Results Not Typical

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://dietwithanattitude.blogspot.com

---

What is the Glycemic Index?

Over the last 30 years, research into food and blood... Read More

7 Part Plan To Beating Childhood Obesity

Everyone from politicians to parents is talking about fighting the... Read More

Diet Pills And Safe Weight Loss: A Quick Guide To Diet Pills

Serious diet pills are intended for people who are overweight... Read More

Atkins Diet Plan -- Are Low Carb Diets Doomed?

According to Veronica Atkins, the widow of Dr. Robert Atkins,... Read More

Bathing Suit Season - A Lifestyle Guide

To prepare ourselves for the Summer Sun we want to... Read More

The Psychology of Weight Loss: Part 2 ? How are You Motivated?

New Years Resolutions do not work because you are really... Read More

Obesity and Weight Loss Surgery

Let's face facts; obesity is ripe today in America and... Read More

A Startling Fact About Losing Dangerous Belly Fat -- Without Exercise

The story broke in the international press on October 4th,... Read More

An Introduction to Tummy Tucks

Abdominoplasty, or "tummy tuck" is a major surgical procedure that... Read More

The Science of Obesity: Fats & Cholesterol

For years we heard that a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet would... Read More

Weight Loss/Control Glossary of Terms

A Little Help With Some Difficult terms Aerobic Exercise.... Read More

Farewell To The Atkins Low Carb Diet

Atkins Nutritionals recently announced that they are filing for Chapter... Read More

Weight Loss & Obesity Affects Life Expectancy

We hear it all the time?lose weight for your health.... Read More

Ancient Secret for Weight Loss

"THE SECRET REMEDY OF THE ANCIENT WARRIORS"Since what would seem... Read More

Before You Burn - Information About Weight Training Routines For Beginners

Information About Weight Training Routines For BeginnersSo you need to... Read More

Avoid These Five Common Weight Loss Mistakes

Mistake 1: Not changing your calorie plan as you lose... Read More

Diet Tips for Weight Loss: Free Diet Tips Which You Cant Afford to Miss!

Obesity is a disease that is not caused by a... Read More

Does Ephedra Really Shed the Pounds Like It Promises? I Decided to Put It to the Test!

Since the reintroduction of Ephedra based products on about April... Read More

Diet: Changing Your Focus

Have you ever decided to take a trip somewhere relatively... Read More

Lose 104 Pounds In A Year

Did you ever think about the fact that losing 2... Read More

Measuring and Monitoring Your Bodyfat: Improves Overall Health

With so many diets and fads being offered on the... Read More

Online Weight Loss - Fact or Farce?

Over the past 5 years, online weight loss programs have... Read More

Dieting Mistakes - 5 Easy Tips to Avoid Disaster

Looking to avoid the dieting mistakes many of our weight... Read More

The Atkins Diet

IntroductionThe history of The Atkins Diet goes back to the... Read More

Weight Loss: Goal-Setting for Success

If you were going to travel to the other side... Read More

Want To Lose Fat? Eat More of This

If you've been working out with weights for any length... Read More

The Mind Body-Fat Connection

Negative thoughts, symbolic protection, being who we really are ........ Read More

Fast Weight Loss -- The Healthiest Fast Weight Loss Plan

In general, fast weight loss is not healthy. The faster... Read More

Weight Loss Secret -- Think Bodybuilding

This little known secret has been used by bodybuilders for... Read More

Lose Fat and Retain Muscle By Getting In Touch With Hunger

"Unless that apple tastes like the best apple you've ever... Read More

Does A Quick Weight Loss Diet Really Work?

Only if you're trying to fool the scale on a... Read More

Resist that Snack Attack and Keep Your Diet on Track

When on a diet, snack attacks can hit hard and... Read More

10 Surefire Ways To Survive Eating Out

I personally lost 60 pounds in 2003. Here are some... Read More