Dr. Phil Diet

What it is: Self-help guru Dr. Phil McGraw developed a seven point plan for achieving your own healthy weight after counseling overweight people for over eight years.

How it works: Dr. Phil’s plan begins with changing certain internal thought processes so that a fit and healthy lifestyle becomes natural. He teaches people how to avoid impulse eating, form a support network and make exercise an important part of their lives.

What you do: The plan calls for “High-Response Cost, High-Yield Foods,” which require more work to prepare but supply a lot of nutrients, such as colorful fruits and veggies, whole grains, soup, lean meat and non-fat milk products. Bad habits such as Happy Hour with work can be replaced by exercise with friends.

Benefits: Instead of testing your will-power, this diet changes your basic thought processes first to enable weight loss.

Downside: The diet is a long-term plan which may require major changes in your life. It’s for those looking for lasting results and not quick ones.