Hi Wiskota--Isabel de los Rios has excellent credentials, which is encouraging to see for a change. If she is actually the developer of the program, it's probably a better bet than most of the *^&$# that's going to be pushed on people in the new year. See if you can find some reviews on Google, including how they handle refunds and complaints.

In the meantime, why not start with the free newsletter they offer and see if the program is a good fit for you before you spend the money? Maybe they'll give you a free trial for a week or so. You might find that she's offering information that you already know, but having the support might be worth it if you feel that you need it. Best wishes for your good health and success in the new year.

Last edited on 12/30/2011

American College of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer

Hi. I am currently on the Beyond Diet, and am doing very well. There are some additional items you can buy, but you can certainly start out with the $59. The concept is excellent and easy to follow. There are a few bugs to work out on their web-site to making surfing around easier, but they are making improvements. I have been on the program just almost 2 weeks, and am peeling weight off. I'm very surprised as I have traditionally lost weight very slowly. I am eating well, very satisfied. I'm sure my initial loss is water weight, but I'll take it. I'm very happy with the program.

On 2/17/2012 kitkom said:

Why someone pays to lose weight is beyond me! Just eat healthy and EXERCISE! You WILL lose weight as long as you eat less and exercise more. Why on earth pay anyone money for YOU to do all of the work??

Seriously, some people need the structure in which to do this. It is a framework, or instructional book, that tells you when and how to eat healthy and exercise. They pay for the framework, not the diet and exercise itself. Like a coach.

"Failure is impossible." Susan B. Anthony

On 2/17/2012 kitkom said:

Why someone pays to lose weight is beyond me! Just eat healthy and EXERCISE! You WILL lose weight as long as you eat less and exercise more. Why on earth pay anyone money for YOU to do all of the work??

kitkom, if you have been overweight and have lost weight simply by eating less and exercising more, good for you! I would say you have extremely good willpower and self-control, which is more than most people have. However, if you have never been overweight, then it's obvious that you cannot relate and do not understand the psychological component that a lot of overeaters must deal with.

The reason so many people succumb to gaining weight is because they either do not understand what it is they need to eat to lose weight, or they simply do not have the structure (as was already stated) and/or willpower to "do it on their own." If left to their own devices, a lot of times they will succumb to old, bad eating habits and never succeed.

Programs that involve pre-packaged, pre-prepared foods, or on-line programs that offer support in terms of helpful tips, motivation, and forums in which to share one's experiences and progress with others fighting the same battle, can offer a heck of lot more for people who don't want to struggle alone or need a little helping hand.

So please don't be "holier than thou" and try to have some understanding and compassion.

On 5/16/2012 shiningstar said:

On 2/17/2012 kitkom said:

Why someone pays to lose weight is beyond me! Just eat healthy and EXERCISE! You WILL lose weight as long as you eat less and exercise more. Why on earth pay anyone money for YOU to do all of the work??

I was waiting for this one...and I knew it was coming.

I know right? So pathetic.

Very odd that all of a sudden there are a couple of posters with 1 post raving about this diet.

Formerly Queen of Posts - changed to avoid confusion.

I'm just one stomach flu away from my goal weight - Emily (Devil Wears Prada)

AND guess what - they both registered and posted on the same day, further adding to a reason for suspicion. I've reported them both.

Now of course, I, too, registered and posted today. So, here goes..."If you want a great diet program that REALLY works, check out MY boss's product that only costs $99.99 ..."

OK - I was just kidding of course.

Just do WW. You can get all the information for $14. It's been around for years, and was voted best diet two years in a row. No secrets, no gimicks, no miracle foods. As to the whole idea of "just eat better and exercise." Yes, that is true to a point. But many healthy eaters and vigorous exercisers are overweight. We do live in an obesigenic society and while that does not trump free will, it does have, I believe, effects on our psyches that go beyond simply making good choices. Food processors after all engineer foods to be as palatable as possible and marketing is relentless and deceiving. So education, support, and learning and practicinig skills are essential. Also, it is very difficult to lose weight by exercise alone. Lose weight in the kitchen, get fit in the gym.

If you really want to lose your weight prominently then traditional procedures of eating healthy and doing exercises will help. You will need some special sort of training, dieting and nutrition. So i believe the way beyond diet is helping is really worth it.

To UpTooEarly: when you say "Just do WW. You can get all the information for $14" is that the book? As I checked their site and it's $48.90 for first month for the online account.

Get off your high horses, all of you noble preachy types. If your solution worked for me I'd weigh 110 right now. You may speak for yourself and rave about your willpower until you turn blue, but your sermon and its suggestion haven't lost a single pound for me. Make yourself a group and take turns telling each other how wonderful you are. You all know to whom this post is addressed.

Finally, someone who gets it, dmgshopper. I will tell you, for anything it's worth, that I was doing quite well with a low carb approach until my thyroid went bust a year ago. I am able to almost completely eliminate binging if I eliminate sugar and grain, and I definitely thought I couldn't, but the threat of adding medications to my life gave me the incentive to stop eating junk. Also dmq, I have a lot more to lose than you do. Thank you for your vey honest post.

actually, if your hormones are out of whack (hello, thyroid!) or if you are peri-/menopausal it most certainly is not as easy as eat less and move more. WHAT YOU EAT matters. it's not just as simple as calories in, calories out. if it was more people would be thin! and that doesn't even include the issue of emotional eating which is very real and not easily discarded. anyone who says otherwise frankly needs better education on health and nutrition.