You Ask We Answer: How Much Do Commercial Weight Loss Programs Cost?
Quick Answer: A range of $45-$900/month with multiple options available. The average cost is $350-$400 per month.
So this is a big question (and I think a barrier many perceive) when considering losing weight with a commercially available weight loss program.
How much will it cost me to buy a weight loss program?
We answer that question below and look at the cost of the most common commercially available diet programs. This is not a complete list but just a few of the commonly advertised plans on the market.
What we do not discuss in detail in this blog is the details and the cost of medical interventions such as bariatric surgery, which can cost $15,000 to $23,000 (Baptist Health). That’s a whole other topic but more suited for a discussion with your healthcare provider, especially in cases of morbid obesity.
Most people recognize after years of being overweight or obese that they may need some “expert outside guidance” since what they have been trying to do to lose weight has not worked. I can relate. I was there as a pharmacist (who should have been taught more about weight loss in college) but I had to admit it was time to heed the advice of the experts who could show me how to get to a normal weight and more importantly keep it off. So let’s dive into what each program costs, and their methods, and later ask questions you need to answer to help you win the battle.
Here’s another quick answer (and sticker shock) to the question about the cost of commercial diet programs. It’s going to cost you $70-$150 for each 1 pound of weight loss. (Care Credit) Ok. You're saying, that’s ridiculously expensive. Hold on to that thought. We will come back after we break it down for each program.
Here are a few commonly advertised programs: (Care Credit)
Weight Watchers
https://www.weightwatchers.com/us/
Now uses the term WW to identify: Provides online tools, coaching online and personal, meal plan recommendations, and exercise tips. Weight Watchers is around $40 per month. (Care Credit)
Nutri-system and Jenny Craig
https://www.nutrisystem.com/
https://www.jennycraig.com/
Comprehensive include personalized counseling, online support, and meals and snacks. Varying programs and options are available. The average cost is $300-$407 per month or higher depending on the option chosen. (Care Credit)
Premium programs for Jenny Craig may be substantially higher, but it can be a good fit for some.
Medifast
https://www.optavia.com/us/en/
Three diet programs to choose from range from $323 to $460 a month. Some ranking put it at #2 in the category of faster weight loss but the official disclaimer is 1 pound weight loss per week on average over 12 weeks. Includes protein-packed meals and snacks, crunchers, breakfast items, soups, smoothies, shakes, and bars. Coaching and one-on-one diet counseling included. (Consumer Affairs)
Noom
https://www.noom.com/
An app that is focused on coaching to encourage behavior changes that lead to healthier habits, rather than focusing on food restrictions and snacks or meal offerings. No pre-packed food or snacks. Noom costs about $59 per month. (Care Credit)
Another “non-commercial” option:
Hire a nutritionist or dietician
These professionals can create an individual weight loss program suited for you and your needs. The average cost of a nutritionist or dietician ranges from $70 – $100 per visit with an initial consultation that may be higher. (Consumer Affairs)
There are many more options out there, but I think you get the idea. It comes down to your lifestyle needs. I work full-time in a pharmacy and I have very little time to prepare food in my busy location so I had to choose an option for that aspect of my life that fits. Secondly, my wife and I grocery shop 2 days per week now, so we didn't want to spend more time shopping every week. Our lifestyle swayed us more toward the to-the-door delivery option for some of our “food” sources.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a program: These are the deciding factors.
Do you want one-on-one support or more online counseling?
Do you want the convenience of pre-packed, easy-to-prepare meals and snacks that are very convenient and require a “no-brainer” approach? Peal and eat, easy for traveling, and easy and simple; un-package and microwave?
Can you stick to a program with no cheat days for 30-60-90 days?
Do you want to prepare all or just some of your meals?
How much time do you want to spend each day or week “checking” in with someone?
Are you more of a self-driven person to read and gather information on your own rather than being “spoon-fed” information? Or, am I a “show me the book or online info and I will do it at my time and convenience” kind of person?
How much time do you want to spend “researching” the calorie counts of the foods you consume?
Do you want faster than average weight loss?
Are you willing to budget and “invest” more in getting to normal weight because it will keep you more motivated because of the higher cost of cheap, unhealthy choice groceries in some cases?
These are just a few questions you need to answer for yourself. You need to research the various plans to find out which one matches your specific needs and goals. If you only consider the cost of a program my opinion is that you may be making a mistake.
When it comes to cost you have to ask yourself some final questions to ponder.
How important is it for you to win this war of being overweight and obese especially when it’s the extra pounds that may have led you to develop disease states and the need for pharmacotherapy (prescription medication use for preventable disease)?
How much do you pay in medical visit copays, prescription copays, lab tests, etc?. I am not saying you can eliminate all these costs but you may be surprised when you get to normal weight how some of these may be reduced?
What are you spending money on now that’s as important as keeping or getting your health back? It’s a seriously important priority to decide?
How important is it for you to have more energy, stamina, and the ability to do the activities you did when you were younger again, be fit in your 50's, 60's, 70’s, and beyond enjoying a quality of life few of the people your age can enjoy?
Are you willing to make smart, healthy choices. Many people your age have decided not to make the same choices. Are you joining them or moving in a different direction?
How important is it for you to no longer be “be sick and tired of being sick and tired”?
The bottom line: find your path to get on your journey to a healthy weight and lifelong optimal health. We coach people on a comprehensive and well-researched program that was a good fit for us. We know it’s not a good fit for everyone. With so many choices out there if you have challenges finding the best one suited for you after you have done your “research” reach out to us for an assessment and we will help you find one. It’s worth it. What a difference getting on this journey has made in our life. It’s been almost 4 years now and in our 60’s our health is so much better than it was in our 40’s! I can’t wait to see what the 70’s bring! Are you coming along? Reach out.
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