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.
Friday, April 25, 2008

Weighing in on Sizeism: Fear, Self-Loathing & Our Nation's Battle of the Bulge

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By Glenn Mueller
eDiets Senior Writer/Editor

In case you missed it, the last issue of the UTNE Reader included an extremely provocative series of articles about America's war on obesity. In spite of the health risks associated with being overweight, the editors of this alternative publication argue that our approach to fatness is at least as unhealthy as being fat. "Sizeism remains the only truly socially acceptable form of discrimination on the planet," writes Courtney E. Martin, author of Perfect Girls, Starving Daughters: The Frightening New Normalcy of Hating Your Body.

While the authors make some alarming generalizations about the dieting industry as a whole, they definitely bring up an insightful point about our cultural bias against fat. "To be fat in our culture is to be labeled not only a glutton, but also a vessel of disease," writes associate editor, Hannah Lobel.

"Short of burning obese people in effigy, it's hard to imagine how we could stigmatize fat more in this culture. Body hatred is regarded as a feminine virtue."

Now, I have worked at eDiets for over five years, and I honestly believe we provide a valuable public service. We help countless numbers of people to transform their lives. But the most important reason to eat nutritious foods and exercise is to protect your own health. It is really all about looking and feeling your personal best-- not trying to meet some unrealistic expectation.

The magazine cites a poll of 10,000 ELLEgirl readers, in which 30 percent said they would rather be thin than healthy. That's downright disturbing! In our superficial culture that often values form over substance, I don't doubt that people are often discriminated against because of their size and appearance. However, I hope that doesn't deter people making the ever-important decision to exercise and adopt a healthier lifestyle.

Do you agree that we have an unfair bias against fat in this culture? Have you ever felt discriminated against because of your size? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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Thursday, April 17, 2008

Are We Killing Our Pets?

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By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor

You know you want to lose weight. You know you want your kids to be a healthy weight. But what about your pets? Think a little pudge on your pet is cute? I think it's time we take a look at pet obesity as a serious problem.

How do we show our pets love? We give them treats. How do we make them do anything? Treats. Good boys get treats! And who isn't guilty of slipping Fido or Fluffy a little nibble of whatever's for dinner?

I'll be the first to admit I’m not helping the problem. My cat (and I use that term loosely; he's really the size of a medium dog) is overweight. Pimp has weighed in at a whopping 22 pounds at vet visits, and I often find myself comparing him to small dogs and saying, "My cat would eat your dog."

Luckily, I've never fed Pimp a small dog, but since he eats any and everything I give him, I have no doubt he'd probably try if I gave one to him. Good boys get small dogs!

Did you know the average weight of an adult cat is 7 to 12 pounds?! The vet told me to put him on "diet" food, which I did. But that hasn't stopped me from filling up his bowl probably too often, showering him with treats and giving him some of everything I eat. He just looks at me with those eyes…

So the realization becomes: It’s not our pets' fault that they're fat. It's not their fault that all our "love" puts them at a higher risk for weight-related conditions. They don't know that a serving of treats is only four pieces, or that they should run around the house for 30 minutes a day to keep their heart healthy.

Sure, a yummy treat or a bite of your juicy steak may make your pet happy at that minute. But are their fattened purrs and tail wags worth it in the long run? Not so much.

I know I've said it before, but I'm serious this time: Pimp's going on a diet. And I know he may yell and cry and wake me up 20 times a night because he thinks he's hungry, but in the end, Mommy knows best -- and I want him around for as long as possible.

Do you have a fat pet, or know someone who does? Have you tried to put them on a diet or do you think they're pleasantly plump? Leave a comment and share your thoughts.

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Thursday, April 10, 2008

If Meds Caused Weight Gain, Would You Take Them?

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By Dorian Wagner
eDiets Senior Copy Editor

If you had to choose between your life and your weight, which would you choose? It's a tough question, but one that some people find themselves facing...

A 2004 study in General Hospital Psychiatry showed that 5 percent of patients surveyed would never take medication that caused weight gain… even if it was for a life-threatening condition.

It really made me think. In our world, a huge amount of emphasis is put on how people look -- oftentimes, I think, too much. Because, when it comes down to it, I personally would rather be alive and breathing than thin and dead. But apparently, some people disagree.

The choice seems simple to me, but what do YOU think? If a medication you needed would cause you to gain weight, would you take it? Comment here and share your view.

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Friday, March 28, 2008

"Fat and Flubby" to Fashionable, Fit & Fabulous!

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By Cathy Cox
eDiets Testimonial Manager

New York City, home of the stars -- singers, actresses, models... a hotbed of the fashion and entertainment industry, where size really does all too often matter! Alane M. lives in the center of it all, a single, 43-year-old legal secretary and part-time graphic design student. She has always had a whole world of opportunity and adventure just out her doorstep, but she felt too fat and out of place in her own skin to go out and explore it.

Alane says she lacked confidence to get out there and meet new people, to come out of her shell and enjoy life, because she felt "fat and flubby," and often felt like a third wheel when she went out with others.

Then one night, dateless at New Year's Eve party, she decided that something had to give, and she declared, "This can't be, this is not who I am and this is not who I want to be! I do not want to be wearing a size-14 party dress at any New Year's Eve to come!" And that was the big "a-ha moment" when Alane decided to lose the weight once and for all!

She started with eDiets at 178 pounds and wearing a size 14. After unsuccessfully trying several other weight-loss plans, she saw a link to eDiets.com and began exploring the Web site. Alane liked that she could see sample menus from all of the various meal plans that were available, and that she was able to change between plans to find what works best for her. The Glycemic Impact Plan looked like it would work best for Alane; she liked the idea of eating several smaller meals throughout the day. But she says it was not just the diet, but the Community she found with eDiets that made the biggest difference in her ultimate success!

With the other weight-loss plans she tried, Alane says she felt alone. As a single professional living in the city, she felt she couldn't relate to the majority of people who were part of the other weight-loss plans she had previously tried. But when she joined eDiets, she found an entire community of people just like herself -- people that held lifestyles similar to hers and that had still managed to successfully lose weight! Alane now moderates the "Living Single and Healthy" Support Board, helping others to find a successful path to weight loss while living the single lifestyle. She also frequents the Exercise and Fitness Board, and says the support she receives there helps her with accountability and the friends she made are always helping to cheer her on towards her goals.

Alane found the expert advice available on eDiets to be an indispensible tool as well. She says, "It was an eDiets expert that helped me to make a lot of changes in how I cared for myself." All in all, she says of the Community, "It was a godsend -- I couldn't have done it without them!" The Support Boards helped Alane to find tips and tricks she needed to make it all work when you're working full time, dating and going to school.

After dropping an incredible 44 pounds with eDiets, Alane exclaimed, "It's nice looking better in my 40s than I did all the way through my 30s!" She is now actually maintaining at 134 pounds… that's 4 pounds BELOW her goal weight of 138! Go Alane! Now going to New Year's parties in stylish and sexy size 6 dresses, Alane has gained the confidence to get out there and enjoy the single life and all it has to offer! She also says it's unfortunate, but her weight loss has also improved how people view her at work. "It seems professionalism and ability are unfortunately often partially judged on how you look. I am more effective and better respected now than I was before. I don't feel like people will immediately dismiss me, and I'm more confident!"

Alane cautions that it was not an easy journey for her. She has numerous physical limitations and was on several types of medications that slowed her weight loss and served to compound the lifestyle obstacles that she needed to overcome. But perseverance is the name of the game, and Alane is a true champion of making the best of what she had. On the Support Boards, she's often heard saying, "If you can't do what you think you're supposed to do, do what you can anyway!" That is to say, even if you can't be perfect, doing what you can is better than doing nothing at all.

Alane's last bit of advice? "If it's overwhelming, all of these lifestyle changes, don't try to make them all at once, do it in baby steps! Practice each new change before you incorporate a new one. Approached as practice, slowly it all becomes part of what you do, your lifestyle will change and you won't even know it!" Great advice from someone who's been there!

Find the plan and support you need to suit YOUR lifestyle!
Take our
Free Diet Profile and get started today!

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Friday, February 15, 2008

8 Surefire Fat-Burning Tips

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Raphael Calzadilla, B.A., CPT, ACE
eDiets Chief Fitness Pro

Sometimes certain moments in our lives leave an unforgettable impression. About 5 years ago, I was up late on a weekend night and watching TV. An infomercial was promoting an exercise machine that could help you achieve your weight-loss goals in 6 minutes a day. Six minutes a day -- yeah, right! That infomercial got me thinking about how many people buy into fat loss myths. On the part of the consumer, this has to do with a lack of knowledge and hope for the magical workout and the magical diet. Neither of which exist.

If you ever see a quick fix promise, always go back to the fundamentals. Fundamentals will never let you down, and they will never lie to you or mislead you.

There are eight points to consider when attempting to burn body fat.

1. Control Blood Sugar -- Your goal should be to control blood sugar. Controlling blood sugar levels helps to shed fat. This is accomplished by taking in some protein, carbohydrates and good fats spread evenly through the day every two to three hours and by not over eating.


A sample meal schedule might look something like this:

    6:30 Breakfast
    9:30 Snack
    12:30 Lunch
    3:30 Snack

    6:00 Dinner
    9:00 Small Snack

This method will have a profound impact on fat loss. However, don't forget that calories must still be slightly below maintenance.

2. Calories Count -- Your goal is to eat as much as possible while still losing fat. For example, if I can get you to lose 1 to 2 pounds of fat per week on 1,400 calories per day, I'm on track. If I try to accelerate the process and lower your calories to 1,200, I sabotage your efforts. Anything more than a 2-pound loss per week will strip muscle tissue and give one a soft look.

A good example is the person who goes on a crash diet and ends up thin but still soft and flabby when they get to their goal weight. This takes place because they lost not only fat, but also valuable muscle. They lowered calories too much, lost at too fast of a rate and did not try to eat the optimal amount of calories for fat loss.

3. Eat Breakfast -- A balanced breakfast comprised of carbohydrates, protein and a little fat is a critical start to the day. The point of consuming breakfast is that it breaks the fast from an overnight sleep. In addition, breakfast will rev the metabolism for the rest of the day. This is your first opportunity of the day to get blood sugar back to a balanced state after the all night fast and is critical for sustaining fat loss.

4. Ratios count! A calorie is not a calorie -- Do you know those people who tell you to simply lower your calories to lose fat? The people who never mention protein, carbohydrates or fats? They're wrong.

Protein, carb and fat ratios are important. The correct ratios (which can vary depending on an individual's response to food) help to stabilize blood sugar levels, which helps to increase energy and fat loss. Generally, 40 percent to 50 percent of carbohydrates, 25 percent to 30 percent protein and 20 percent to 30 percent of healthy fats is the best starting place.

Carbs are necessary for energy and not the enemy everyone makes them out to be. The key is how much you consume. Protein is also critical to build and retain muscle tissue, which in turn helps to burn more fat.

Finally, good dietary fats are extremely important. They help to balance hormonal levels, increase strength and create satiety (fullness). If you're looking for a plan that takes this into account I recommend eDiets GI plan (Glycemic Impact Diet).

5. Weight Training -- To affect muscle versus fat ratios you have to train with weights or perform some type of resistance training. An intense weight workout lasting no more than 60 minutes is the most efficient route to go. You don't have to workout with a bodybuilding routine, but you do need to work the entire body approximately three alternate days per week.

6. Cardio -- Cardio should be approached as a tool to lose fat. It should not be used as a never ending event in the hope that all body fat will magically burn off. Excessive cardio is counter productive and will burn not only fat, but also valuable muscle tissue.

If fat loss is not taking place, increase the intensity of your session, not the time. The key is to perform all that is necessary -- and no more than that. This is accomplished by incorporating interval cardio training (integrating slower levels of intensity for several minutes with very high levels for several minutes). Intervals are great for boosting the metabolism and creating more of a post caloric burn (calories burned 24 hours after the workout.

7. Water Intake -- From the standpoint of water intake and fat loss, you want to be in a position where the liver is converting stored fat to energy. The liver has other functions, but this is one of its main jobs. Unfortunately, another of the liver's duties is to pick up the slack for the kidneys, which need plenty of water to work properly (more than most people realize).

If the kidneys are water-deprived, the liver has to do the work of the kidneys along with its own (lowering its total productivity in the process). The liver then can't metabolize fat as quickly or efficiently. If you allow this to happen, you're setting yourself up to store fat because you've made the liver less efficient at turning stored body fat to energy.

Usually if you multiply .55 times your weight, that should be enough in ounces of water to suffice. Water is the underrated fat-loss tool.

8. Discipline -- This is the seldom used word in the fitness industry. As I mentioned earlier, you'll read a lot about the new magic workout, the new magic diet, the machine that's sure to burn fat off your butt, etc. It's all a bunch of nonsense.

It's about doing the right thing and the hard thing at times. One day of discipline leading to another day of discipline. You build your body and your mind simultaneously. Without this, every point I've made above is fruitless. The good thing is anyone can do it -- if they choose to.

Looking for more information? Join eDiets and visit Raphael's support group (Exercise & Fitness) for interactive support! We all know fitness is a vital part of living a healthy lifestyle -- let Raphael and eDiets help you on your way!

A drug-free competitive bodybuilder and winner of the prestigious WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) Pro Card, Raphael Calzadilla is a veteran of the health-and-fitness industry. He specializes in a holistic approach to body transformation, nutrition programs and personal training. He earned his B.A. in communications from Southern Connecticut State University and is certified as a personal trainer with ACE and APEX. In addition, he successfully completed the RTS1 program based on biomechanics.


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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Burn Extra Calories: 10 Simple Steps!

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By Raphael Calzadilla, BA, CPT, ACE
eDiets Chief Fitness Pro

You're so busy you have absolutely no time to work out, right? Wrong. It's important that you make the time, and I'm here to help you do it. In this busy world, filled with work pressure, family and stress, we sometimes have to use a lot of creativity to sneak in workouts.


Here are my 10 fat-burning tips for people on the go:


1. When you first wake up, commit to 10 minutes of continuous exercise. Choose only three movements and perform each in succession without stopping for 10 minutes. For example, you can perform modified push-ups on Monday, followed by crunches for your abs followed by stationary lunges. On Tuesday, you can perform free-standing squats with hands on hips, double crunches for abs and close-grip modified push-ups (hands 3 inches apart) for your triceps. All in 10 minutes! Just take a quick breather when you need it.


2. Perform timed interval walking in your neighborhood or at lunch. If it takes 10 minutes to walk to a certain destination near your office or in your neighborhood, try to make it in 8 minutes. You can also do this first thing in the morning before work as well as on your lunch break.


3. If you have stairs in your home or in your work place, commit to taking the stairs a specific number of times. Tell yourself that you'll take the stairs six or eight times (no matter what).


4. While seated, perform some isometric exercise to help strengthen and tighten your muscles. For example, while in a seated position, simply contract the abdominals for 30 seconds while breathing naturally. You can also tighten and contract your legs for 60 seconds. Perform about three sets per area. You'll feel your muscles get tighter in just three weeks if you perform this a few times per week.


5. For about $15, you can invest in a pedometer. It's a small device you can carry that records the amount of miles you walk per day. Each week, simply try to add just a bit more to the mileage. For example, let's say you walk one mile total during the day in the normal course of activities. Simply try to make it two miles total the following week. Just make a game of it. You'll burn more calories.


6.Tired at night and just want to sit in front of the TV? Try this technique: Take periodic five-minute exercise breaks and perform some muscle-stimulating and calorie-burning exercise. For example, take five minutes and perform only ab crunches. Then, when it's time for another five-minute exercise break, perform modified push-ups for five minutes. Then for a final five-minute break, perform stationary lunges. Try to do as many as possible in five minutes and try to beat your amount of reps during each subsequent break. It won't seem daunting because it's only five minutes at a time, split over a 30 or 60-minute time frame. Instead of rest breaks, you'll take exercise breaks. You don't really need to watch that new commercial do you?


7. How about performing one exercise movement per day for 7 to 10 minutes? For example, Monday: free-standing squats for seven minutes. Tuesday: chair dips for seven minutes. Wednesday: crunches and hip lifts off the floor for seven minutes. Thursday: modified push-up for seven minutes. Friday: stationary lunges for seven minutes. It's quick, simple and teaches consistency.


8. Want things even simpler? Take the longest route every time you have to walk somewhere -- even if it's to a co-worker's office.


9. Double-up the stairs. Every time you take the stairs, simply take a double step or every other stair. It will be just like lunges and the Stairmaster combined. Great for the legs and butt.


10. Perform any of the above with your spouse or a friend. I'm sure you can find someone who is in the same situation. The support will give you more motivation and you just may find that you can create even more workout time for yourself.


Hey, I know this won't make you an Olympic athlete or give you six-pack abs, but that's not the goal. I just want to see you making an effort to improve. If you take two to three of your favorite tips above -- that will be the beginning of something great.


A drug-free competitive bodybuilder and winner of the prestigious WNBF (World Natural Bodybuilding Federation) Pro Card, Raphael Calzadilla is a veteran of the health-and-fitness industry. He specializes in a holistic approach to body transformation, nutrition programs and personal training. He earned his B.A. in communications from Southern Connecticut State University and is certified as a personal trainer with ACE and APEX. In addition, he successfully completed the RTS1 program based on biomechanics.

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Monday, October 15, 2007

2 Minutes to Tight Abs!

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Wish you had flat, sexy abs? Our Two Minutes to Tight Abs video is just what you need to get a more toned tummy!


Watch this quick video and see how our Chief Fitness Pro, Raphael Calzadilla, says you can whip your stomach into shape in no time... by just following this easy two minutes to tight abs workout. Then, after you've watched it, get more great belly-busting exercises and tips here.



As always, remember that the proper diet plays a major role in changing your stomach from flab to fab. Click here to find out how you can eat healthy the easy (and dare we say lazy) way!


Now go get those abs! And be sure to let us know what you think of our ab video by commenting below...


Want to get the latest exercise, fitness and motivation videos from eDiets? Subscribe to our YouTube channel by going here and clicking the subscribe button. It's FREE!

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Tuesday, October 09, 2007

The Science Behind Picky Eating

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Some foods just get to us. Whether it's texture, color or smell, everyone has their reasons -- however silly -- for their picky eating.


For example, I refuse to eat "chunks." This includes blue cheese, feta cheese, Thousand Island dressing, etc. Chunks. I don't even care what it tastes like -- I'm just not eating it. And, according to Psychology Today, I'm not alone...


In the first comprehensive survey of food pickiness among adults, anthropologist Jane Kauer interviewed nearly 500 adult Americans about their attitudes toward foods, food variety and eating habits. Kauer, found that mild pickiness is quite widespread -- about one-third of her volunteers described themselves as "unusually picky eaters."


It may not be surprising to learn that 60 percent of us like to leave our plates clean or that close to half of us eat just about the same thing for breakfast nearly every day. But stranger habits are also common. Many people refuse to drink while they eat. Others won't eat food that is lumpy or has a filling, like raviolis or egg rolls. Nearly 20 percent of us are repelled by raw tomatoes (something about the gooeyness inside the firmness), and about the same fraction of us simply don't like trying new foods.


In the course of her survey, Kauer found a few extremely picky people. (One woman she interviewed, for example, ate little more than canned brains, undercooked French fries and fried eggs. Kauer thinks this intensely fastidious eating is probably related to obsessive-compulsive behavior.) Questioning the pickiest third further, Kauer identified a master list of foods that are almost universally accepted: fried chicken, French fries, chocolate chip cookies, and above all else, Kraft macaroni and cheese. ("People seem to respond to the orange color," she says. "Maybe it's a signal that it's really fake and therefore really safe.") Obviously, these are all classic comfort foods, but more important for the picky person, they are unlikely to have weird or surprising ingredients. "We all know what's in fried chicken, for example, even if we get it from some place we've never been before," she says.


Why is it that all the universally accepted foods are bad for you?!?!


Read the rest of the Psychology Today article here and feel free to share your "safe" and "icky" foods below!

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Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Our Obsession with Britney Spears

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It doesn't matter if you are a Britney Spears fan or not. It doesn't matter if you feel that the main stream media focuses too much on her and not enough on real news. Britney Spears is an archetype of the fallen star; where we love to build her up and then relish in her downfall. We focus on her because she mirrors our own fears of failing.

It is time to look at our own lives and focus on ourselves. Do you feel pain from the breakup of a relationship, divorce, loss of a job, death of a loved one or being abused as a child? Exercise can help!

While exercising, the brain chemistry changes from a state of being numb, anxious or depressed to a state of calmness. When you reach this tranquil state, you will discover the confidence to face your emotional pain. In fact, studies show that only 15 minutes of exercise will enable the positive endorphins to kick in, and you will feel more at ease and stronger mentally.

Who knew? When you look at it like this, Britney Spears can actually be a positive influence!
-- Bob Livingstone

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Monday, March 05, 2007

Weight Loss Center Under Fire

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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.

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