Type of Counseling:  do it yourself, communication with similar dieters via wide variety of bulletin boards.

Typical Cost: $44.85 for 3 months, $69.95 for 6 months, $99.95/year ($8.33/month)

Type Program:  Internet diet website

Type of Foods Used:  grocery store food, meal replacements

At-Home or Direct Mail Plan Available?  Yes

Headquarters

Reader's Digest Association
Reader's Digest Road
Pleasantville, NY 10570

Customer support: 877-242-6431

For the first time ever, Reader's Digest has created a diet plan of its own. They have tapped some of the country's top nutritionists and dietary specialists to come up with this completely new eating plan that takes the weight off. With just one simple change each week, you can win the weight-loss battle, claims the creators.

You just have to change one eating habit at a time, starting with breakfast. Then it's on to lunch, snacks, dinner and beyond.

Key Principles

1. Make one change at a time. You can't become a new person overnight. Lasting change requires a measured approach.

2. The secret to weight loss is understanding portion sizes, not math.

3. All foods are allowed. Let your meals be a source of healthy pleasure and never skimp on flavor or delight.

4. Eating for a healthy weight is the same as eating for health. Think of ChangeOne as a way of life, and this may well be the last time you have to lose weight.

How The Program Works

One Step at a Time

With ChangeOne, each week you'll tackle something new - either a meal or an aspect of daily life that influences how you eat. Here's an overview of the healthy changes you'll make:

Week 1: Change Breakfast

Week 2: Change Lunch

Week 3: Change Snacks

Week 4: Change Dinner

Week 5: Dining Out

Week 6: Weekends and Holidays

Week 7: Fixing Your Kitchen

Week 9: Stress Relief

Week 10: Staying Active for Success

Week 11: Keeping on Track

Week 12: Banish Boredom

Meal Plan

The Meal Plan, a ChangeOne.com members-only feature, gives you  personalized meals for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks every day.

Here's what features you'll get in your Meal Plan:

* 7-day weekly meal plans with recipes - designed personally for you with your weight-loss goals and food preferences in mind

* Ability to swap meals, making the plan flexible and easy to follow

* Hundreds of meals and recipes that offer maximum nutrition with a  sensible number of calories, so you don't miss out on vitamins, minerals, and other health benefits of good food while you're cutting calories.

* Simple portion size guides that will take the hassle out of  determining exactly how much you should eat

When you subscribe, you'll also get access to :

* My Profile
* My Activity Plan
* My Community
* Weigh-In

The website does provide for plenty of interaction and "community". There are 80+ specialized bulletin boards, covering weeks 1-52 of a year-long program, boards for newcomers, men, weight loss goals, age, family issues, those with special foods needs, fitness, spirituality, and more.

$44.85 for 3 months, $69.95 for 6 months, $99.95/year ($8.33/month). Fees are billed up-front for each option, with a free 7-day trial.

The ChangeOne book itself costs $27.96 plus $5.99 shipping.

In the opinion of BestDietForMe.com analysts, Reader's Digest has put together a formidable weight loss website, tapping their vast resources of content related to nutrition and other topics. This website has to be taken seriously, since it was developed by a large company. We think the price, at an average of $8.33 to $14.95 per month (depending on the time period you choose) is a bargain, considering the features you get. The ample number of bulletin boards provides plenty of community support and chance for interaction with weight loss "buddies" you can cultivate. The website has useful interactive tools such as recipes, an activity calculator, and a foods database you can search. There isn't much missing here. A very good bet for do-it-yourself dieters. ChangeOne also seems to cover the psychological support areas (dining out and portion size guides) as well as an automated diet website can, without personal counselors.

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