FOX 5 Special: Shake Away the Weight

ATLANTA (MyFOX ATLANTA) - Diets come and go and many people have tried dozens. A new product called Sensa is sprinkled on food and it promises diners a way to get control of their eating. Three Georgians gave Sensa a shake.

The tried and true way to lose weight is to eat less and exercise more, but many people just can't seem to get a hold of how much they eat. A new product claims to help by sending a signal to the brain that says enough is enough.

"I've always had this thing where I just want to eat, 'Oh, Its good! I just want more!'" said Joan Gibbs.

"We kids were brought up with, you put it on your plate, you eat it," said Dennis Baker.

A new weight loss product called Sensa promises to help diners fill up before they overeat. Three Metro Atlantans volunteered to give Sensa a chance.

At 40, Lisa Porter has poured a lot of her energy into creating "Unique Face Options," her Lilburn skincare salon. Along the way, Porter said she stopped taking care of herself.

"Three to five pounds extra every year really starts to add up," said Porter.

In January, Porter went on a strict diet and started exercising. Porter said she needed a little boost and thought Sensa might be it.

"I'm looking forward to trying Sensa because I'm already motivated," said Porter. "I want to get down to not necessarily a certain number. I'm not doing that anymore, but down to a healthy weight. To where I feel comfortable," Porter said.

Baker, another Sensa volunteer, said he felt good about his decision to quit smoking after more than 40 years.

"It will be two years ago next month," Baker said.

Unfortunately, Baker said he replaced cigarettes with food.

"Over the course of those two years, I've gained 18 pounds," Baker revealed. "I was feeling really rough."

Joan Gibbs, a legal assistant at FOX 5 said she ate pretty well, but couldn't graduate from The Clean Plate Club.

"I eat everything, until it's gone. I always go back for seconds," Gibbs said. "I could be so full, but I feel like I want more."

Sensa was developed by a neurologist and sensory researcher. The weight loss plan allows people to eat the food they like. Sensa users just sprinkle flavorless crystals called "tastants" onto food to turn up the flavor.

Sensa isn't a miracle in a box, but rather it boosts the way food tastes so that it is easier to stop eating and feel full.

"I think it's interesting the idea that you sprinkle something on food and it enhances the flavor. It's a great concept, if only humans weren't so complex," said registered dietician Cheryl Williams.

Williams works with the Emory Heart and Vascular Center and Heartwise program. Williams said a lot of people don't eat just because they're hungry and don't stop when they are full.

"They're trying to fill a void, and they scarf down food and they don't even remember how it tastes," Williams said. "So a lot a people, their relationship with food is really complex. So, it's not as simple as 'I'm hungry, I eat. I'm full, I stop.' If it was that simple, we wouldn't have an obesity epidemic in this country."

After a month on Sensa, the three volunteers weighed in on their results.

Porter was down eight pounds and said she cooked foods she once thought were off-limits.

"I made some sweet potato fries. I can actually have some of these and I won't overdo it," Porter said.

Porter said was relieved that she was able to eat just like the rest of her family.

"I feel like this is one part of my life, one aspect, that I've got it under control now," Porter said.

For Baker, after two months of using Sensa he reported a 14 pound weight loss. Baker said he thought his weight loss had more to do with stepping up his workouts than sprinkling something on his food.

"I can say this, whatever I'm doing seems to be working. So, I can't say there's anything wrong with the product, I can't say it doesn't work. I just don't know how big a factor it is in the results I'm getting," Baker said.

Gibbs said she was also skeptical about Sensa at first. After two months Gibbs was down seven or eight pounds and she said her clothes fit better.

"All I know is that I put it on my food and I don't eat as much," Gibbs.

Gibbs said she wasn't sure how Sensa works. "But, whatever, It's working that's all that matters for me. I can't tell you how it does it, I just know it works for me," Gibbs said.

The volunteers will continue using Sensa for six months, which the company recommends to get the best results.

A six month supply of Sensa is $235, which is just under $40 a month.

For more information on Sensa, go to http://www.trysensa.com/ .