites and i want some and i don’t have a credit card and i want to buy some lites how do i do that
thank you
I want to buy LA lites where can I find them besides E-Bay ? TY
Go to latoyourdoor.com, they sell the lite bars and ship them to you
Actually, you can buy the lites on ebay. They are priced about the same as in the store.
LA Weight Loss has once again taken a good number of individuals in Missouri. Closing their doors after the second walkout of their staff in just 8 months time, they shut down their business leaving a good number of individuals with empty pocket books and no service. I wish I would have investigated this business further before I invested over $1,000 in the program. I have learned to be a more discriminate customer in the future. Shame on LA Weight Loss!
I would like to be able to buy more LA lites. Where can I get these? Our LA Weight Loss facility has closed in the Peoria, Il. area.
Where can I buy mint LA lite bars ? Ty
I am very lucky here in Vermont. Our LA Weight Loss facility and the staff are terrific! Yes, the counselors do make a 2% profit on product sales, but I have never had any of them push me to buy anything at anytime. One of the counselor on staff has a masters degree in nutrition from the University of Vermont and is excellent at what she does. I feel badly for those who haven’t had the opportunity to get their monies worth from their LA Weight Loss facility…… I have!
Since LA Weight loss center has closed,i am trying to lose weight on my own by following the plan that i was given by my councelor last year,but i dont have LA.Lites to enjoy the program.Can any one please tell me where to get those from.
I did the LA Weight loss program and am on maintanence. I really miss the chocolate biscotti, since our center closed. Where can I find the same ones again. I would like to purchase them from any source as long as they are the same product. I loved the taste and I am a chocoholic, so they are perfect for me. The plan worked for me!
For anyone looking for La Weight loss lites and other goodings try ebay I find quiete a bit of the items there and it has turned out to be cheaper as well.
I was on the program two years ago and did loss weight, but what I need now are the portions. How many starches, how may proteins, etc. If anyone has this information I would be very grateful.
Thanks
hi susan my name is nikki im 22yrs young lol i did the program for several years and was extremely successful i started the program at 245lbs and i ended at 138 final! insane right?! yea i did it when i was 16.. never tell yourself ya cant do it?! lol i’m on the purple plan and my portions are:
3 fruit
3 veg
2 starch
2 protein
1 fat
1 dairy
2 lites
if you need anything else you can personally contact my email.. i hope this helps!
Hi
Our center colsed down about one year ago and I was looking to start up with my diet plan and need to see if I could get a copy of the meal plan Im at 236 and recently found out that I have high blood pressure and feel very fatigue.
please hepl
Thanks
cindy
Hi Nikki,
I was also on LA weight loss – last year before they closed their doors. I’ve gained half my weight back and wonder if you can help me. I want to start doing the program at home but cannot remember the correct number of proteins, starches, etc to start on. My weight is approx. where you started – 250 lbs. Can you please help me get restarted by giving me those amounts? If you have the correct numbers for the weight as it goes down I’d appreciate it also. And congratulations on your wonderful loss.
Many Thanks
Cheryl in Canada
I lost my red menu card. And there are no longer locations in north texas. Do you have a copy of the red menu that you could email me?
Hello!
I see that you were able to help another lady with the plan guide. . I’m a single mother of two trying to get back on the wagon (weight wise lol) Do you happen to have the cards that tell you what you can eat in each category? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.
Jen
Been on it for a month and only lost 1 pound. Following it to a T, even when I’m so frustrated with the measuring and regimen, that I want to quit on a regular basis. The program has caused me to get so constipated I’ll probably need medical assistance if things don’t regulate themselves. I was never this badly constipated before until now. I’m convinced it’s the LA lites and/or the supplements. I realize I’m stuck with the LA lites, but the supplements won’t be used again once the current bottles are used up.
I actually just got word today that the center I go to is closing and I’m only two months in…. but any who for those of you wondering where to get la lites(that are affordable), you can get them off ebay, along with the supplements, and the take off drink
Does it work? Yes, it DOES work. But it is NOT easy. I stuck to my diet for a whole summer (about 3 months) and lost about 40 pounds. At the beginning of September, my father was diagnosed with a brain tumor and he went through operations and it was very stressful. We were down eating at the cafeteria in the hospital a lot. They do not “counsel” at L A weight loss. When you go in for your session, they weigh you, look over what you’ve been eating, give you more bars (if you ordered them) and then send you on your way. They act like the counseling part is so important – but they never really “counseled” me. The weight loss was quick, but so was the weight gain. I did not keep my weight off and now I am back at 270 and I’m at a loss. I got down to 211 and was feeling great, but things change. I would not reccomend this diet because it takes your money and they try to manipulate you there into buying more and more of their products, saying “You won’t lose as much weight without the bars” yes, you will. Good luck everyone, but my advice would be to go to someone else.
I’ve been doing the LA weight loss diet on my own. I joined years ago and they are no longer in my area. I use south beach bars. I’m down 5lbs for the two weeks i’ve been back on.
I was a member of LA Weight Loss, I spent about $400.00 on food, I still have some drinks and snacks and soups etc. I want to know how long do the meals last? Its been a quite a while and I’d like to know is I should just disgard packaged food?
Where can I contact someone? Our LA Weight Loss Center went out of business with over $400 of mine.
Why won’t someone answer my questions. I need to know the propotions. How may starches, protein, veggies, fruit, fat. Will someone please help me!
thanks
Susan do you remember the color of your book?
Hi!
I was on LAWL 3 years ago starting at 173 pounds. I lost 20 pounds. Now I am up to 185 and happen to have gotten a hold of the entire program on ebay. I am not sure what color plan to use right now? Does anyone know the weight range for each color?
thanks!
I have replied to three requests. I’m hoping those people will have the courtesy of letting me know the information I’ve given them is helping. Susan was so desperate for the blue plan and I posted it but never saw a response from her. I hope Kit and Pennyj will let me know.
Philly Girl,
Our district server is down and I have not been able to access my email since last Wednesday. They are working on the problem. I am excited to read your email! I’m not ignoring you…I will definitely email you when I can access it. Thanks for all the infor you apparently sent me!!!
PennyJ
I am not positve but I think it was blue. Thanks so much for responding.
I completely agree with Christie. I did the diet for three or four months two years ago and lost 65 pounds. I was at 373 when I started. I did great for a while. It became clear though that I could not succeed since I was having a hard time balancing work and my personal life with cooking every meal. I also had the problems with the counselors insisting the bars are going to make things go better. That’s nonsense. I went almost the entire time without the bars simply because I could not afford it. I did not supplement them with anything. I just didn’t eat them. I hit a stone wall when I found out my girlfriend was s-ing some d**k on the side. I quickly gained back that 65 pounds, and I’ve been hovering around 360-370 ever since. The emotional aspect of eating is huge for some of us, but it was never covered by LA Weight Loss’s “counselors” (which is now called Pure Weight Loss by the way).
I want my money back from this program but sign up to pay by one of there visa companies so how do i get out of the agreement?
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I need help I did La weight loss a few years ago, lost all of what I wanted to lose (70 lb) I have been trying to get started on it again. I am doing everything I did before but it isn’t working. what do I do.I need to loose 19lbs I am using the luna bars. and the gold plan. am I doing something wrond.
Is there any way to collect on the products I already paid for and have not received? I had quite a few boxes of lites and meals paid for and I went to get some only to find the door locked.Help!!!
You can order LA Lites and other LA Weight Loss products through the Knoxville LA Weight Loss. The # is 865-694-1688. Note: You must verify that you are medically eligible to eat the Lites.
Hey guys I’m confused. Our center closed over a year ago and was told that all of PURE (LA weigt loss) centers throught the US were also closing. I’m mystified as to why this web sight is still active. Gina is your center in Knoxville still open. I am owed quite a bit of money since I prepaid for my LA lights and never received them. Like all of you I did so good while I was going to the center. I must say that the counselors in my center did not push any products maybe because I refused to buy anything other than the lites. Since they closed I have regained all but 10 lbs. I’m going to start the 3 day all protein plan and hope to be able to continue on my own. Good luck to all of us.
i did very well on the program. i lost thirty pounds although i sometimes cheated. i was not pressured to buy anything. i bought the lites. i believe that they helped me to go to the bathroom i am sorry that the centers closed as i need help to lose weight again
I was on the LA weight loss diet and losing just fine when they changed the diet. Since then, I have not been able to lose at all, even though I follow it to a T and exercise till I’m exhausted. Does anyone have the old diet info-from 2007?
Mandy, I was on the Gold plan and the diet info for that plan when eating 5x a day is (no LA Lites)
1 fruit, 1 dairy
1 fruit
1 protein, 1 veg,1 starch, 1 fat
1 fruit
1 protein, 2 veg, 1 starch
Susan I was on the blue plan also. I am sending you the suggested daily menu options for this plan
Menu 1 BREAKFAST 1/2 protein 1 fruit 1 starch 1 dairy 1 fat
LUNCH 1 protein 2 veggies 1 fruit 1 starch 1 LA lite (any bar less than 180 calories)
DINNER 1 protein 1 veggies 1fruit 1 starch 1 LA lite
Menu 2 Break 1/2 protein 1 fruit 1 starch 1 dairy
MID AM 1 fruit 1 LA lite
LUNCH 1 protein 1 veggies 1 starch 1 fat
MID PA 1 fruit 1 LA lite
DINNER 1 protein 2 veggies 1 starch
Menu 3 Break 1/2 protein 1 fruit 1 starch 1 dairy
MID AM 1 fruit 1 LA lite
LUNCH 1 protein 1 veggie 1 fruit
DINNER 1 protein 2 vegggies 1 starch
EVENING 1 LA lite
so your daily servings are as follows
2 1/2 proteins 3 veggies 3 fruits 3 starches
1 dairy 1 fat 2 LA lites
I hope this helps you
For the people who want to know how to get their money back Sorry you’re not going to get it back. Just chalk it up to a bad experience.
People who are constipated they told me to drink lemon and water and increase my fiber when I was having the same problem
Philly Girl,
Do you know the weight range for the blue plan? I’m trying to find out what color plan to start with. I have all the books from the plans and don’t know which one to use if I weigh 185? Thanks!!
Weight loss clinics recommend certified therapy programs, medication treatments, surgery procedures, clinical help, extended care and individualized attention on each overweight patient. Therapy treatments encourage obese patients to balance their weight and control their eating habits. Program develops self confidence for healthy life.
http://www.weightlosstreatments.net/
Did you know 90% of diet is don’t work?
For more information visit to http://theeverloss.blogspot.com/
if you want to order Lites they have a site now at http://www.latoyourdoor.com. I haven’t ordered and probably won’t. Luna bars are in my future.
how do we know these are the real thing? I am also a little skeptical of ebay. Don’t know who to trust!
I have lost my RED plan card.
PLEASE let me know how many/much:
…ounces of chicken is a serving
…ounces of milk is a serving
…ground turkey is a serving
…salt – is it 1/4 or 1/2 tsp?
thanks so much
Good information about weight loss. LA is very usful program for me.
JUNE 30, 2009–LA WEIGHT LOSS HAS AN ACTIVE OPEN BRANCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA. THEIR NUMBER IS (319) 373-8369. EVERY BRANCH IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED AND APPARENTLY THIS OWNER HAS 10 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU..(LIKE MYSELF)..THAT SPENT OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS IN “PRE-PAID” BARS AT THE WALDORF MARYLAND LOCATION…YOU WILL NEVER GET YOUR MONEY BACK. FOR 2 YEARS…I HAVE BEEN TRYING BUT IT’S A LOST CAUSE AND THE BRANCHES THAT SHUT THEIR DOORS ARE A BUNCH OF THIEVES.
I am trying to find out what weight range goes with what color plan (the old plan). Does anyone know what color plan to use if I weigh 184 pounds? I was on the Gold plan 3 years ago and weighed 173. Thanks so much!
Pennyj
When I was on LA I started on the Gold plan and that was 7yrs ago. I weighed 199lbs. I told the counselor what I wanted to weigh and lost 40 lbs in 12 weeks on this plan. In that 12 week period I became 65 and exercised over 9hrs a week. Because of my age and amount of exercising I was put on the blue plan. I was never told anything about a specific weight range for any of the two programs I was on. I do know they have a number of color plans. Looking over the purple plan and gold plan that’s on this site they both look the same. Maybe the plans are based on weight, age and exercise. The person who posted the purple plan did not give portions sizes and maybe that is also the difference with the color plans. The only difference between the blue and gold is 1/2 protein. They tried to put me on the red plan because I increased my exercising to 14 hrs a week but the portions were too much for me. Hope this helps you. Philly girl
Thanks a million for your information. I’ll look over all the plans again and probably start again on the Gold Plan. I’ll just play with it and see what happens with my weight. You’ve been a great help!
Pennyj
Kit
8 oz of chicken
7 oz of ground turkey
8 oz skim milk
8 oz of plin fat free yogurt
1/4 tsp of salt
I have replied to a request by Susan. She was so desperate for information about the blue plan and I posted it. I don’t know if she ever received it because I did not see a reply from her on this site. I’ve replied to Pennyj and Kit and hope they have the courtesy to let me know my information was helpful.
Are any of the LA Weightloss centers still open? I’m looking for some LA Lites and Take Off Juice. I don’t want to buy 2 cases from the LA To Your Door!
Ginger Lynn
JUNE 30, 2009–LA WEIGHT LOSS HAS AN ACTIVE OPEN BRANCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA. THEIR NUMBER IS (319) 373-8369. EVERY BRANCH IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED & OPERATED AND APPARENTLY THIS OWNER HAS 10 BRANCHES THROUGHOUT THE MIDWEST. SO FOR THOSE OF YOU..(LIKE MYSELF)..THAT SPENT OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS IN “PRE-PAID” BARS AT THE WALDORF MARYLAND LOCATION…YOU WILL NEVER GET YOUR MONEY BACK. FOR 2 YEARS…I HAVE BEEN TRYING BUT IT’S A LOST CAUSE AND THE BRANCHES THAT SHUT THEIR DOORS ARE A BUNCH OF THIEVES.
THE BRANCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS IOWA SAID THEY WILL DELIVER WHATEVER YOU WANT!!
Just went to go back to LA weight loss center…to find it empty. I had prepaid for 145 boxes of bars…egads…
How can I recoup the bars?
S
THAT IS THE KEY QUESTION! They should be sued to the fullest extent of the law for taking our money and shutting their doors from coast to coast.
Hi i join LA weightloss and after a week the place closed…How can i continue they owe me bars
I like to recieved a free controltrim with the purchase. i cant seem to order here..i try looking, and no avail