I had 14 weight/health-oriented newsletters in my inbox this morning. (Subscribe to one or two lists and they will multiply -- the rabbits of the Internet!)
Several contained testimonials from rabid fans of their particular diet program. Five contained before-and-after pictures or verbal descriptions.
What fabulous results! I've got to try this!
Wait, what are all those asterisks?
Ah, the phrase that turns the blood of the most motivated desperate dieter to ice: "Results not typical."
Now what exactly does that mean? Did they specifically select the greatest outlier to mislead us about results? Is it only the freaks who are willing to rave about the program? Does the plan only work for certain people? Should I assume that I, too, will reach the dizzying heights of the featured role model?
Lose the hype, please. Talk to me as if I'm intelligent as well as overweight. Being fat does not equate with being stupid!
Show me "typical" results and I'll assess your program with honesty and respect. If most folks lose 5 pounds, publicize that. If not, all those unhappy overwieghters who sign up for your diet will expect to lose the poundage of your featured dieter.
The last thing the desperate, guilt-ridden, and self-critical dieters of the world need is to be misled into unreal expectations. That direction will only result in a magnified loss of self-esteem and self-respect. Your marketing misinformation is psychologically destructive and emotionally devasting.
E-Diets, Atkins, Zone, South Beach -- Shame on you!
Virginia Bola is a licensed psychologist and an admitted diet fanatic. She specializes in therapeutic reframing and the effects of attitudes and motivation on individual goals. The author of The Wolf at the Door: An Unemployment Survival Manual, and a free ezine, The Worker's Edge, she recently published a psychologically-based weight control e-workbook, "Diet with an Attitude" which develops mental skills towards the goal of permanent weight control. She can be reached at http://www.dietwithanattitude.com. She provides support and guidance in use of the workbook through her regular blog, http://www.dietwithanattitude.com
Elk Grove (east OF 53) car service from Midway .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareA new survey has found that heel pain caused by... Read More
I received a telephone call from a lady last week.... Read More
Are you a 'look-and-lose' dieter? Have you studied every diet... Read More
Looking for Diet Programs on net is like looking for... Read More
With so many diets and fads being offered on the... Read More
Dieting is not easy. If it were, we would probably... Read More
To begin this article I must start with it's conclusion.The... Read More
Dieting presents many complications if you are not fully committed... Read More
Several months ago I was in desperate need of weight... Read More
Any true body transformation starts with self?discovery. It is an... Read More
I don't know anything about you but if you're anything... Read More
WHAT DOES BEING FIT REALLY MEAN?The "INSIDE-OUT" approach to fitness... Read More
After the post-Halloween sugar surge, everyone coaches you to get... Read More
Now that the temptations of the Holiday season have passed... Read More
Is this even possible?Well hold on to your seat because... Read More
Both men and women around the world are becoming fatter... Read More
Surprisingly, hair loss is one of the reasons female pre-operative... Read More
Many critics in have attacked low carb diets for only... Read More
The first rule for successful weight loss and weight maintenance... Read More
If you knew when you were going to die, would... Read More
How did a thin person like me become overweight? My... Read More
Discover secrets to overcome food addictions by releasing negative thoughts... Read More
We all know it's hard to begin losing weight, no... Read More
"I've put on 40 pounds in one year!" "It doesn't... Read More
In a culture of blame-shifting we often look for someone... Read More
Green Oaks limo rental ..The only way you will ever follow through on an... Read More
Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More
My name is Greg Ryan. I am a best selling... Read More
These days more and more people are getting intellectual instead... Read More
Why has Phentermine stopped helping me lose weight?Many people are... Read More
In the last 12 months or so, low carbohydrate diets... Read More
Not only was I fat, I was in poor health... Read More
I can't do that Until I Lose This Weight! If... Read More
There is no need to worry too much if your... Read More
Experts tell us that overweight or obese children have reached... Read More
As the holidays approach, a frequent question from my clients... Read More
This past Christmas Season, as most of us stuffed our... Read More
Stomach-Stapling Surgery ------------ There's no doubt that stomach-stapling surgery leads... Read More
There's more to gastric bypass than surgery and rapid massive... Read More
If it seems that you have been eating as usual... Read More
Notice, if you would, that every diet out there only... Read More
Weight Loss and Water: A Way to Make Your Body... Read More
A client wrote, "Help me! I thought I was finally... Read More
* Not walking on a treadmill everyday for 45 minutes... Read More
Glycemic index ranks different carbohydrate foods depending on their potential... Read More
In order to lose weight, your body must burn more... Read More
Motivation is a factor often overlooked when it comes to... Read More
Visualizing and Declarations are today's topics.Visualize what you want as... Read More
I am so proud of you and your accomplishments. You're... Read More
Include in your diet things that contain more water like... Read More
Weight Loss |