From Newsday.com --

Nancy and Glen Urban of Central Islip have lost 113 pounds combined through Pure Weight Loss, formerly called LA Weight Loss.

Now they worry they may have lost a lot of money and the support that helped them lose the weight, because Pure Weight Loss, based in Horsham, Pa., shuttered most of its locations last week.

The Urbans are concerned they could lose $2,200 in advance payments, and join many other consumers awaiting refunds. In 2004, the corporate-owned locations of LA Weight Loss split off and became Pure Weight Loss, which operated at least nine locations locally, from Forest Hills to Sayville, all of which have closed. Independently owned Pure Weight Loss locations in the Southeast will remain open.

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State law requires businesses including weight-loss programs, health clubs and martial arts centers to post bonds of $50,000 to $200,000 to protect members if the contract is violated or the business closes.

Pure Weight Loss did not post a bond. Clubs can avoid bonds if monthly fees are below $150 a month, paid-in-full fees are discounted by no more than 10 percent, and memberships last less than a year and are not automatically renewed.

Comments: This weight loss center that split from LA Weight Loss to go on its own, now closes and leaves dieters short on results and long on promises. Another "player" in the marketplace of weight loss falls short of helping others because they were too focused on margins than on people. The programs that do provide benefit are the ones that are going to explain the need to focus on a plan of building a healthy lifestyle and incorporating healthy habits into the life of the dieter. Not an easy pill to swallow necessarily, but certainly the truth about dieting and weight loss.

The Health & Wellness Institute, DC PC