Want to lose weight but don't know how to get started? This easy to follow guide will get you jump started and losing in no time. There are two approaches you can take so consider which one fits your lifestyle and personality better and then go from there.

Plan A: A Program
A structured program is a good choice for many people because all you have to do is just follow the rules. You don't have to figure out what foods to eat, how to eat them, when to eat them or if you should eat them. The only problem here is figuring out what type of plan suites you best. The following is a breakdown of four types. Once you narrow it down to what type of plan you think will work best then you can get more specific.

Commercial Weightloss Programs
Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, and L.A. Weightloss are programs that offer a lot of support in the form of meetings or counseling. They focus on healthy food choices and portion control. Plus their eating plans not only follow the usda food guide pyramid but they include all types of food whether it's food you buy or their pre-packaged meals or supplements. These are good for people who don't like strict diets but need structure and the pressure of having to be weighed in or meeting with a group or individual counselor to talk about progress.

Diet Books
The number of diet books written by doctors, celebrities, or specialist of some sort are countless, and choosing from one of these programs can be a daunting task. The upside is most of them have very specific rules to be followed and foods that are off limits. If you need discipline and strict guidelines to follow then this is the way to go. Just click the diet & weightloss plans link to check out all the latest diets or go to Amazon.com and look for a specific book such as The South Beach Diet or Dr. Atkins New Diet Revolution. Then read some of the customer reviews for more info. Some of these plans are very strict but you know what you can live with so it shouldn't be too difficult finding one you like.

Lifestyle Makeover Plans
These plans focus on the whole package. Diet, exercise, supplements, and motivational support. They often come in the form of a time specific challenge and some offer prizes to participants with the most amazing transformations. One of the most popular ones that has helped thousands transform their bodies is Body for Life, currently offering $1 million dollars in prizes. Similar plans include Jorge Cruise's 8 Minutes in the Morning, and Dr. Phil's Ultimate Weight Solution. If you like to exercise, need motivation, and don't mind sticking to a clean diet this is a good option for you.

Online Plans
Sites like Nutrio, Cyber Diet, and eDiets offer customized diet plans designed by licensed dietitians. They offer plenty of online support including dietitians, diabetes experts, psychologist and counselors with knowledge of eating disorders and other food issues. These communities also offer message boards where you can chat with other members and they provide body assessment tools, recipes, articles on health and exercise and more. Some plans start as low as $9.95 a month. These are great for people on the go or those who spend a lot of time online.