I'm doing it now. I'd previously done the diet from the books. The online diet programme gives you set recipes although you can change them, and also can choose if you want to do keto or to only have two meals a day, or if you want to cook for more than one person. I hate having to follow recipe programmes, so just do my own thing, using the recipes as inspiration. In that sense, it's probably not worth it as the main benefit is having the meal plans. If not following the recipes then it helps to use a calorie tracking app like MFP for your own recipes.
However, I do think it's worth it for me. I like having the exercise videos every day and it does mean that I have been consistent with exercise. I like having the community and being able to ask questions. I think the fact that I am paying for it is motivating. I don't want to waste my money by not sticking to it! There is quite a lot of information about transitioning to the other plans at the end of the twelve programme and I'm finding that very useful: I think you can stay on the website at a reduced rate at the end of the programme. I'm hoping this will help will that difficult period at the end when I will just want to make up for all the stuff I didn't eat during the 12 weeks! Yes, I could have done it for free, but the thing was that I had just been half-heartedly doing things for the past few months and not really committing all in to a weight loss programme - paying for it made me commit.
If you decide it's not worth the money, then one thing I think IS worth the money is the Fast 800 health journal. I used it when I did the programme from the books and I liked the discipline of logging my food every day. It also has lots of tips, recipes and pages where you reflect on your week, what went well, what challenges are coming up etc., and encourages you to plan ahead.
Anyway, here's roughly what you get with the programme:
- meal plans with recipes, which also generates a shopping list at the beginning of the week. And a searchable database of recipes that you can filter by calorie count, keto, vegetarian, etc.
- daily exercise. This has been a combo of HIIT, resistance training and pilates. You can alter the level to suit. Most sessions seem to be under 30 minutes.
- Daily learning, which I quite enjoy - it feels like a little course. And a searchable database of articles
- Online community. You can join a cohort with people starting the same week as you, and also groups for other interests, e.g. menopause
- you can contact Health Coaches with questions (I haven't tried this)
There is no app at present but I think they are planning to produce one.