Spark People is an online weight loss program that has gathered quite a following. The eating plan is based on the USDA Food Pyramid, which has recently changed. Each meal is mostly carbohydrates with protein and fat thrown in for good measure.
The Spark People meal plans are customized to each individual’s needs. Filling out a profile and answering a few questions gets you started. They offer daily emails to members that contain articles and recipes that aid in the weight loss program.
The program doesn’t require you to weigh in each week or meet with counselors. If you need support, there is an online community of other dieters that find encouragement from each other. Professionals are on hand if you need to speak to someone about specific dietary need.
Spark People provides a total approach to weight loss that involves the mind, body, and will. Dieters are taught the basics of food science. They learn how to read labels and what constitutes a “good carb.” Articles teach that changing the mind is the way to change the will and the eating habits. To that end, the program has four stages, the last of which is to take what you have learned and spread it around.
The website offers plenty of resources for the novice and the experienced dieter. Tips on how to control emotional eating, food trackers, recipes, and activities that earn SparkPoints® are also available. The website is easy to navigate and user friendly.
Did I mention that Spark People is totally free? Simply register and log in to the site. You can get started right away. Filling out the profiles and other diet tools gives you an idea of what foods to eat and how to prepare them in delicious ways for you and your family.
Exercise is important on the Spark People plan. The site offers video demos of exercises, step by step instructions for different techniques, and different options to traditional exercise. All the work that you do outside adds up to one awesome workout.
Check out the program and see what it offers. Those with special circumstances like diabetes or other health issues may find it to be difficult to follow the meal plan recommendations. People that do a lot of weight training may find the protein percentage too low for their energy needs. For anyone, the articles provide a starting point to understanding nutrition and how their own body responds to food.
