Diet Advocate

Have you even considered joining a popular weight loss program? Now's your chance -- Weight Watchers has recently announced that they'll be waiving their registration fee until May 29th, according to recent reports from Wallet Pop. You'd be joining Hollywood starlet and American Idol alum Jennifer Hudson on the journey -- she was recently announced as the new spokesperson for the diet. And it's just in time for summer, in case any of you aspire to have toned bikini bodies by July.

Here's the deal: If you sign up for one of their three-month memberships that includes the online plan or one with regular meetings, Weight Watchers will waive the normal $29.95 sign-up fee. Not sure you want to commit to three months on a diet? They offer a free one-week trial that will allow you to try out the features.

So, what will you be signing up for? Weight Watchers will provide guidelines for foods you should and shouldn't be eating, all with the goal of burning more calories than you consume, but unlike programs such as Jenny Craig, they don't provide the actual food. Your membership will either give you access to the online tools or communities, or set you up for live meetings in your area.

While we're usually pretty adamant that fad diets don't work, Weight Watchers is generally regarded as one of the most sensible weight loss programs out there because it advocates a balanced approach to eating and teaches healthy habits that can and should be sustained for life. They offer several different weight-loss approaches, so customers can choose what works best for them. And they're known for their outstanding support system that includes both online and in-person communities to help people stay motivated and committed. However, the program can be a bit pricey, which is why it's a good idea to take advantage of deals like this if it's a program that you think you'd like to try.

But onto the more important question: Is it worth it? That's completely up to you -- some people may thrive on a structured program, but at the end of the day, weight loss can be totally free as long as you're committed to it.

Want proof that it works? Check out how Amanda lost 70 pounds on Weight Watchers.