• Real Appeal

Overview

Real Appeal has a rating of 3.3 stars from 45 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally satisfied with their purchases. Reviewers satisfied with Real Appeal most frequently mention food scale, health insurance, and weight loss. Real Appeal ranks 23rd among Weight Loss sites.

  • Service
    19
  • Value
    18
  • Shipping
    8
  • Quality
    18
Positive reviews (last 12 months): 50%
Positive
2
Neutral
0
Negative
2
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How would you rate Real Appeal?
Top Positive Review

“Great tools and motivation!”

Dee W.
8/4/20

First of all, it's free through my health insurance. They send workout dvds, food scale, weight scale, guide books and resistance band. The dvds are doable and checking in each week keeps me on track. It may not be for everyone, but I recommend it highly! In my 5th week and lost over 10 lbs and feel good about myself.

Top Critical Review

“Coaching is a joke”

Shara P.
5/9/21

All over the resources they give you it says to contact your coach if you have questions. When you do they send back scripted answers that don't help or even answer the questions. It's all very generic and info I could find on the site myself, I messaged my coach because I wanted more help but clearly got an answer she pulled from a list she's been given. So glad I'm not paying for this as the only beneficial tool I've gotten is the dvds

Reviews (45)

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Timeframe

Other

Thumbnail of user deew156
1 review
21 helpful votes
August 4th, 2020

First of all, it's free through my health insurance. They send workout dvds, food scale, weight scale, guide books and resistance band. The dvds are doable and checking in each week keeps me on track. It may not be for everyone, but I recommend it highly! In my 5th week and lost over 10 lbs and feel good about myself.

Thumbnail of user sharap3
1 review
25 helpful votes
May 9th, 2021

All over the resources they give you it says to contact your coach if you have questions. When you do they send back scripted answers that don't help or even answer the questions. It's all very generic and info I could find on the site myself, I messaged my coach because I wanted more help but clearly got an answer she pulled from a list she's been given. So glad I'm not paying for this as the only beneficial tool I've gotten is the dvds

Products used:
Dvds

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Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user friddletax
1 review
0 helpful votes
December 17th, 2023

I started Real Appeal about 8 years ago as it was a program our health insurance provider offered through my place of employment. What I've enjoyed the most are the workouts because of the stages they are in. Disc 1 is lowest level of cardio and strength, Disc 2 is slightly more challenging for both cardio and strength, and so on. It goes to Level 5. They are by far, the most consistent workouts I've followed because of the moves. They are so efficient and I always feel like I've made a difference with every workout. Thank you Real Appeal workout peeps!

Tip for consumers:
Great workout video team! I love how they offer different levels of intensity.

Products used:
The workout videos

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Thumbnail of user elliel79
1 review
5 helpful votes
October 23rd, 2023

As someone who has struggled with multiple eating disorders and is working with an ACTUAL coach to try to sort out my issues around food, THIS STUFF IS DANGEROUS. Everything they encouraged in the coaching session is exactly how I got started with my first eating disorder in high school. The "kit" they send is useless garbage. My insurance paid this company millions of dollars to give people eating disorders, but won't cover a boot for my broken foot. I hope people see this company for what it is: a scam.

Products used:
none.

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Thumbnail of user amyj1026
1 review
5 helpful votes
October 17th, 2021

Excellent support through weekly coaching meetings and one-on-one sessions when needed. Easy to use online tracking tools for logging activity and food. Weekly goal setting. Outstanding progressive exercise program including cardio, strength training and flexibility. Program came with a blender, a food scale, a scale for monitoring weight, exercise DVDs (I use the online option), a strength training band, and booklets regarding food and exercise. My insurance company paid for Real Appeal. I am so grateful for the changes in my health!

Thumbnail of user jsmh
1 review
13 helpful votes
March 9th, 2020

It seems fine with 13 people online. It looks self motivation and tracking are the main factors today, So far so good. Made my 1st's goal. Drink 60 oz water and walk 6,000 steps everyday. Hope it will work for me.

Thumbnail of user jessicab1732
1 review
22 helpful votes
January 20th, 2021

You truly get out of this program what you put in. If you want one on one support, you have that option. You can message your coach whenever and they get back to you fairly quickly. I knew basic nutrition prior to starting the program so some of the sessions were a bit tedious but they teach you a lot of lifestyle changes. I have been in the program for 6 months and have lost 50 pounds using what I have learned. Don't let negative reviews deter you. Different things work for different people. This worked for me after so many other weight loss programs had failed. And, it's free through my health insurance!

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Thumbnail of user lewv3
1 review
21 helpful votes
November 19th, 2020

I am in the "older" category, all of the coaches are young and share no experiences that they have faced. They seem really fake, lots of smiles that seem forced. They just switched up out coach, but hasn't changed to False Feeling. This is a Year program. I'll stick with it since my company is paying for this, but hard to recommend.

Thumbnail of user ninas293
1 review
1 helpful vote
March 30th, 2022

They are great
My property taxes been reduced by $404.00
Definitely will recommend them to all of my friends.
Just wish they work in N. Y. too

Thumbnail of user katrinam148
1 review
14 helpful votes
October 31st, 2020

For those that are just starting their weight loss journey and those who are not gym rats, this is an excellent motivation program to help you meet your goals. I am lucky enough that my employer pays for the program through our UHC medical insurance benefits. Its a simple once a month video chat with your couch on the time and day of the week that works with your schedule. They have a daily check in where you report your food intake, exercise and steps by either manually logging the data or synching your device. My employer offered several options for free tracking devices to use with the program. If you attend the number of sessions specified when you begin, then you will receive the starter Rally kits. These kits are especially beneficial for people who are just starting their weight loss journey. The starter kit you receive first contains a body weight scale (a nice glass one), a food scale and portion bowl, a portion size plate, resistance bands, several work out DVD's and multiple full size nutrition and fitness books. I haven't received the second kit but I was told by someone else in the program It contains a blender. But since I haven't gotten that far in the program yet, I cant vouch for the contents of a second kit. This program can also be simplified if you already use Mapmyfitness or Mapmyrun, or Strava. Then you only have to input the data once and synch It using your apple or android phone.
Also a perk is that my employer gives us discounts off of our health insurance when we participate and complete programs.

Thumbnail of user mickyy
1 review
28 helpful votes
November 24th, 2020

Their Dashboard is a joke - no way to trend calorie intake, calories burnt, net calorie intake etc.
If your step tracker app or device is not compatible with theirs, can't enter your steps manually
1/2 hour weekly coaching sessions are mostly a prerecorded video with the coach giving the most basic tips for 5-10 min.
Called the CS about the deficiencies in the dashboard. He said, if there's an app that works for you, use it! Way to sell it...

Thumbnail of user andyb500
1 review
16 helpful votes
July 20th, 2021

I was able to sign-up for real appeal through a UHC health insurance plan. As for something that's provided free of charge, this was a neat little program. However, here are the reasons I believe it only deserves 3 stars. For those starting the program, it's broken into 2 halves. Each half is 6 months long, for a total of 52 weeks. What they don't tell you ahead of time is that the second half is very different from the first.
In the first half of the program, you have a coach, who is very involved and tries to make sure that each member succeeds in their weightloss goal. While there are several different "flavors" of coaches, with slight differences in approach, they are there for you each step of the way. There is a weekly hour-long session to discuss your progress, tackle challenges and set goals. Have a conflict with something that's going on; no worries, you can just schedule a make-up session or have a 1-1 session with your coach. Each weekly session introduces a new topic and usually ends with a cheesy, but informative video. A couple sessions in, you get a success kit which includes food scale, bathroom scale, a resistance band, recipe book and exercise DVDs. A few months in you also get a free blender. Just from the perspective of free stuff you get I think the program is worth it.
Now as for the second 6 months. First of all, the weekly sessions change to monthly sessions. They are still only 1 hour long, so you are very limited in what you can discuss during one of those. From having 15-20 people in a group, you now could see as many as 50-100 people. Obviously the coach is unable to ensure everyone's success. Also, if you work even normal hours, you can forget about being able to make it to a session. While in the first part of the program you had a lot of session options, you only have about 5 make-up sessions available. All of those are between hours of 10am and 5pm. If you work, get ready to try and catch a session during your lunch break. The sessions become less personal and the material from the first part of the program just gets reused. There are same goals, same "action" cards, same targets, etc. The second half of the program really feels like an afterthought or a way to make money by doing very little. Unless you can make yourself keep up what you were doing in part 1, you are likely to slip and fall back on your bad habits.

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Thumbnail of user joannem249
1 review
19 helpful votes
January 6th, 2020

I'm in week 12 of the real appeal program and It's been very helpful for me. I've lost 30 lbs and feel great! I use all the tools the program is providing and am learning a lot about living a healthier, more active life. There are a lot of negative reviews and the only one I agree with is the new platform. It doesn't have all the features the old platform had and I'm not sure why they've downgraded so I use MyFitnessPal more. Other than that I'm pretty satisfied so far. Hopefully this will continue to help me through my fitness goals.

Thumbnail of user dewhaley89
1 review
0 helpful votes
August 15th, 2023

I competed the program as required in order to earn wellness points from my employer. Ther requirement is "complete the program". My RealAppeal profile states "program completed". The company refuses to report that I have completed it because there were only seven sessions in this calendar year and they say I need nine. Their only solution is to repeat the program. Unacceptable!

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Thumbnail of user joannek217
1 review
7 helpful votes
June 26th, 2021

This program is really helping me focus on why I eat the way I do and eat better and lose weight! They are with me every step of the way. You are accountable for the way you eat. They help with providing healthy strategies on losing weight the correct way and where you are not hungry. You learn tracking, exercise, recipes, and the weekly coaching is great! It's a mindset. This is not a rushed program it's nice and easy at your own pace. They provide all the support. I even received a blender, a food scale, and a weight scale, exercise and recipe books, exercise DVDs, and a fitness rope. They are here for you!

Tip for consumers:
Try It!

Products used:
Food scale, weight scale, blender, DVDs, books, exercise band, everything.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user martham736
1 review
18 helpful votes
April 16th, 2021

Because I had gotten a kit 5 yrs ago they didn't send me one this time even though *MY INSURANCE PAYS* them. I didn't finish the program the first time bc insurance changed on me. How am I supposed to keep up with everyone else who were provided the materials? Not setting me up for success. Nice coaches but something wrong with company. Waste of my time and insurance money.

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Thumbnail of user josephg106
2 reviews
36 helpful votes
July 26th, 2018

I'm not sure I want to use Real Appeal. The web app is horrible. Support is mostly useless - probably due to lack of training and moral. No information about how the program works before you sign up. I don't want to support a company that doesn't insist on a better quality experience. A quick internet search leaves you depressed and feeling sorry for the non-management employees that work there. The only people that seem to care about the quality of their work and the customers are the coaches.

Thumbnail of user victoriah356
3 reviews
20 helpful votes
April 30th, 2021

5 stars because of the low reviews. In actuality, 4 stars simply because the app is insufficient for tracking and I have to use My Fitness Pal to track foods, and my Apple Watch to track workouts. The food base on Real Appeal isn't stellar, but once getting over that annoyance and finding My Fitness Pal, it was fine. Some minor silliness in the layout and usability, but not enough to cry about.

I started this initially when I had so much going on, I really didn't have the brain space for it. I received my kit but needed to wait to actually make changes. Things got to the point in my health where it became a do or die situation and I signed up to start over.

I did not receive a new kit, which was fine. I had talked to customer service, and like anywhere, sometimes you get someone who is having a bad day, and sometimes you get someone who's super helpful. Anyway, my kit was still current, plus I found out they don't bill insurance until after several coaching sessions, so my insurance was not double billed.

I am in Week 15, have lost over 44 pounds and am encouraged by my coach, the videos, and the reading assignments. This is a "whole body" program and I'm pleased with the cognitive behavioral focus. Like anything, you get out of it what you put in. I've lost weight for other reasons and people, but true lasting weight loss comes when you do it for YOU. I am on a journey and have about 50 more pounds to go. I believe this program will get me there.

By the way, I've been in Weight Watchers several times and honestly, this is so much better. Actually focusing on calorie intake and nutrition instead of "points" or whatever, plus the focus on this being a life style change and not a "diet" has been the key for me.

Lastly, the "fitness coach" on the included DVD's is super easy on the eyes in addition to being fun and encouraging for cardio, strength, stretch, and abs. Actually, of ALL the excercise recordings I've tried, these are my favorite!

I use the items included in the kit almost daily. My portion plate was printed off center (which bugs me horribly) but I still get the idea. The bright colors and divisions stick in your head so you can "see" it when you use regular plates. Food scale is awesome, although I need a flashlight or bright light to see whether it's on grams, ounces, or pounds. Also you just have a limited amount of time to weigh stuff before it clears which can be frustrating. It's still very useful once you figure things out. Scale is great, smoothie blender is just like the nutro blenders, and books and materials are colorful and filled with great information that supports the coaching sessions.

I really recommend Real Appeal. Plus they get extra points for somehow making insurance companies see that being proactive will save them money in the future. I never understood why insurance would cover so many things like smoking cessation but not cover weight loss. It seems they were more willing to pay for serious health issues cause by weight, but not the thing that would ultimately save them money. Until now. So thank you to United Healthcare and Real Appeal. I believe you are saving my life. (Plus I'm looking so good!)

Tip for consumers:
Just read my review. Don’t expect them to do this for you. Weight loss had to be your decision.

Products used:
Scale, food scale, portion plate, printed materials, DVD’s. Didn’t use blender because I have one.

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Thumbnail of user angiew177
2 reviews
18 helpful votes
July 29th, 2021

Are you kidding me? Remedial information at BEST... for someone who has NEVER used any diet plan or considered losing weight or eating healthy. Forget setting up a coaching session! They want to know what you want to discuss in advance so they can 'prepare" - NOPE, they want to reply and tell you to look here and there on the app and what week they addressed those topics. Not discuss your needs individually. I don't believe these people are trained on anything specific beyond being little cheerleader's to motivate you to stay on plan. WHAT A JOKE! Lost over 100lbs on my own over 10yrs ago and have kept it off, just looking for more information to tone up and get a last little bit off and these people don't want to hear about it at all. Disappointing to say the least.

Tip for consumers:
use your time using something else

Products used:
only the scale

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Thumbnail of user sharonv730
1 review
3 helpful votes
July 26th, 2021

After floating from diet plan to diet plan and losing only hope am very happy so far with Real Appeal. It puts the power in your hands and gives great tools to steer you straight. I was lucky with no weight problems for most of my life - naturally just a skinny sort until I wasn't. So I never learned to eat in moderation. This gives you tools to eat with a mindfulness. I haven't been starving myself which is what. Dreaded about dieting - that feeling of perpetual hunger. I don't have that at all. I'm eating plenty but not eating excessively and the pounds are coming off. Real Appeal also helped me to change my perspective on exercise to eliminate chore mentality and view it as ‘ me time' and to think about what I enjoy doing. I'm starting to see a difference. I look forward to continuing on snd am excited to look ahead to where I'll be when my program is over. I think when I'm through with the program I'll have all the necessary tools uo keep up the good work snd not slide back.

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Thumbnail of user johnl4494
1 review
11 helpful votes
November 23rd, 2021

After giving ALL of my personal information, the last questions ask my height, weight, and if I had diabetes. Then, based on those (I am overweight and have diabetes), they decided I am not qualified for their program based on my BMI.

Wasted several minutes of my time. I better not start getting calls and emails now as they share my private information. I gave a special e-mail I use for things like this, so it will be obvious if they do this. Gleaning info and not providing a real service is poor business practices.

Thumbnail of user harmond14
1 review
5 helpful votes
November 11th, 2022

Waste of time. Inane videos with super skinny actors who overact. Coaches are clueless - all prescribed responses like a chat bot. Program has no structure. Support gives non-answer answers. This is a business that exists solely to bill insurance companies a ridiculous amount of fees.

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Thumbnail of user maritzao20
1 review
0 helpful votes
January 19th, 2023

I would give it 5 stars, but I have actually gained weight while on it, so I can't with good conscience give it 5 stars. But, it's free with my insurance so I can't complain. You get free stuff too, a bathroom scale, a kitchen scale, a blender, a resistance band, workout dvds and books with exercises and recipes. I already had a very good bathroom scale and I already have 2 kitchen scales, so I just stored the ones they sent me. But I can imagine how these tools can be life changing for someone just starting. Same with the blender. I already have a regular blender and I bought a smoothie type portable blender last year for when I was doing protein shakes. I actually lost over 10 pounds last year just with protein shakes and exercising twice a week. The problem is you hit a plateau at some point and you have to up your diet and up your exercise. This is when I joined Real Appeal. The best thing about the freebies are the workout dvds. They also give to you the same workout videos online in your library, so you can exercise before you get your welcome kit. The Cardio 1 is really easy but makes you sweat because you keep on moving. Since it's easy, makes it easy to keep doing it and not abandoning the exercise routine like some other plans out there. The exercise guy on the videos talks too much, but I am okay with it. My husband can't stand him. I am now exercising 7 days a week and I'm on week 9 of the program, mixing cardio with strength and flex and abs exercises plus I do yoga on my own on the weekends. I haven't changed my diet because I don't eat that much anyway and I am really stressed. Like others had said, the app is not that great. It freezes on my phone all the time. I gave up on inputting my food intake on week 2. The recipes they have on the recipe book are too bland and not that many anyway. I'm thinking on going back to protein shakes. The coaching sessions are live but the coach mostly just asks us questions and kinda acts like a therapist, as in: how did last week go? And how does that make you feel? And how do you think you can do better next week? I think it's good for accountability but it's not really helpful otherwise. Like I said at the beginning, I have gained weight and that is frustrating, but that's also my fault. And maybe it's muscle mass. My fitbit says my heart health is better and I have more energy than before I started the program. I am definitely more flexible and have more stamina.

Tip for consumers:
Results may vary. It's a highly customizable plan. You can use the workout dvds or not. You can use their walk it off plan or build your own exercise routine. You can use their recipes, but they are not that many and there isn't a real diet plan. You have to do your own diet and track your calories using their junky system or your own tracker. If you don't know where to start, this is a good plan to start.

Products used:
Resistance band, workout DVDs, workout book, real appeal app, real appeal online dashboard, attended coaching sessions, read library materials and watch library videos.

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Thumbnail of user stephaniee139
1 review
29 helpful votes
January 4th, 2020

If you need this poorly structured program, then it probably won't work long term for you.
Each week you have a 30 minute class where the coach asks the most basic questions for 5 minutes, followed by a 20 minute video and 5 minute follow up.
If you have a problem, customer service really isn't very helpful.
Don't misunderstand me, they are all super friendly, But...
If you use an app like Myfitnesspal to track your food and follow basic common sense you will succeed, but there is little motivation after your class and coaches are careful not to give any advice outside of their script
Hope this helps just one person and saves you your most valuable resource--TIME

Thumbnail of user valariec13
1 review
14 helpful votes
December 22nd, 2020

I'm surprised at what constitutes a complaint from some people. And I found many reviews unhelpful, so I hope this is more helpful than some of the others. Real appeal advertises guiding you through a weight loss journey. It doesn't claim to lose the weight for you, or solve your underlying health issues, or provide you with emotional support (for people with mood disorders), or provide you with a calorie or exercise trending app, or a dashboard that works to your personal specifications.

As a healthy living program, so far it meets my expectations. I am concerned about the billing related review, but since only one person complained about this, I'll take it with a grain of salt. The dashboard is a tool for beginners and they highly recommend using the companion app for your smart device. Both have their pros and cons depending on personal preferences. I use both, the desktop dashboard when I am at my desk and the companion app when I am out and about. They meet my basic needs.

The videos during the session don't work great and, yes, audio is a problem depending on which platform you use, but technology sucks in my opinion, so I don't have high expectations for those features anyway.

I am also not interested in everything in their "kit," which they apparently sent by bicycle (it'll take 7-10 days to get from the West coast to the East coast, no joke). However, this leads to two big pluses for me. 1) Since my insurance company pays for this, as a relatively healthy person who doesn't actively need medical insurance outside of annual check-ups, this is an opportunity to get something in return for what I pay to my insurance company. 2) Real Appeal isn't selling me books, any dietary supplements, or promoting some crazy food fad from the stone ages. A third plus is - I suck at motivating myself to exercise and eat right. This isn't my first rodeo, but so far, I like the added "coach" and weekly check-in aspect that helps to keep me on track. My success is ultimately up to me, not Real Appeal.

They are teaching me to eat what I want (within reason) by counting my calories, balance my meals, and schedule/implement healthy physical activities. The Coaches are all smiles and bubbly, yes, but the purpose of the meeting is to keep you on track and motivate you once a week so you don't "fall off the wagon". It helps to keep YOU accountable to YOU. I see nothing negative about that.

So, bottom line, Real Appeal is providing exactly what they advertise; their tools are basic and a little glitchy, but not to the extreme some people are reporting. I have not needed to call IT support, but I don't find the glitches bad enough to call; the faces of Real Appeal are young or otherwise healthy, and are performing their jobs as described.

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