Are you interested in losing weight?  Are you overwhelmed by the amount of weight loss plans and diets on the market today?  Do you want to know which one is right for you?

Check out the results of a study recently conducted by U.S. News.  Dieters weigh in on their favorite plans, aids, and programs.

Scroll through the top ranking weight loss plans.  Do any of them sound good to you?  Are there any that will help you meet both your short-term and long-term goals?

Weight Watchers

Img: Weight Loss Plans, source

Weight Watchers was voted the favorite diet of study participants.  It has been used effectively for both short-term and long-term weight loss.  However, some dieters commented that it is difficult to follow this diet for an extended period of time.  The famous point-counting system does make things easier though.

Biggest Loser Diet

This weight loss program is very unique, making it stand out from some of the other top choices.  Not only does the Biggest Loser Diet place a high importance on healthy food choices, it is also one of the few to integrate exercise in the plan.  Many diets focus solely on the food consumed and provide little – or no – guidance for physical activity.

Jenny Craig

Like the Biggest Loser Diet, Jenny Craig also has a unique feature – emotional support.  By providing one-on-one counseling sessions, the program provides more effective results.  However, it is more difficult for dieters to maintain their weight after breaking from the portion controlled meals.

Raw Foods Diet

This diet might be the easiest weight loss plan to stick to long term.  However, it certainly isn’t for everyone.  The diet is very restrictive.  It also forces dieters to spend a lot of time prepping their meals.

Atkins

Study participants acknowledged the Atkins diet is great for short-term weight loss.  However, long-term results aren’t as common.  Dieters can expect to lose weight quickly, but might not keep it off for long.

HCG Diet

The HCD diet revolves around two key components: daily HCG injections and a very low calorie diet.  There are obvious cons to this weight loss plan.  Not everyone is a fan of the HCG shots and the super-restrictive diet doesn’t allow much wiggle room.  However, proponents of the diet are unanimous; if you can overcome the mental blocks, dieters will definitely see results.

South Beach Diet

This is another popular diet that has been around for a while.  However, the jury is still out on whether or not it is effective for the long haul.  Short term results are a given; dieters can expect to lose weight and lose it fast.  However, the results probably won’t last for any significant amount of time.

Slim-Fast

Slim-Fast is yet another product that has withstood the test of time.  For those who are interested in long-term results, this is a crowd favorite.  Dieters definitely won’t see quick results (only a few pounds are shed per week).  However, by using this tasty meal replacement shake a few times per day, weight loss hopefuls can keep the program – and results – going for quite awhile.

What do you think?  Do any of these diets sound like a winner for you?  Have you had any experience with any of these plans?  Sound off in the comment section – let us know what you think!

About the Author: Ron Barraza is a health and fitness writer.  He usually pens articles about weight loss tools, exercise plans and healthy eating.  If you would like more information, get in touch with him on Facebook or Twitter.