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It’s true for both men and women that weight loss happens in a caloric deficit, whether it’s through nutrition or exercise. Research has shown that basic weight loss strategies don’t differ that much between men and women (1), but there are other important factors to consider when choosing the best weight loss programs for women. When it comes...
The post The 6 Best Weight Loss Programs for Women of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
It’s true for both men and women that weight loss happens in a caloric deficit, whether it’s through nutrition or exercise. Research has shown that basic weight loss strategies don’t differ that much between men and women (1), but there are other important factors to consider when choosing the best weight loss programs for women.
When it comes to weight loss, studies have shown that gender can play a role in how weight loss interacts with psychology, personal training, community support, and long-term wellness. For example, one recent study that analyzed weight gain in more than 13,800 adults found that women in the U.S. “gained about twice the absolute weight as men over the previous 10 years.” (2) The good news is that there are several weight loss programs for women that work to change mindsets in addition to waistlines. We’ve shared some of our favorites below.
Best Weight Loss Programs for Women of 2023
How We Tested the Best Weight Loss Programs
Our list consists of both fitness and nutrition programs for weight loss, and we at BarBend drew upon our diverse range of team members when downloading the apps and analyzing the programs. Our testers included not only certified personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts, but also non-athletes and casual exercisers interested in exploring their nutrition habits.
No matter their background, our testers fully committed to the process and adhered to a multi-point testing methodology that takes into account a program’s ease of use, reliability, tech compatibility, and customer service, among other factors. We also scoured customer reviews in search of recurring themes and concerns. Our picks were informed by all of these differing perspectives in order to bring you the most comprehensive selection of weight loss programs for women.
Best Weight Loss Program for Women Overall: Noom
Noom
Noom
Noom combines psychology and behavioral science with traditional weight loss features like meal and activity tracking, personal coaches, and online communities to help customers adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Shop Noom
Specs
Pros
Cons
Noom understands that losing weight is as much a mental journey as a physical one, which is why it emphasizes psychology and coaching over food restrictions and fitness regimens. Their focus is a smart one, as research has shown that psychological and emotional support may be an important factor for both women and men when it comes to keeping weight off long term. (3)
You’ll still track your meals and exercise using Noom’s app, but the goal isn’t to shame you into changing your habits. Instead, by engaging with how the app categorizes food (more on that below), you’ll hopefully begin to recognize habits in your consumption that may be holding you back. Also, Noom provides each user a health coach who checks in twice a week. Our tester said the coaches quickly responded to their queries, adding that they felt comfortable asking “literally any question” related to the program.
“It cares about your goals and weight loss, but more about why you eat what you do,” said our tester, who found Noom refreshing and “very different” from other weight loss programs they’d tried.
Youget started on Noom’s easy-to-use app by answering questions both practical (goals, fitness level, daily activity) and psychological (stress levels, body image struggles). You then receive a customized weight-loss timeline and suggested calorie range that factors in your physical activity. Noom has no hard rules about what you can or can’t eat while on the program, but the app’s color system alerts you to both healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns, including the way you see yourself in relation to food.
The latter point is especially important in light of Noom’s psychological emphasis. Science indicates women with better body image are more likely to lose weight than those with a negative body image. (4) By addressing these psychological anxieties, Noom hopes to improve both the physical and mental health of the user.
The tracking works like this: Green foods (think veggies, whole grains, canned tuna), are the least calorie-dense; yellow foods (think various meats, beans, avocados) are moderately calorie-dense; and orange foods (think red meats, desserts) are the most calorie-dense. Our tester found value in this format, as they began naturally reaching for more “green” foods as they settled into the program. It’s small changes like these that can lead to long-term results and sustained weight loss even after you’ve ended your Noom subscription.
Keep in mind that Noom requires time and commitment. If you’re sticking to the plan, you can lose roughly one to two pounds a week. Incremental change is good, though. Studies have shown that “the most successful diets involve slow and steady changes.” (5) That’s because it takes time for both the mind and the body to adjust to the kinds of habits that will help you keep weight off for the long haul.
Read our full Noom Weight Loss App Review.
Best Training Weight Loss Program for Women: Future
Future Online Personal Training
Future Online Personal Training
Future offers online personal training in every facet of fitness. Every client gets a certified fitness professional who will prescribe training programs, follow up daily to assess progress, make program adjustments as needed, and offer accountability.
Shop Future
Specs
Pros
Cons
If you’re feeling confident about your diet but lost when it comes to an exercise regimen, give Future a shot. Future is an app that connects you with a personal trainer who can develop and guide you through fitness plans for your individual goals and needs. You can work out whenever your schedule allows and your coach is only a DM or video call away.
The process begins with a brief questionnaire that ascertains your current fitness level, what you hope to take away from the experience, and the obstacles you feel are keeping you from your goals. You’ll then let Future know what you’re looking for in a coach — tough love, sense of humor, and positivity are a few options — and if you’d rather work with a female or male coach. We appreciate the choice, as some women may prefer to work with a female coach who, as one study noted, “would be better suited to understand their struggles and comfort levels.” (6)
Three different BarBend testers tried Future’s training and each was pleased with their overall experience. We liked the varied backgrounds of the coaches and their willingness to develop workouts based on the fitness gear (or lack thereof) you have at home. One of our testers noted the impersonal nature of exercising without a trainer present, but Future does allow you to automatically send video of your movements to your coach for feedback. In fact, all of our testers said that connecting with their coach via the app was never an issue.
Our testers also praised the program’s flexibility. Since the workouts are pre-recorded, you can more easily balance them with work, motherhood, and your social calendar. If you’re putting it off too long, however, expect a note from your coach. Accountability is part of the deal.
That accountability is key to sticking to a routine, which itself is key to staying fit and keeping off the weight indefinitely. Our testers agreed that Future is most helpful for those who need that extra nudge or the structure that comes with someone mapping out your workouts. The good news is that commitment to the program will help teach you what exercises you enjoy, which ones you don’t, and how to incorporate them into your life long after you’ve ended your Future subscription.
Best Community Weight Loss Program for Women: WeightWatchers
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers uses a science-based points system to help users track more than just calorie intake so they can lose weight and develop better long-term habits. Plans start at just $10 a month.
Shop Weight Watchers
Specs
Pros
Cons
No one said losing weight has to be lonely. In fact, studies have shown that online and in-person community support can be an integral part of the weight loss process. (7) (8) You can find both via WeightWatchers, the Oprah-approved program that utilizes a science-based points system to impact your approach to food and nutrition.
WeightWatchers starts with a brief quiz that determines your metabolism, goals, and favorite cuisines, among other factors. Using that data, WeightWatchers customizes a food plan and weight loss timeline that suits your needs and fitness level. As you familiarize yourself with the plan, you’ll notice individual foods are assigned point values that factors in the calories, fiber, fats, protein, and added sugars they contain.
There are no restrictions on what you can or can’t eat, but as you log your meals and they impact your Points Budget for the day, you’ll begin to see what foods are enriching your diet and which ones aren’t. If you run out of points, you’re directed to what Weight Watchers deems ZeroPoint foods, which are exactly what they sound like. Fear not, though — there are more than 200 ZeroPoint options on the board, from fruit and fat-free yogurt to chicken, lentils, and popcorn.
Since the changes in your eating habits (and the tracking process itself) can make for a tough adjustment, WeightWatchers offers numerous ways to find others on the same journey who can provide motivation, accountability, and recognition of your successes.
Our own tester was impressed by the “huge community” you can find via Connect, a social network accessible via the WeightWatchers app. There, you can see what’s trending, follow individual users, and join groups. One 2011 study declared that “the internet weight loss community plays a prominent role in participants’ weight loss efforts.” (7)
If personal connection is a stronger motivator for you, WeightWatchers also provides coach-led meetings online and in person. Several customer reviews cite the meetings as a key component in their weight loss.
“With other people around I tend to be much better sticking to the points system and not overeating or binging,” reads one five-star customer review. Also, a clinical trial conducted in 2022 found that attending meetings resulted in increased weight loss for many WeightWatchers participants across a 12-month period. (8)
It’s worth noting, however, that access to the program’s coach-led meetings requires a premium membership, which begins at $19 a month. WeightWatchers Connect, on the other hand, is available with a basic membership, which begins at $10 a month.
Best Meal Delivery Weight Loss Program for Women: Home Chef
$30 Off First Order
Home Chef Meal Delivery
Home Chef Meal Delivery
A nationwide meal kit service with bold flavors, a diverse menu, and easy-to-follow recipes. Meals are also sortable by dietary restrictions and preferences.
Click Here for $30 Off
Click Here for $30 Off
Specs
Pros
Cons
Multiple studies have shown that women are more predisposed to emotional or stress eating than men, which is why a...
Click here to view the article.
The post The 6 Best Weight Loss Programs for Women of 2023 appeared first on BarBend.
It’s true for both men and women that weight loss happens in a caloric deficit, whether it’s through nutrition or exercise. Research has shown that basic weight loss strategies don’t differ that much between men and women (1), but there are other important factors to consider when choosing the best weight loss programs for women.
When it comes to weight loss, studies have shown that gender can play a role in how weight loss interacts with psychology, personal training, community support, and long-term wellness. For example, one recent study that analyzed weight gain in more than 13,800 adults found that women in the U.S. “gained about twice the absolute weight as men over the previous 10 years.” (2) The good news is that there are several weight loss programs for women that work to change mindsets in addition to waistlines. We’ve shared some of our favorites below.
Best Weight Loss Programs for Women of 2023
- Best Weight Loss Program for Women Overall: Noom
- Best Training Weight Loss Program: Future
- Best Community Weight Loss Program for Women: WeightWatchers
- Best Meal Delivery Weight Loss Program for Women: Home Chef
- Best Cardio Weight Loss Program for Women: iFit
- Best Weight Loss Program for Women Long Term: Noom
How We Tested the Best Weight Loss Programs
Our list consists of both fitness and nutrition programs for weight loss, and we at BarBend drew upon our diverse range of team members when downloading the apps and analyzing the programs. Our testers included not only certified personal trainers and fitness enthusiasts, but also non-athletes and casual exercisers interested in exploring their nutrition habits.
No matter their background, our testers fully committed to the process and adhered to a multi-point testing methodology that takes into account a program’s ease of use, reliability, tech compatibility, and customer service, among other factors. We also scoured customer reviews in search of recurring themes and concerns. Our picks were informed by all of these differing perspectives in order to bring you the most comprehensive selection of weight loss programs for women.
Best Weight Loss Program for Women Overall: Noom
Noom
Noom
Noom combines psychology and behavioral science with traditional weight loss features like meal and activity tracking, personal coaches, and online communities to help customers adopt a healthier lifestyle.
Shop Noom
Specs
- Price: Starts at $70 a month
- Focus: Nutrition
- Meal Delivery: No
- Tech: Compatible with iOS and Android devices, as well as many smartwatches and fitness trackers
Pros
- The program’s psychology-based weight loss approach works to cultivate better habits.
- It provides a personalized weight loss timeline and suggested daily calorie range for each user.
- No food restrictions.
- Users are assigned a health coach who checks in twice a week.
Cons
- The psychological approach might not suit those who want more structure.
- The tracking process can be taxing over time.
Noom understands that losing weight is as much a mental journey as a physical one, which is why it emphasizes psychology and coaching over food restrictions and fitness regimens. Their focus is a smart one, as research has shown that psychological and emotional support may be an important factor for both women and men when it comes to keeping weight off long term. (3)
You’ll still track your meals and exercise using Noom’s app, but the goal isn’t to shame you into changing your habits. Instead, by engaging with how the app categorizes food (more on that below), you’ll hopefully begin to recognize habits in your consumption that may be holding you back. Also, Noom provides each user a health coach who checks in twice a week. Our tester said the coaches quickly responded to their queries, adding that they felt comfortable asking “literally any question” related to the program.
“It cares about your goals and weight loss, but more about why you eat what you do,” said our tester, who found Noom refreshing and “very different” from other weight loss programs they’d tried.
Youget started on Noom’s easy-to-use app by answering questions both practical (goals, fitness level, daily activity) and psychological (stress levels, body image struggles). You then receive a customized weight-loss timeline and suggested calorie range that factors in your physical activity. Noom has no hard rules about what you can or can’t eat while on the program, but the app’s color system alerts you to both healthy and unhealthy dietary patterns, including the way you see yourself in relation to food.
The latter point is especially important in light of Noom’s psychological emphasis. Science indicates women with better body image are more likely to lose weight than those with a negative body image. (4) By addressing these psychological anxieties, Noom hopes to improve both the physical and mental health of the user.
The tracking works like this: Green foods (think veggies, whole grains, canned tuna), are the least calorie-dense; yellow foods (think various meats, beans, avocados) are moderately calorie-dense; and orange foods (think red meats, desserts) are the most calorie-dense. Our tester found value in this format, as they began naturally reaching for more “green” foods as they settled into the program. It’s small changes like these that can lead to long-term results and sustained weight loss even after you’ve ended your Noom subscription.
Keep in mind that Noom requires time and commitment. If you’re sticking to the plan, you can lose roughly one to two pounds a week. Incremental change is good, though. Studies have shown that “the most successful diets involve slow and steady changes.” (5) That’s because it takes time for both the mind and the body to adjust to the kinds of habits that will help you keep weight off for the long haul.
Read our full Noom Weight Loss App Review.
Best Training Weight Loss Program for Women: Future
Future Online Personal Training
Future Online Personal Training
Future offers online personal training in every facet of fitness. Every client gets a certified fitness professional who will prescribe training programs, follow up daily to assess progress, make program adjustments as needed, and offer accountability.
Shop Future
Specs
- Price: Starts at $149 a month
- Focus: Fitness
- Meal Delivery: No
- Tech: Compatible with iOS and Android devices, as well as many smartwatches and fitness trackers
Pros
- Virtual personal fitness trainer app tailors workout plans to your needs and fitness level.
- Choose whether you want to work with a female or male coach.
- Coaches have a diverse array of backgrounds.
- Plans can be catered to the exercise equipment you have at home.
- Easily connect with coaches via intuitive, easy-to-use app.
Cons
- Plans begin at $149 a month, which is cheaper than a personal trainer but still pricey.
- You’ll need a smartwatch to take full advantage of Future’s training.
- No nutrition component.
If you’re feeling confident about your diet but lost when it comes to an exercise regimen, give Future a shot. Future is an app that connects you with a personal trainer who can develop and guide you through fitness plans for your individual goals and needs. You can work out whenever your schedule allows and your coach is only a DM or video call away.
The process begins with a brief questionnaire that ascertains your current fitness level, what you hope to take away from the experience, and the obstacles you feel are keeping you from your goals. You’ll then let Future know what you’re looking for in a coach — tough love, sense of humor, and positivity are a few options — and if you’d rather work with a female or male coach. We appreciate the choice, as some women may prefer to work with a female coach who, as one study noted, “would be better suited to understand their struggles and comfort levels.” (6)
Three different BarBend testers tried Future’s training and each was pleased with their overall experience. We liked the varied backgrounds of the coaches and their willingness to develop workouts based on the fitness gear (or lack thereof) you have at home. One of our testers noted the impersonal nature of exercising without a trainer present, but Future does allow you to automatically send video of your movements to your coach for feedback. In fact, all of our testers said that connecting with their coach via the app was never an issue.
Our testers also praised the program’s flexibility. Since the workouts are pre-recorded, you can more easily balance them with work, motherhood, and your social calendar. If you’re putting it off too long, however, expect a note from your coach. Accountability is part of the deal.
That accountability is key to sticking to a routine, which itself is key to staying fit and keeping off the weight indefinitely. Our testers agreed that Future is most helpful for those who need that extra nudge or the structure that comes with someone mapping out your workouts. The good news is that commitment to the program will help teach you what exercises you enjoy, which ones you don’t, and how to incorporate them into your life long after you’ve ended your Future subscription.
Best Community Weight Loss Program for Women: WeightWatchers
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers
Weight Watchers uses a science-based points system to help users track more than just calorie intake so they can lose weight and develop better long-term habits. Plans start at just $10 a month.
Shop Weight Watchers
Specs
- Price: Starts at $10 a month
- Focus: Nutrition
- Meal Delivery: Yes
- Tech: App is compatible with iOS and Android devices, as well as many smartwatches and fitness trackers
Pros
- Online and in-person support groups provide motivation and accountability.
- Access the Connect social network via the app for inspiration and community.
- Science-based points system tracks more than just calories.
- There are food restrictions.
- Library of more than 11,000 healthy recipes available via the app.
Cons
- Lack of structure and restrictions may not suit some users.
- Tracking meals and activity can be laborious.
No one said losing weight has to be lonely. In fact, studies have shown that online and in-person community support can be an integral part of the weight loss process. (7) (8) You can find both via WeightWatchers, the Oprah-approved program that utilizes a science-based points system to impact your approach to food and nutrition.
WeightWatchers starts with a brief quiz that determines your metabolism, goals, and favorite cuisines, among other factors. Using that data, WeightWatchers customizes a food plan and weight loss timeline that suits your needs and fitness level. As you familiarize yourself with the plan, you’ll notice individual foods are assigned point values that factors in the calories, fiber, fats, protein, and added sugars they contain.
There are no restrictions on what you can or can’t eat, but as you log your meals and they impact your Points Budget for the day, you’ll begin to see what foods are enriching your diet and which ones aren’t. If you run out of points, you’re directed to what Weight Watchers deems ZeroPoint foods, which are exactly what they sound like. Fear not, though — there are more than 200 ZeroPoint options on the board, from fruit and fat-free yogurt to chicken, lentils, and popcorn.
Since the changes in your eating habits (and the tracking process itself) can make for a tough adjustment, WeightWatchers offers numerous ways to find others on the same journey who can provide motivation, accountability, and recognition of your successes.
Our own tester was impressed by the “huge community” you can find via Connect, a social network accessible via the WeightWatchers app. There, you can see what’s trending, follow individual users, and join groups. One 2011 study declared that “the internet weight loss community plays a prominent role in participants’ weight loss efforts.” (7)
If personal connection is a stronger motivator for you, WeightWatchers also provides coach-led meetings online and in person. Several customer reviews cite the meetings as a key component in their weight loss.
“With other people around I tend to be much better sticking to the points system and not overeating or binging,” reads one five-star customer review. Also, a clinical trial conducted in 2022 found that attending meetings resulted in increased weight loss for many WeightWatchers participants across a 12-month period. (8)
It’s worth noting, however, that access to the program’s coach-led meetings requires a premium membership, which begins at $19 a month. WeightWatchers Connect, on the other hand, is available with a basic membership, which begins at $10 a month.
Best Meal Delivery Weight Loss Program for Women: Home Chef
$30 Off First Order
Home Chef Meal Delivery
Home Chef Meal Delivery
A nationwide meal kit service with bold flavors, a diverse menu, and easy-to-follow recipes. Meals are also sortable by dietary restrictions and preferences.
Click Here for $30 Off
Click Here for $30 Off
Specs
- Price: Standard meals start at $9.99 per serving, though there are often sales for new members
- Focus: Nutrition
- Meal Delivery: Yes
- Tech: App is compatible with iOS and Android devices
Pros
- Home Chef delivers pre-portioned meals that are calorie- and carb-conscious.
- Time-starved dieters can choose between meals that take between 10 and 50 minutes to cook.
- Meal kits come with recipe cards so you can make the recipe again at a later date.
- Plans cater to vegetarians and those with allergies and other dietary restrictions.
Cons
- We wish nutrition information was included on the recipe cards in addition to the website.
- We had a few instances of the wrong meal kits and proteins being delivered.
Multiple studies have shown that women are more predisposed to emotional or stress eating than men, which is why a...
Click here to view the article.
