Five fantastic Websites to help you lose weight
To maintain a healthy weight, you need three things: information, motivation, and support. Thanks to the Internet, you can get everything from weight loss basics to personalized recommendations — and it's free! Here are five Websites that can help you reach your goal:

Shape Up America!
MyPyramid
Eat Five to Nine a Day
Calorie Control Council
ClubPed from the American Diabetes Association

Shape Up America!
Former U.S. Surgeon General C. Everett Koop created the nonprofit Shape Up America! 10 years ago to promote healthy eating and physical activity. Shape Up America's Website includes diet and exercise information, handy tracking tools, and guidance to help you meet your goals. Features on the site include:

The Support Center, where you can explore barriers to weight loss and get practical ideas to overcome them. Visit the "Motivation Center" and "Maintenance Center" for help getting started and staying on track. This section of the site also has weight management basics, news about research, and a library with additional resources. And the online forum allows Website visitors to offer their own tips and lend support to each other.
Shape Up & Drop 10^™, a program that helps you lose weight and keep it off with great-tasting, healthy food.
Cyberkitchen, where you can find the daily calorie intake that will help you lose weight, plus get meal plans to fit your needs.
A Fitness Center, where you can assess your readiness to get active. The center also provides tips on overcoming barriers, as well as basic information about physical activity.

Shape Up America! Website: http://www.shapeup.org/index.html

Related sites:
Support Center: http://www.shapeup.org/atmstd/support/index.htm
Shape Up & Drop 10 page: http://www.shapeup.org/shape/sud10index.html
Cyberkitchen: http://www.shapeup.org/atmstd/kitchen/page0.php
Fitness Center: http://www.shapeup.org/atmstd/fitness/index.htm

MyPyramid
Remember the old food guide pyramid? Now it's gone high-tech! Visit MyPyramid to get a healthy eating plan that fits your unique requirements. For a quick recommendation, simply enter your age, sex, and activity level; you'll get a custom food guide with recommendations on how much of each food group you should eat daily. For more details, use "MyPyramid Tracker," which gives you an in-depth assessment of your diet and activity.

MyPyramid is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and is based on the government's Dietary Guidelines for Americans.

MyPyramid Website: http://mypyramid.gov

Related sites:
MyPyramid for Kids: http://mypyramid.gov/kids/index.html

Eat Five to Nine a Day
Do you eat the recommended five to nine servings of fruits and vegetables each day? This site gives you tips on how to get your recommended servings — including an online recipe box with nutritious snacks and meals.

The Website is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the National Institutes of Health, and the National Cancer Institute.

Eat Five to Nine a Day Website: http://www.5aday.gov

CalorieControl.org
This Website features handy calculators and tools, including:

An online calorie and fat gram counter
A calculator that estimates calories burned by various activities
A calculator to help you determine a healthy weight
A Body Mass Index calculator
A printable food diary
Low-fat, low-calorie recipes

It's maintained by the Calorie Control Council, a nonprofit group that represents manufacturers of low-calorie and reduced-fat food and beverages.

Calorie Control Website: http://www.caloriecontrol.org

ClubPed
Walking is a great way to stay in shape — it's easy, it doesn't require special equipment, and it's appropriate for people of almost every age and physical condition. This Website helps you set walking goals and track your progress online. You can even get rewards! Plus, ClubPed includes an online message board where members offer support to each other.

ClubPed is part of the American Diabetes Association's "Doing Better" program. Registration is required.

ClubPed Website: http://www.diabetes.org/ClubPed/index.jsp

Bottom line:
Cyberspace may provide the weight loss guidance you've been looking for. Several nonprofit and government organizations offer information and support absolutely free. Also talk to your doctor before you begin a diet or exercise plan.

December 2005