Web sites offer info, tools for dieting, fitness

Sitting at the computer clicking a mouse may not seem to be the best exercise, but the Internet can help people jump-start a new diet and fitness regimen.

Popular dieting programs, such as Jenny Craig and Weight Watchers, have found a niche online, and sites devoted solely to dieting have attracted millions of people looking for advice and motivation at a nominal fee.

Web sites, such as eDiets.com and CaloriesCount.com, offer meal plans, nutritional and fitness advice, message boards and chat rooms. They come complete with healthy recipes and scientific articles about food and exercise, all available 24 hours a day.

Some sites have calculators to compute a person's body mass index, or BMI, which estimates a healthy weight range based on a person's height and weight.

Some sites also offer fitness calculators that compute how many calories were burned after the user inputs their weight, type of exercise and duration of exercise.

Many sites promote their plans as easy-to-use so that anyone with a working knowledge of a computer can log on. They also tout it as convenient for any lifestyle, so a frequent traveler can surf the Web in a hotel room, a working mother can check out a new recipe at night and someone who may be self-conscious about attending a weigh-in meeting can find anonymity on the net.

"You want information that's credible," said Pamela Ofstein, director of nutritional services for eDiets.com. "We have registered and licensed dietitians on staff (who) provide the backbone of our meal programs. We have fitness experts who can customize a program for you. We have a lot of experts to communicate with you through live chats, e-mails or phone calls. We are here at the touch of your fingers."

The eDiets program costs $4.49 a week. There's a $25 cancellation fee if you cancel your membership before three months, Ofstein said.

Some 2 million people have participated in the site since it was founded in 1996, and the site promotes healthy weight loss of one to two pounds per week, Ofstein said.

The most popular features on the site are the more than 80 message boards where people chat with dieters similar to themselves. These include boards devoted to living with diabetes or for those on a low-sodium or lactose-free diet. There are brides-to-be boards, stay-at-home mom boards and new mom boards.

"We know diet, nutrition and fitness is the core to losing weight ... but community completes the puzzle," Ofstein said. "It gives the tools and motivation and support to face challenges and meet goals."

Beth Hubrich, a dietitian and director of nutrition communications for CaloriesCount.com, said the community aspect is necessary for people to stay motivated on their dieting program.

"There's a big difference in people who want to lose 10 pounds for cosmetic reasons and people who want to lose weight for health reasons," she said. "The nice thing about online dieting is there are support groups that can fit all kinds of needs."

Hubrich said the Calories Count program, which also encourages dieters to lose one to two pounds per week, is affordable and convenient. A membership costs $25 for six months or $45 for a lifetime.

"One of the things that is appealing is that we are all time-crunched," Hubrich said. "This is convenient for people who can't attend meetings (because) they can get information when it's convenient for them. Men also can feel uncomfortable talking about their weight and their weight-loss efforts. On the Web, they can be completely anonymous."

The Internet also can bolster the efforts of those who are already on a weight-loss program.

The Jenny Craig Web site can be used by current clients to complement their program, but also is available for nonclients to access message boards, chat rooms, journals and other tools, said Jennifer Holt, South Chicago market director for Jenny Craig.

The Internet tools are free, although only Jenny Craig clients can access the online menu planner.

The chat rooms and message boards are among the more popular features for users to share weight-loss challenges, offer each other tips and celebrate milestones reached, Holt said. Other popular Web site features include videos and blogs, success stories, recipes and news articles, Holt said.

Online dieting is not for everyone, cautions Charles Stuart Platkin, founder of Diet Detective and a nutrition and public health advocate.

"Online dieting seems to be promising," he said. "But it's easy to disengage in online dieting. The recipes and menus, can you follow them? Are you self-motivated? Don't be impressed by (a site's) bells and whistles if you are not going to use them."

Platkin said that while some people can participate in an online dieting program for about six to eight months, more often people follow the site for two or three months.

While the Internet can provide the anonymity that some self-conscious dieters need, it also can lack accountability because you don't have to answer to someone if you miss a meeting or a weigh-in, Platkin said.

Platkin said an online dieting program is worth a short-term try to see if the program fits your lifestyle. He said sharing tips, recipes and emotional support are among the Web sites' highlights. The social support also is a good feature in online dieting programs, he said.

"There is a place for them, and I'm sure they are helping people," he said. "These computer programs are only as good as what you put in. What will make you log on?"


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