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LA Weight Loss program
DefinitionThe LA Weight Loss program is a diet plan based
around weight loss centers. The centers offer counsel-
ing, personalized weight loss planning, and exercise
guidelines.
OriginsThe LA Weight Loss Centers company was
founded by Vahan Karian in 1989. It was founded as
a privately held company and remains so today. The
company grew very quickly; in 1994 there were 18 LA
Weight Loss Centers and by 2006 there were more
than 800. It claims to be one of the fastest growing
weight management companies in the world. The com-
pany is headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania.
DescriptionLA Weight Loss Centers can be found throughout
the United States, with locations in every state except
Alaska. They also have centers in Canada, Australia,
Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica. These centers are the
basis for the LA Weight Loss program. The centers
provide personal one-on-one counseling and work
with dieters to develop personalized meal plans and
customized exercise guidelines. Counselors at the cen-
ters also provide emotional and motivational support.
The LA Weight Loss program involves helping
dieters learn to use regular foods, available at their
normal supermarket, to create healthy meals. Dieters
have the option of purchasing special LA Weight Loss
foods, but the company says this is not a necessary
part of the program. Counselors at the LA Weight
Loss Centers teach dieters about nutrition and how
to eat a balanced diet. Dieters are also taught how to
eat healthy nutritious foods, even when eating at their
favorite restaurants. Counselors also help to develop
an exercise program for each individual dieter.
The first step to the LA Weight Loss plan is an
individual meeting with one of the counselors at an
LA Weight Loss Center. In that meeting dieters
determine their current health status and their weight
loss goals. Together with a counselor, they also then
build a plan for attaining those goals. After the initial
meeting, dieters can call anytime they need encour-
agement or want to setup another meeting to review
their progress.
In addition to the weight loss centers, the com-
pany offers an online version of their weight loss plan
called ‘‘LA at Home.’’ The online version is based on
the same principles as the center-based plan. Dieters
can receive online counseling that will design a person-
alized weight loss plan and provide ongoing support.
Online tools are available to help with meal planning,
choosing restaurants, ordering foods, and also allow
dieters to track their progress. Dieters who join the
online program can also submit their favorite recipes
to the ‘‘LA Chef’’ and receive instructions on how to
create a healthier version of their favorite foods.
Through the website, dieters can also purchase LA
Weight Loss food products.
One of the hallmarks of the LA Weight Loss Pro-
gram has been celebrity endorsements. In television
and print commercials, as well as through their website
and other promotional materials, celebrities have
partnered with the company and promoted its mes-
sage. The list of celebrities to do this includes actress
Whoopi Goldberg, actor Steve Harvey, Philadelphia
Eagles Coach Andy Reid, Chicago Bears Coach Mike
Ditka, as well as former NFL greats Ron Jaworski,
Jim Kelly, Joe Greene, Ed Jones, and Dan Dierdorf.
Separate from their regular weight loss plan, LA
Weight Loss Centers offer ‘‘The Man Plan.’’ Unlike
most diet plans, which tend to cater to women, this
plan is aimed at men. Marketing materials for the plan