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LA Weightloss Centers just give them your money and not use their plan. It's not like you're going to lose weight with them anyway. Colorado Springs Colorado
I payed almost 400$ for LA Weight Loss Centers. I was confused at this, because from the TV comercials I was under the impression that you could pay 7$ a week. I joined because I don't want to grow older and be overweight.
The ladies were all so nice.... At first. When I payed them my money, I was under the impression that the LA Lites were included, after all; I had just payed $400. Alas the LA Lites were not. I almost crapped my pants when they had the audasity to urge me to buy some "Nutra-Grain Bars" 2 boxes at 14$ EACH.
When I read the contract I was disheartened to realize that if you do not consume the $14 per box LA Lites you will not get your money back, because "you were'nt following the program correctly, and I guess that's not their fault. Throughout the diet that they claim "You're never hungry on," I have been absolutely miserable. Not only has my weight been creeping off at an amazingly slow pace, I'm also cranky and HUNGRY.
When I go to weigh in, the ladies are usually quite rude to me once they find out that I opted not to purchase the LA Lites. ALL IN ALL I have to say that LA Weight Loss Centers Diet does not work, and it absolutely sucks to be on. Now I'm hungry, broke and still chubby. Thank You LA Weight loss Centers. I Love to be screwed out of money.
Danielle
Colorado Springs, Colorado
U.S.A.
26 Updates & Rebuttals
Liz
Lavergne,Tennessee,
United States of America
charged me for product and moved
#27General Comment
Mon, January 10, 2011
I went into LA weight loss and signed a contract for 2 years and bought the la lite bars that is how many they told me I needed. I lost 40 pounds and I stopped for a while. When I went back to the place I originally went to had moved from Nashville TN. to Murfreesboro TN. I went there one time to get my la lite bars. When I went back to get more they had moved went out of business. They still owe me for 104 boxes of la lite bars. They didn"t leave a contact number or anything they just left. I called LA Weight Loss center the main headquarters and they told me they was adding my name to a class action lawsuit but it has been 3years now. I haven't heard anything or never got any of my money back. I paid 16.00 a box for them which is $1,664.00.Thats not counting all the visits they owed me. They got me for $3,500.00. I applied for a credit card through them andthey went to work on it.I did get the credit card company paid off but it sure would be nice if I could get my money back at least for the la lite bars. What a ripoff. Cant anybody do anything about that or what. They have still got places in business. Still lying and ripping people off. Elizabeth Lavergne Tennessee U.S.A.
J
Arvada,Colorado,
U.S.A.
LA Weightloss... Expensive, Works, But Ethical?
#27Consumer Comment
Sun, March 01, 2009
I did the LA Weightloss program in 2006/2007 and did have success on the eating plan, I lost 75 pounds in less than a year. However, I did not participate in their "guarantee" program which included coming in 3x a week and purchasing certain quantities of the bars. I did use the bars for several months on the plan, but the "refund" of half of your program cost they talked about, if you had math skills, did not end up to be any kind of savings in the long run because on the maintenance you were still required to purchase so many of the bars and products. They try to confuse you into thinking the program cost includes what you are going to pay for bars, not true. So you ended up paying more than you were supposedly "saving" by doing the guarantee. They hope nobody catches onto that, the saleswoman I had seemed stunned that I figured that out. It was similar to telling a car salesman you know they dont pay the invoice price for a car lol. I got the deer caught in headlights look and I knew she didnt want me talking about that too loudly!
The program really only worked for me because it gave me some sort of accountability with the weighing in front of someone. I went once a week or every couple weeks since I wasnt doing the guarantee. I paid $14/box for bars for a few months...bought a couple snacks here and there. But the staff are not trained nutritionists or any kind of health professionals, in fact, when I asked about how to record wheat germ that I ate on my cereal, the girl had to call "corporate" (or probably the franchise owner at home) for her to look it up online to see what it was...I knew then I was dealing with someone who probably used to sell shoes.
I also did get the sense that I wasnt very liked at my center because I didnt buy into the high pressure sales pitches and silly "guarantee". I didnt quite rate like the other clients who followed along like good sheep. It worked for me, but on my own terms. They talked about using me as a "before and after" example but I thought, really I'm not a good client for that since I was doing it on my own terms and not following theirs as much. Like with everything, it comes back to being an informed consumer and if you arent, at least take someone with you who can do simple math.
C
Tuscaloosa,Alabama,
U.S.A.
LA Weight Loss vs. Weight Watchers
#27Consumer Comment
Sat, March 31, 2007
What LAWL does not tell you in their ads is that if you have ever had any medical problems like kidney stones, you cannot eat their lites. You have to go on a different program. Weight Watchers can work with you in most any medical circumstance.
Juliet
Birmingham,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Consumer Reports Rates Weight Watchers As "A Real Diet Winner"
#27Consumer Comment
Thu, January 04, 2007
It's funny, I was reading an ad today for Consumer Reports, and thought of this very post.
According to Consumer Reports, Weight Watchers has the highest long-term adherence rate, and didn't restrict any food groups. It is referred to as a "real diet winner".
I have to agree. Nothing special to buy, no pushing of products (not in my experiences), just a great group to relate to, and eat real food while losing weight.
Congratulations, Tom, on your 75 pounds lost!! That's fantastic, and so rewarding! No, it doesn't really matter how you get it off, provided it's SAFE - what matters is getting it off!
Oh yes!! With Ripoff Reports on the computer, and Consumer Reports in hand or onscreen - the world's a lot safer for the consumer, thanks to both of these great, CONSUMER-DRIVEN organizations!!
Remember, this site does accept donations! And nope, they didn't pay me to say that, lololol (or ask either!).
Tom
Park,Florida,
U.S.A.
LA Weight Loss Gets a Bad Rap
#27Consumer Comment
Tue, January 02, 2007
I've been on the LA Weigth Loss program since March 2006. I've lost 75 pounds. I do not use the LA Lites (due to food allergies), but it still works fine. I actually cheat quite often, but what's great is you just get back on track and your weight loss follows suit.
Now, was it expensive? Well, perhaps. It was more expensive than I was expecting, but the system works (if you follow their direction) and you get what you pay for. That's all there is to it. I can't say for sure, but I bet most of those here complaining about LA Weight Loss have been unable to follow the diet and are looking for a scape goat for their lack of success.
LA Weight loss is a healthy way to lose weight. Portion control, cut out the bad foods, maybe exercise a little (not required). It's not rocket science. My counselors have been great to me, extremely helpful, eben though I do not buy the LA Lites. They're extremely patient with me too, as I tend to stray every now and then. But my overall weight loss of 75 pounds has been great. I have a few more pounds to lose, and then it's onto Maintenance.
LA Weight Loss works if you're willing to give it a fair chance.
Juliet
Birmingham,Alabama,
U.S.A.
Diet Pills???
#27Consumer Comment
Sat, December 02, 2006
Happy from Cincinnati writes:
As for the cost, I was a member of weightwatchers prior to working for LA Weightloss, and I must say that my scale at home was much cheaper than the $13.00 a week I spent to weigh-in at Weight Watchers, (oh & have a person fatter than me lecture me about carbs and me to only lose a total of 9 pounds in a year). Lets see 9 pounds,@ 13.00 x 52 weeks= 676.00= I paid $75.00 per pound.
Sounds to me like you weren't working the Weight Watchers program. Those are words that I'm sure sound familiar to you, only you substitute LA Weight Loss with your clients.
If LA Weight Loss is selling diet pills - isn't that flying in the face of their sound, guaranteed program that is designed to help you change your eating habits, and maintain weight loss for life? If that isn't blatant hypocrisy, I'd like a better example!
Maybe LA Weight Loss refers to them as nutritional supplements or some other nonsense, but what is being picked up on by clients, evidently, is translating into diet pills. If diet pills haven't been soundly discredited by now, it's only because people insist on believing a pill can magically make weight disappear FOREVER. The pills may work, but at some point, if you have eating habits that caused obesity, unless you change those habits, the weight WILL be returning, plus 10 or 20 more pounds.
It also sounds like when a client is having a problem taking off weight, these pills, under whatever name, are being recommended to the client as a way to pump up the weight loss. If that isn't a down home definition of what a diet pill is supposed to do, as opposed to nutritional SUPPLEMENTS, I don't know what a better definition would be.
Believe me, I am not a lifelong skinny person, or even a skinny now person, lololol, who doesn't know what I'm talking about. I know thr subject of weight loss, and what works and what doesn't, all too well. Changing your lifestyle, THAT'S WHAT WORKS.
Rene
Niskayuna,New York,
U.S.A.
WAKE UP to the NEW RULES!!
#27UPDATE EX-employee responds
Sat, December 02, 2006
As of Dec 4 2006 LA lites are mandatory. You all must realize we are commission sales people, with the sales managers job on the line if she does not close 75%. I was a "trained" counselor, hired off hotjobs, background in retail management. I was dismissed due to lack of business in my center[ not at their greedy standards], I sold alot felt bad that people thought the 89 xcel or the 3/49 carb enders would work. They are herbal supps not proven. The company appears to be in some financial trouble lawsuits in Ny and with all the money now needed upfront you better run. I was told if they don't have credit, do care credit[ 23%] or ask to use a FRIENDS credit card, loans and use your birthday money in advance!! WE SEE YOU AS A DOLLAR SIGN if you think differently WAKE UP! your only value is what we can get from you the minute you sign up we evaluate your finances as to what you can do for us then if you have $$$ we fight over you at entrance to sell. ALL those fake compliments.
Sherry
Elmira,New York,
U.S.A.
It Works If You Stick to the Plan
#27Consumer Comment
Thu, March 30, 2006
I am enrolled in the LA Weightloss program currently. I realized that it took my 23 years to learn how to eat unhealthy and it takes time to reverse all the "bad" things that we do when eating. Yes, I will agree that the program is expensive, but keep in mind anything worth changing your life is going to cost you in one way or another. I have tried everything out there and nothing worked for me because I do not have a positive support system in my life so I benefit from meeting with them 3x's a week. My center is wonderful- everyone there is sincere and kind. They listen to my stories and laugh with me and I enjoy coming in every week. When you are 23 years old and weigh 267lbs. yoou will do anything to change that, but it is the person who decides what will work and what will not.
So far, I have lost 23lbs. and continue to lose weight weekly. It is not a magic trick and for those of you who talk about 2lbs. a week being a lot- in reality it is not. I talked to a doctor prior to going to LA Weightloss and he told me that on average a person who is dieting sucessfully should be loosing 2- 2 1/2 lbs per week. This is not to say it will happen every week, but that is what a DOCTOR recommended to me.
Think about what you invest yout time, money, and energy into... your car, your health, your kids... all very expensive and very important to you right? Well weightloss can be a life and death situation for some people and when nothing else has worked for you, you are willing to invest all of the above into making yourself healthierr and happier. The Lites do help a great deal- without them I would be starving some days, but keep in mind they are no different then a ZONE bar or any other protein bar that helps stave off cravings and hunger. They are there to assist you in your plan and help you to be successful. Think about the amount of money you pour into your "junk food" weekly. Chips, cookies, icecream... it all adds up to be very costly. I love my plan and can not even began to imagine going back to the way I use to eat because I found something that works for me and I feel more happy and energentic then I havee ever felt.
The staff at my center are trained nutrionalist. They all havee credentials that are displayed in plain view for all to see. I have talked to severl people in my community who have been successful in loosing weight and kept it off through the plan. Any diet is a life change... you can not expect to loose weight through a plan and then go off the plan and expect to maintain your weight when your gorging on pizza and icecream once again. The plan works as hard as you do and if you are committed to a healthy life then yoou must be willing to change the way your eat entirely and forever.
Leslie
NEW YORK,New York,
U.S.A.
first the LIGHTS, second the DIET PILLS, and then the COOK BOOK. I INVESTED OVER $650.00 TO LEARN TO EAT HEALTHY, NOT TO WEIGHT MY SELF TWICE A WEEK
#27Consumer Comment
Mon, February 20, 2006
In December 2005, I saw a commercial about LA Weight Lose. They said all you need was $7 dollars a week. I contacted the agency and they made an appointment for me that same day. I met a nice counselor who told me about the program. I definatley wanted to learn to eat healthy. I wanted to do the program, so I signed up. I ended up paying $400+ for one year, which included stabilization and maintenance.
I took the information she gave me. She also gave me a box of LA Lights, which I did not eat because I did not like them. She also gave me some coupons to use in the future. I went back two days later. I met a male counselor. My counselor said she could see me that day. The male counselor said I gained a few onzes. I could not believe it because I had followed the program the way they told me. I was so hungry and did not lose! The guy then said to me, "today is the day you buy the Lights, give me your coupon." I did not have it with me. Then he proceded to show me the packages. The cheapest one cost over $600.00. That included Lights, diet pills, and soups. I refused to buy them because I had no money. The guy then said to me, "if you don't buy them, we cannot help you." I almost cried. Then he said, "how much does beauty cost."
That's when I told the guy that I definately needed to quit the program because I did not have that kind of money. He said, "o.k." I left. He never asked me to stay nor he offered me the option of staying in the program. Later that day I received a phone call from my counselor asking why did I look mad when at the program. I told her what had happened. She said, I should eat the lights, but it was mandatory.
I went back to the program. I saw different counselors everytime I went. A counselor told me that "I would not be able to lose the 40 lbs I wanted if I did not eat the lights." Again the same story. She said she was a nutricionist and the calories the Lights had were already included in my Blue Program. She offered me a $250 package for the Lights. I wanted to try the program, so I bought it. A few weeks late passed by and I did not lose weight. I kept going hungry and hungry. I went to the program and told a counselor I was going to quit because hunger was killing me. She told me to buy the Diet Pills, which by the way cost about $70.00. I said no. I told her I needed help preparing my foods. I was sick of eating chicken breast, brocolli, and fish. She said I should buy the Meal Book. The book teaches you to prepare the foods. I refused to buy the book because I already had paid to join the program. I asked her, What does my $400.00 includes. How come you cannot teach me to prepare the foods. Did I paid $400.00 to weight myself twice a week? I have a scale at home.
THE TRUTH IS THAT I INVESTED OVER $650.00 TO LEARN TO EAT HEALTHY, NOT TO WEIGHT MY SELF TWICE A WEEK.
I believe these counselors know nothing about healthy eating. They kept telling me to eat chicken breast, brocolli, fruits, fish, two LIGHTS, and lost of water. That's no healthy eating!!! that's a routine!!
I AM SO DISAPOINTED. I NO LONGER TRUST NUTRICIONISTS, IF IN FACT THEY WERE.
Leslie
NEW YORK,New York,
U.S.A.
first the LIGHTS, second the DIET PILLS, and then the COOK BOOK. I INVESTED OVER $650.00 TO LEARN TO EAT HEALTHY, NOT TO WEIGHT MY SELF TWICE A WEEK
#27Consumer Comment
Mon, February 20, 2006
In December 2005, I saw a commercial about LA Weight Lose. They said all you need was $7 dollars a week. I contacted the agency and they made an appointment for me that same day. I met a nice counselor who told me about the program. I definatley wanted to learn to eat healthy. I wanted to do the program, so I signed up. I ended up paying $400+ for one year, which included stabilization and maintenance.
I took the information she gave me. She also gave me a box of LA Lights, which I did not eat because I did not like them. She also gave me some coupons to use in the future. I went back two days later. I met a male counselor. My counselor said she could see me that day. The male counselor said I gained a few onzes. I could not believe it because I had followed the program the way they told me. I was so hungry and did not lose! The guy then said to me, "today is the day you buy the Lights, give me your coupon." I did not have it with me. Then he proceded to show me the packages. The cheapest one cost over $600.00. That included Lights, diet pills, and soups. I refused to buy them because I had no money. The guy then said to me, "if you don't buy them, we cannot help you." I almost cried. Then he said, "how much does beauty cost."
That's when I told the guy that I definately needed to quit the program because I did not have that kind of money. He said, "o.k." I left. He never asked me to stay nor he offered me the option of staying in the program. Later that day I received a phone call from my counselor asking why did I look mad when at the program. I told her what had happened. She said, I should eat the lights, but it was mandatory.
I went back to the program. I saw different counselors everytime I went. A counselor told me that "I would not be able to lose the 40 lbs I wanted if I did not eat the lights." Again the same story. She said she was a nutricionist and the calories the Lights had were already included in my Blue Program. She offered me a $250 package for the Lights. I wanted to try the program, so I bought it. A few weeks late passed by and I did not lose weight. I kept going hungry and hungry. I went to the program and told a counselor I was going to quit because hunger was killing me. She told me to buy the Diet Pills, which by the way cost about $70.00. I said no. I told her I needed help preparing my foods. I was sick of eating chicken breast, brocolli, and fish. She said I should buy the Meal Book. The book teaches you to prepare the foods. I refused to buy the book because I already had paid to join the program. I asked her, What does my $400.00 includes. How come you cannot teach me to prepare the foods. Did I paid $400.00 to weight myself twice a week? I have a scale at home.
THE TRUTH IS THAT I INVESTED OVER $650.00 TO LEARN TO EAT HEALTHY, NOT TO WEIGHT MY SELF TWICE A WEEK.
I believe these counselors know nothing about healthy eating. They kept telling me to eat chicken breast, brocolli, fruits, fish, two LIGHTS, and lost of water. That's no healthy eating!!! that's a routine!!
I AM SO DISAPOINTED. I NO LONGER TRUST NUTRICIONISTS, IF IN FACT THEY WERE.
Leslie
NEW YORK,New York,
U.S.A.
first the LIGHTS, second the DIET PILLS, and then the COOK BOOK. I INVESTED OVER $650.00 TO LEARN TO EAT HEALTHY, NOT TO WEIGHT MY SELF TWICE A WEEK
#27Consumer Comment
Mon, February 20, 2006
In December 2005, I saw a commercial about LA Weight Lose. They said all you need was $7 dollars a week. I contacted the agency and they made an appointment for me that same day. I met a nice counselor who told me about the program. I definatley wanted to learn to eat healthy. I wanted to do the program, so I signed up. I ended up paying $400+ for one year, which included stabilization and maintenance.
I took the information she gave me. She also gave me a box of LA Lights, which I did not eat because I did not like them. She also gave me some coupons to use in the future. I went back two days later. I met a male counselor. My counselor said she could see me that day. The male counselor said I gained a few onzes. I could not believe it because I had followed the program the way they told me. I was so hungry and did not lose! The guy then said to me, "today is the day you buy the Lights, give me your coupon." I did not have it with me. Then he proceded to show me the packages. The cheapest one cost over $600.00. That included Lights, diet pills, and soups. I refused to buy them because I had no money. The guy then said to me, "if you don't buy them, we cannot help you." I almost cried. Then he said, "how much does beauty cost."
That's when I told the guy that I definately needed to quit the program because I did not have that kind of money. He said, "o.k." I left. He never asked me to stay nor he offered me the option of staying in the program. Later that day I received a phone call from my counselor asking why did I look mad when at the program. I told her what had happened. She said, I should eat the lights, but it was mandatory.
I went back to the program. I saw different counselors everytime I went. A counselor told me that "I would not be able to lose the 40 lbs I wanted if I did not eat the lights." Again the same story. She said she was a nutricionist and the calories the Lights had were already included in my Blue Program. She offered me a $250 package for the Lights. I wanted to try the program, so I bought it. A few weeks late passed by and I did not lose weight. I kept going hungry and hungry. I went to the program and told a counselor I was going to quit because hunger was killing me. She told me to buy the Diet Pills, which by the way cost about $70.00. I said no. I told her I needed help preparing my foods. I was sick of eating chicken breast, brocolli, and fish. She said I should buy the Meal Book. The book teaches you to prepare the foods. I refused to buy the book because I already had paid to join the program. I asked her, What does my $400.00 includes. How come you cannot teach me to prepare the foods. Did I paid $400.00 to weight myself twice a week? I have a scale at home.
THE TRUTH IS THAT I INVESTED OVER $650.00 TO LEARN TO EAT HEALTHY, NOT TO WEIGHT MY SELF TWICE A WEEK.
I believe these counselors know nothing about healthy eating. They kept telling me to eat chicken breast, brocolli, fruits, fish, two LIGHTS, and lost of water. That's no healthy eating!!! that's a routine!!
I AM SO DISAPOINTED. I NO LONGER TRUST NUTRICIONISTS, IF IN FACT THEY WERE.
Sandi
Salem,Utah,
U.S.A.
Why is LA weightloss center not giving me my refund?
#27Consumer Comment
Wed, November 09, 2005
On September 7th I went into my LA weightloss center to sign for a refund, all papers were signed and I was told that I would see my check in the mail of over 1400.00 in 7 to 14 days.
I wait and wait and see nothing. So after 6 weeks of waiting I called them. They keep telling me that they will check into it and give me a call back. Never ever have I received a call back. I always have to call them and ask again about my refund. This has went on for over 2 weeks now, and they keep telling me nothing!
I am sick and tired of the run around and they have obviously not sent my refund and I do not think they have plans to do so! They are not going to keep my money! I called again just today and was told I would get yet another call back and you guessed it notta!! So I am still waiting and sick of it!!
Angela
Taylorsville,Utah,
U.S.A.
Left-overs
#27REBUTTAL Individual responds
Thu, October 20, 2005
After stumbling across this little debate I couldn't walk away without saying a few things...
First off... I'm a firm believer that people are products of their own choices. If a person is obese it really is because of their own decisions. Do genetics play a role? You bet, but don't tell me that we are forced to eat certain foods.
As a child I was considered morbidly obese. Sure I ate like all my friends, but that didn't make it healthy. Mac & Cheese isn't necessarily the best staple in life.
I'll never forget the day I looked in front of my shattered mirror standing at not quite 5'1" and just over 240lbs by age 20. I realized something that day... I recognized that there are 2 kinds of people in life: Those who are successful and those who make excuses not to be. Most of my life revolved around the latter.
I believed in my heart that I was a LOST CAUSE. I figured I'd wind up some old lady who lived alone with random cats and knitted in her spare time.
But I made a choice that day... I decided that I should live for the fight if that's all I've got. Like most people who struggle with weight I tried many things... even the Atkins gig. I didn't know what the heck to do.
A friend of mine seemed a bit keen on LA Weightloss. I figured what the heck... I'll take a stab at it.
Was it expense? VERY... but I figured I should try it anyway. It's been a long road, and one that will never leave me. I'm down 100lbs.
I have to admit though that the last 5 months have been hell. I've gained 20 by doing exactly what I've been told to do. It's easy to want to blame an institution (a business for that matter) on the gain.
However, in pondering the sitation I really shouldn't. The LA plan is sound and healthier that most plans currently circulating these days. It's not a yo-yo or a gimick for that matter. Is it an over-prices business? COMPLETELY, but that doesn't make it evil.
As a culture and medical community we know what things are healthy and good for us. There has been extensive research on the topic. At the same time we are all individuals and no one will ever have the perfect blue-print for your success.
If LA Weightloss was in reality as bad as some of you claim they wouldn't still be around. However, that doesn't mean it's the right program for you.
Just because what they believed would work for me caused a gain after so long doesn't mean they can't help me. I refuse to give up. However cliche' this might be if you pick a program and adhere to it success will find you.
Anyway, there's my 2 cents.
Tammy
Jacksonville,Florida,
U.S.A.
To Jennifer. my area supervisor insisted that I lie to clients and hang my before and after pictures up, claiming that I had been sucessful an the LA Weightloss program!
#27UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, September 20, 2005
How long have you worked for LA? Have you not gone through any of their "corporate training"?
I once also loved the fact that I was helping others to achieve their weight loss goals. After being 80+lbs overweight personally and losing it on my own (which the owner and my area supervisor
insisted that I lie to clients and hang my before and after pictures up, claiming that I had been sucessful an the LA Weightloss program!)C'mon Jennifer, yes LA is a business, and they are there to make money, but at what cost??? I know that within a few months of being brainwashed by LA you're story will change for a fact!How many of their "training manuals" have you read? You know that everything is a script. LA management doesn't even let you answer the phone at your center until you memorize the "phone script"! God forbid you don't book those potential clients for a same day appointment (this is when people have been given that sense of urgency that they need to come in and "get started" right away, we both know that by coming in today they could have 3-5 of that 50lbs that they want to lose off by this time next week!)HA-HA! Ladies call any LA and this will probably be in part of your phone conversation if you hesitate to come in the day you call...LA employees are trained to play on your every emotion, and are trained very well!!!
So Jennifer, once you have missed booking a few same day appointments, or not got a consultation to PIF (pay in full), or even missed a package A, B, or C on a PSV(you know where the client brings that valuable coupon to save hundreds of dollars on their LA Lites!)and your supervisor is screaming at you, I'm sure you will finally see the light!LA only cares about the bottom line(the billion dollar industry that they want a huge piece of), not the clients, and especially not the employees, once they have gotten everything out of them that they could have. Jennifer beware, LA also plays on employees emotions...so enjoy your positive time there, it won't last...
Jennifer
Englewood,New Jersey,
U.S.A.
Think for a minute..
#27UPDATE Employee
Sat, September 17, 2005
I usually do not respond to the above, but I feel like I have to tell it like it is. I currently work at LA Weight Loss and LOVE my job. I feel like I am truly helping people achieve their personal goals through guidence and motivation. I am certified in nutrition and take pride in that.
One thing you have to remember is yes, it is a business. There is no way we could do this for free. We are all trying to eat and make a living..right? Please take into consideration... personal trainers are paid on commission and have expectations, so do dieticians. They have to have a certain number of clients or they can not survive. We are not soley paid commission. Of course there are incentives, but I am paid salary.
I can truly tell you that the people in my center care about our clients no matter how much they spent. I am sorry for your unfortunate experiences, but I am very proud to be an employee of LA Weight Loss.
Lisa
Odessa,Missouri,
Virgin Islands (U.S.)
Wow terrible experience
#27UPDATE EX-employee responds
Fri, August 26, 2005
Erica, I am so glad I am not the only one that has had such a terrible experience working for LA. I LOVED the clients but the business practices...? I would like to know how people are supposed to pay for their PSV now that care credit is no longer an option?
Erica
Union,Kentucky,
U.S.A.
Success Rate?
#27UPDATE EX-employee responds
Thu, August 25, 2005
Hey Cincinnati! You said LA weight loss has a 90% success rate? What is the success rate for those who actually lose it and keep it off and don't have to purchase additional weeks or bars. When I was an employee I was always told this, but when asked to see proof I never got it. And I would like to point out that a lot of employees who claimed to lose weight on the LA plan, really lost it on another plan or in even some cases surgery and claim they owe it all to LA. That is misleading and you know it happens. You also know if someone comes in w/o a penny to their name, have children, whatever, and truly can't afford it LA trians to take all the info you have learned about them and use their words against them. Make them realize they have to do this for them. It is sickening that LA asks someone who can't even afford to put a coat on their child to pay $500-$4000 on a weight loss program. They are expected to make the client realize, "hey once you lose your weight everything will get better, you might even get that promotion you want if you lose your weight! You have to do this for you, when was the last time you did something for you?" BS! You just want to make your weekly revenue. Please don't lie and say, that's not true, you know it is. And we all know the ones who don't do LA lites or supps or don't ever buy anything, no employee wants to see; that would bring your floor average down and you don't want that. Unfortunaley a lot of people who have weight issues have low self esteems or are so fed up they fall for anything that is going to garantee them, and LA plays on those emotions, thats not help, that is emotional blackmail. Truth is there are many other ways that won't break your bank to lose weight. You talk about how at weight watchers you had some overweight woman telling you about weight loss and you seem to think thats a bad thing. Maybe she has already lost 60lb but still has more to go. Maybe she has a medical condition that makes it very hard for her to lose weight, but she eats healthy and knows what to do to help the client to reach their goals. Believe me there are many "skinny" people out there that know nothing about eating right or losing weight b/c they never had too. You get a lot of that at LA, so just cause there not overweight doesn't mean they know how to help, thats part of LA's sales approach, make the client think you are together and you are what they want to be. It really has to make you think that you "a weight loss counselor" would make the comment about a overweight woman and it sounded to me like you were demeaning her for trying to help others because she was overweight, hmmmmm, interesting. You also talk about the cost of weight watchers and how it can add up to more. Don't forget at LA your clients need cereal bars and slim down shakes and muffin toppers.... and so on. What do those plus the program end up costing. So in the long run let's be honest and admit LA is way too expensive for a lot of people. You also say Weight Watchers is scary b/c they offer life long membership. It's the support from the meeting they are talking about, not that it will take you your whole life to do it. And hey if you have a slip up a year or so after you lost your weight you don't have to pay to come back if you are a lifelong member!! If you know anything about weight loss, you know you will probably need support for the rest of your life. LA knows that, thats why if you want to come back after your program, if you make it through your 1-3yr program, you will have to buy more weeks or another full program if you gained back more weight. But hey if you have the money and don't care, spend it. And if you like to make money from people who really can't afford it, then work there, but at least admit it. I don't know how you people sleep at night. My advice to those looking into LA, go to weight watchers or your doctor or a free support group (better than one on one "counseling."
Sharon
Binghamton,New York,
U.S.A.
LA WEIGHT LOSS CENTER EMPLOYEES ARE NOT WEIGHT LOSS PROFESSIONALS
#27UPDATE EX-employee responds
Tue, May 03, 2005
As a former Center Manager fo LA Weight Loss in New York, I can tell you for a fact that I was hired off HotJobs not because I am a trained weight loss specialist but because I am an expert Dale Carnegie, Anthony Robbins, AMA trained SALES MANAGER period.
I didn't even have to prove myself to get the job as manager because they were so desperate to get someone in there that can close a sale. None of my employess or any of the people I trained with, hired or worked for were weight loss professionals but sales professionals, selling cellular phones, automotive, clothing stores, jewlery, salon products, avon, even speedies.
See my detail specific report on their sales process and know what you are getting into.
Their sales tactics are unethical, sinister, and sleezy. We were trained this way in Scranton, PA. If you have no problem with us things will go just fine and you may lose some weight. If you have a problem...like you don't lose weight, you want a refund, you don't want to buy the LALITE bars, snacks, shakes, fasttrack, suppliments, or cellulite cream and pills we will have a problem with you.
Happy speaks from a place that is still brainwashed by these people and has not yet "Caught on" so don't blame her. There are some great people who unfortunately work for them.
By the way Happy so you know I speak the truth I had 100% calls to show and 97% calls to close.
You know what I am talking about.
By the way for the millions that they claim lose weight...they do not track individual weight loss in this fashion at a corporate level, oh I know they have a file for you and track your lbs.loss and ask you if you had a bowel movement that day etc... But as a company our 6 week audits are to review how many people are on bars and suppliments nothing eles.
This is an enterprise to make money you know. They have no idea how many people lose weight on their plan by average and over all. And Happy you know what I am talking about.
Also in my center we had over a thousand failed clients (PRIOR TO MY EMPLOY), and of the current clients over 70% plateaued in their weight after a couple of months, even on the bars etc..
The bars make you fat and we knew it!
And Happy don't you lie we never allowed a prospect to read the contract in full at the time of closing because it clearly states that they will receive no refund after 3 days and that the rebate is null and void if they deviate in any fashion (including the diary girls) from our instructions, using the bars etc...this is the reason I quit! I got Polyanna and I wanted to help people.
Well in the east coast the only ones LA WEIGHT LOSS Helps is themselves.
If you want the plan you can buy it for $5.00 on CDROM on ebay, there I said it.
And you can get the new FDA food chart it's personal and it's free if you need counseling call your girlfriend, mom, sister, they probably know as much about weight loss as these insipide people.
Put that in your crack pipe and smoke it!
Jeff
Wilsonville,Oregon,
U.S.A.
Of couse, you're an employee, you're not going to say anything bad about the company you work for.
#27REBUTTAL Individual responds
Tue, January 18, 2005
Happy,I believe the reason for this website is for individuals to express their unhappiness in a product/service so that others will be aware of the WHOLE picture. We are not talking about everybodies experiences. We are talking about ours. How we felt that we were missled and then how we were actually treated by the employees. You might treat customers with a smile and a "great job!" and that's wonderful to hear. You should be doing that since EVERY single LA advertisement says that's what you'll be doing. Most of the time I walked into the center I got the cold shoulder. The staff was downright rude. There was a couple of nice ones but the majority were not. There was only a handful of times when I walked in I met with the same person.I believe the way LA Weightloss acheives weightloss is an unhealthy one. No one, and I mean no one, should be losing 2-3 pounds in a week. If they are, you(the staff) need to be doing bodyfat tests. When was the last time you performed a bodyfat test on someone Happy? I'm not talking about taking someones measurements with a tape measure either. LA Weightloss is exactly what it is. Weightloss. The company doesn't care if it's fat or muscle. Unfortunatly, fat people don't care either, but one thing these folks and your company don't realize is that you can still be fat even though you're skinny Just as long as the scale's going down that's all the staff cares about. You folks need to be encouraging your clients to do some kind of excercise when they are on this plan. Not only will they be building muscle, that muscle will in turn burn more fat and speed up the metabolism. You as employees should be more informed than just taking a 3 month(if that) schooling. Maybe you should encourage your coworkers to pick up a few more nutritional books and get more informed because the staff I encountered were dumber than a box of rocks when it comes to nutriton. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out if a person consumes 1/3 the calories that they usually consume per day that they'll lose weight. Also, if you cut carbs to almost nothing and cut salt out completely that your body won't be retaining any water so even though you are losing weight, it's not fat, it just plain water(see Atkins Diet). People also shouldn't weighing themselves 3 times a week. One time a week if that. Actually you should throw the scale out completely and go by what the mirror tells you. Here's the jist of it Happy, since I felt I was taken advantange of, I will inform everyone that is inquiring about your company about your business practices and the fact it is so unhealthy till I am blue in the face. You say "Millions of satisfied losers can't be wrong", I say "No, they can just be ignorant about weightloss, or worse, don't care." Remember, bad news travels much faster than good new.
Happy
Cincinnati,Ohio,
U.S.A.
Millions of satisfied losers cannot be wrong!!!
#27UPDATE Employee
Tue, January 11, 2005
After hearing about this web site I had to check it out for myself. For all of you who have complained about LA Weightloss, and your negative experiences, I am deeply sorry that you feel that way. After all, I am certain everyone thinks you are right all of the time, and the company you represent is always perfect. Yes, you may have had an experience that left a bad taste in your mouth; but is that any reason to discourage the millions & millions of clients who have had great, life altering results? I can honestly say this is the one company where I can stand behind what I do, and how we do it. I have seen teenagers at the age of 17 years old weighing in at 300 plus pounds losing over 100-150 pounds. I have had women who invested tens of thousands of dollars on every program from Jenny Craig, to Weight Watchers Thank me for changing their life for good this time. For those of you complaining about what you spent on the program or the things in the contract that you werent made aware of. I remind you that there is no hidden print, no backside, and We are taught to encourage you to read before you sign (Even though I am sure at some point your parents tried to teach you this)We do guarantee your weightloss, however that is contingent on following the plan. We can only do so much to make sure you stay on track. Our clients could probably buy a book with a diet, or menu that has been successful for some, but it dosent work for them, because they need more. That is ultimately what our clients are investing in. It is the more... Us, the staff, the one on-one support, and the accountability. I guess that is why I seem snide and am taking the criticism personally. As for the cost, I was a member of weightwatchers prior to working for LA Weightloss, and I must say that my scale at home was much cheaper than the $13.00 a week I spent to weigh-in at Weight Watchers, (oh & have a person fatter than me lecture me about carbs and me to only lose a total of 9 pounds in a year). Lets see 9 pounds,@ 13.00 x 52 weeks= 676.00= I paid $75.00 per pound. What a bargain! My advice to the unsatisfied past clients is to call your center, or another center close to you and give them a chance to renew your faith. We bend over backwards to have healthy satisfied, successful losers! The bottom line is dont let one bad apple spoil it for the bunch! There are too many satisfied clients who can contradict you!
Judy
Royal Oak,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Okay ... You have no business commenting on how much money I, or anyone else, spent to gain back our weight.
#27Consumer Comment
Sun, November 28, 2004
If the above comment was meant to address my comment above, maybe you should have read it more carefully. You have no business commenting on how much money I, or anyone else, spent to gain back our weight. Personally, I kept my extra 25 pounds off for over a YEAR. I was commenting on the misrepresentations and lies that I was upset about -- nothing else. I was okay with the program if not for the way the office that I went to was run. You didn't need to comment unless you had something to say about that, such as your experiences at to whether they were truthful to you. You didn't need to attack me, or anyone else, personally. Maybe the center you went to in Minnesota is different than mine in Michigan. How would you know? A more productive approach would have been just to talk about your positive experiences at LA without attacking others.
You have lost 50 pounds? Great. But you have been on the program for 5 months! Talk to me in a year. I felt great after 5 months too. Good luck.
Lisa
Hugo,Minnesota,
U.S.A.
Blaming everyone else for your weight
#27Consumer Comment
Sun, November 28, 2004
I have to say to the above comment. It wasn't inexpensive to put all your weight on, but you certainly want it to be cheap to take it off! I have been on the LA weightloss program since june of 2004 and have lost almost 50 lbs. Rebate or no rebate I've lost my weight and have learned lifeong habits from it. The stabilization and maitenance part of the program are crucial to not bringing the weight back on. Healthy habits make lifelong habits. What good would it do to lose all your weight and gain it back because you weren't faithful? Weight watchers has life long members! That is scary-who wants to be a life long member to a weightlss program? That doesn't show me they have a lot of faith in their program. Besides, LA weightloss has a 90+% success rate for their clients to NEVER gain their weight back due to the stabilization and maintenance part of their program. Too bad you think you are smarter than those running La weightloss. If you were you would have never had to utilize them!
Judy
Royal Oak,Michigan,
U.S.A.
Not worth it!
#27Consumer Comment
Wed, October 20, 2004
To those above, I went to LA Weight Loss in the fall of 2002, and the diet worked for me. I lost nearly all the weight that I expected to lose and I didn't find it extremely hard. That being said, I do not recommend going to LA Weight Loss, because it is a rip off and in the end, not worth it. There are other ways to lose weight that are just as good if not better, and they do not bankrupt you, lie to you, and mislead you.
They will not let you just sign an agreement for weight loss weeks. You have to purchase maintenance and stablization weeks as well. You are promised rebates for completing various stages, but if you do not, for the entire length of time that you signed up for, do all the things it says in their contract, everything you paid for is gone, regardless of whether you got to use it or not. (their guarantee is actually considered by them to be a contract, which I learned later).
In my case, when I signed up, I only needed to lose 25 pounds. I only needed to purchase about 13 weight loss weeks at $7.00 a week. I was talked into spending over $400 including 6 weeks of stabilization and 1 year of maintenance. I clearly didn't need a year of maintenance, but I was told that this would be ultimately cheaper, because I would get a $90 rebate when I reached my goal weight, and another $90 when I passed the six month point of maintenance. I saw the things on the top of the form, that you have to do to have your weight loss "guaranteed." It says only that if you did not do these things, they did not guarantee your weight loss. It doesn't appear to read to mean anything else.
Well, I stopped about four pounds short of my goal weight, because I was happy with where I was, and everyone I knew told me I didn't need to lose anymore. However, because I didn't reach my "goal weight," I wasn't entitled to my rebate. So, despite being happy with my weight, I kept purchasing additional weight loss weeks, to try to reach my goal weight, but I really wasn't motivated anymore, because it was only about the rebate. I was told by a counselor in 2003 that my maintenance weeks and stabilization weeks could not be applied towards weight loss weeks, but they were still there and would not begin to toll until I reached my goal weight. So every now and then I would purchase extra weight loss weeks, and then I would give up for a while, and then go back again when I realized the rebate was still out there. I kept my weight stable, just above my goal weight for quite a while, until I eventually gained it all back. When I recently went back to LA Weight Loss to purchase more weight loss weeks, this time I was told that my entire program had expired. My stablization weeks and maintenance weeks, which I paid several hundred dollars for and never used, were gone. I never got the rebates. I never got the benefit, they were just gone. As said above, I had been specifically told that the maintenance weeks could still be used when I reached my goal weight. That had been the only reason I kept going back and buying more weight loss weeks, so that I didn't lose that investment. Now, I was told that my "contract" (this would be the "guarantee" referenced above) said that I had to use my weeks consecutively. The guarantee does state that, but as I explained to them, I was previously told that the "guarantee" only went to the weight loss weeks and whether my weight loss was guaranteed. I was specifically told that my maintenance weeks would not begin to toll until I reached my goal weight. I was never told that anything that I purchased and did not use would expire at any point in time, and no where in their "contract" does it state that. My concerns were disregarded, and the counselor set about trying to sell me an entire new program. I walked out, stating, I am not going to spend my time fighting you on the money I lost, but what makes you think I'm a big enough sucker to pay hundreds of dollars again for something you can just take away from me at your leisure? They basically received money for nothing, and I have to wonder, how much of what they take in is money for nothing. How many people walk in, purchase large packages, and don't follow every rule of the program, or get off track, and lose everything that they paid for up front because of the technicalities of their "contract?" Maybe some counselors effectively explain to people what they are signing and the risks of paying for such a large package up front if they stray, but the counselors I spoke to were just happy to take my money.
The bottom line is, my 25 pounds was not worth the misrepresentation, word twisting, and extreme cost. I'm not even sure if some of the misrepresentations were intentional -- it may be that some of the counselors simply do not know enough about what they are selling to you -- but there have to be other ways to lose weight rather than dealing with such a shady company that just wants to take more money from you at every turn. I am now trying to lose my weight again on my own and so far I'm doing okay.
Amy
Charleston,West Virginia,
U.S.A.
Speak for Yourself
#27Consumer Comment
Thu, October 14, 2004
I hope anyone who read the above criticism of LA Weight Loss continues down the page and reads this comment. I have been going to LA Weight Loss since July 12 of this year, and I am now in my 15th week. To date, I have lost 42.8 lbs! The staff at my center is wonderful, understanding, and totally supportive. I don't see how anyone could ever be hungry on this plan, with or without the LA Lites. You eat three balanced meals a day, plus two snack like meals in between. After being part of the program I feel confident saying that the failure in this case probably lies with the client, not the center or the plan. I would recommend this program to anyone I know. The feedback I am receiving from everyone around me is wonderful, and I tell them all that I could have never done it without LA Weight Loss!
Jenny
Tupelo,Mississippi,
U.S.A.
La Lites
#27Consumer Comment
Mon, August 23, 2004
I am/ and about to quit the LA weight Loss program. I DID loose some weight, but like you said it creeped off AND tring to stick with the diet they had me on was almost impossible, though it did help teach me some better eatting habits. In my opinion if you HAVE to eat la lite bars in order to keep from being hungry then this is not a life changing event. What happens when you have lost your weight and are not needing the La lites anymore? I have did many diets and the only one i have found effective AND within a decent budget is Weight Watchers. IT WORKS! I am going back to it and just might incorporate some of what i have learned from LA Weight Loss into it to get to the real me....
the skinny me...... DONT GIVE UP GIRL!!!
Amy
Boston,Massachusetts,
U.S.A.
You can Buy your Lites and Eat them Too!
#27UPDATE Employee
Sun, August 22, 2004
It is quite unfortunate that you were less successful on the program than had been expected. This is a good example of why LA Weight Loss only guarantees your success when you are using the LA Lites. If you were using them twice a day as directed you wouldn't be as hungry, and you would have been losing two pounds per week on average. My suggestion is to follow the plan the way it's laid out... as it's been helping people lose weight for over ten years! And my question to you is: how much are you spending everyday on those "other snacks" which are OFF your plan that's helping to keep you "chubby" as you put it. If you could do it with just your own food alone, you would have by now. You've got to add something to the mix to jumpstart your metabolism and aid in the breakdown of fatty tissue, while conserving your lean muscle mass. The LA Lites are specifically designed to compliment your weight loss and I'm not surprised that your results have been less than desirable while you have not incorporated them. To make the best of your investment, why not give the program another shot, only this time... follow the suggestion of your LA Weight Loss counselor, who will surely help you create the dramatic changes in your appaerance you are looking for.