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Lite For Life
Category: Health and Medical Nutritionists Nutritionists [Edit]
1300 Sanchez St(between 26th St & Cesar Chavez St)
San Francisco, CA 94131
Neighborhood: Noe Valley
(415) 641-4489
- Hours:
Mon, Wed 7 am - 6 pm
Tue, Thu 7 am - 1 pm
Fri 7 am - 5 pm
Sat 9 am - 12 pm
Personalized herbal formulas, nutrition and lifestyle recommendations and seasonal cleansing with an experienced ayurvedic practitioner.
15 reviews for Lite For Life
15 reviews in English
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Review from abra w.
San Francisco, CA
11/9/2011
For me, Lite for Life is all about the personalized nutritional and emotional support I have gotten from Heather and Sylvie. During the first six weeks of the weight loss plan I stopped in EVERY DAY with my log, successes and failures and upcoming food challenges.
I lost the weight I had hoped to then signed onto to the weekly one year maintenance program for good measure. I gained most back back so then the real work began. Every week the "diet ladies" as they are known in my house have interesting tips to keep me on track. Most importantly to me they lend an ear to the concerns that had lead me to the cookie aisle in the first place. And they still do, even with my two kids in tow, screaming (Lite for Life) cookie and leaving a few crumbs behind!!!
I couldn't be more pleased with the support I have gotten. Every week I get a reminder of what has worked or something else to try. A few things that have worked for me include: green tea, dessert gum, chicken salad dinners, MyFitnessPal, spring rolls, not eating the kid's snacks, think thin bars, and of course, throwing out the cookies. -
Review from Deborah C.
Daly City, CA
7/12/2010
I was looking to lose weight, but also to learn more about nutrition in general so that I could set myself up to make better food choices for myself and my family. LFL delivered on what they promise. Their counselors are very helpful (my favorite is Sylvie). They help you to design a food plan around your lifestyle. I have learned so much about healthy eating, and the plan is very doable. Of course, there is no magic bullet when it comes to weight loss. You need to be motivated to make it work, but their plan works when you stick with it.
Over the past six weeks, I have started to get a handle on what felt like out of control carb cravings. I'm down ten pounds and I'm not done yet! -
Review from Amy S.
San Francisco, CA
8/5/2009
I started at LFL in May and have lost nearly 20 pounds. I have stuck with this longer and closer than any other diet or nutrition program I've tried. I love that it is based in metabolic physiology, with the ultimate goal of keeping blood sugar stable in order to control hunger and metabolism.
The plan basically has you follow a modified food pyramid but cuts the sugar and refined carbs (as well as red meat) so that you are eating just a very healthy diet, high in veggies, lean protein and fruit. The best part is that you meet with a nutrition counselor as often as you like, who reviews what you have been eating and gives you advice, as well as keeps you accountable (oh yeah, and weighs you). My schedule is three times a week, I pop in there, get weighed, review my food diary, maybe buy some healthy food from their little market (it's not required, though) and talk to the counselors about how I've done in the past couple days and any "challenges" I've had. I'm not a group-therapy type person, so the 1:1 attention is perfect for me and fits my busy schedule (you never need an appointment and never wait more than a minute). Another good thing is that while they are very supportive of your struggles, they also really keep you accountable and call you out if you eat crappy food and gain weight. I need that kick in the pants when I mess up!
I highly recommend this as a lifelong eating plan, because it really is about changing how you view yourself and food. You will feel so much better eating this way because your blood sugar is not all over the place (and thus the starving/gorge cycle). They teach you how to make good eating decisions, it's not about buying special food, so I know it's something I will use for the rest of my life. -
Review from Susan A.
San Francisco, CA
9/6/2010
I'm a real client who's been going to Lite for Life about 12 weeks. For years I've been trying to lose 10 pounds - not a lot, but important to me. I've tried Weight Watchers, which worked, but in 6 months I'd have gained the weight back. I walked out of the first interview with Jenny Craig. Lite for Life is what worked for me. Here's why - the diet is healthy, there is incredible one-on-one support, you don't have to buy their food unless you want to, which is an amazing healthy support. The counselors are wonderful. Check out their biographies. They are smart, extremely well educated in nutrition, and compassonate. They really do teach you a new way of eating. However, don't expect to lose 10 pounds in 6 weeks unless you're pretty heavy to start with. I've lost 9 pounds in 12 weeks, which is ok with me. And it's very hot in there when the weather warms up.
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Review from Barbara P.
San Francisco, CA
4/8/2007
An unusual weight loss center with an emphasis on sugar-free and organic foods and an individualized approach to changing lifelong eating habits. You can go in daily/weekly/biweekly, etc for counselling or call in. They have giant ugly yellow models of fat (!) in the windows which is a little weird. Other than that I've found the program to be pretty refreshing with no pressure to buy the foods they sell (unlike other commercial centers) and some very nice people who work there.
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Review from Jane L.
San Francisco, CA
9/25/2010
I joined Lite for Life 6 weeks ago to lose 15 lbs. The program is solid and the foods they sell taste good. Since I work, being able to buy their prepared food is a great help during the week when I am eating on the run and need to know what I am eating is nutritious and on the diet. The weight loss has been slow - a pound or less a week (their slogan "Lose 10 lbs in just 6 weeks" did not work for me--it was explained that that is more likely to happen for a larger weight loss) - but the good news is that I feel in control, am not hungry, and know that with patience I will lose the weight. The real core of this program is to realize that it teaches more of a lifestyle than a diet - once I lose all the weight I know that my eating habits will not really stray far from what I am doing now (maybe a bit more protein or starch but not by much!) The counselors are good, especially Heather who honed in on my concerns/challenges/doubts and always had great suggestions for how to deal with each. The down side? Cost. Depending on how much of their prepared food you purchase it can quickly add up, and I have not been able to find their refrigerated brand called "eat-rite" locally (if anyone has found it outside of LFL aside from the web, please post it here!) The other down side is their hours. They do not cater to working people as they are open only M-F til 6pm and on Sat til noon. I asked about maybe staying open a little bit later one evening a week and the owner, Kathy, said she would think about it "but not in the winter once the rain starts." Hello? What if all business decided to shut down when it rained? I thought that was a remarkable comment; evidently they are doing well enough to keep hours as is. So their hours were challenging for me since I work on the peninsula and cannot get there by 6PM weekdays and have to be at work early in the morning 5 days a week.
I also found it slightly disturbing when, in the middle of my consultation today, Sylvie, one of the counselors, interrupted the consult to say "I know this is a bit off topic but don't you still owe us money for the last 3 weeks?" Sorry, Sylvie, you didn't win points on that one.
All in all this is a solid diet for those who can afford it and who want something a bit more personalized. -
Review from S C.
San Francisco, CA
2/21/2010
I was lucky enough to be introduced to Lite for Life through a chance meeting with a Lite for Life counselor over Labor Day weekend. Little did I know what a difference it would make in such a short amount of time.
In the past 5 months, I've lost nearly 40 pounds and 7 inches from my waist on the Lite for Life program. While it requires a firm commitment -- both on a personal and financial level -- you get a lot of value for your money, and it's been worth every penny.
The staff is extremely supportive and will help customize the program to fit your needs. They recognize that everyone's needs are different, and they will go to great lengths to make sure the program works for you. Amazingly, I even lost weight over the holidays and despite several trips to Gary Danko -- the staff actually looked over the menu in advance and recommended dishes to help keep me as much within bounds as possible.
This is not a gimmicky weight loss program -- the counselors educate you about the true impact of various food choices (and the science behind it) in order to allow you to lose weight in a sustainable way and keep it off over time.
And although LFL offers food for purchase on-site, the staff does not put any pressure on you to buy food from them. But boy, it sure was convenient! I found myself tapering off in food purchases over time, as I figured out what I could eat from regular restaurants and at home.
If you're ready to lose weight, LFL is for you. -
Review from Alice V.
San Francisco, CA
9/17/2009
Lite for Life (Noe Valley) with Kathy & Sarah has been a wonderful experience for me. I have been on program for 1 1/2 years successfully meeting my goal with their caring support and tasty nutritional products.
I am a Sr. citizen who has tried a variety of programs and find LFL a realistic and supportive one.
In response to Dixter D., I'm proud that the "melting fat" is in their window and no longer on me! -
Review from Laney B.
San Francisco, CA
2/3/2007
This place was in intriguing to me because they have large sculptures of fat in the window. I stopped by a few years ago to get some frozen food. I'm not sure about their program, but most of the people there seem nice. Also, they have really good low-fat vegetarian, sugar-free food for sale. You can even microwave it there and take it to go. Salads too. I really like the food there.
Update:
Pros:
You will lose weight if you follow their plan
You get personalized attention, you can go in every day for a weigh in and a brief (5-10 minute) counseling session
You can buy food there and it's pretty good.
Cons:
-Expensive program
-PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE KNOW that these ARE NOT licensed dieticians or counselors in here. You will not be talking to anyone who has any sort of education in nutrition or psychology here. I find it reprehensible that they market themselves as nutritionists and counselors. They are business owners. They have no degrees or certifications in either nutrition or counseling. To me this this is very irresponsible and unethical. Not so much that they are practicing without a license, that's fine. You don't need a license to be good at what you do, but you should represent yourself as so. You need to go to graduate school and pass a battery of tests to because a registered dietician or a therapist, and to be a "counselor" or "nutritionist" at Lite for Life, you don't need any kind of credential at all. Not even an undergraduate degree in nutrition or counseling.
-There is one diet plan that they give to every single person who walks in. It's not personalized according to your needs, body composition or eating (or disordered eating) history.
All in all, it's a fine place to go if you want to lose weight. But if you want to learn about nutrition and whole food, or you need real therapy or counseling to deal with an eating issue or eating disorder, this is not the place to go. You're better off finding someone with an actual degree in nutrition or psychology. These guys are just peddling a very low calorie (900-1200 calorie) and low carb plan. -
Review from kate K.
San Francisco, CA
6/17/2010
This program really gave me the tools to make better food, nutrition and diet choices. As a twice lifetime Weight Watchers ex- member, I can safely say that this time my behavior will come from the inside out. At WW, for me it was all about seeing the number go down on the scale at weigh-in time. The support and encouragement at WW was very impersonal, so, without one on one counseling, I dieted the "old" way, counting points, and managed to loose weight each time I tried. This time was different. I have learned so much from Lite for Life counselors about nutrition, rather than numbers, that making good, healthy choices has become a daily habit.
The counselors are friendly, encouraging, and informative. The foods that are sold there are optional, but I am hooked on the pizzas and desserts. It's great to be able to eat foods that have optimal nutrition and still taste good. One word of advice, as good as this sounds, you will still have to change your eating habits to some degree, so don't expect miracles without a little effort. However, that effort became a natural way of eating for me, and I have even lost 2 more pounds after successfully completing the program. -
Review from Stephanie M.
San Francisco, CA
4/16/2009
Lite For Life is far more than a weight loss program, it's a way of life. I could not be more thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Kathy, she is such a wonderful person! I gained a lot of weight while living in Spain, and wanted to get back on track, and feel better about my body. I never felt restricted or hungry on the program. I learned to make better choices, and even enjoy different types of food. I was able to loose all the weight that I gained, and most importantly, KEEP IT OFF! This program offers guaranteed success. I am one of five in my family that has done lite for life, lost weight, and kept it off. I would recommend this program to everyone! No matter what problem you are having with your weight, lite for life has the solution! Also, they have lots of goodies in their store, so even if you don't plan on joining the program go check out the sugar free treats, the fudge squares are my fave!
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Review from Nancy S.
San Francisco, CA
6/30/2009
I look forward to driving to this gem nessled in sweet Noe Valley. No major hassles parking in the neighborhood, and when I walk in I am always greeted with a warm smile and ready to begin my session feeling relaxed. Weight loss has never been easy. I appreciate Kathy always finding the right plan that works for me. There are times when I am not on track but I am still always supported by the staff.
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Review from Claire T.
San Francisco, CA
8/5/2009
I have tried numerous diets over the years. I am 53 and so don't expect to lose quickly, but I am steadily losing weight with Lite For Life. The food is terrific. I am continually surprised by the quality, how fresh, natural and delicious everything is. I don't get hungry. The staff at Lite For Life are marvelous. They are helpful, enthusiastic, and patient. They are supportive without being aggressive. This is really a diet I can live with. I am delighted to have found them.
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Review from R W.
San Francisco, CA
8/21/2009
I love Lite for Life! I really wanted to loose some weight and needed guidance and LFL was the perfect place. Anne helped me set my goal and in six weeks I met it and I'm still applying the tips I learned in everyday life. The 1:1 help is wonderful as it helps keep you in check without calling you out in front of others. Plus the nutrition plan is common sense and I never felt as if I was starving myself. The food they sell in the market is awesome too but I never felt obligated to buy anything.
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Review from Lisa R.
San Francisco, CA
9/20/2010
I came to Lite for Life in mid-July to try to loose pregnancy weight that kept creeping up. 2 months later, I have lost 17 pounds, and plan to keep loosing. It is a simple and effective program that focuses on keeping your insulin levels steady, and avoiding peaks and crashes through out the day. I go in approximately 4-5 times per week (usually 5-15 minutes in length) to meet with the rocking staff, who help me make and plan my food choices- and I also get the science behind my choices. I have tried many other programs, including weight watchers a number of times. What is different and effective for me about lite for life is that my sessions are one-on-one and focused on ME, on the foods I like to eat, how I can prepare them, my goals, and learn the science behind the food so that I can maintain my goals. It is not a cheap program, but it shows results quickly and safely! I strongly recommend this program to anyone who is interested in loosing weight and keeping it off.
