See, that is where I differ, for one. The LA Lites themselves do not guarantee weight loss. They don't eating pretty much anything in place of them that is the same calories (because LA Weight Loss is a reduced calorie diet) would also guarantee weight loss. There is nothing magic in those bars-just more profit for LAWL. I am not knocking them, it is just that almost every plan has food products (WW, Atkins, South Beach, etc.) and eating their brand of food/drink items does not cause the weight loss. It is the eating less in general.
I agree that some need to shell out the cash to make themselves accountable-the "I paid for it, so I better lose this weight" thing, but for me, and a lot of others at 3FC, the paid out money isn't the motivation. I motivate myself in other ways-with before photos, with a new pair of shorts of pants hanging up in a smaller size just waiting for me, with a reward for a fitness/weight goal that I reach...
I am a calorie counter, and I have the exact same freedom to eat out at a restaurant, and go to family gatherings and eat, as long as I make sound choices. I don't need to shell out money for a program and bars to do so. I shell out money for new clothes and fitness gear instead.
While your center may not be hard sell, a lot of them are though.