Submitted by Michele Turcotte on 22 January, 2012 - 4:51pm
Posted in
Dotti's Weight Loss Zone sounds much like a new, cutting edge diet program but that’s not what it is. In fact, Dotti’s unique ‘program’ doesn’t recommend or prescribe a specific diet (per say); the mission of Dotti's Weight Loss Zone is to provide the most comprehensive weight loss resource you can find in one place – her web site. Dotti's Weight Loss Zone utilizes and expands upon the Weight Watcher’s point program. But that is only the tip of the iceberg.
Who is Dotti and what is Dotti's Weight Loss Zone?
Founded by Dotti Coon and her husband Al, this ‘regular’ woman has struggled with obesity throughout adulthood but, as of October 19, 1998, had successfully dropped 105.5 pounds the ‘right way’ by consuming a calorie-controlled diet (using Weight Watchers) and adopting other healthy lifestyle changes, reaching Weight Watcher’s “Lifetime” status. The Dotti's Weight Loss Zone web site was initially created by Dotti’s husband, Al, to help keep her motivated as she worked to lose weight. In addition to losing weight (primarily through following the Weight Watchers point system), Dotti quit a three-pack-a-day smoking habit. Her success fueled her passion and she decided to share everything she knows and has learned over her lifetime about weight loss through her web site and social networking venues. Though her weight yo-yo’d over the years, and she re-gained the weight she had lost, she continues to offer a variety of weight loss tools and tips to support her loyal followers. As of late 2007, Dottie reports having maintained a loss of 42 of the original 105.5 lbs.
The Dotti's Weight Loss Zone web site is chock full of helpful weight loss resources, such as sample menus (listing Weight Watcher’s based-points), tasty recipes, FAQs, a personal newsletter, weight loss articles, diet tips and external links. In addition, her site features a very comprehensive list of restaurants and menu items for each along with Weight Watcher’s point values. Two point values (one in black and one in red) appear alongside the food items (to reflect points calculated using both the old [Score] and the new [Score Plus] Weight Watchers guidelines) and so much more. Dotti's Weight Loss Zone’s information is based on her motto “It’s a lifestyle, not a diet.”
What makes her program unique?
What makes Dotti's Weight Loss Zone ‘unique’ is that it is designed entirely as a resource ‘warehouse’ to help any and every visitor and site participant or follower lose weight successfully. Dotti's Weight Loss Zone covers most of the basics of losing weight, such as tips for motivation and suggestions for staying on track with regular exercise. What gives it another special twist from the traditional is the huge focus Dotti places on community. One of the biggest aspects of this program, Dotti's Weight Loss Zone offers forums where dieters can congregate to discuss their successes, failures, trials, tribulations and tips. The web site also features individuals who wish to share their success stories, complete with before and after photos. Dotti sells cookbooks through a store on her web site, which helps provide financial support to continue the program costs for Dotti and Al. There is also an avenue where dieters can go to find a weight loss buddy for additional motivation and support.
Pros, cons and updates
The amount of information available on Dotti’s Web site, as well as updates, is astounding. Though the site is a bit over-crowded, overwhelming and perhaps confusing for new visitors, it is full of character and anecdotes. Though at first glance the web site appears novice in format, graphics and set-up, it is exploding with helpful resources for folks that wish to lose weight. Dotti's Weight Loss Zone boasts a Facebook page and, in February of 2011, Dotti proved that she can keep up with technology by publishing both Android and iPhone apps, which you can use to look up one of nearly 600 restaurants and the nutritional information of their food item, including the food points. Similar to her web site, two point values per item appear when you look up a food item. The numbers are not exactly the same, usually differing by about ½ point, and again reflect the results of both the old [Score] and new [Score Plus] methods of calculating Weight Watcher’s points.
The bottom line is that though Dotti is not a credentialed weight loss expert, she is very bubbly, positive and motivating. Her point-based sample menus, recipes, printable daily journals and healthy lifestyle tips, such as ‘20 ways to get your 8 glasses (of water) daily’ might be just the type of advice you need to get and stay motivated. One thing is for certain: Dotti has a true passion for helping people. At the very least, her web site is worth a peek. An estimated 72 million people have visited Dotti's Weight Loss Zone to date. This is not because she has any magic tricks or diet secrets, but because you can find information that can help you to lose weight and keep it off.
REFERENCES
Your Opinion Counts
Have any questions or comments? Participate in the discussions today. Use the "Post new comment" form at the bottom of the page to ask your questions and share your ideas. Use the correct spelling and grammar.
Post new comment