Reader's Digest Launches Website for Dieters

Posted on January 10, 2003

Reader's Digest has launched ChangeOne.com, a subscription-based online service and resource for dieters. The website launch coincides with the publication of the book, ChangeOne: The Breakthrough 12- Week Eating Plan: Lose Weight Simply, Safely, and Forever, by Reader's Digest health editor John Hastings. Charter memberships will cost $9.95 per month. ChangeOne will compete with established dieting websites such as eDiets, Shape Up America!, Cyberdiet.com and many others as well as recent launches such as iShape.com from Shape Magazine.

ChangeOne aims to help dieters make lasting eating and lifestyle changes by offering a personalized, interactive weight loss program. The first four weeks focus on meals: breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. In the weeks that follow, the plan branches out to tackle problems including how to negotiate restaurants, shop smartly, manage stress, and exercise for long-term success.

"The ChangeOne program is perfectly suited to the Internet, making it accessible for millions of people to use everyday," said author John Hastings. "With ChangeOne.com, dieters can get meal recommendations that are tailored to their personal tastes from almost anywhere and receive immediate feedback and support from a community of fellow dieters."

Features of the website include personalized meal plans, which include recipes, sample portion sizes, and the ability to swap meals; interactive features and tools like a weight-tracker, exercise instructions and an interactive daily journal; and a weekly motivational email newsletter. ChangeOne.com users will also have access to a community of dieters through message and discussion boards. Members can exchange healthy recipes, tips and strategies on the boards. The goal of ChangeOne.com is to provide support, guidance, and motivation to those following the ChangeOne program.