There are plenty of managed weight loss programs on the market these days - but how do you know which one is the best for you? Believe it or not, it is not just as easy as finding the managed weight loss program that is within your budget because some programs are just not as good as others.

The first step to choosing a weight loss program is to talk with your Doctor or a similar health care professional before embarking on a weight loss program. Doctors and other health care professionals will address important issues if you ask them about it, because issues like weight management, physical activity, or eating may not be as important as treating whatever flu or worrisome illness that you think that you may have. Although some people may feel embarrassed to talk to their Doctor about this issue, please remember that they are there for you to help improve all areas of your health. When you do talk to your health care professional about this, share your concerns about your weight as well as the medications and any medical conditions that you may have. A registered Dietitian, commercial weight-loss program, or support group may also help.

Before you jump ship and join a commercialized weight loss program, there are some questions that you should ask your health care professional. This includes whether you weight could be caused by a health problem or medication that you are taking, what your weight goal should be, how you should change your eating habits, how much exercise you require, whether you should consider weight loss drugs or surgery, and more.

Once you have confirmed all that and would still like to join the a commercial weight loss program, you should learn more about the program before your hand your cash or credit card over. Just like any important purchase like buying a car or a house, you should weigh up all the options and compare between different companies to find out which is the best for you.

Weight loss program questions you should ask include:

1. Does the program offer group classes or personal counseling?

2. Do you have to keep a food diary or follow a meal plans set out by the company?

3. Are you required to buy any supplements, drugs, or special food?

4. If there are special foods, can you make any changes based on food allergies, likes and dislikes?

5. What kind of physical activity is required? Do you need to follow a specific activity or just generally be more active?

6. Does the program teach you to make healthy and positive behavioral changes?

7. What happens during the holidays, lack of motivation, illness, or injury?

8. What kind of qualifications do the staff have, and who supervises them?

9. What is the total cost of the program, including any special foods or supplements you need to buy from them?

10. Are there any fees for medical tests?

11. Does the program have any health risks?