Noom Diet Reviews

This is like no program you have ever been in. It really covers the psychology behind your over-eating. I recommend this program to anyone who wants to understand WHY they are overweight and wants to lose some extra pounds. It is very entertaining, as well. I like that part.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I'm pretty frustrated. Humans do not exist at this company. That includes customer service. They don't even bother to have a customer service team - or even a person - and all I can get on the app at best is a chatbot. Non-refundable, not possible to start back at the beginning, once you fall off the program because you're incapacitated or off the grid on vacation you just lose. You can never catch up. And no one will help. There is no one I can find to help.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Are you the sort of person who needs some accountability in order to stick to your goals? Have you tried other programs where you log/track your food in some way and found they didn't give you the push you need to truly stick to the plan? Do you have days where your priorities don't offer you the time to sit down and do some light reading and maybe take some quizzes? If you answered yes to these questions, Noom may not be for you.

Noom is built on the basic principle of tracking your food and sticking to a calorie goal. What makes it a full Weight Loss program, however, is that along with the food tracking, you have daily readings that offer you insight on the psychology of weight gain/loss, a "Goal Specialist" that is supposed to help you navigate the program and succeed, and an assigned group of people at the same stages of the program to talk to as you go. If you've struggled with your weight for some time, and have never tried a weight loss program that teaches you this sort of thing in the past, you may do very well. If you've "been there, done that," and know what you should be doing, how you should be eating, etc., and just aren't succeeding despite that, maybe not.

Details of My Personal Experience:

Daily Readings - At first I found the humor in the daily readings to be enjoyable, but the information to be nothing all that new from what I had learned in my experiences with other programs. There were nuggets of information that were interesting, but not particularly helpful in changing my behaviors, which is ultimately what I was there to do. Still, I trucked along for the first three weeks, reading them every day. Then I got behind by 3 days because of a family emergency. If you are already a person without a ton of free time... this will be the end for you. There is a lot to read each day and once I was behind, I couldn't catch up. This is especially due to the fact that the readings are associated with each "day" of the program so, you'll have to log your food on the current day but scroll back to the days you missed your readings and continue forward to catch up, making sure not to accidentally use that day to log your food too. Confused? Exactly.

Goal Specialist - Ironically, the one facet of the program I really thought was going to be what made Noom work for me over others, turned out to be the worst experience for me. The first problem was that, during the initial few days of the program, it is drilled into you when you will first hear from your GS and what they will do with you that very first interaction. Despite telling you specifically on what day of the program that will happen, they fail to mention that if that day happens on a weekend, it'll actually be 2-3 days later. By then, the program has mentioned two or three other things they should've done with you by then, despite the fact that you haven't even spoken to them yet. Then, when you do, if you mention the items the program has said you need to work on with them, they'll essentially tell you (sort of like the pirate code) that the suggestions are more like guidelines, and that your interactions will function how they see is needed. As someone who is driven by structure, having the daily readings say "today your GS will talk to you about XYZ" and then having my GS not doing that, was a huge turn-off. Further, the program implies that the GS will review your food logs and give you daily feedback, holding you accountable for the decisions you make and helping you to make better decisions. Instead, the GS checks in on their own preset schedule, and asks you open-ended questions about how you think you can set goals and improve. If I was able to motivate myself and hold myself accountable, I wouldn't be paying $100+ for a weight loss program. When I called the GS out on this, explaining that I needed someone to hold me accountable because I was failing to do that with myself, I was informed that the psychology used to build the program is proven and that I, essentially, would only succeed if I really thought for myself. Further, when I finally did get her to look at my food logs (totally not a daily review), I didn't get any useful feedback (see aforementioned "open questions").

Group - This is frankly just an absolute mess. The concept for the group is that a "small" group of people, at exactly the same place in the program, are put together to motivate each other, etc. The very first day, very first post from the group leader, it is emphasized how important it is to "thread" the conversations. Think of a typical online forum, or something like Reddit. Someone posts a topic, people respond in that thread. Well, despite emphasizing that, answers to posted questions are consistently posted as new items, rather than responses in the thread. To make matters worse, as you continue through the program, each day there is a suggestion to "share with the group" something specific. It'd be great if, given the fact that everyone is on the same day of the program, there could be a post created for those topics that everyone could thread under, but no. Instead, you get random statements that by themselves mean nothing, posted as new threads by every member. Going to the group for suggestions, or advice on how to succeed is ultimately a pointless endeavor, as everyone is at the same place in the program you are and the group leader works under the same philosophies as the Goal Specialist, in that they believe in the psychology of making you answer your own questions and being accountable for yourself.

Weight Loss - I joined Noom because with the other program I had been following, for literally the past 17 years off and on, I would plateau and get frustrated. I figured if I switched programs while I was at that plateau, it would spark something in me. Instead, while I lost 5lbs the first two weeks, I then gained 3, lost nothing, gained 2, lost 2, lost nothing, gained 2, lost 1, lost nothing...etc. The same rollercoaster I had been on with the prior program, or while trying this on my own.

Bottom Line: By week 4, I was already done. I was behind in my readings, I was getting absolutely no motivation from my GS, and the group was such a mess it did nothing but irritate me each time I tried to visit it. Ultimately, Noom did nothing for me other than teach me that ultimately, I need to find something that doesn't leave it up to me. I need to be given directions on what to do to succeed, and held accountable. Some people will find Noom works amazingly for them. They'll stay on top of it, they'll find "ah ha" moments in the daily readings, and they'll do amazing. For me, a serial weight loss program failure, it turned out to be nothing different than what I can get from a (free) motivational subreddit and a (free) calorie counting app such as MyFitnessPal. Unfortunately, it wasn't until the 2 weeks mark, when there is no going back (the cost of the program is deducted from your account) that I started to see just how little it was truly offering for the cost.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I haven't lost a single pound after 10 weeks.

I have tried almost every program out there - WW, Nutrisystem, FitnessPal, low carb, calorie counting, you name it. I've lost some weight with all of them, but then gained it back. But I haven't lost a single pound after 10 weeks with Noom. Why not? Good question, and one the "coaches" don't seem to want to touch or delve into either.

After a couple of weeks I "fired" my personal coach. I politely asked her to please ignore me and not check up on me. Why? She'd text me in the middle of my workouts, wouldn't get back to me for hours (so I was never actually having a conversation with her), and when I fully opened up about my frustrations and history, her advice was to keep logging and increase my workouts. I already work out 5 times a week and have a personal trainer, and any more (in my experience) will cause injuries. She was more a non-invested painful hindrance than a help.

The group coach was nice, but not really motivating, and while I think our group has about 22 people, only 2-3 ever chime in or respond. So not a real cohesive bunch. Basically, I find the coaches unmotivating and unhelpful overall, because you can tell that this is a side job for them and they'll get around to you when they get around to you. You're not their focus.

For me, the worst part was the food logging system. It is clunky like crazy, especially if you've used MyFitnessPal. I mean, it's like riding a tricycle instead of a Ferrari. They don't allow 1/3 cup measurements (everything's in multiples of 1/4, but not 1/8), they don't have a large number of foods in their database, and I found myself constantly switching to MFP to get accurate calorie counts. They have nebulous measures like "a bowl" as a serving (whose bowl? I have some really big bowls...) but nothing solid like 1/3 cup. It's pretty horrible. This also means that you can't put in recipe ingredients for any recipe that calls for 1/8 of something or 1/3 of something. Ugh.

The food rating system (green, yellow, red) is not really good because automatically you think of red foods as "bad", even though they say they're not. I found it very easy to ignore the color system.

There's a lot of reading, broken down into bits, which is nice, but after 10 weeks of reading something every day without results it turns into blahblahblah and I just no longer care.

Lastly, the app is clunky and has some questionable information, especially in the beginning. They assigned me a calorie number which seemed really low, especially how I work out, and when I asked about it, 3 days later they replied and said I could adjust it. Hmm. If left to my own devices anyway, what's the point? I found that since it gives you a portion of your workouts back as additional calories it works out ok, but for the first 2 free weeks (the trial period - huh!) they leave you in the dark about a lot of things. It also always gives me the wrong number of calories left in my day when I look at the Analysis page, but then somehow corrects itself on the front page. It gave me a heart attack in the beginning, but now I ignore it, like just about everything else about this program.

I've seen people complain about not being able to get the company to stop charging their credit cards. So I used a gift card and when that's empty, they can try to recharge it until the cows come home, but it's no longer my problem.

Bottom line: They obviously don't care, so why should you? Move on to a better system and save your money.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

Noom brands itself as a lifestyle change rather than a diet. If one only goes through the initial two weeks of free training, that branding could feel false. However, staying with the program for the first few weeks, it becomes obvious that this is an educational and training program that allows the members to make choices and experiment with the information they’re given. There is no shaming for getting off track no matter the reason.

I noticed that those who avail themselves of only the basics and skip the articles, quizzes, challenges, and community support, have a more difficult time and often place blame on Noom, ignoring the fact that they are avoiding 90% of the program. You get out of it what you put in. If you read the daily articles that are focused on teaching how the body and mind in different states affect the way food is processed, and how different foods are processed, your success at developing better habits is much higher.

Noom feels like a crash course in applied biology, anatomy, psychology, and more, but is tempered by the humor so that it doesn’t cause an abundance of trepidation and stress.

My coach has been proactive. The more I invest in her, the more she invests in my program. The group coach is active as well. I’ve noticed that the coaches seem to follow the members when it comes to the amount of time and interaction they spend.

Noom attempts to appeal to people of different cultures and beliefs through the language they use. If you are offended when someone phrases things in the idiom of a Christian, Buddhist, Vegan, or whatever, then this program might not be for you.

I came into the program at the request of my daughter who wanted a partner. What I got out of the program was learning to eat the way someone with hypoglycemia should. The settings in the app allow the member to set notifications. My life is so much better, even though I feel as though I’m constantly eating. And, even though I’m eating so much more often, I’ve lost 25 pounds and am now in the average weight category. That’s pretty good for someone with multiple disabilities. I’m staying with Noom until I’m certain my new habits are permanent.

Noom has been a lifestyle change for me and I’m so much better for it. If anyone is willing to put in the time and effort to follow the course, and is willing to tell their coaches about the obstacles they’re facing, they should see successes. There may be times when a member feels as though they’re failing, but the community will support them until they move past the obstacle. When I say ‘community’, I’m not only speaking of Noom, but related sites set up by members.

All in all, I believe Noom is what they say they are. Different programs work better for different people. It works for me and is worth a try for anyone who has been through other programs and found them lacking.

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I was very excited to try Noom and love the concept of helping the mind as well and having a personal coach to help and guide you. In the beginning, I followed along with the curriculum and enjoyed the readings. But, as time went on, the curriculum never seemed to change much to my needs. The group and personal coaches ask for you to share and say what you need or are hoping to find. Even though I shared this, the "curriculum" was a very one size fit all still. I thought, and was excited for, a more individualized support system. Unfortunately, that is not what this was. It does try to do something different in its teaching and emotional support side of things, but it was not what I was looking/hoping for.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I joined Noom yesterday and was so excited to start my full first day with it, thinking I would get up this morning to some messages and words of wisdom and encouragement to start my day, but I was so disappointed to see nothing from them. So I started my day and logged my food and that was pretty much it! There is no meal plan, no exercise plan, and no support, and I am half way through my day and have heard from no one. I sent my goal coach my first goal and heard nothing back.

To me this is very similar to Weight Watchers, so I went ahead and canceled my 14-day trial with the "coach" and sure enough as soon as I sent that message about canceling I hear back straight away from them, so I have canceled as I was afraid to go any further into the 14 days in case I would get charged more.

This is definitely not for me and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I really enjoyed this program. I set out to lose 30lbs and that is what I did. I already have pretty good cooking/eating habits in terms of making healthy choices, but like most people, I just eat too much. Noom helped me identify problems in my behavior with food, figure out why I might have them, and develop long-lasting techniques to change them. I never was deprived, hungry, frustrated, or dissatisfied with my progress - and if I started to feel that way, I had a team of fellow Noomers to share my feelings with.

My only gripe was with my personal coach, who was not really available, helpful, or from what I could tell knowledgeable. I stopped interacting with her week 3 and found it didn't slow my progress at all. Overall, I am very happy with the new me that has emerged after Noom. I only wish there was a "maintenance" program (I'd pay for it) to help us learn how to stay on track once our calorie budget returned to a more normal amount. I have and will continue to recommend to anyone wanting to take charge of their healthy weight and mind!

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

I downloaded the app out of interest, I never EVER agreed to their contract. They had a free trial so thought everything was fine. Until they charged me with 110 Euro.

This was never clearly stated or communicated to me. When I asked for a refund they sent me an automated email.

DON'T DOWNLOAD.

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

I canceled my account on 1/9/19. Received an email the next day reassuring me the account was closed and there would be no charges. Balance is zero. I keep getting bills from Noom. There is no phone to talk to a real person. You have to wait til they answer an email. The balance keeps growing. They are not helpful with this problem of a growing balance. When I log into the site it clearly states the account was closed on 1/10/2019. It also states I will not be charged. This is a trap and you cannot get out. I will resolve with my credit card company about the charges. BEWARE!

Bottom Line: No, I would not recommend this to a friend

When I signed up back in January 2019, I was really hesitant. I have used other programs before and nothing worked. I finally made a decision to change my life and it came down to Noom and one other organization. After seeing numerous Noom TV advertisements, I decided to choose Noom. I am so grateful that I did! Noom is just what I need. The daily tasks, mindful eating, and life skills are simply amazing! It really is a lifestyle change, not a diet program. And that is why it works! It is REAL. I have had wins and some setbacks during my Noom journey, however, the one constant is that I have never given up! You have provided me with so many tools, tricks and lifestyle changes, that I know I WILL NOT fail this time. You have changed my life Noom!

Bottom Line: Yes, I would recommend this to a friend