The diet and fitness blog is maintained by eDiets.com Senior Copy Editor Dorian Wagner, unless otherwise noted. eDiets.com reserves the right to delete any comments we deem inappropriate.
Monday, March 05, 2007

Weight Loss Center Under Fire

Like the post?  Add Your Comments  |   | 

The LA Weight Loss Center is the subject of a scathing ABC report. You can view the video here, then return to read our take on the matter below:

by Susan Burke MS, RD, LD/N, CDE
eDiets Chief Nutrition Expert

Ah, it never ends. It just gets recycled over and over. The latest news that LA Weight Loss has paid more than a million dollars to settle a class-action lawsuit doesn't surprise me. But it does sadden and anger me.

I'm sad, because the women (mostly) who sign up for this scam are desperate. They're smart, some awesomely successful; they're Moms, they're colleagues... and they want to lose weight. I'm angry because the pigeons are so vulnerable to "guarantees" of weight loss, and the villains that prey on them are so unscrupulous.

According to consumeraffairs.com, LA Weight Loss, even after paying penalties to settle charges of misrepresentation and unsubstantiated health claims, continued to mislead consumers, and now ABC News reports the attorney general of Washington State called it a "classic bait and switch" scheme. LAWL advertised a low weekly payment, and no other charges, and people were pressured and "bullied" into buying "guaranteed" programs that required further purchasing of bars and other dietary supplements. Legalnewsline.com writes that citizens of Washington State participating in the suit are now entitled to up to $50,000 each in reimbursement, and that LAWL "must now disclose all costs upfront and which purchases aren't necessary. They also must back up any health or weight loss claims for their products and follow FDA regulations."

But listen, you're smarter than that. All you need to do is look at the offer, and run. I did. I went to the website, and see that it costs only $5 a week. But that's not all. That's based on a 52-week program, plus the costs of "Set Up and LA Lites." That means hidden charges. They don't tell you how much that costs, until you get there. And you're asked a lot of personal questions from people who are trained to sell.

I'm not going to tell you all about the lawsuit against LA Weight Loss. Because you can go to the video on ABCNews.com and see for yourself. But know this: there are lots more scams out there -- dietary supplements, gyms, so-called "nutritionists" who are not licensed but give nutrition advice, fitness experts who aren't certified in fitness or nutrition, but freely give advice. My sister had a similar experience in responding to an ad for a nationally known gym. I'm very proud of her, because she did the right thing.

She called me to say she was going for a consultation, because she's been thinking about joining a gym for a while, but couldn't afford the payments (about $30/month). This chain was touting a full membership, no hidden charges, they said, for only about $9 a month for three months. She thought it too good to be true, she wanted to check it out. I said, "Don't sign anything that looks like a contract unless it says $9 a month, period."

She called me that afternoon, livid. She received the "full treatment" from one of the counselors whose mission was to sign her up for a yearly membership, at about $396. They tried to make her think that unless she committed to the full enchilada, she couldn't benefit from the program. When the woman saw that my sister wasn't going to sign, that she wanted what was advertised, they called the manager. That sealed the deal. He said, "Obviously you're not serious about getting in shape... you know, at your age, you'd better get serious." Well, you don't say that to a woman who knows her own mind -- you certainly don't talk about her age. My little sister got up and left. She did the right thing.

If you're serious about weight loss, remember, you can't take a pill or potion to make it happen. Bars and shakes will not "burn your fat" or make you lose weight more easily. If you're told that to succeed in losing weight is dependent on taking an unapproved dietary supplement, bar or shake, then run -- they are lying. They are preying on the vulnerability of consumers who find it difficult to stop using food as a pressure-releaser, to assuage anxiety or who are lonely or tired. I know this, because that's how I used food too. It's the rare person whose weight loss is not due to overeating, and is overweight due to a medical condition such as an auto-immune disease or under-active thyroid, for example. Most of us are overweight due to overeating and under-exercising.

All "diets" work. Make the diet you use to lose weight your diet -- with foods that you like, so that you can continue it and maintain your weight loss permanently. Exercise your will to change, and do it one day at a time. I work at eDiets because I'm committed to spreading the word for credible, positive change without compromising health or nutrition. I personally do not use bars or shakes to replace meals. I find they are too sweet, and they are more like candy than good nutrition. I prefer the Mediterranean meal plan, with whole grains, fruits, lean protein, and a glass of wine with dinner. I know that without activity the whole thing doesn't work. Make it fun, make it flavorful, and make it real.

Labels: , ,

Read the 2 Comments - Click Here

Comment: Saturday, March 24, 2007 9:05:00 PM - Anonymous Anonymous said...  

I just wrote an anonymous comment about what is "natural" and thought of something else I wanted to state but did not. I am a physician who has fought obesity all of my life, so I am quite sympathetic to others who also desire to "lose weight." In fact, I had 56 pounds off 3 years ago and "let" about 80% of it get back on for various reasons (excuses). The one thing I am seeing and hearing about increasingly in my primary care practice in the rural midwest is bariatric surgery practice and procedures. People, these are MAJOR surgical procedures that require a MASSIVE commitment from those who undergo them for the rest of your life!! It is my opinion that NO patient who is thinking about undergoing one of these weight-loss "operations" is educated and counseled adequately to 1) understand just what you are getting yourself into, and 2) what long-term risks you are taking and the issues you will face for the rest of your life. Just because the recovery from these procedures is usually pretty quick and easy with the minimally-invasive techniques, IT DOES NOT MEAN the procedures themselves are quick or easy.


Comment: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 11:13:00 PM - Anonymous Anonymous said...  

As with anything that gives the buyer the idea of immediate gratification there could be consequences and there also needs to be accountability, buy the consumer. Just look at Oprah, the women of the world take her word for weight loss?? Has she kept off her weight? No... and yet if she said tomorrow that LA Weight Loss worked for her, I guarantee you wouldn't be able to get in the door. You need to be a smart consumer and I'm sure the program would work as good as any other diet program as long as you worked it. So, the bottom line is if you make a commitment to a lifestyle change and work at it - Great. If it works for you that's all that counts. But, the weight loss centers cannot wave a magic wand or give you a special pill, you need to put some effort into your life and take responsibility. So,maybe there are a few centers that were a little deceptive. Let's face it, you can find that in just about every company that has bright marketing and alot of money.








Diet and Fitness Blog is powered by eDiets.com