LighterLife is a weight loss program tailored specifically for clinically obese individuals. One of its methods is a very low calorie diet (VLCD), wherein patients buy foodpacks from the doctor supervising them. These daily foodpacks contain an average of 800 calories. Foods include shakes, snack bars, and soups.

A process called ketosis is induced along with the diet to burn fat stored in the body for energy. Ketosis is not without controversy as some doctors link it with chronic starvation and call it potentially life-threatening.

A counsellor is also assigned to guide a group of participants. Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to discover reasons for overeating, and solutions are consequently developed in response.

It is very important for participants to be under close care by the assigned doctor. Checkups every month are a necessity. Samantha Clowe, who was following the LighterLife plan, died from a heart condition. She was eating 530 calories in a day as part of the VLCD plan.