- I was asked my thoughts regarding a specific diet by someone. My thoughts are the same for all diets. I agreed to share because I'm extremely passionate about helping people. In fact, I would say I advocate against this common approach to making changes. This will likely be the longest post I ever write. I may even revisit some of the material in the future to further reinforce my stance on weight loss programs.
- Shakeology
- Isagenix
- 21 Day Fix
- Atkin's
- Hollywood Diet
- Flextarian
- 310
- TLC
- DASH
- ItWorks
- And on....and on....and on...the list goes.
"A weight loss solution."
"Get slim!"
"Inches and pounds lost!"
Lose! Lose! Lose!
Part of my career is to stay on top of the trends within the health and fitness industry. I have to do this to keep clients from losing focus and going for the quick fix. There are a lot of products out there that DO NOT belong on the market. Products designed to sell and resell, not help change lives. Products designed to withstand the coming of new products.
Some products end up banned by the FDA, but only after it's done irreversible damage or death to a human first (ephedrine? Bueller?). The FDA doesn't regulate the manufacturing of supplements and weight-loss products. They don't require long-term clinical studies. They don't require proof of the product safety or effectiveness. The FDA's only concerns are with food and drugs (medicine claimed to treat and cure disease).
Don't believe me? I urge you to read this...
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/QuestionsAnswers/ucm136187.htm
Your diet of choice may not be banned. It may not contain the same chemical(s) as the ones on the list but it's still manufactured and processed. The warnings are clear and apply to all quick fix diets promoting, heavily processed, consumer goods. Yet I see "I think I'll do the 'shit like a walrus' diet next."
"Next? What happened to the 'don't eat real food and drink our proprietary blend of false hopes and dreams because you're a sucker' diet? Oh, you gained it back? What? And six pounds on top of that?"
Seriously think back and count the number of diets you have tried, completed, failed, and succeeded.
Did it stay off? Did you learn to maintain?
This is where the term "yo-yo dieting" appeared. Hell, there's even something called "yo-yo syndrome" (more on that later). There are more problems with programs like these than I'm willing to address. But if you take anything away from this, understand that by choosing the quick fix, you put yourself at a risk. A risk with a far more dangerous path than the risks associated with strength and conditioning and proper nutritional guidance.
It's starts with these being marketed as MLMs. I'm all for a company using MLMs as a mode for marketing (I'm in one) but not when it comes to weight loss. Those who buy in don't waste any time before changing their Facebook status to "health and fitness coach." The collision between my forehead and my palm can be loud enough to stir the whole house.
Inconceivable!!
I applaud those of you who have had the small percentage of success with one of these diets. It can definitely be the kick in the ass people need. To call themselves a professional coach in the health and fitness industry? I don't give two hoots if you dropped however many pounds sucking on some powder. It doesn't make you a pro. It doesn't make what advice you give to others the correct advice for them. It doesn't make you comprehend the complexity of both the biological and psychological state within each individual person. You make money off of people regardless of whether the program works or not.
It's starts with these being marketed as MLMs. I'm all for a company using MLMs as a mode for marketing (I'm in one) but not when it comes to weight loss. Those who buy in don't waste any time before changing their Facebook status to "health and fitness coach." The collision between my forehead and my palm can be loud enough to stir the whole house.
Inconceivable!!
I applaud those of you who have had the small percentage of success with one of these diets. It can definitely be the kick in the ass people need. To call themselves a professional coach in the health and fitness industry? I don't give two hoots if you dropped however many pounds sucking on some powder. It doesn't make you a pro. It doesn't make what advice you give to others the correct advice for them. It doesn't make you comprehend the complexity of both the biological and psychological state within each individual person. You make money off of people regardless of whether the program works or not.
These people are trusting you, some with the last bit of hope they have. Claiming a title others have spent thousands of hours over multiple years to attain, is just wrong. It doesn't give you jack other than the illusion toward others you know what you're talking about. What you really know is how to sell a generalized product to people who don't know any better.
It boggles my mind the number of people I see every day chose another processed "food" (your trimming powder is entirely processed) over real food.
"But food has lost it's edge, it's lost x% of nutrients" they say.
Of course a company with interest to profit will tell you their product is better than the food you buy. How else can they get you to drop a month's worth of food on their product instead? In case you missed that, you have to buy so they can PROFIT. They will say what ever they have to for you to buy.
Yeah yeah. You make a living. That's awesome. It doesn't make you a credible source for information regarding health and exercise. Most of you act like you're pros at living a healthy life when you consume a liquid breakfast and lunch everyday. I can hardly ask investigative questions without a regurgitation of some "fact" they were told by their up line.
What makes me cringe is while I reach out to people thinking about starting (great start to getting started!!!), I get these "health and fitness coaches" telling me I'm wrong. Suit yourself. Do I really need to tell you to your face? The truth?
Here's an example, without caring whether you get offended, of what goes through my mind when people post pictures of their "success" at a diet: "But you still look fat."
Cruel? Maybe. Truth? Yes.
I see a slightly smaller version of the old body. Still flabby. Still undefined. Still fat. Just, a smaller version of the one before.
The videos bought in addition to some of these diets are crap too. Yeah it works me into a sweat too but the majority of you seasoned Insane 90 25 DVDers would have a hard time making it through a hour with me. Yep, that's a challenge. A TRIPLE DOG DARE if you will. I will prevail.
Had enough of my whining yet? I know I have. All of this rambling stems from my passion for helping humans create a quality, active, life. I understand not every trainer and coach out there (the real ones) will agree with me either. The ones that sell out to these MLMs become blind from dollar signs. They become driven by an increase in cash flow over doing what is right. Some of them have lost sight of their purpose in the industry. Creating a healthy, fit, and active society.
Nevertheless, I'm sticking to my guns. It's the belief I've developed over years of grueling observations. It's strong. It's tough to convince otherwise. Without significant amounts of evidence of something having long term results, it's a sham. This is my religion. This is my purpose. I am the swell to the wave.
Check back or enter your email for a notification to read the science behind diets in...
Why It Works Now and Not Forever.
