[Pam] Higgins, who teaches a six-week class at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, says the emphasis is off calorie counting and on appetite and hunger.

She and the students explore various issues, including the quality of their diet. Are there empty calories? Is there too much fat? Are they eating all the right foods but too much of them? "And we can't go without mentioning exercise," Higgins said.

Taking off 10 pounds often can be difficult, Higgins said. "It's fine-tuning. As you get closer to your ideal body, your calorie deficit is going to be less, so your weight loss is going to be slower."