Successful weight loss looks different for everyone…so why do we hear about one-size-fits all diets and fitness plans constantly? Or the oversimplified advice to “just make sure the calories in are equal or lesser than the calories out.”
When it comes down to it, metabolism is much more complicated, especially when you factor in genetic variation among individuals. Yes, calorie count is important, but just as important are mental, emotional, hormonal, nutritional, and sleep factors.
This is why sometimes you can follow every recommended step in the diet book without shedding any lbs… because what works for others may not work for you. Some of us overeat because we are deficient in certain nutrients and our bodies are telling us to keep eating. Others eat to keep our brains flowing with reward neurotransmitters, and others might have a hormonal imbalance that interferes with signals telling us we’re full.
Luckily, there are new companies trying to completely rethink how weight loss is achieved and sustained over time. Today we review Found, a modern telemedicine program for weight loss that’s supervised by board-certified physicians and uses prescription medication, nutrition plans, and 1:1 health coaching to help members achieve a healthy weight. Sound interesting? Let’s dive deeper to see if Found is legit.
What is Found’s approach to losing weight?
Found is a program that recognizes weight loss is significantly more complex than “eat less, move more”. Found’s approach is unique because it takes into account your individual biology– genetics, hormones, and metabolism– instead of just slapping a one-size-fits-all exercise regimen. Found’s philosophy also stands out and flies in the face of conventional thought when its site states: “weight loss is NOT all about willpower.” This is important for people who have checked all the boxes of traditional diets and exercise regimens but fail to see lasting results.
Found is also designed to be accessible for all, using telemedicine, discreet mail delivery, and 1:1 SMS health coach messaging to help members wherever they are, all over the country. The dedicated member app is available on Google Play and the Apple Store for everyone’s convenience.
Found fully acknowledges that stress, emotions, and sleep all affect weight loss. Their team of medical professionals “helps identify triggers in your life and then works with you on solutions that help you feel positive and confident inside and out.”
Like most weight loss programs, Found offers a subscription, payable either annually or monthly, that includes:
- Individualized nutrition coaching
- Customized movement programming
- SMS messaging with a personal health coach
- Access to an online community of other committed found users
- If necessary, an online consultation with a Physician to discuss medication options
- Prescriptions and other products delivered to your door
And, also like most weight loss programs, Found offers a 90-day money back guarantee with participation in the program, should you not be fully satisfied with your results.
Who is eligible for Found’s prescription weight loss program?
Found has options for most weight loss customers. The right one for you will depend on a number of factors including: medical and family histories, body mass index, pre-existing conditions, and the nature of your weight loss goals. Generally, Found’s program is suitable for anyone with a Body Mass Index of 30 or more.
For those who do not qualify for prescription medication, Found offers a wellness path, which includes 1:1 coaching, in addition to access to the Found app.
Where is Found available?
While Found uses technology to find the best plan for you quickly and efficiently, a board-certified physician still reviews every case to ensure proper diagnosis and treatment. Thus due to regulations, you must live in one of the US states where Found physicians practices in order to be eligible to be treated.
Found is available to all 50 states, but specific medications are available on a state-by-state basis, so your medical intake team will assess the best options for you, depending on where you live.
To find out for sure if you qualify for Found, make sure to take their health assessment.
How does the Found weight loss program work?
As we mentioned, it all starts with taking the simple online quiz.
The first few questions of the quiz gather the basics like age and your history with weight loss. Found asks what you’ve tried in the past to lose weight, why you’re motivated to lose weight, and how long you’ve been trying to lose weight.
After that, the quiz asks more questions to understand your potential genetic predisposition to excess weight. You will input your height and weight to calculate your body mass index (BMI) and family history with weight loss.
Lastly, just like any medical intake form, the quiz goes into more targeted questions about things like medical conditions and surgeries. This is done to ensure Found members receive the safest possible level of care.
Overall the onboarding process is relatively smooth. There are fewer questions to answer than most telemedicine intake forms and you’ll be asked to enter your email at the very end.
Your first 1-1 consultation with a doctor will be scheduled shortly thereafter. This is where Found really shines in our opinion. Their doctors take into account several things that most other physicians and weight loss programs do not. These factors include:
- Hormones: Found physicians ensure they are not affecting the way you metabolize calories or store fats.
- Gut health: Did you know some microbes naturally found in the gastrointestinal tract cause you to crave sugar, and others control how well you metabolize carbohydrates?
- Sleep: A lack of sleep can put your cortisol levels out of whack, which encourages weight gain.
- Stress: Found takes into account your emotional life as well as your physical condition, knowing that anxiety will play a part in how successful weight loss efforts will be.
What weight loss meds does Found prescribe?
For patients that qualify, Found physicians may also prescribe a range of medications. Some of these work on the reward centers of the brain to curb cravings of certain foods. The way that this works is by stopping the boost of feel-good chemicals from your brain every time you snack.
Other medications may be prescribed to stabilize blood sugar, shrink your appetite, or help you feel more satisfied with meals.
The next step in the Found process is meeting with your Health Coach. This part is a little more fun, and is very personalized. Your Found Coach will take into account your cooking style, activity levels, and lots of other things to gently guide you into some new habits to help you work toward your weight goals.
Found coaches completely customize your plan completely to your life, family, career, travel, and anything else that affects your daily routine. And chatting with them is as casual as texting with a friend- they are available any time of day to check in on your progress.
Source: Found Health
Does Found weight loss work?
Found prescribes legitimate weight loss medicines, including several that have been FDA approved. Additionally, the consultations and weight loss program they create for you, as an individual, are realistic and achievable. Unlike fad diets or celebrity weight loss clinics, Found uses science to create a personalized plan that is built to help you lose weight.
How much does Found cost?
Found’s plans cost between $99 and $149 per month. This monthly payment includes all prescription medications, products, coaching, and other services. Generally, this depends on the services you require, as well as the duration of your subscription. Paying month to month is always the most expensive option, so we recommend committing for at least 6 months to save and ensure you’ll see results.
Found also offers the Wellness Path plan at $49, should you not qualify for medication. This includes:
- Personalized nutrition and movement path
- Personal health coach who will help you achieve your goals and develop healthy habits for life
- Access to the exclusive Found community
How does found compare to other virtual weight loss programs?
Found claims that members lose 10% of body weight in the first 6 months of the program. This is similar to what alternative telemedicine weight loss programs cost. This chart can help compare Found to the competitors like Calibrate, Form Health, Noom, and Cerebral.
What's the best online weight loss program? | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing | $129 /month | $99-149 /month Wellness Path plan: $49 / month | $59 /month | $99 /month | Nutrition Management: $69 / month Weight Loss Medication Plan: $120 / month |
| Prescribes Weight Loss Meds? | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Focus | Metabolic system and biology | Biological, psychological, and social | Psychology | Personalized medical care | Holistic approach, metabolic system, psychological, behavior modification |
| Methods | A one-year virtual program developed for a metabolic reset and 10% weight loss that includes lab work Prescription medication Doctor's appointment Regular coaching sessions An expert-designed curriculum focusing on food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health | Customized plans created with an algorithm with a holistic approach including: Lab testing Coaching Nutrition and movement education Virtual doctor visits Community Prescription medication, if needed | Habit and behavior change with focus on results over time | Biweekly registered dietitian video visits Monthly doctor video visits Prescription medication, if appropriate | Medication with monthly delivery, if prescribed Nutritional coaching: regular phone or video sessions with a nutritionist Behavior modification: nutritional & CBT counseling & regular progress checks Unlimited messaging with care team |
| App-based? | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Eligibility | BMI of at least 30 | For the prescription path: BMI of at least 30 | Anyone age 18 or older, regardless of BMI. | BMI of 30+ OR 27+ with weight- related health risks, like high blood pressure | Adults 18-64 years old BMI of at least 25 |
| Website |
As you can see, all five programs are similar in that they are not your typical fad diet or exercise regimen. They all take into account the whole person, and how to realistically lose weight over a reasonable amount of time and keep it off for the long-term. Holistic programs like these are not restrictive or extreme, taking into account the reality of making weight loss work in the context of a person’s life, over time.
The main difference is going to be cost, and whether or not prescription medicines are included as part of the program. Noom is the most affordable, but only focuses on psychology and behavior, without any prescription medication.
For those who think prescription meds can help, Found is the most affordable option. Calibrate and Cerebral are very similar programs, but they offer more lab testing and therefore the cost is significantly higher. That said, so often lab testing is covered by basic medical insurance, and so in that case, Found would be a smarter option for those who have had trouble with weight loss using diet and exercise alone.
Cerebral offers the option of nutrition management only (behavioral modification and coaching) or nutrition management in combination with weight loss medication. While this option is on the pricier side, the combination of GLP-1 medication, if prescribed, and small lifestyle changes work by lowering your metabolic set point, with a goal of losing 10% of your weight during the first half of the one-year program. GPL-1s (glucagon-like peptide-1s) + regular nutritionist sessions and CBT counseling are extremely effective for long-term weight loss.
We’ve reviewed other prescription weight loss programs in-depth on our site – if you’re interested in diving deeper, check out our reviews on Found vs Plenity, Calibrate, Form Health, and more.
Related reading: Zealthy Weight Loss Review- Is It Legit for Ozempic and Wegovy?
Found Reviews: What are customers saying?
People who use Found seem to really enjoy the online community, the personalized coaching, and the long-term results that they see.
