If you're a grown woman, you must have been on.... how many diets in your life time? You've probably lost track. Even men fall prey to the lose-weight-quick ads and gimmicks advertisers display all over the media. You can't turn on the television, radio, or surf the internet without seeing some sort of promise of dropping pounds without having to move a muscle.

Well, there are a few well-known diet systems in the United States that have done well and have a good reputation for being fair, and worth the money that you'll spend if you decide to sign up for their services. This article will review three of them; it is not an endorsement of any of these companies, however. I tend to believe in weight loss the good old fashioned way.... eating less, exercising and being really patient!

The beauty of the Weight Watchers program is that you are assigned a number of "points" to eat each day. You have to be able to memorize the point value of various foods, and once you get that down, you are pretty much free to choose what you want to eat, as long as you stay within your point range. Don't blow all your points by lunchtime though, or you'll be skipping dinner.

Pros: No prepackaged food. You can eat so-called "real food," and it feels less like a diet. Once you are done with the plan, there is less of a transition to eating normally. In fact, you'll always remember points and it will help you maintain your weight loss. You also have the option between actual meetings, or meetings online.

Cons: If you have weak willpower, you may need a more structured plan or prepackaged food. Also, if you can't keep track of your points, you may not effectively lose weight. Having the option of going to meetings may allow you to chicken out and not show up. Some people may need the humiliation... er... encouragement of weekly meetings to be weighed in to measure progress.

NutriSystem is the ultimate in the pre-packaged diet system! They have both a "regular" and a "men's" verson available. If you watch advertisements often, they regularly run specials where you can get an extra week of food for free. There are no meetings and no weigh-ins. The system is all about the food, and included with that are some instructional pamphlets to help you arrange your meals.

Pros: Easy to follow, not too expensive (none of these programs are cheap), no meetings or weigh-ins are required, it all comes in a single box on your door step! You can lose weight if you follow the program and do not cheat. The program allows you to supplement the meals with fresh fruit and vegetables - I highly recommend you do so!

Cons: Meals are not very tasty, and you may go to bed starving (I did!) No one to check on your progress, since there are no meetings or weigh-ins. Easy to get discouraged because you're hungry and there's got to be something better to eat!

The Jenny Craig system is well known, due to its celebrity endorsements. Most recently, the company has hired Queen Latifah, Valerie Bertinelli and Kirstie Alley. Alley left in February 2008, after being a spokesperson for 3 years, a 75 pound weight loss, and keeping it off for over a year. Bertinelli also boasted a 40 pound weight loss in less than a year.

The program requires both packaged food and regular meetings with a consultant. That seems to be the trick in successful weight loss with JC.

Pros: Prepackaged food, which discourages cheating and takes the "guessing" out of what to eat. Working with a consultant who can help you trouble-shoot weak spots, figure out why your weight loss has plateaued, and/or encourage you to keep going.

Cons: May be more difficult to transition back to "regular" food after weight loss. Tough to keep getting to meetings on a regular basis. Expensive program.

If you're wanting to make an investment in your health that includes losing weight, then compare the costs of each of these programs and think about how they fit into your lifestyle. There are other diet systems available as well. Realize that true weight loss will be accomplished only if you are dedicated, plan to exercise, drink lots of water and keep a food journal so you don't cheat. Don't expect results overnight or within a week. Remember, it took a while to put on the weight and it will take a while to take it off as well!