Free Online Weight Loss Programs

There are several free online weight loss programs.

Image Credit: eternalcreative/iStock/GettyImages With all the diet books and programs vying for your attention and money, wouldn’t it be nice if there was reliable information that could truly help you slim down, for free? You are in luck because there are free weight loss plans on the web.

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 Finding them can sometimes be a little tricky because "free" online weight loss programs can be marketing ploys to get you in the door. But some meal tracker programs actually are worth your time and won't cost you a dime. Before beginning any exercise or weight-loss program, consult with your physician.

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  Read more: How to Lose Weight Fast — the Healthy Way

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1. LIVESTRONG.com MyPlate

MyPlate is a comprehensive program that helps people of all levels improve their health and fitness and reduce body fat. From the complete beginner who has never followed nutrition advice to the athlete who just wants to make a few minor tweaks, MyPlate offers exercise videos, meal plans, community support and a mobile app.

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 MyPlate is very detailed and offers one-click meal tracking and progress graphs, plus 30-minute exercise videos you can do at home. Registering does not require entering a credit card.

2. ChooseMyPlate

ChooseMyPlate is the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s program to improve the nutrition and well-being of Americans. This noncommercial site covers an array of healthful information that can allow you to achieve your weight-loss goals.

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 This free weight loss management program has easy-to-understand sections on weight management, empty calories, fats and protein, physical activity and even fun quizzes.

3. FitClick

FitClick offers free weight-loss programs, diet plans and workout routines. The site includes a plethora of information, including food journals, a calories-burned calculator and workout trackers.

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 You can create and share diets and workouts or participate in the community, which includes message boards, teams, blogs and challenges. The site also offers pages of weight-loss tips, weight-loss program reviews and recipes.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Fat Loss

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4. The Lose Weight Diet

The Lose Weight Diet program was created by a self-professed “regular guy” who wanted to give the most practical, commonsense information about weight loss to the public for free. It uses a three-phase approach that begins with education about food energy and calorie balance in the body.

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 Next, goal setting is explained, along with calorie reduction strategies that help you create your own reduced-calorie eating plan. The third phase gives you guidance on maintaining your weight once you have reached your goal.

Avoid Fad Diets

While a free weight loss plan can be very helpful, it’s important to avoid fad diets, as explained by the Mayo Clinic. These diets often brag of rapid weight loss, which often can’t be sustained.

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 For safe weight loss, shed pounds gradually. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends weight loss of 1 to 2 pounds per week through long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

Upping your physical activity can also increase weight loss. According to the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, healthy adults should get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity each week to maintain weight. You might need more than this to lose weight, however.

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  references & resources
  
      LIVESTRONG.com: "MyPlate Calorie Counter"
    
      ChooseMyPlate.gov: "What Is MyPlate?"
    
      FitClick.com: "Calorie Counter, Diet Plans & Weight Loss Programs"
    
      TheLoseWeightDiet.com: "Welcome to the Official Home of The Lose Weight Diet!"
    
      Department of Health & Human Services: "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Fad Diets: They Come and Go"
    
      Weight-control Information Network: Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-loss Program
    
      Live Fit Podcast - Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Weight Loss Podcasts
       




  references & resources
  
      LIVESTRONG.com: "MyPlate Calorie Counter"
    
      ChooseMyPlate.gov: "What Is MyPlate?"
    
      FitClick.com: "Calorie Counter, Diet Plans & Weight Loss Programs"
    
      TheLoseWeightDiet.com: "Welcome to the Official Home of The Lose Weight Diet!"
    
      Department of Health & Human Services: "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Fad Diets: They Come and Go"
    
      Weight-control Information Network: Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-loss Program
    
      Live Fit Podcast - Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Weight Loss Podcasts
    




There are several free online weight loss programs.

Image Credit: eternalcreative/iStock/GettyImages

      LIVESTRONG.com: "MyPlate Calorie Counter"
    
      ChooseMyPlate.gov: "What Is MyPlate?"
    
      FitClick.com: "Calorie Counter, Diet Plans & Weight Loss Programs"
    
      TheLoseWeightDiet.com: "Welcome to the Official Home of The Lose Weight Diet!"
    
      Department of Health & Human Services: "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd edition"
    
      Mayo Clinic: "Fad Diets: They Come and Go"
    
      Weight-control Information Network: Choosing a Safe and Successful Weight-loss Program
    
      Live Fit Podcast - Health, Fitness, Nutrition, Weight Loss Podcasts