CBS Atlanta 46Are your genes making you fat?

Millions of Americans try to lose weight every year, and many succeed only to gain it back - and then some.

The creator of a new weight loss plan says you can blame your genes for that.

"We're going right to the very basic building blocks of each individual," said co-founder and CEO of Newtopia, Jeff Ruby.

According to Ruby, Newtopia is a personalized lifestyle plan tailored to each individual based on a genetic test. Clients simply spit into a tube, and the saliva is sent to a certified, independent laboratory where the results are analyzed.

"And then from those results, we're able to give you whether or not you've got a higher degree of risk to either lose weight or to gain weight easily, and also specifically what changes you should make to your nutrition, your exercise and your behavior based on those results," Ruby said.

CBS Atlanta recruited Melinda Mine, a 30-year-old spa manager, to try it out. "It was really neat to be able to see the different abnormalities I have and to learn more about the inner workings of my body," Mine said.

"I think there's a lot of relief that people have just finally knowing, so they can stop the guessing, stop the hamster wheel and all the fads, and have an exact plan built specifically for them," Ruby said.

For $399, clients receive genetic testing, a pedometer and access to their own website complete with a personalized exercise, nutrition and behavior-management plan. Each also gets a month's supply of vitamins and minerals and six online coaching sessions.

"I love having the coach there, she's awesome. She gives me a lot of different nutritional tips and recipes. It's really encouraging to have someone right before the weekend to help keep you kind of focused," Mine said.

So far, Newtopia has helped Mine lose the average two pounds a week.

"I feel like it's not a restrictive weight loss program like others have been - you're not in a box. It's helping me learn how to make better choices, and so I feel like for the long haul, I'll be able to stick with it," she said.

Newtopia launched in Canada in 2008 and Ruby said thousands of clients there have lost anywhere from five to 100 pounds on the program. "We've been monitoring closely to make sure that it's sustainable weight loss, and 80 percent of our clients are keeping that weight off," he said.

But not everyone is convinced that Newtopia is a good idea.

Trulie Myers is a registered and licensed dietician who specializes in weight loss. She reviewed the program and said she doesn't think genetic testing is necessary for people to lose weight.

"There's a lot of competition out there, and I think they're trying to take the basis of what a good weight loss program is and then adding this genetic component, and to me, it doesn't strike me as enough of an edge to make it some sort of star program that everyone should flock to," Myers said.

She added that a few simple steps can help just about anyone lose weight: Be more active, eat more fruits and vegetables, and avoid processed foods.

Another potential downfall for Newtopia is the cost.  After the initial $399 fee, clients pay $149 per month for vitamins and four coaching sessions. And as they reach their goals, they can eventually scale back on coaching sessions and the fees will decrease accordingly. They have permanent access to their website and pedometer. But you should also keep in mind additional expenses such as gym memberships (should you choose to join) and buying healthy foods at the grocery store.

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