Calibrate Vs Found: A Dietitian’s #1 Recommendation

In this article, I’ll be comparing Calibrate and Found, two prescription weight loss programs that may lead to positive results.

I’m a dietitian, and as a nutrition expert, I understand many of the ins and outs of weight loss. Although most internet searches may make it seem easy, there’s a lot more to it than calories in versus calories out. 

Factors like genetics, lifestyle, hormones, and mindset can all play key roles. Even pre-existing conditions and medication can lead to weight gain. Prescription weight loss programs often consider many of those factors. 

The major differences between Calibrate and Found are the medication prescribed and the factors they consider. Calibrate uses a GLP-1 medication while Found prescribes a more traditional weight loss medication.

So, for a newer but one-size-fits-all program, you may prefer Calibrate. But if you would like a personalized, more traditional plan, Found might be the one for you.

Keep reading to learn more about each of these weight loss programs, their prices, any issues, and which one I’d recommend.

Quick Facts: Face To Face Comparison 

	Calibrate	Found
Plan Types	The One-Year Metabolic Reset plan Master’s Program after first year	Rx Path Wellness Path (no medication)
Key Program Features	A 30-minute video doctor visit including lab work review Ongoing access to your Medical and Support Teams Support navigating medication insurance coverage 1:1 bi-weekly video coaching sessions A holistic curriculum focused on food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health Tracking tools and helpful tips via the Calibrate app	In-depth consultations with board-certified medical providers specializing in weight loss. Prescription medication tailored to your biology and weight care goals, plus free shipping to your door.  Guided lifestyle programming and tips designed to help you maintain accountability 1:1 expert coaching support to kickstart your program, plus access to a network of coaches throughout your journey. Community that helps you easily connect with other members and get support through all the ups and downs. Mobile app with lifestyle change tools, accountability features, medication info, refill and appointment reminders, and more. Access to providers for timely, thoughtful responses to your program questions.
App?	Yes	Yes
Medications	FDA-Approved GLP-1s	Option of 13 Different FDA-Approved Medications
Medication Required?	Yes	No
Nutrition Coaching	Yes, 1:1 bi-weekly video calls throughout the whole program	Yes, 24-hour chat via text for the first 4 weeks
Eligibility Requirements	Age 18-64 Have a BMI of 30+, or 27+ with specific metabolic comorbidities Have commercial or employer insurance Live in the USA Not pregnant or breastfeeding No active substance abuse problem, eating disorder or certain other health situations	BMI of 30+, or 27+ if certain comorbidities are present Live in 1 of 31 states Found is available in
Program Length	1 year	6 months
Pricing	$1,649 for the full year $138 per month	$594 for the full 6 months $129 per month $49 per month without Rx
HSA/FSA Eligible?	Yes	Yes
Guarantees	10% Weight Loss Guarantee	90-Day Money Back Guarantee

Calibrate vs Found: Introductions

Here’s a little overview of each program to get started.

What is Calibrate?

Calibrate describes itself as a metabolic health company that is run by Isabelle Kenyon. 

The company offers a “One Year Metabolic Reset” program that includes a GLP-1 medication, video coaching, and online education. It focuses on “The Four Pillars of Metabolic Health”, including food, sleep, exercise, and emotional health. 

They claim their program will lead to 10% weight loss, guaranteed, or you can get your money back. 

What is Found?

Found is a medical weight loss program that offers online consultations with a Found clinician to prescribe one of 13 weight loss medications, as well as access to a private community and guided programming. 

It is led by CEO Sarah Jones Simmer. Simmer says the company is set apart from other weight loss start-ups because its mission is to, “dismantle the diet culture and help people find lasting weight loss through the best of modern medicine and personalized support.”

Calibrate vs Found: Standout features

Between the two programs, there are a couple of distinguishing features that you should know about.

Calibrate

• Customers are prescribed one of six types of FDA-Approved GLP-1 medications
• 10% weight loss guaranteed 
• Eligible BMI is 30+, or 27+ with existing metabolic conditions
• Biweekly, 1:1 virtual accountability health coaching sessions and peer-to-peer support

Found

• Personalized prescription of one of 13 FDA-Approved medications
• The cost of medication is included in the program
• Personalized nutrition and exercise plan
• Private Facebook community

Calibrate Overview

The research backing Calibrate’s plan states users lost 15% of their body weight on average, as well an improvement in blood lipids and blood sugar regulation. 

You should note that their research states customers kept 15% of the weight off for 18 to 24 months when they joined the Master’s Program. This implies they continued to use the GLP-1 medication.

One of the biggest concerns with GLP-1 medication for weight loss is what happens after you stop taking the medication. 

Research shows that users of a GLP-1 medication regained at least two-thirds of their prior weight loss and saw an introduction of their prior medical conditions. This is most likely due to a lack of lifestyle changes.

Hopefully, the lifestyle interventions that Calibrate offer as a part of the program support sustainable lifestyle change. However, their research does not show this. 

Main Benefits 

• 10% Weight Loss Guarantee: Calibrate offers a 10% weight loss guarantee, meaning you will lose 10% of your body weight during the program or you can get your money back. 
• Can improve lifestyle factors like food intake, sleep, and exercise: Calibrate’s research states users saw an improvement in food habits, sleep, and exercise by 54%, 38%, and 48%, respectively.
• Possible improvement disease biomarkers: Based on their research, 78.8% of users saw an improvement in labs including HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin.
• May reduce inflammation: Inflammation was measured during this study, and 81% of users saw a reduction in inflammatory markers in the program. 

Pros

• Outcomes proven by evidence-based research
• Can join from anywhere in the US
• Coaches have some type of training, qualification, and/or certification
• Screening for eating disorders and many other eligibility requirements during onboarding
• Research shows Calibrate may improve chronic diseases like diabetes

Cons

• Possible weight regain after stopping GLP-1 medications
• Need insurance to join for medication and lab coverage
• Higher price than other programs
• Requires medication to complete the program
• Must join for a full year commitment

Found Overview

Found states its users lose 5% of their body weight by month three and 10% by month six on average. Users have the option of signing up for three, six, or 12 months, with the main recommendation being about six months. 

During the program, users are prescribed one of 13 different weight loss medications depending on their general needs, comorbidities, genetics, and lifestyle. Clients also have access to a coach via text as well as educational modules to help them build better habits and reach goals. 

While there is no research supporting this on their website, Found mentions users may see a positive change in their blood glucose, cholesterol, and triglyceride levels by the four to six-month mark. 

Main Benefits

• Considers biological factors such as metabolic rate, hormones, and genes. By using all of these factors as a part of the prescribing and intervention process, providers are able to look at all parts of the patient’s lifestyle holistically to help them reach sustainable goals. 
• Accountability Coaches available for support and guidance. Electronic health programs that offer health coaching have been shown to lead to better health outcomes than those that don’t. This can be attributed to an increase in accountability and motivation to stick to their goals.
• Opportunity to join the Found Community. Joining a community of people with similar goals has been shown to improve health outcomes by improving motivation and commitment. 
• Might improve sleep: Founds’s site mentions that the program has been shown to improve sleep for users. 
• May balance hormones: The medications used at Found may promote hormone balance to help with weight maintenance. 

Pros

• Personal health coach to create goals and stay accountable
• Personalized nutrition and workout plans
• Access to Found private community
• 1:1 meetings with your doctor via call or video
• Ability to follow program without taking medication
• Flexible program with six-month commitment

Cons

• No research study backing Found’s outcomes
• Only available in 31 states
• No specific medications listed on their site
• No trial period
• Communicate with coaches via SMS only
• Not clear if the health coaches have qualifications
• The company is very weight-focused and doesn’t mention benefits for comorbidities or chronic diseases

Calibrate vs Found: Prescriptions

Calibrate

All of the medications prescribed by Calibrate are GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide 1s. They work by increasing the amount of insulin in your blood, which can increase your metabolism. 

It also works to reduce your appetite and slow down digestion, which will make you feel fuller. 

All but one (Rybelsus) of these is an injectable medication. Each medication is FDA-Approved. 

List of Medications

• Semaglutides: There are three types of semaglutides that Calibrate might prescribe, including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. These work by imitating a gut hormone that promotes the secretion of insulin to speed up metabolism. Wegovy and Ozempic are once-a-week injectables, while Rybelsus is a daily pill. 
• Tirzepatides: Also known as Mounjaro, this medication is a once-weekly injectable that works similarly to semaglutides but also enhances a gut hormone that promotes fat metabolism. 
• Liraglutide: The brand name of this medication is Saxenda. Similar to other GLP-1s, this drug mimics gut hormones to promote fullness and regulate metabolism.
• Dulaglutide: Trulicity is the brand name of the dulaglutide that Calibrate offers. It works similarly to other GLP-1s by mimicking gut hormones to increase feelings of fullness and satiety. 

Found

Found does not list the specific medications on its website because different clinicians will prescribe different medications depending on the patient’s needs. Found states that they do “not dictate prescribing practices or interfere with the medical judgment of our affiliated medical providers.”

Found providers do prescribe both FDA-approved obesity medications and off-label medication, which means they might offer a medication that is used for a specific condition but has benefits for your condition. 

For example, metformin is FDA-approved for diabetes but has also been shown to help overweight or obese people lose weight. This allows for a more personalized program to help regulate hormones, control blood sugar, or manage brain function. 

All medications are FDA-approved; however, they may be approved for a different condition than the condition you are using them for.

List of Medications

Although there aren’t specific prescriptions listed, here are a couple of the medication groups they might prescribe:

• Bupropion: This medication can reduce appetite and cravings.
• Metformin: Metformin works to regulate your body’s insulin response to reduce fat storage and improve satiety
• Naltrexone: This type of medication is often used to reduce cravings and compulsive eating.
• Topiramate: Topiramate may reduce appetite and cravings.
• Zonisamide: Similar to Topiramate, Zonisamide can reduce appetite and cravings.
• Orlistat: This medication reduces the amount of fat that is absorbed in the intestines, which leads to less fat metabolized and stored. 

Calibrate vs Found: Coaching 

Both Calibrate and Found offer coaching.

You should note that neither program ensures you work with a dietitian, and neither state exactly which qualifications their coaches have.

Calibrate 

You will be able to meet 1:1 with your Calibrate coach every other week for a 15-minute video call. This lasts throughout your one-year program. 

During the first three months, you will set bi-weekly goals with your coach. In months 3-12, you will continue to meet with them to stay accountable and continue reaching your goals.

Found

At Found, you will be connected with an Accountability Coach that you can text for the first four weeks of your program. 

After that, you’ll have access to a network of coaches through the community on the app to offer guidance, support, and encouragement throughout the rest of the program.

Calibrate vs Found: Pricing Comparison

Calibrate

Calibrate’s one-year program is a flat rate of $1,649 for the full year, or $138 per month. 

This doesn’t include the GLP-1 medication or labels, though, so that can either be covered by your insurance or prescribed with a $25 co-pay. Out of pocket, GLP-1s can cost over $1,200 per month.

Found

Found requires a six-month commitment, which you can choose to pay in full, quarterly, or monthly. 

In full, the program is $594. Quarterly, you’ll pay two payments of $348, or you can pay monthly, which is $129.

For the wellness program with no prescription, you can pay $49 per month.

Comparison of Sign Up Process

Calibrate

To sign up for Calibrate, you’ll fill out a two-minute eligibility quiz. Once completed, you can purchase the program and get started with the comprehensive survey.

You’ll get lab work done at a local lab and schedule a 30-minute appointment with a doctor for your prescription and an initial call with your Health Coach.

Found

To sign up for Found, you’ll fill out a 24-question quiz to see if you are eligible. Once you complete that, you can sign up for the program.

Once you’ve signed on, you can download the app and get started. You’ll first meet with a board-certified clinician to get prescribed medication.

From there, you’ll be assigned a Health Coach to help you set goals as well as meet with other members on the app.  

Calibrate vs Found: Which is the best option?

Both Calibrate and Found have some key features that may shine above the rest.

Calibrate offers 1:1 video coaching throughout the whole program as well as research that backs its product. It’s also available in all 50 states, but only to those with insurance.

Found, on the other hand, has a more personalized and flexible program as well as 24-hour access to their coaches via text. 

Another benefit of Found is that it is a bit cheaper than Calibrate, and they offer personalized nutrition and exercise planning. 

Why We Think Found Is the Better Option

When comparing Found vs Calibrate, I think Found is the better choice.

I like that the Found program is more personalized when it comes to medication and goal-setting. You can do the program without medication if you prefer. 

I also like that it’s more affordable than Calibrate. It’s only a six-month commitment, and the medication is included as a part of the program, so there is more access for its users.  

While both programs offer modules to improve lifestyle habits, the medications Found prescribes also show better long-term results than GLP-1 does.  

Final Thoughts on Calibrate vs Found

At the end of the day, weight management comes down to creating sustainable, healthy habits that you can keep up in the long term. 

As a dietitian, I don’t believe clients need to be on medication to achieve their goals. Oftentimes, these medications can lead to short-term results that are often reverted after use. Because many of these drugs are new, there is also a lack of research to see the effects, both positive and negative, after long term use. 

Each of these programs may help you lose weight during the program, though, and hopefully, the modules and coaching help to build these habits to maintain your goals in the long run. 

If you’d like to try Found, click here to take the quiz. 

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