Hi Drew,

My name's Dave; I represent Herbal Magic.

I just want to quickly clarify that Herbal Magic today is a great deal different from the company it used to be.

Since late 2007 (after the events you mention), the company has been operating under entirely new ownership and new management. They've implemented a responsible new approach that focuses on real food, natural products and the personal support that is so important for people aiming to lose weight.

Thanks,

Dave

Do you know if the same owner of U Weight Loss is the same owner as 'Truestar for Women,' fitness centres? Do you have any information about the owner,the program and their supplements?
thanks!

I think that focusing on self-care habits (eating well according to Canada's Food Guide, getting regular exercise, adequate sleep, and staying well hydrated) is a surefire way to lose weight and be healthier, but it just doesn't sell. If you want to bring desperate people in off the street, you have to convince them that you have some "MAGIC" up your sleeve - something that will take the responsibility for changing old habits off of their tired shoulders. THAT'S what people are paying for when they unload thousands of dollars at storefront weight loss parlours.

I should know, because I've been there several times in my life. Did I lose weight? Absolutely! I have lost a grand total of over 75lbs at a couple of different places... but here I am, back where I started. Ask any overweight person if they've ever tried a diet or program where they lost weight, and I bet they'll ALL say yes! Anyone can lose weight, but making lasting lifestyle changes just doesn't come in a pill.

Hi Dave and everyone,

The "old" Herbal Magic only existed 2 years ago - I really am not convinced it could change that much in 2 years, to the point that it has online representatives join forums to advocate for the program rather than having it speak for itself. That kind of says something negative about it in itself.

Also I visited a U Weight Loss center about a week ago - it's just a marketing scheme, nothing more, nothing less. They gave me free detox pills but said that the pills wouldn't work if I didn't join their program. I'm willing to take the risk. 

The person I met with along with my fiance basically told me that I was stupid for taking Centrum or any other nutrition booster, if it wasn't made by Douglas Pharmeceuticals, the same company that runs U Weight Loss - of course they would say that, they want me to buy their products and stop buying other companies' products.

All in all the meeting was transparent and a poor sales pitch. Wouldn't use U Weight Loss  - the $1500 for 5 months it would cost, plus food, would not be worth it

Samantha

It intrigued me to hear that the scientific community knows that diet pills don't work. The how come these pills even exist? Aren't they the result of medical and scientific researches? I happen to use Orlistat, my doctor recommended me and it does work. I am also having a diet based on veggies and I am really happy with the result, that's all I need to know.

Ann,

I have also just recently applied for a job at U- Weight loss, and I'm not sure if agree with their sales pitch either! I am currently a personal trainer, and it would be very difficult to go against my beliefs and basic logic. As we all know, the most effective way to lose weight and keep it off is by eating healthy and exercising. 

Of course these pills have been scientifically researched to work, but they have been scientifically proven not to work as well.  There is a constant battle in the world of science, as one scientest tries to prove something, there will always be someone trying to prove them wrong.  It all comes down to a little common sence.  You show me one person that has succedeed from a diet and kept the weight off for a long period of time and I will show you a thousand that havent. When you read about any diet: the people that are selling it are really good at convincing you that it works, the people that are buying into it, will also convince you that it works, but the people that have tried it will let you know that it really doesnt work! The one thing about life is that people are easily convinced when they are in desperate need of an answer. For example: if my doctor told me I had cancer and a natural path told me to take a supplement that would make it go away: I would probably give it a go.  Unfortunately, when it comes to our metabolism it is not very forgiving as the more diets and 'magic' pills you try, the more resistant your body will become to losing exercise!

In the end: its your body, just make sure you do whats right for you!

Annoyed,

I went into the U weight loss centre with my daughter. We went through the usual bla-bla-bla, that I have heard before but I have to admit that they were the only ones dealing with balanced meal, your metabolism and hormones. But after an hour I was ready to leave, I didn't want to make a decision at that moment. Well the niceness stopped and the hounds came out. After telling her several times "i will think about it" in a demanding tone, she was really reluctant in giving me the free detox . And my daughter asked that doesn't she get one too since she was thinking of joining. Well we got the dirtiest look and were told to stay out in reception while she went stomping in the back to two other women in black suits and they got all tied in knots. They all came up front and  forcefully gave us another pack and demanded that we sign a release agreement. The gave us a warning not to do  the detox unless we join because it would work. Well number one they never told us what to eat when we are detoxing anyway. We might have joined if it wasn't such a toxic environment. Plus the price was too much. It was fine until the said I had to pay for maintenaice 

Same owner as Truestar????? *************, I know because I've been to many places including Truestar. When I joined, I joined for the gym and personal guidance on my meal plan. Within a week I was pigeonholed into a mealplan with a calorie budget that was WAY too low for my stature. And I was pressured to buy thousands af dollars in supplements. (Which I didn't) This pissed me off because it was mentioned off handedly at the signup that it was available but I didn't have to buy them. Also the staff changed just about every week. Seriously. Every week I had a different person helping me with my meal plan. Oh wait that's what I thought until I got into the room and they harrassed me to buy more supplements. (Which I didn't) I stopped doing my weekly 'check-ins', just they gym, and then I couldn't even do that without being bothered on the machines. I truly hate that place. I wonder if someone was getting in trouble because they couldn't make anymore money off me. They even had a women from their head office give me the supplement speach. Anyway to end my rant...there is a better way and this is not it! You're weight loss is not dependent on your pocketbook!

I worked for Truestar Health ....One time at our Peterborough south location, I sent ...a list a meds this clint was on - he gave us the ok to put this women on all sorts of product -  after taken our product, the women....

Where do the pills fit into the lifestyle plan?

Or is taking pills what you consider a lifestyle?

Just wanted to thank you all for sharing your experiences. I got a flyer in the mail today from U Weight Loss and decided to do some reasearch on it, before I even bothered to call or visit them. It's always something to question when the advertisement and website do not even tell you any information or details on the program. After reading the flyer and website, I still had no idea what U Weight Loss did. Thanks for the heads up. I definitely won't be wasting my time.

What I found out to be interesting is that during my visit to "U weight loss" clinic.. there were NO ....

-----paragraph removed at the request of U Weight Loss----

Also, over the past year I have lost 40 lbs.. NOT taking a PILL!

Change in eating habits and excercise is the key.  It's not difficult to figure out it's just difficult to put it all in motion!

Over the past year it's cost me NOTHING to lose the weight however with U Weight Loss they were propossing that I spend a small fortune.. in the tune of almost $2000 for a 10 week program!  Seriously,  Don't take a pill and think your weight will just go away.  Buck up and DO THE WORK!  You will healthier and much more rewarded knowing that you did this on your own!

I went in today for my Free Consultation.  I have to admit, they were convincing.  I decided to come home and do some research too, including calling 2 friends who are personal trainers and asking them about U's reputation in the industry.  Its not good.

I was intrigued and looking for an easy fix. I've lost 36 lbs on my own through moderate diet and exercise in the last 8 months and just felt I needed a kick start to lose the last 14.  Now, I've decided to do it on my own!

Thanks everyone for your comments.  You saved me a bundle!

Dear Sirs,

Yet again there is defamatory content in the comments section of your site.  We have no issue with people posting their opinions of our program; however, what is set out below goes well beyond that.  Please remove the following text immediately:

...and what about the trouble that these two got into (text deleted) ...

above posted by Melanie on August 20, 2009

What I found out to be interesting is that during my visit to "U weight loss" clinic.. there were NO (text deleted)..........

above posted by Kim, September 2, 2009

I worked for Truestar for Women from the very begining - When Tim (text deleted)......

Above posted by Anonymous, September 9, 2009.

Best regards,

Scott Mitchell, General Counsel, U Weight Loss Centres Inc.

I have been following this blog for awhile. And I want people to seriously question why U Weight Loss does not want the truth to come out about their company.

They have been crying out that defamatory comments have been made, but I don't think that such comments would have been made in the first place if there wasn't some truth in them.

The reputation of a company always speaks for itself. If you make enemies out of customers and ex-employees because they see the company for what it is, then isn't that the fault of the company and not the fault of the people making the comments?

Happy ex-employees and customers would obviously not write such reviews.

This isn't meant to be a flammatory comment, but more a wondering as to why U Weight Loss is so defensive. IF U Weight Loss is the ANSWER to keeping off the weight through their 3 secrets and herbal supplements, then the proof will be more than evident without anyone needing to cover up or delete comments made by customers or ex-employees.

And Drew, I know that you were just responding to Scott Mitchell's concerns....I do not fault you for taking action...but I do call into question Scott's need to cover up the truth about U Weight Loss's ties to Truestar and the legal issues that came with Herbal Magic. These things are all well documented all over the internet. Since when is the truth defamatory? l think people should know what kind of company they are sinking their money into. That is called being informed.

Wow....I had an appointment with U weight loss clinic and after participating in everything from Jenny to Berstein..and been successful to obviously falling off that ultimate wagon again and again...I just finally got the message...$2000 could be spent on a nice vacation, and a gym membership that I really use, eat normally and stop making excuses....Thanks for making me finally stop kidding myself.

Shauna.....I was considering U weight loss just now too.....I think you should STOP taking the pills and i'm NOT even going to consider it a moment longer! 

I had an apointment with U Weight Loss recently for a consultation. I was very very close to signing up on the spot.

I even had the pen in my hand before deciding to take a couple days to think about it! The consultation was 2 hours.  I have 50+ lbs to lose, a substantial amount of weight, and I admit that I am feeling a little desperate, frustrated and down on myself about it lately.  

Very convincing pitch they deliver. The atmosphere of the clinic was nice and professional looking. The owner was sitting at the reception desk, which I found to be very weird, and she was the one who did the consultation with me.  

At first I felt she was quite sincere and really cared about helping me. What turned me off is that I kept asking the cost, and she kept changing the subject.

Once the price finally came up, after nearly 2 hours of rather personal questions, she said since she was the owner she could give me a 'deal'...because she was the boss...but not to tell anyone...ha ha ha.... Turns out, it was not really a deal from what I have found out.  

This is a classic sales technique, to make the potential customer feel like they are getting a really great discount, and 'deal'.  For a 12 month program, which included 6 months of maintainence, I was quoted approximately $3000.00 for everything. That is alot of dough.

Another thing that turned me off was that when I thanked her for her time and said I wanted to think about it, she was visibly annoyed.  I also wanted to take the contract with me to look it over, but she did not let me.  I left feeling that perhaps this would cost me more than what I was quoted, that there was some catch.  

I forgot about the free cleanse that was advertised. It never came up, and it was not offered to me when I left.  Things got very short after I didn't sign up and said I wanted to think about it. It simply cannot be good to take as many pills as U Weight Loss recommends; even if they really are legitimate vitamins or herbal supplements! What about getting nutrition from good wholesome food?  I was shocked when they showed me the pill packages, close to a handful of pills each day!  

Thanks to all who posted, it has served as a reminder to me of the reality of weight loss - eat less, move more, be conscious and knowledgable of the nutritional value of the food you put in your mouth. It boils down to self-care.

I am going to take someone's advice who posted above, and spend my money on a nutritionist. I have never seen a nutritionist before.  I am also going to visit a Naturopath, as I have never done that before either, and am interested in the benefits of detoxification on occassion. I am also going to join an exercise class.  I do intimately understand how people get sucked into these high priced diet programs though, they prey on the desperation people feel when their weight gets out of control.

 Although I consider myself to be intelligent, and I was skeptical going in, I was surprised at how closeI came to signing up for the U Weight Loss program. Thanks for snapping me back into reality and for the motivation to do something more sensible, and not fall for a scam.

Any comments about La Weight loss I'd appreciate hearing.

I am a U Weight Loss franchisee ... after having been in the weight loss business for a few years, I was distressed to learn the company I was working for was about to shut down.  I investigated other programs (since it's an industry I enjoy ... helping people) and felt I could not "sell" any of them ... until I hit on U Weight Loss.  It is the most incredible full-service program I have ever seen.  And since it is based on the actual science of the body, and regulating digestive hormones it is very cutting edge.  Nobody else out there does what we do.  Yes, there are supplements involved, but as any health care practitioner in the know will tell you, we NEED to supplement our diets because the food we're getting in the stores just doesn't cut it anymore.  Check out "The Comparative Guide to Nutritonal Supplements" which really spells out the need.  The great thing about this program is they have chosen the best supplements available on the market.  I will not apologize for needing to make money on them, any more than your doctor apologizes for needing to see your health card each visit.  Like your doctor we are not a public service, and need to pay our staff, our lighting bill, and whatever else is necessary to run a successful business.  (I don't see anybody complaining about burger chains selling a 50 cent piece of meat for 7.00)  The services our clients receive from us far exceed the weekly fee they pay us for their coaching.  It is, in my view, the best weight loss bargain out there.  The entire program is computerized, which takes the guess work out of coaching our clients.  Other programs leave the counselling to chance, which leaves clients very frustrated since the information they're receiving is sometimes iffy at best.  In fact, many of our franchisees are Nutritionists, who found the computer program does the job for them, and makes their lives that much easier).  You may chose to do your weight loss via the internet, but the truth is our clients NEED the personal approach they get with their one on one counselling.   But don't take it from me ... ask any one of my clients what they think.  You'll be very impressed.  I would hate to see negativity on blogs like this deter someone from checking in to a program that focuses on the wellness of the body, without using crazy gimmicks.  Yes it is about changing your lifestyle, because being overweight is as terminal a disease as cancer. 

Even for a caring, super-effective, super-powerful business (weight-loss or otherwise), there will always be a few negative comments.

The efforts at censoring the comments speak louder than a negative review or two.

I tend to think that most people who research a company will make up their own minds after reading the various reviews and opinions.

Do the negative reviews read as bitter and false? Or do they have the ring of truth? We all decide for ourselves. It's a great thing, this age of information!

Thanks for the thoughts on U-weightloss, everybody -- it helps us all make a more informed decision!

I added my name in o win a free detox and i won. Actually everyone I know who put their name in won. I went in a had like a 2 hour blah blah... They were pisted when i left without buying.

They called so many times that I finally had their number blocked. This free detox is crap...

They called many times a day... get the hint already!

As a former franchiser, and franschisee.... (non related field of business) I felt compelled to point out what might not be so obvious. Maybe this is to clear my own consious.

Often, the business model is such that if it doens't workout, the creators still make money.

100grand per franschise x 200 franchises = 20 million

less costs, marketing, etc.  ... lets say half?

Which is quickly covered by the ongoing fees charged to the franchisees

Just like Truestar, these companies are Here for a good time, not a long time.

Lauren - I think that pretty much says it all...Just another foolish mistake.  This greedy franchise operator would rather risk very negative reviews and fall into the ever growing pile of typical diet clinic scams out there - then actually give some good customer service, bend the rules and treat you better.   Foolish mistake on their part.   There was a time when I actually thought this place had some integrity and was better then all that.  Nope they just as bad...U weight Loss shame on you...

I know the cynics on this blog will do their best to spin this any way they see fit ... but we've had several clients who haven't been in to see us in the last week or so.  We called them to check on them and found that four of them are at home, nursing family members through the H1N1 flu.  Incredibly, these clients, who have been surrounded by this bug for a week or so, are showing NO SIGNS of the flu.  To be honest we have other clients who are down with the flu ... the difference is those are clients who constantly forget to take their multi-vitamin supplement from us ... the four who are still healthy are religious about taking their supps.    And we know for a fact that none of these four people has received the shot for H1N1.  So, chew on that for a bit you cynics... twist this around any way you care to ... this is proof positive to us that we're doing a great service: and healthy eating alone won't do the job.  The food we're buying now has no where near the nutrition that it did even just ten short years ago.  It must be supplemented with a good quality multi vitamin (and not an over the counter one that your body can't absorb ... nurses call them 'bed pan bullets').  And you bet I am biased towards the U Weight Loss program ... because I know it's the best one out there.  I've worked for others and know the differences.

To the U Weight Loss Clinic Owner named Lynn.

Of course it is unscientific. TEXT REMOVED

Your supplements are better than the one's on the shelves at Walmart? Bull. Show me the scientific studies that say so. TEXT REMOVED

First off, fruits and veggies have more nutrients today because of better shipping, refrigeration and handling procedures. Are they as good as if we grew them ourselves, of course not, but they are better today than they were 10,20,30 years ago. Not to mention, we can freeze veggies and have access to produce year round from all over the world. Compare that to growing your own 100 years ago.

The problem is that people aren't eating enough of them. If you want to improve their health, stop giving them pills and provide organic produce at affordable costs.

Lastly, people are NOT getting sick because they lack vitamins and minerals. If they were that means they would have scurvy, rickets and beriberi!

Get a life. You are preying on peoples fears and insecurities.

You are not preventing H1N1 and your insinuation of such is shameful. 

And another thing Scott....you say that Drew is using the U Weight Loss name without your permission...but really what you mean is that you don't like that overall this blog does not speak well of U Weight Loss....if this website was pumping up the program, then you wouldn't be crying out that Drew is using the U Weight Loss name without permission...you would be happily taking his free publicity...so really this isn't at all about Drew talking about U Weight Loss without getting your permission first....but this is about what has been said...and again, if the negative comments aren't true, then please enlighten us.

I wanted to say that I appreciate the information I have read on this blog.  I would encourage all to report thier issues with this and any other weight loss company they have issue with to Health Services Canada.  1-800-OCanada to get the appropriate numbers.

The Comparative Guide is NOT scientific?

They do NO TESTING. Please people, stop referring to this sales tool.

You can easily get enough vitamins and minerals on a 1200-1500 kcal diet. You just need to eat healthy... which means you get to eat a lot of food.

There is NO proof that foods today lack vitamins and minerals. This is a concept of the supplement companies so they can push their products.

Thank you for sharing your insight but don't fool yourself that these supplements are any better than the next. An even better question is: what the heck is a multi going to do for you anyway? It is good insurance but if you eat healthy otherwise, it just isn't necessary and it sure as heck doesn't aid weight loss.

Obviously people in 3rd world countries are not healthy, but the fact that they can survive on soooooo little food should show just how ridiculous it is to think we are malnourished. WE ARE OVER NOURISHED!

Nobody should have to go in to debt (they have a special health credit card for you to finance their program) to lose weight and get healthy.  If you need support then join WW or do it online.

Thanks for enjoying my post!!  You made me solidify my desicon to leave was a good one.

As for doing it online or doing WW, I personally have tried WW and I really disagree that they don't do much in teaching you the right things to eat...I mean I can have a banana for 3 points or I can have a 100 calorie snack pack of oreos...2 times outta 3...(more like 3/3) the bananas are going to sit on my counter and I'm going to enjoy the oreos....

But it has helped many...so its a great stepping stone (in my opinion!!)

Best of luck to everyone!!

Wow.  This site had me more confused than ever.  lol

BUT....

This I know.....I have been on the U-Loss program for 2 weeks now and even in that short amount of time I have never felt better in my life! I have lost 10 lbs and 8 inches all over.  In the past, I have tried everything.  Herbalife back in the day, LA Weight Loss, Weight Watchers, Slimfast, etc.  Now perhaps I didn't have full confidence in myself those other times or I wasn't fully commited until now but U-Loss is working for me and I feel glad that I have found them to help me with this task.  Left to my own devices things do not go as planned as I always fall by the wayside.  I think it's because I have no one or anything to answer to except for myself and the person that is me has terrible eating habits and always needs to feel full to feel comforted or satisfied.  So far, U-Loss has given me recipes that are easy to follow and that are very tasty!  Who knew that eating healthy could taste good??  I even asked them one day if I'm supposed to eat everything because I was feeling full half way through the meal!  This has never happened.  I was always left feeling like something was missing and felt hungry on other plans.  And U-Weight Loss is TEACHING me how to eat properly.  Teaching me to enjoy "clean" food.  And I do now!  And if that means having to search for a foreign food item in the grocery store because I have never bought it before then I don't mind because then I will know where it is for next time and I have an open enough mind to try anything once.  The supplements, I agree are a bit overpriced but they are doing nothing but good things for my body so I guess you get what you pay for....and nothing is free in this life.

The staff at my clinic in Edmonton, AB have been nothing but nice and helpful.  My only complaint would be that sometimes I am feeling rushed through my coaching session when there are other people in the waiting room.  During the sales session (which I knew at the time it was a sales session, because they are a business and they are just doing their job) the staff did everything they could for me to make it affordable and there was no high pressure at all!  They really believe in the program and have seen the results on themselves and others.  All the sales tactics they use are towards a final good end so in my eyes, they are forgiven.  If you can forgive someone for trying to make a living....

When I asked if they all had degrees in nutrition I was surprised when I learned that only one of them had one.  But when I asked why they told me that the program is computerized and set up by the founders so really anyone could work there.  It made sense to me.  You don't have to be a nutritionist to work a computer.  So basically what I'm paying for is the knowledge of the computer program that was set up by its founders and that is fine.  They still know more than me about nutrition and healthy eating habits!

Anyway, there will always be the nay-sayers and what works well for one may not work well for someone else.  You have to do what is right for you and trust your gut.  And have an open mind.

I'll keep you all updated with my progress!  Ciao!

CLA pills continued....

Efficacy and safety of dietary supplements containing CLA for the treatment of obesity: evidence from animal and human studies.

Larsen TM, Toubro S, Astrup A.

Department of Human Nutrition, Center for Advanced Food Studies, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, DK-1958 Frederiksberg C, Denmark. tml@kvl.dk

See and there you go---more research.  So we can't determine if CLA is beneficial or not---but yet they will try sell you boxes and boxes of stuff, throwing artifical numbers out. 

I actually had a coffee with one of the girls I used to work with.  They had a confrence call on product knowledge.  They were saying to promote CLA as a abdomenon fat burner.  What they leave out of the statement is "some studies"(don't quote me as I know there is differences)...that the increase is by 4%...to me that seems like such a little number to be paying 50-100/week for...but to each their own.  It's all about "Energy Transferce"...BUY BUY BUY.

My reason for posts is not to be a scientist and debate if something actually works----my goal is to encourage potential clients to do their own research before being SOLD on evey single vitamin.  The girl I talked to today said "I don't even care anymore, it's almost fun to sell stuff to people, I just present it in a 12 pack(saves you 20%, BUY NOW) and they just buy it"  It's not that she doesn't care about the clients, but she feels the pressure to SELL.  She also said the "senior health coach" has NO product knowledge and can't answer questions.  I spoke with a very successful manager of a clinic before I left and she said "Oh- I'm not the best person to talk to about product knowlege, I have enough to get me by---but I can sell anything to anybody"....

If you are one of the lucky clients who actually has a clinic where someone knows what they are talking about GREAT!  BUT---for the rest of us, we were told to watch a sales video and read a manual...thats it.  NONE of the girls read the entire book, and learn as you go.  It's really sad.

I think if the founders would stop trying to generate profit, and put some money back into actually "training" their associates or hire "personal trainners, nutritionists, dieticians" or people with a background in nutrion and health....to coach these clients it would be more genuine, and we wouldn't be having this conversation of compermised intergrity of the business.

Why don't you call Dr.James Hyssen and ask for his credentials?  Or I can get one of the girls I used to work with ask, say that a client was concerned...or phone Marina at HO...she is Tims executive assistant and deal directly with the two kahunas.  I would be quite curious as to what sort of explination the could give.

As for the maintainence stated above---it is not the same program as the weight loss.  There are four stages to maintainence program with U weight loss that re-introduce foods that you may have had resitricted access to.  It is a 80-20% rule (like most dieticions and nutritionsts will suggest).  You only go to meetings ONCE/WEEK during maintainence.  The service of 3 times a week during your weight loss is to keep you motivated and on track...but when working their the clients could state they only wanted to come once a week...and we were okay with that as long as we made our $$$.

I've tried googleing the trouble Tim and James go into and I'm not sure I could find anything...maybe I was looking into the wrong places...what exactally were ya refering too?!!

I'm loving this debate by the way!! I know its a little off the headline topic...but its great to get some veiws and opinions...I would love to get some current clients to comment on their expericnce....

As to comment on the price of seeing a dieticion/personal trainer 3 times a week...seeing the consultants at u weight loss is NOWHERE near the value of seeing the other registerd professionals.

From my experience:

Dietician: $100 first 1 hour consult $40 every half hour after (usually once a week, then once a month or as needed)

Personal Trainer: $50/hour,(usually once a week, or as needed) Also group fitness classes (are FREE with most memberships) and group fitness leaders are certified with current CPR and first Aid, as well as go through comprehensive training in order to qualify to instruct!!!!

So lets do some math!  I have 50 pounds to loose.....I'm going to see a dietician for an inital consult, once a week for a month, then once a month until my goal is reached.  Let's aim for 2 pounds a week(the number U WEIGHT LOSS GUARENTEES) so that is 25 weeks!

$460

So lets do some more math!  We are going to see a PT once/week, then go to 2 FREE group fitness classes.  Then after a month we will see our PT once every 2 weeks!!

$725

Grand Total: $1185 (You will get savings if you purchase packages of dietician and personal training sessions...usually 10-15%...)

There for Dieticion/PT =$1000 roughly to reach your goal weight. (There is still the cost of food etc, exactally like U Weight Loss Clinic)

Here is your program costs:

Your ination fee of $249 is waived!! (Buy now!!)

You have 25 weeks of weight loss at $30/week = $750

6 Months of Maintainence =$700

Starter Package= $349

I reccomend most clients purchase their U-Loss and Maintain in advance.  I know when people are loosing weight, they get tunnel vision and just focus on the weight loss.  And we all know that if someone falls of the wagon its hard to get back on, but if you buy all of your product today, and committ to you weight loss and maintainence goal, you have no other option than to reach your goal as you will have all of this product, wouldn't you agree?  So let's get you started today... Most of our clients choose to pay over 12 equal easy intrest free payments, so to qualify you for that, I just need to see your Drivers Liclence....do you have that handy?(Break eye contact)..... sound familar anyone!?!

Oh you want to think about it?  Okay, no worries..but remmember in the questionerre you said you procrastinate, isn't that right?  Okay, so what I've done for you is I've taken away a $250 initiation fee so that we can get you to your goal---you know you said you wanted to be able to wear a bikini for your mexico trip, wouldn't you agree?  Okay, so to qualify you, I just need yor drivers liclence?

(If they object again I would drop the cost of starter package $100...I would make up some phoney excuse that because I really want to get them to their goal...and paint the picture...if there was another objection..."okay I'm not suppose to do this but--let me go ask my manager"...In which, I would go outside and make bets with the girls on weather on ont it would sell.....then go back into the room, and give them four free weeks AND save them $100 off their starter package AND waive their inital fee....so as Tim says "So lets go ahead with it---okay?"

Okay they want to buy

So their program costs are:

$1679

Now we qualify them for healthsmart over 12 equal payments...they get approved for $6000...OMG, our $$$ in our head ting and we act surprised...well "I've never seen an approval so high!!, let's add your vitamins in there!!" (Cause you can't return your vitmains, so you must buy them today!!)

So your U LOSS vitamins:

$55 x25 weeks = $1375

And, I have a specail deal on TODAY!(buying word) I can save you 20% off all your Maintain Vitmains!!!

Sooo....6 months of vitamins are: 1430 but I will save you $286!!! So you might as well buy them as you're going to need them eventually, right? Okay....

OKay so now your vitamin costs are: $2519

Let's add that to your program and we are at 4198 +5% (210)

Roughly $4400 (monthy payments so the number isn't scary)

Okay, granted I've gone from a $4500 program and cut it down to $2000 even...so they have tons of room for play.

Then after your first week, they might start presenting product.  Auxilary product...

Omegas 26 bucks for a month

Thyroment 30 bucks for ten days

Protien (you need to buy for your shakes) 59

Fibre 26 bucks a month

Metabolic Booster 50 a WEEK usually for first month & holidays

Accelorate Reduce 50 a WEEK for duration of program so roughly another $1000 (less 20% if you buy a 12pack)

We had a client on program in the duration of a year, lost 80 pounds and spent just under $12,000.

So if you think its cheaper to go U Weight Loss over a dietician and personal trainer.....

Thanks Melanie---the feeling is mutual!! Let me know if you ever get clairification our our DR.

Cheers!!:)

Hey Author, You must be who I think you are! I was a client near UC mall and you were the manager or assistant manager, blonde, young and WONDERFUL???? Yes???  If so, I stopped going after you left (said you were going back to school). I had the 4 kids and the complicated yeast overgrowth issue. The rest of the staff, one older lady in particular REALLY pushed product on me and I couldn't stand it so I left. I missed my favorite girl, the only one that cared and was intelligent enough! Guess what, I have now gained back 10 lbs because no-one there understood me and my issues or even bother to try to help me. SO now I am stuck paying for an overpriced maintenance package until next summer. Since I left they have called about a thousand times over the last almost 2 months or so. I never answered the phone until today when I accidently picked up and was "co-erced" to coming in next week (to get my moneys worth for the program I paid for they said). I told the pretty girl on the phone that I will not be buying ANY more product, guess they will not like that!!!. I started exercising at home 2 weeks ago (chalean- great weight training) and have wathced what I eat more carefully, and I do regret joining U weight loss due to the high cost. 

I really enjoyed this whole line of thought.  I got the flyer in the mail, and made the looksee to the website, I have always wanted to do a detox/cleanse, so I signed my name for the no obligation free products.

Then decided to google...and thankfully found this.  I tried Herbal Magic, years ago, and hated it, didn't work for me, and cost us a bunch of money...horrible.

Not knowing this was the company they had first, I don't want to go down that road again.  Esp if it is $1000's.  Tried Jenny, tried WW, tried Atkins...I hate them all...and I am smart enough to know I am lazy, and I need to eat less and exercise more...simple to think, hard to do. 

Good luck to everyone, I will continue to seek help, but I keep my money pretty tight to the hip...sale pitches just infuriate me...if it was such a wonderful thing, why make it cost so much...let the masses in and they'd actually be up for nobel prizes...as the world is in such a crisis...with overweightness.  But who can afford this, and that is greed.  I do not support greed.

UWL is just out to make money, they do not care about the clients.  The short version - I made a foolish mistake and joined the program.  After 2 days of joining, I had some unfortunate events happen to me and my family and I attempted to cancel the program (before the 10 day 'cooling off' period).  The staff at UWL claimed that they could only return $800 to me, and I would have to continue paying my monthly fee anyway!  It is also one of their tactics to send the client with the full program's worth of supplements at your first appointment, because once you take them home, they will not provide any refund on the supplements!  I am particularly pissed because the supplements were making me so sick, that my doctor told me to discontinue them.  So now, I am stuck paying for a program that is absent of any integrity.  This is the most expensive mistake that I have made in my life!  I believe that the reason there has been such a big effort to silence people on this blog and others, is because they are not interesting in losing the money in this difficult economy. 

Nobody wants a round and flabby stomach. This is why we are flooded today with infomercials hawking the latest exercise equipment made especially to trim and tone the flabby, sagging, and bulging tummies all across the nation.

If you do go to U Weight Loss for the free detox and consider signing up, take a few minutes to work out the cost per lb. Are you really willing to pay $50.00 to $70.00 for EACH pound you need to lose?

BigD,

I'm glad that this board helped you....Good Luck in your weight loss journey! :) And you are right, eat less and move more is sometimes so much easier in theory than in practice...:) 

You cannot return product that you had purchased.  Reason being is for health-reasons.  They can not re-sell this product once they have left the clinic.  I had a lady and her husband come in and cancel, and they ended up owing us money to cancel.  They were not happy as she was getting sick from the program, and had a doctors note.  I just got a phone call from a friend I signed up who has been seeing the doctor, and is off program as/doctors request.  She just asked me about cancellation policy and refunding her product.  Because she got a friends and family discount(50% off EVERYTHING) she is screwed, she would owe almost a thousand to cancel, plus be stuck with all her product!!!! Even though it may be a health issue.  I would like to know if anyone eles out there has gotten sick from the U Weight Loss Program, as it seems to be an issue I have heard about a few times...I know when I followed meal plans they were heavy in cheese, which didn't agree with my body....but perhaps there is a huge issue that needs to be addressed regarding how healty this program is, and maybe a way around the fact if people get sick, they shouldn't be charged back fullprice for everything!!!

Thank you everyone sooo much for sharing your experiences and opinions!  I called a clinic right before I started reading this blog and I booked an appointment for Wednesday for a free consultation :S.  After reading all your comments I'm feeling really weary towards U-Weightloss and have decided to cancel my appointment.  Hopefully they don't harrasse me forever!!

Thanks again!

Steph

I agree - I am losing wight - feel great - being encouraged - have great recipes.  all in all a perfect solution for my weight loss.  they have encouraged a change in behaviour, I haven't been hassled into buying anything I didn't want.  I priced out supplements - they seem expensive everywhere!  Happy with the program.

I investigated U weight loss as a potential franchisee and the vibes I got from the owner was shady. This guy is not someone I felt I could trust, he has a predatory vibe and energy and yes he is all about money.  I bought myself another franchise that is doing really great and just checking see how U was doing, jsut making sure I didn't make a mistake by walking away....and I am so happy I did not buy this thing...because it is at the begining stage of southward turn.  My instinct was right...after I learned about the failure of truestar and the troubles with Herbal Magic, I was hesitant and the owners, they are really a piece of work.  I can relate to much of what is being said on here. The owners recruit people just like themselves and I could feel the shady vibes when i met with them,

Actually, they prefer people who 'don't know any better'. Literacy or experience in health, wellness and nutrition are not required.

If you know too much, you might ask questions....

My wife and I are interested in joining, but I would like to obtain a copy of their contract and review it carefully before I sign anything.  Would someone be able to scan in their contract and send it to me? drivenhard74@hotmail.com. Thanks

Hi, I am very concerned about what I read here. Has anybody ever tried to take their concerns to the Better Business Bureau, Consumers Bureau or Health Canada.  All of these places say they look after these sorts of complaints.  As a result of their supplements that put me in debt now I'm sick...as a dog. I'm on medication, my whole system is a mess. I have about 80 pounds to lose and now all foods make me sick.  I wish these people didn't prey on people looking for help and then all they want to do is sell.  I don't think they give a rats 'hoot' about the client, it's all smoke and mirrors. I agree they have good recipes, but how is it that each recipe is so exact but if you try to replicate it on your website account you get different calorie/protein etc values?  And how come if everything has to be done exactly as they say...why is it okay to switch regular milk vs the soymilk they promote. Go look at the nutritional info on those two items...they don't match...so for all intense and purpose by switching the two items...the menu is no longer  perfectly aligned with carbs, protein etc. Curious and ashamed to say I bought in, I thought they were the answer to my prayers...finally an eating program for life...but now I suffer in my body and my pocketbook. Well now what do I do with those 80lbs I want to lose..I guess I'll figure it out. Here in BC.

I just want to say, I 'won' a free 12 week program at herbal magic in 2003. I worked very hard and lost a lot of weight. I took home all the pills and never did take them. (I sold them on e-bay).

Anyways, I was very strict with my portions and took my own food if we went out anywhere. One day I forgot it and I felt so guilty because I was starving. The hostess at the home we were visiting served up tortelini. I only had 3 of those little ones and 1 slice of bread. I wrote it in my food journal. I still went down by 1 pound that week. The next morning I got a very threatening phone call from the owner of the franchise location. She yelled at me on the phone and told me I wasn't taking their program seriously. (If I wasn't I would have lied about what I ate in my food journal to avoid the guilt,) I also had lost 20lbs in the first 4 weeks and 2 dress sizes. She even told me NOT to exercise anymore because then people would think that was what made me loose weight and not the program. I was appauld! She spoke to me like I was 5 yrs old and threatened me if I told the sponsors of the contest.

If you have weight to loose, then research proper portion sizes and follow the canadian food guide. spend a few bucks and hire a personal trainer. you will save a lot of money! or even get your doctor to follow your progress and encourage you.

I did the program for the 12 weeks. I didn't take the pills except for the one they give you when you go for your appointment.  I lost more than the other contestants, and lost the contest which the owner told me I would because of my defiance. I lost almost 50 lbs and went from a size 18 down to a size 7. The inches were all wonky though. My doctor laughed when I told him they measure everywhere so they get the huge inch loss totals. really who measures their wrists and ankles?

I was a employee at herbal magic, all i can say is they are complete BS and full of themselves.

Everything from the way to handle complaints, treat employees, the program, and the crazy bimbos they hire.

i would love to discuss this more, to those interested.

I believe companies like this are nothing but a scam and dont deserve a penny from anyone!

Its about time CBC marketplace investigates them.

Cant wait to see them go down.

talk about horrible management.

a letter I had wrote in to the contact email on their website. of course I never heard back from them... what a flipping waste of time and money!

To the Owners of UWeightLoss;

I have worked in the customer service industry for many years now and as much as it is important to let a company know about a great experience with their service it is equally as important to let them know about the negative experiences that happen so there can be improvements and changes to better serve its purpose and customers.

I had joined this program recently because of positive feedback from a few family members and had fairly high hopes from the research and word of mouth I have heard about this facility. Starting off I was pretty excited but yet a bit apprehensive after meeting with a consultant and signing up. The program in theory made great sense and sounded like a sure bet. But with every visit to my UWeightLoss center I gained more and more doubt and questioned the staffs qualifications and commitment to what they were selling.
 
First and foremost I must bring up my first time in there and signing up. I met up with a consultant solely based on seeing an ad for a free detox and went in for that. All the sudden we started talking and before I knew
it there was a sheet full of numbers and prices to sign up in front of me all layed out. I was taken quite aback from this but still listened to what the whole program was about and the cost and what exactly would happen.

I had stated quite clearly that it seemed like quite a bit of money to commit to for a program and not sure if I wanted to sign up for anything yet. Once saying that right away the girl insisted that it was a great program and would work and how we had quite a bit of work to start on right away to get me to my goal in a few months.
I was still unsure, and at that point she pointed at the bottom of the contract slip showing that if you do not lose the weight in the given time you will get your money refunded guarenteed. Never once did she show me the back side of the contract or talk about this "pro rate" or any other part of the contract.

All she said to me when I showed reluctance is that my money will be refunded if the program did not work for me. Hearing that I signed up based on that one fact. A completely false fact. It sounded like a great deal. Either I get to my goal weight and am super happy for the hard work put in and think money was well spent to feel and live a healthier life and to get the goal weight I wanted.

Yet if I followed the few rules and I didn't lose the weight guarenteed then I would get my money refunded. So I signed up on a false conception of the contract because nothing else was pointed out or talked about of the actual contract and how you really do not get any money back. Never in my life have I felt so scammed out of my money by a program.

I am always very cautious with my money and with signing up with any types of contracts and for this girl to fully listen to me explain how I view what is worth my money being spent on and to not even mention anything about the actual contract to me before I signed up is just absolutely taking advantage of the customers and making them sign up under false pretenses. I only did find out about the real contract when I went to get my money refunded after the given guarenteed time had passed and I had come no where near close to losing the guarenteed weight. Then at that point was the contract explained to me. I have never felt so taken advantage of before in my life and there was nothing I could even do, even after explaining that none of the actual contract was discussed with me, and I had signed up based on a lie. This is only what I had come to notice though at the end of my time with UWeightLoss, there was quite a few dissapointments with the program even before this had happened.
 
1. Lack of consistancy within the consultants
Everytime I went in for a consult I would be with a different girl and they all seemed to have different ideas on what was/wasn't allowed for food and for recipe substitutions. One girl would tell me it is okay to eat a certain food and then the next week a girl would look at my journal and ask my why I ate that and that it is not allowed. The same went for recipe substitutions. As well once I started the accelorator pill the lady told me to just take one a day and I did for a week then the next week a girl told me that that was wrong and I was supposed to take them twice a day. This is where there validity of their jobs started being questioned in my mind when everyone seemed to have their own view of what was acceptable and not acceptable. Very confusing, very frusterating to try and follow.
 
2. Poor listening skills
Everytime I went in it seemed like I was meeting a new consultant and having to explain my special circumstances  and start from the beginning trying to explain my work and sleep schedule and my particular food preferences. Many times I would go in and try to explain how since starting the program I have experienced less energy thanusual and the complaint usually seemed to be brushed off and never actually addressed. Also everytime I would be asked about how often I exercise and I would always say how working out has never been an issue I go to the gym once or twice a day everyday in my building. One time I had said this to a consultant how I get in lots of exercise daily and her response to me was, "well if you are having trouble getting exercising time in a day you can even just climb stairs up and down." not only was she completley not listening to me to even suggest this after I said I go to the gym daily, and half the time twice daily clearly shows it went in one ear and out the other which is quite offensive to even say to a 22year old to climb stairs if having trouble exercising.

Furthermore, at the beginning of the progam I had clicked off on my file all the foods I liked/ disliked and would not eat for recipes. One week when I was having quite a hard time getting meal plans for being on the road for a week straight living out of a suitcase for my job. A consultant came up with a very strict and "easy" on the road meal itenerary. Although this was very nice of her to go out of her way to come up with a whole week of recipes for meal plans for while I was flying, she had emailed me almost all the main food items I had marked off as foods I do not eat, which proved to me further that I was just a file and not actually a customer to these people if I had to constantly repeat myself all the time and them never actually being able to remember a single thing about me.
 
 
Aside from these major flaws in the location I was going to the program did not do one single thing promised. -Did not have increased energy (one of the main reasons besides weight loss for signing up!!)
Actually experienced less energy than normal for most of the program and no one knew how to help that besides just hearing the same old memorized speech from every consultant about the pills.

-Got no where near the guarenteed weight loss even though following the program religiously when at home, and as best as possible while flying.
-decreased hunger and cravings Didnt have as many cravings but still had them often especially flying. I felt like I absoltely needed sugar to be properly functioning and alert for my job or else would feel lightheaded or zero energy which is not acceptable to be in that state for my job.

Was defintely hungry always even after following meal plans and felt as though I was starving myself many times, even though program promised to reduce cravings and hunger if eating fuller meals.
 
 
Overall I was very dissatisfied with this program in many different ways that I have expressed and felt it was important for the higher up running employees to see what is going on because you don't know if you don't get feedback, which is what I am providing for you because I certainly hope no one goes through the experience I had to, especially with the signing up on false information and being ripped off by the contract.
My experience has been quite negative and I will go out of my way unfortunately to let friends and family know to not waste their time or money with this program because of how poorly I felt I was dealt with and how the location I went to was run.

If you have any further questions please feel free to contact me

Being an old manager of one of the clinics, I would love to get on board and let the Better Business Burea AND News know just how phony this company is.  You are using 19-25 year old students, previous servers, college drop-outs to educate you on your weight loss.  I was amazed at how much garbage these girls themselves consumed.  Having an education and background in health and fitness, I was in awe of their coffee every morning(not aloud on program), Wendy's or McDonalds for lunch, Tim Hortins breaks, one of the girls even confinded in me after I left how much of a joke she thought it was and had to smoke a joint before her shift, during her lunch break and right after work now.  Whenever a (in my opinion) qualified candidate came in, she assistant (who had been their the longest) said "They are over qualified, don't bother"...what?!  So let's employee girls, whos main focus in life, is to see you enough A/R and M/B to make comissons to go party that weekend with the other staff.  Sickens me.  I could go on and on about how ridiculas this company is.  Maybe, just maybe there is some clinics that are passionate about what they do, and actual have qualified health consultants....

But here is my opinion, in a time where obesity is on the rise, and being inactive alone is costing BILLIONS of dollars in healthcare...people may waste thousands of dollars in money with a company like this, be turned off of achieving overall health and not give it a real chance.

Go to a dieticion or nutritionist if you need, or there is a government funded line in the phone book offering nutritional advice. And hire a CERTIFIED personal trainer, with references.

GOODLUCK and hopefully more people read this blog for what it really is...uncovering a scam!

U Weight Loss owner ripped me

People need to get a life. People grow up and take responsibilty don't blame others for your brainless purchases.  Writing about your displeasures just proves to me how many stupid people there are.

Sounds like a typical franchisee. Sorry, are the comments cutting into your profits?

I worked at a UWL clinic for a bit and it made me sick how clients were pushed and pressured into buying over priced supplements.

They claim to really care, but in reality it's all about the money....

The end result, it's a SCAM!!! STAY AWAY

Extremely Pleased and Excited!!!

THE BEST PROGRAM I HAVE BEEN ON.  FROM THE COACHES CARE, THE PROGRAM, CONTINOUS GUIDANCE AND SUPPORT.  I HAVE LOST 47 POUNDS AND WAS MEDICATED FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE - NOW I NO LONGER TAKE ANY TYPE OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE PILLS.

THIS PROGRAM HAS SAVED MY LIFE AND I FEEL GREAT!!!

How much does U Weight Loss Cost?

Has anyone done the program and calculated the total for 6 months? A year?

Maybe we could get some discussion over the cost of various programs going here.