LA Weight Loss Exposed
LA Weight Loss was a center-based weight loss program.
The potential client came in for a free assessment, got weighed, and had a program provided for them.
However, now with only a few centers left, the LA Weight Loss program has become a web-based solution.
LA Weight Loss Clinics
Even though LA Weight Loss Centers had been helping people lose weight (using a combination of meal plans, food supplements, weigh-ins, and counselor support), things have changed.The LA Weight Loss franchise company closed down in Jan 2010, and their are just a few centers in North and South Dakota, Iowa, and Canada.
Many people lost large amounts of money because of these closures and their anger and frustration can be seen in the comments below.
Despite all this LA Weight Loss isn't dead, but back under a new strategy.
LA Weight Loss Online
LA Weightloss is now promoting their online program and services called the Rapid Results System.
The diet plan is customized to include appropriate portions of Proteins, Vegetables, Fruits, Starches, Fats, Dairy and LA Lites.
LA Lites are soy-protein bars - which form a central part of the program. When purchased in bulk the cost of the bars is not insignificant.
Rapid Results Program
Basically LA Weight loss's new plan consists of five parts.
- KickStart
- Rapid Resultst
- LA MyWay maintenance diet
- LA Lites
- LA SmartTrim Nutritionals supplements
When purchasing on-line, users receive the KickStart Plan, Rapid Results Plan, and once maintenance weight has been reached (or the client has lost 20 pounds) the LA MyWay maintenance plan.
The KickStart plan requires detoxing using their special juice, while the Rapid Results consists of eating 4 structured meals per day + 2 LA Lites Bars. The menu plans come with the program and are made up of normal grocery foods (although the use of their supplements is recommended).
Bottom Line?
Although the online version of LA Weightloss is probably a tad cheaper than the exorbitant price once charged at the centers, it will still run $289.99 a month for the complete system including online counseling if a customer signs up for automatic rebilling.However, if a customer only wants to pay for one month they charge 419.99!
There certainly are cheaper, yet just as effective programs out there like Nutrisystem or Diet to Go, where all your meals are provided.
After all, can we really trust LA Weight loss ever again?
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124 Comments
Add Your Comment
Created / Updated: January 19, 2012
Hi Everyone out there...
I have run out of weightloss weeks and was wondering if there is anyone out there who was in a similar situation? What can be done? Do you have to buy more weeks or is there a way I can first use up the other weeks i have paid for....
Thanks!
Replyyou would have to purchase more weight loss weeks. save your other weeks for when you get to your goal and need to maintain that weight!
Replythis is all stupid having an argument over this stupid diet!!!
ReplyHi,
ReplyHere's some info for you. I bought into the plan, my husband followed my diet. We used the take-off juice(worked wonderfully) We NEVER once used a bar, or any other product sold by them, as they were not safe to have in the house, as our child has multiple food allergies, one being nuts. We both lost weight at a fierce rate, by just following the diet....there bars that they make you invest in, do not make any difference!
Try it, u don't need the bars!!!!!!!
28 lbs lost in 5 weeks (starting at 200)
Kendra
Hi all,
Replyjust left one of the la weight loss centers in Philadelphia. Yes i am a returning member and had done well previously on the diet. I was so disappointed and turned off by their hard sell. They started off with the plan costing 798 dollars and i kept saying no. His last offer was 325 dollars plus 149 dollars for bars and such. I was so turned off that I politely got up and told them I had to leave and that I felt like I was buying a car. The manager stated he was sorry I felt this way but I have to tell you it helped me make up my mind. I will be joining weight watchers. At least there they dont brow beat you and for the most part they seem genuine about weight loss. Sorry LA WEight loss but u suck!!!!!!!
To Annie
ReplyI'm not going to get into an agrument with you. I have more important things to do. I did tell them. The first thing out of lmy mouth was I can't do the poducts. If I do I will end up in the hospital. They said I didn't have to. It was after I signed the contract that they told me in order to get my rebate back I had to drink two lites a day. That is fraud. No one twisted my arm. I joined in good faith on what they told me. I have joined gyms and other weight loss programs and didn't go and didn't ask for a refund. This is not about the refund. This is about the integrity of the company. They lied more than once. That voids a contract. It's the principle. I don't blame anyone for my being overweight. I grew up in the country and I love to eat. I had actually lost 85 pounds before I even went to LA. I wanted to try something new. Even after I told them that I was allergic to the products, they would call me and try to sell them to me. If they had read my chart they could have saved themselves some time. And as someone on here said we would fat people would get up off our duffs and do something...... Well, I don't sit on my duff. I do volunteer work. I work for hospice, several hospitals, and others. When you think about holding little crack babies in your arms while they shiver and shake or sit with someone for months while they are dying, other things just become so much less important. I want to keep doing this so I want to be healthy. I don't care what you or anyone else thinks about me. I only have to answer to my higher power and myself. I know who I am and I love who I am. I'm older and I have lived a long time, and through a lot of adversity. Even though I think this company wronged me, I have sent them a letter thanking them for changing their poloicy, letting people know up front that they have to buy the products and for refunding my money. Like I said before if anyone thinks they were cheated fight for your rights. Good Luck!
I used to work for LA weight loss, they will cancel your Plan immediatly if a medical need is keeping you from doing the plan ie: You can't eat the bars due to soy content; then a simple doctors note would have canceled your contract. They would not have told you to "drink your lites" La Lites are a matter of personal preference and offered in different forms for a reason, some people prefer drinks or shakes and not food format.
Replyits true i was a client for two years lost 72 lbs and 42 overall inches i went from a tight 16 to my goal size of 6. i never was forced to purchase anything it was always my choice and i did feel that the shakes and bars helped a lot. i was upset the went online i loved the contact with council so i screwed up and boycotted it now i gained 40 back in 3 years but im getting back into it i loved it
ReplyI was client too back in 2004 and this program was AWESOME and no one ever forced me to buy any products either. Although, it WAS very expensive and the LA lite bars were very addicted lol.
ReplyI belonged to the L.A. Center in Ohio and the business went belly up. They took my money and ran. Its been almost 3 years and I still have not heard from them. If they would have told me that I could have continued the program on line I would have done so. I was with them almost a year and was successfull in my weight lost. I invested my time and money I have heard nothing from the L.A Center in PA.
ReplyI too purchased my items in bulk. They took my money and products and then changed their name, filed bankruptcy and split. Which does not make since to me, especially since the products worked. I wanted to start online when I noticed the name change from LA to Pure Weight loss. They set me up with a bogus account that I paid for and took that money as well. Be careful ladies. I am sure that the parnet company knows who they owe money to. You would think to restore good faith they would offer pre-existing clients their supplies at no cost and a discount program. I am afraid to start auto ship for the better price. Because when you pay and they skip town again, then shame on you.
ReplyWell I have just one week (so is my wife) in the LA wight loss program in Costa Rica. We found several interesting things in this: it comes with a full combo with the company products: the juice, the bars... but after give this to you the say their line of healthy food can help but ofer it as an option: the re-education into eating habits, is their main strenght as a diet company. The don't even keep on talking about that line of products, they just keep them where you to can see them, and tell you when a new one has come out to their market. That's it. They don't rely exclusively in the consumption of their product as the main way to catch your goal into weight loss, like other "healthy-powder-shake-meal-substitute" companies out there do...
ReplyOne more thing. For those of you who are trying to get your money back go through the customer service contact email address. That is what I did. I also told the associates in the local office. You can also get their address on the LA site. They are in Horsham, PA. The person who called me about my refund was very nice. She asked me if there was anything they could do to keep me. If it had been a misunderstanding on my part I would have stayed for that reason.
ReplyAnnie,
you may be one of the honest centers out there, and i'm not complaining because i am pretty successful on lawl. good for you for disclosing the cost of lites to your clients before the second visit and it's great that you do not pressure your clients to buy things. i know at the center i go to, i definitely was tricked into thinking that it was only going to cost me around $500. i wish that my consultation was with someone like you!!
some counselors are good and some are money hungry, but if the plan works just stick with it or do it at home on your own once you know how to do it. i just bought the cookbook today and i can't wait to try that! so many new ideas!
ReplyTo Rebecca:
I guess it really depends on the center you go to because the whole company is not that way, our center has integrity and it is too bad that our some centers that give the company as a whole a bad name, because it is really a decent company. I think that the center you went to was in the total wrong. I always make sure the client is eligible for product before I sell it to them. We never even offer clients the La Lites if they are inelgible for them. I would never want to get in a fight, but I do feel like everyone on here is bashing the program when in reality it is just healthy eating and portion control, no mystery there. I do believe in the products, I am inelgible to use the Lites so it can be done with out them. and also your refund is not voided if you are inelgible for the la lites. We have many clients that can't use them that still get there rebate. It is too bad that you had a bad experience.
To KK: I know at my la weight loss if you are out of weight loss weeks and you have not followed the contract, they are $10 a week. We don't allow people to use maintence or stabilization towards weight loss. If you are close to your goal they should carry you till you reach your goal. I know that is what we do as long as the client follows the contract. Ask your counselor they might have specials.
ReplyTo Jenn: the cookbook is probably the best money you can spend there. I have it and use it all the time. there are some great recipes, try the meatball sandwich, spicy chicken wing salad, the baked flounder, I could go on for awhile. I have on client that we always talk about which recipes are the best in the cookbook, and those three are our favorites.
I worked for this company and you and I both know they train you to pressure the client and to make them feel bad about their appearance so that while buy the program. I hope you woke up and no longer work for this company. I worked their three months and am sick when I think back on what this company did to people
ReplyI worked for the company for 5 years, and it was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. Your franchise or region of corporate centers may have been mismanaged, but mine was ethical and caring. I personally used the products while following the program, and it works. I was a counselor, then a manager, then a service/sales trainer. Everyone trained in my franchise knew that the most important # tracked in the center is average lbs. lost. Let me tell you... our clients are SUCCESSFUL, and we are with them every step of the way!
ReplyI as ripped off by LA Weight Loss. The took my $1200.00 and told me if I didn't like the product I could bring it back. They lied and I was stuck with the product. I trusted them and they did not do what they said they would. I should have filed suit to get my money back.
ReplyI was a client at LA weight loss and had a great experience. Not only did I lose 10lbs more than my goal weight, but they basically paid me for my weight loss. My results were so awesome that a lot of people joined after seeing my results. I received $50 for each person who joined and said they joined because of me. I was never asked, nor did I recruit anyone. My weight loss spoke for itsel, and I only told people who asked about how I was loosing weight. Although I was offered supplements on a weekly basis, I never felt pressured. I also let everyone who wanted to join that I lost weight without the supplements. I loved the bars and felt I got to eat dessert twice a day.
ReplyI joined LA weight loss in canada, they closed there door and I was out $1000.00 for prepaid bars,we were told all the books had to be sent to the company and they would send us a refund....Surprise it didn't happen.I got in touch with LA door to door,they say they are not the say people,(well why do you use there name)they told me I could join and they would give me a $10.00 rebate.I've been ripped off once,they will not get me again.Save your money, we should not to pay up front for anything,(pay as you go)
Ollie
ReplyThanks a lot Annie! I'll find out from my center what their policy on this is.
Replyhas anyone tried supplementing Luna or Pria bars for the LA Lites? They are very similar in ingredients.
ReplyMeaghan, an answer to your question, as to are there any other bars that you can purchase from the grocery stores; LUNA BARS. Actually I am a former member of the LA Program - lost 42lbs and have kept it off for 5 yrs, I became good friends with one of the Center's Director and I asked her to please give me a bar that I can purchase that is equivalent to LA lites and she informed me Luna Bars.
Replysouth beach bars are also great, if you read the ingredients, they're almost identical
ReplyI was on the South Beach bars to save money from the LA bars and my sis was on the Lunas. (They BOTH were identical on the content w/ the LA bars). Both of us were at a standstill and my center I was working with informed me it was because both of those bars didn't have the "specially formulated ingredients" to work together w/ the food plan like the LA Bars do... Any truth to this or just bologna to get me to purchase???
Thanks!
ReplyKK:
Replyanswer to your question, being a member for 5 yrs - on my first initial plan, I used up my weight loss weeks also, but was advised that I could cut into my maintenance weeks. And was given the option if I wanted more maintenance weeks, I could purchase same.
Mary-
ReplyThank you so much for the info regarding the Luna Bars. I have lost 20 lbs since December 2006 and I find the diet fairly easy to follow, I just have a hard time paying 16.00 per box for the LA Lites. Keep up all the good work everybody! (swimsuit season is just around the corner!)
I don't do bars. I lost 120 lbs on the program. I have gained about 25 back so i did take-off the last 2 days and have lost 6 lbs. very proud of myself. if you stick to the program it does come off. I have bought 2 luna bars for my next take-off in 2 weeks. don't have any take-off juice so a counsellor friend of mine told me to use ocean-spray diet blueberry juice instead. do the same 1/2 juice 1/2 water x4 a day. 6 oz protein and unlimited green veggies. it worked for me. hope this helps someone. looking forward to another round of lossing weight.
Replymaria
Congrats on your accomplishment. That's what my goal is. I've just finished my first week and down 9 lbs. Very proud of myself. Bought the cookbook and love the recipes. Love the idea of the diet blueberry juice. Spending $22 a pop for the juice is torky!! I am not doing any products. I want real food, but have heard that Luna bars are the virtually identical, plus loads cheaper. Looking forward to my goal. Good luck on your continued success!
ReplyHow often do you eat the Luna bars? Juice 4X/day. How often the 6 oz. protein and green veggies?
ReplyAnnie: thank you for the tip! i'm going to try the chicken avocado pita tonite though, i am craving avocado ever since i saw it in the recipe book!
ReplyMy coworkers are on the plan as well as me and they use Luna Bars and Kashi Bars once a day and an La Lite bar for the other one. Costco has a good deal on Kashi and Luna Bars.
ReplyI,ve been on La Weight loss for 7 weeks and lost 11lbs. I did this over the christmas period aswell, so I'm sure it could have been more. Yes it seems expensive when you have to pay up front but if you work it out over the entire period (in my case that will be 18months. That works out to be approx $12 Australian per week. I buy the bars because i like them and I buy them per box. I can fit into my old clothes and feel great about myself. At the end of the day that's what matters to me. Like any diet you will loose weight and if you go back to you're old eating habits that made you fat in the first place, well I say no more. Q. Work out how much it costs to buy someone elses pre made food? probably just as expensive.
ReplyHi, this message is for Allison who works at LAWL.
Allison, I just recently interviewed for a position with LAWL as an assistant manager and I was wondering if I could get your opinion on how it is to work for LAWL. Do you enjoy it, how is the environment, would you encourage someone to work there, how is the compensation? I was quoted an estimate but not given any details. This is a concern because I have to make so much to live. If you could offer any advice I would appreciate it. Thank You.
ReplyCharlei,
i think ever center is different. I am fortuante enough to work at a center where my general manager is awesome and so is my assistant and all the other girls that work there. I am just a counselor so my compensation is a little different. When we make goal we make 5% comission and when we don't we only get 3%. The base pay is low but i believe it is different everywhere. My friend is an assistant manager and she makes a percentage off of what the center makes, i am not sure how much it is. but i know every center is different. but she makes good money as an assistant manager.
on commission it really depends on how much your center averages and how much you sell including programs and floor dollar. at my center we are not all about sales we are customer service first so depending on where you applied it could be different. Good luck and I hope I answered some of your questions.
ReplyI became a member with you in plantation florida.I was very happy I lost my weight.I paid 200 dollars I have the booklet
Replyyou provided me,than you went out of bussiness,I was lost
without your support.I would like at least to order the bars from you so I can follow this diet the correct way.
please be in touch with me,perhaps I can do this on line.
Aviva.