I just wanted to comment on something "Shshshhh" said...
You mentioned joining for 52 weeks, that you had bought the $249 plan. I joined on the same plan, but had my lawyer look it over (ok, he's my brother-in-law!) because after reading so much negative press I was scared to death of being ripped off. We discussed my questions and then I talked with the center manager to make sure everyone was on the same page... but here's the skinny on the $249 "Lose all the weight you can!" plan:
You have as long as it takes to lose all your weight, NOT just one year. The advertisement (which I kept) plainly says you can lose it all for the $249... it says nothing about how long it will or should take. In theory you could gain, lose, gain, lose for the next five years and still be a member without paying another dime. Of course no one wants that, but I think the added pressure of a do-or-die deadline can intimidate some. What's also interesting is that when I talked this over with the center (making it clear that I had every intention on getting the weight off according to their timeline), my counselor suggested I shoot for the lowest possible weight for my height... not that I would really shoot for it, but by doing so it would allow me to remain a member potentially forever! I don't buy any of their products so I know it wasn't merely a ploy to get Lite $ out of me.
About three weeks after I joined I saw that the ad had changed; it's now "Lose all the weight you want for only $8 a pound!" My guess is other people saw the loophole and corporate fixed it pronto.
Nikki