How long does it usually take before you start ...

Losing weight and keeping it off is a lifestyle change, not a temporary diet. If you are looking to make the change, I'd suggest reading a great article called Lifestyle Changes, Not Diets, Are Key To Losing Weight that was published on Medical News Today. I think it really sums up the important aspects that most people need to change to successfully lose weight and keep it off. The three points I spend extra time focusing on are portion control, drinking lots of water and making exercise a part of my daily routine (even if it means taking the stairs instead of the elevator or parking my car further from the entrance of a store/restaurant).
Depending on your commitment, you can see results as early as 1 month into your lifestyle changes.
I hope this helps.

 Look for diet items at the store that are in line with the Ameri Shape plan or Jenny Craig or even Weight Watchers...many Gold's Gym  offer this as well.  

The Ameri Shape Weight reduction program is the foundation of our weight loss and exercise program. After all, the proper intake of food along with 30 minutes of circuit training can be the most crucial element for successful weight reduction.

The Ameri Shape Weight Reduction Program focuses on you and your needs with ...

An individualized eating plan based on your weight loss needs, lifestyle, and physical conditions, and a nutritional plan that details the correct balance of food groups to maximize your personal weight loss goals.
   
A detailed list of food choices detailing the proper balance of food groups to be consumed that is imperative to maximize your metabolism for efficient weight loss. The Ameri Shape™ nutrition component provides you with dozens of choices for variety, and taste.
  
Periodic counseling provides support and guidance through one-on-one coaching during every phase of the program. During the weight loss portion of the program, you will monitered by a coach three times per week for 36 weeks.
   
Weekly cooking tips & recipes for making meals that make the most of your time, energy, and health while coordinating with the food choices of your plan.
It is a fact of life that the mainstream food we eat has changed drastically over the last thirty to forty years, not to mention the fast food we consume. Before society had processed foods available at any hour of the day or night, we did not have such an obesity problem.

So, what are you going to do to improve your eating style?

Poor management of type 1 diabetes mellitus, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), leads to an excessive amount of glucose and an insufficient amount of insulin in the bloodstream. This triggers the release of triglycerides www.amerishape.com from adipose (fat) tissue and catabolism (breakdown) of amino acids in muscle tissue. This results in a loss of both fat and lean mass, leading to a significant reduction in total body weight. Note that untreated type 1 diabetes mellitus will usually not produce weight loss, as these patients get acutely ill before they would have had time to lose weight.

Myriad additional scientific considerations are applicable to weight loss, including but not limited to: physiological and exercise sciences, nutrition science, behavioral sciences, and other sciences.

One area involves the science of bioenergetics including biochemical and physiological energy production and utilization systems, that is frequently evidence of diabetes, and ketone bodies, acetone particles occurring in body fluids and tissues involved in acidosis, also known as ketosis, somewhat common in severe diabetes.

In addition to weight loss due to a reduction in fat and lean mass, illnesses such as diabetes, certain medications, lack of fluid intake and other factors can trigger fluid loss. And fluid loss in addition to a reduction in fat and lean mass exacerbates the risk for cachexia.

Infections www.amerishape.com such as HIV may alter metabolism, leading to weight loss.[1]

Hormonal disruptions, such as an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), may also exhibit as weight loss.[2]

Recent research has shown fidgeting to result in significant weight loss. [3]www.amerishape.com

i think it comes into effect aftr 10-15 days..or sometimes even more it depends on ur initial condition.. Imran http://www.myjewelersplace.com

"Body for Life" by Bill Phillips is a great book if you're trying to figure out how to get in shape and stay in shape or, perhaps, someone who's been working out and dieting for a while and doesn't seem to be making much headway towards losing weight and getting in shape. Phillips does a good job of explaining the basic building blocks of fitness and of debunking a lot of the more prevalent fitness myths. He covers the proper way to exercise, both aerobics and weight training, proper diet, not some fad diet but rather how to eat real food in a healthy way, and how to motivate yourself and keep yourself motivated to stick to your goals.