Recently, it has been suggested that the Optavia diet is an excellent choice for those looking to shed some weight. Is it as great as people have been claiming it to be?
Before venturing into the depths of Optavia’s products, we should analyze what Optavia is and if it could be categorized as a type of pyramid scheme.
What Is Optavia?
You may be unfamiliar with the Optavia diet that has become popular in recent times, but you may be taken aback to find out its origins. The Optavia diet is a branch of the Medifast firm, which rapidly changed its image shortly after getting fined for asserting unsubstantiated statements about its 5&1 weight reduction program in 2012.
The deceptive advertising resulted in a class action lawsuit against Medifast, which resulted in the firm having to pay a staggering 3.7 million dollar compensation for their deceptive commercials. Optavia is a revised version of the original Medifast meal replacement items.
How Optavia Works & Optavia Components
The Optavia diet replaces your standard meals with five 100-calorie “fuelings” throughout the day, plus one substantial dinner with whole foods – the Lean & Green meal. As opposed to that, Medifast was made to aid individuals with rigid dietary regulations in getting ready for bariatric surgery.
Although initially made for a different purpose, the company revised the items to be advantageous for the public to use with the intention of losing weight. People are singing the praises of Optavia because of the quick weight loss it offers, as well as the ease of eating meal replacements rather than needing to cook meals.
In contrast, there are serious dangers associated with lifestyle decisions that include inadequate calorie intake, consuming processed food and having overly rigid regulations (limit of 3 condiments per day, restrictions on daily water intake). This can lead to a greater risk of nutrient deficiency and slower metabolism, as well as issues such as muscle wastage and digestion problems, as well as hair loss.
The Optavia program contains numerous components to support weight reduction which will be evaluated in depth here.
Health Coach
Optavia is different from Medifast in that it includes one-on-one mentoring meetings. The products largely remain the same, though they now include private coaching sessions.
However, don’t become overly enthused; these guidance sessions are not run by healthcare professionals. People who took part in the Optavia program and bought the $200 Optavia business bundle, plus successfully achieved a certification exam on the Habits of Health, are these instructors.
As part of this multi-level marketing company, upon completing their program, you’ll have the opportunity to inquire with your mentor if you may be added as a trainer, which will enable you to acquire more customers and instructors beneath you.
Trainers are required to support you with the Habits of Health and demonstrate to you the guidelines in order to help you learn to create healthier practices. The coaches are also there to hold you accountable to achieving your goals and to provide you with lifelong assistance in your journey of personal growth.
Habits of Health System
Dr. Wayne Scott Anderson created the Habits of Health System. This product is being advertised as a revolutionary system which helps people to implement a secure and beneficial lifestyle which is based on the following six aspects: Sustaining an appropriate weight, Eating and consuming liquids in a healthy manner, Incorporating regular, healthy physical activity, Sleeping and resting healthily, Keeping a mentally healthy state, and Ensuring a healthy environment.
These six habits can definitely be beneficial to anyone. The key to any successful lifestyle shift is to modify practices to ones that involve looking after yourself with a proper weight, improved nutrition, physical activity, etc.
Optavia Community
Their website states that on top of having a mentor to support you during your change, there is also an assemblage of individuals who share similar goals that can help you reach success. Optavia is providing customers with a platform to interact with coaches and other customers through social media, in addition to participating in various happenings such as live webinars, virtual meetings, and consults.
The presence of other individuals who are engaging in and adapting to the same lifestyle and dietary changes might give you the encouragement you need to stay committed to the plan.
Fuelings
The products that they sell are called fuelings. Optavia offers a series of plans that have been clinically tested and created with the input of nutrition experts, dietitians, researchers, and medical professionals.
These foods are pre-made and are “nutritionally similar” and have sources of protein and probiotics. The 5 kinds of fuelings are Essential, Select, Classic, Optimal Health, and Snacks & More.
It is possible to sort and organize the options in different ways that can help someone find what they are looking for to meet their dietary needs. Vegetarian options are present, but they are not indicated with the accepted vegetarian sign or the normal green dot associated with vegetarian items.
It is probable that a great deal of the items have components derived from animals, like whey protein, casein, calcium caseinate, cheese, and other dairy products. Not many of the vegetarian products have a savory flavor; the majority are sweet.
A list of vegetarian options without eggs or milk, as well as some with milk but not eggs, is available on their website. Not much variety there.
The website provides a comprehensive nutrition label, components, and symbols that feature nutrition facts for gluten free, kosher, heart healthy and so on for every product. This is useful for figuring out which items will meet your health requirements, and which won’t.
Can I Use Optavia For Weight Loss?
Theoretically, yes you can. The extreme caloric restrictions typically result in weight loss.
Even so, it appears unlikely that weight loss can be sustained after discontinuing the program and reverting back to a regular diet of only natural foods.
Is Optavia Keto?
No, it is not. Depending on which plan you select, the average number of calories consumed can differ.
The most sought-after diet allows for 800-1000 calories to be consumed daily on average, with 40% of those calories coming from carbohydrates, 40% from proteins, and 20% from dietary fats.
Clients who use Optavia are shedding pounds because of the severely limited intake of calories, not from the particular mix of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. In order to compare, a genuine ketogenic diet will usually have macronutrient intake in the range of 5-10% for carbs, 15-30% for protein, and 60-75% for dietary fat.
Optavia Diet Complaints
I find it highly suspicious that their company doesn’t possess much input from customers, even though it is so widely liked.
The BBB website was the only one to offer complaints and I was able to uncover a lot of useful information there relating to the products.
Best Life has singled out Optavia as the most unfavorable weight-loss program, clearly indicating its cons.
Some of the most notable complaints include the following themes:
- It works, but it just costs too much to maintain.
- Side effects may be drastic.
- Products can even alter the menstrual dates for women.
- Loss of muscle mass due to rapid calorie cut.
- Decrease in metabolism due to rapid calorie cut.
- Extreme fatigue, weakened bones, and low immunity.
- Fast weight loss is possible with unknown long-term effects.
Some trainers who are mainly aiming to make sales will tell you that Optavia alone will help you shed pounds. It is necessary for us to keep exercising and it has a great impact on transforming our habits.
The 800 to 1000 calorie range can be awfully meager, particularly since many people have an average resting metabolic rate of 1200!
As a person who wishes to shed some pounds, you should understand that there are more wholesome strategies to reduce the extra fat.
If you’re hoping to make a profit using a multi-level marketing plan, you should be aware that this type of endeavor is highly questionable morally, and you may find it difficult to convince people to go without food.
Is Optavia an MLM?
Yes, Optavia is a multi-level marketing scheme, and it’s clear that many of the coaches are only involved in order to make money from the sales of products. It also features a pretty complex compensation plan which allows you to earn from three opportunities mainly:
- Client support income
- Team building income
- Leadership development income
Commission, certification incentives, consistency from coaches, and rewards for gaining new clients are all part of the Client Support Income.
In order to progress with more income and progress up the ranks, you need to meet certain requirements concerning the amount and number of orders.
The lowest tier of ranking is Coach, while the most lucrative position is Integrated Presidental Director. To give you a ballpark figure of what to expect, you can earn around:
- $300 to $500 – get at least 6 people to purchase the Select Favorites Kit at $3.9k per month.
- $1000 – if you get 11 people to purchase the Optimal Essential Kit.
- $2000 – if you get 17 people to buy the Favorite Select Kit.
Is Optavia a Pyramid Scheme?
As previously brought up, certain MLM setups are not genuine and are, in fact, just pyramids schemes presented in a different manner.
Optavia is a multi-level marketing program that makes you wonder if it’s a legitimate opportunity or yet another fraudulent pyramid-selling enterprise.
In order to address this, let us come up with a description of what a pyramid scheme is.
According to Wikipedia, a pyramid scheme is a type of chain referral program wherein individuals are given the opportunity to promote a product through a distributorship or franchise.
Earnings here are not made through the sale of the product, but through offering new distributorship opportunities. The focus on offering franchises eventually results in a shortage of possible investors, leading to the pyramid structure failing.
Essentially, businesses whose primary purpose is to make money off of recruiting more participants rather than selling a product for a profit is a pyramid scheme.
Somewhat similar to what Optavia does.
They tempt individuals to experiment with their items and services, eventually pushing them to serve as representatives of their products.
Many customers accept this offer since the prices for Optavias are too expensive and provide them with a special discount.
In a way, they are incentivized to join.
Getting a training position in Optavia will set you back $199, however that is only a minor amount as you will still have to purchase items from the company each and every month, and to remind you, a number of them come to about $500 each month.
As indicated in Optavia’s 2017 Income Disclosure Statement, $2k a year or greater was earned by only a small portion of coaches, coming to 10%. On the other hand, 30% of coaches made nothing, and the remainder earned less than $1k each year.
How Does Optavia Work?
Once you have registered for one of the weight loss systems and plans provided, you can rest assured that you will receive further incentivizing resources to assist you on your journey.
You could get tips and motivational phrases directly to your phone, talk with your coach on the phone on a weekly basis, and use a mobile app that provides notifications and alerts for food-related information.
You will be able to join a private online group to post your stories on the message board and ask queries.
Once you join Optavia, you will have to choose between three types of programs such as:
- 5&1 Program – this type of diet subscribes you to 5 Optavia fuelings and 1 Lean and Green meal every single day for 12 weeks.
- 4&2&1 Program – this type of diet subscribes you to 4 Optavia fuelings, one snack, and 2 Lean and Green meals for 12 weeks.
- 3&3 Program – this diet is mainly for maintenance after the first 12 weeks, and it includes 3 Fuelings and 3 Lean and Green meals/day.
Before settling on any of your choices, consult your coach and let them know about preferences, desired weight, lifestyle, age, and any existing medical issues.
It would be beneficial to let them know if you have any food allergies because the food they offer generally includes fiber, monk fruit, inulin, whey protein, and pea protein.
This data will assist them in constructing a particular plan for you that outlines your particular daily calories and nutrient requirements.
The 5&1 is typically the go-to plan for the majority of individuals because it involves a drastic decrease in caloric consumption.
Take into account that everyone may not experience the same alteration since some could require more than 12 weeks to shed the same quantity of weight. Once 12 weeks have passed, you can switch over to the 3&3 program to keep it going.
I believe that the programs can help with weight loss, however it is not usually advised that you consume 800-1000 calories a day as the 5&1 plan suggests.
Research indicates that 800-1000 calories consumed daily can be quite dangerous without a doctor’s oversight, as this amount of food does not provide enough energy to perform everyday activities.
I attempted the 800 calorie diet for a week and almost passed out on the third day. Others may accept it, but please bear in mind that sustaining it is hard work.
There Are Many Questions Surrounding Optavia And Its Parent Company Medifast, Including If Optavia Is A Pyramid Scheme
What is the future of Optavia? Despite the uncertain coaching style and strict meal plans, Optavia’s popularity is increasing, especially amongst middle aged to elderly women.
Revenue for Optavia increased dramatically in 2019, with a 17% increase in the fourth quarter and a remarkable 42% jump over the course of the full year. No indications were seen in 2020 that the company was slowing its pace.
In society, people will always seek out ways to quickly reduce their weight and products that make the weight loss process easier. There are still inquiries to be answered regarding Optavia, its parent corporation Medifast, and whether or not it is a Ponzi scheme.
If you need help making changes for a healthier life, it is highly recommended to seek the advice of a knowledgeable, certified, and officially licensed expert.
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