Shedding unwanted pounds has never been easy, but help may just be a mouse click away, thanks to virtual weight-loss programs. Are these websites a new health saviour, or a flashy gimmick? Dr. David Macklin, a weight management expert at Weightcare in Toronto, believes they can be beneficial, “It’s a fantastic tool for monitoring food intake, for learning about calories,” says Macklin. “There’s a great community feel where you can interact with others regarding your successes and failures.”

He warns, however, that losing weight is a very complicated issue—one that’s often tied to lifelong behaviours—and recommends using these sites with a doctor’s guidance. “These websites can be a very effective addendum to a weight loss effort. One-on-one counselling with an accredited and trained professional provides what weight loss websites don’t—a personalized and credible path for an individual to both learn what their habits are, and be provided with skills and strategies to overcome their patterns and habits.” With Macklin’s advice in mind, here’s a look at some popular virtual weight loss programs.