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Weight Loss Methods
Internet Diet and Support
By Carma Haley
"About a year and a half ago I realized that I had gained too much weight after having my second child," says Heather Creech of Branson, Mo. "I am not the type of person who attends meetings or support groups and definitely not for weight loss. I would much rather do research at home and find something that will work for me. I initially visited Slim-Fast's Web site for support and tips on how to begin my weight loss program and then found iParenting.com."
There are other benefits to online support for weight loss as well. In addition to animosity or privacy, the attention offered through the online weight loss sites is more individualized. The messages received are for one person and relate to their weight loss problems, setbacks and goals. Most weight loss centers print out thousands of pamphlets, leaflets, meal plans and such at a time where the online support and plans are tailored to what is needed by each person – individually.
"People take from the online groups what they need and more," Burke says. "With traditional weight loss groups, the programs are designed for everybody or anybody who wants to join. In the online groups, the advice and diet plans are made for each individual, sometimes after filling out a questionnaire about what they want and need from a weight loss plan. It's not a 'one size fits all' type of thing – it's based on the individual."
Other advantages of online weight loss sources include cost, availability, access andtime.
