Not everyone can lose weight on her own or through a Web-based program. Old-fashioned weight-loss groups, several of which have been around for decades, offer eating plans, counseling, input and empathy from others--and the all-important weekly weigh-in. Increasingly, these programs are also emphasizing exercise, and some even have workout facilities. Here's information on four of the most popular choices, along with one caveat: Many programs don't track whether members manage to keep the weight off long-term.

          Jenny Craig         LA Weight Loss        TOPS

          (800-JENNY20,       (800-526-SLIM,        Take Off Pounds
          jennycraig.com)     laweightloss.com)     Sensibly
          641 centers         More than 650         (800-932-8677,
          worldwide; founded  centers worldwide;    www.tops.org) More
          in 1983             founded in 1989       than 10,000 local
                                                    chapters; founded in
                                                    1948

Basics    Stresses building   Emphasis is on        This nonprofit
          a healthy           portion control and   support group's
          relationship with   a customized eating   members are
          food, becoming      plan.                 encouraged to make
          active and leading                        permanent lifestyle
          a balanced life                           changes.

How-to's  You start out       Personalized diet     Members ask their
          eating "Jenny's     recommendations;      doctor first for a
          Cuisine" foods,     one-on-one            goal weight and diet
          then phase in       counseling three      plan. TOPS guidebook
          others; calories    times a week during   outlines healthful
          are controlled on   weight loss and       eating plans; there
          an individual       weekly during         are weekly meetings
          basis; expect       maintenance;          with weigh-ins.
          weekly one-on-one   weigh-ins every
          counseling and      visit; measurements
          weigh-ins.          monthly

Food      You buy             No restrictions       Members buy their
          prepackaged                               own food but are
          entrees and snacks                        given information on
          until halfway to                          how to choose
          your goal weight,                         wisely.
          then supplement
          with your own
          food.

Exercise  Exercise is         Exercise is strongly  Exercise is
          encouraged;         encouraged; 13        encouraged and
          recommendations     centers nationwide    information is
          are based on        have affiliated LA    provided.
          fitness level.      Shapes facilities
                              with cardiovascular
                              circuit weight
                              training; 400 are
                              planned by summer
                              2005.

Success   Average body        Average loss: 2       Not available
rates     weight lost after   pounds a week;
          10 weeks: 7%;       average membership
          after 16 weeks,     length: 16 weeks
          9%; after 26
          weeks, 12%

Cost      Trial membership,   About $7 a week; $9   $20 per year
          $1 per pound;       in Canada; LA Shapes  membership fee in
          six-month           memberships are $22   U.S.; $25 in Canada;
          membership, $199;   a month.              local chapter
          weight-loss phase                         meetings may assess
          plus maintenance,                         monthly dues of up
          $399; about                               to $5.
          $10-$15 extra per
          day for three
          meals and two
          snacks; prices in
          Canada slightly
          higher

          Weight Watchers

          (800-651-6000, weight
          watchers.com) About 46,000
          weekly meetings in 30
          countries; founded in 1963

Basics    Emphasis is on portion
          control, physical activity
          and group support.

How-to's  Foods are assigned a Points
          value; members can eat any
          food but must stay within a
          weekly Points allowance
          based on their weight.

Food      Members can buy Weight
          Watchers foods at meetings
          or in stores, but it's not
          required.

Exercise  Exercise is encouraged;
          activity can boost food
          Points allowed.

Success   After two years, members
rates     maintain an average of 72%
          of weight loss; 50% after
          five years (not
          representative of all
          members).

Cost      Varies by location; average
          registration fee, $15;
          average weekly fee, $10;
          registration fee and first
          meeting in Canada, $34-$45;
          weekly fee in Canada,
          $13-$15

--K.D.

COPYRIGHT 2004 Weider Publications
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group