22 Reasons You’re Fat!
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Loading ...Believe it or not, the subject above is the actual subject I got from an eDiets email the other day. I hate eDiets with the burning heat of a thousand suns. They are horribly unprofessional, have no real expertise to speak of, and are even sexist. When I was a member, I’d say a full 1/3 of my emails had principal subjects like “fighting weight gain during menopause,” and other “busy mom” topics, including how to get the kids’ stuff done, your stuff done, and even have the energy left for hubby at the end of the day. Um, last I checked, I had a Y chromosome, so the whiz-bang database administrators over at eDiets are a clause short on their SQL query ("AND WHERE SEX = 'F'").
The biggest problem I had apart from the impossibility of their “We’ll tell you exactly what to buy” diets (while living in Mexico where I can’t get 75% of the stuff) was the fact that to cancel, you had to call a 1-800 number. That 1-800 number had a labyrinthine maze of options, only to be placed on hold indefinitely. I tried canceling online and had no less than 3 emails from eDiets saying “Your email has been received and we’ll get back to you within 48 hours.” Finally, by sheer luck, it happened with yet another phone call, but another month had been charged to my credit card–exactly the result I’m sure they were trying to accomplish.
However, I still get their emails, at least for now. Here’s a screenshot of the first part of the aforementioned email as seen from my GMail account. Notice the confidence-building caricature accompanied by the inspiring “Fat Forever?” This is proof that they simply don’t care. Avoid them at all costs!
Humor, Medical and Health | enrico | 
May 13, 2007 9:47 pm
By Celeste, May 16, 2007 @ 11:27 am
I went and read that article; it’s awful!
I struggle with this myself and am starting to read a lot lately on how difficult it is for diet and exercise to do “all that” for obese people. Fat cells really do want to fill right back up. It really seems like weight lifting can do more for the metabolism of an overweight person than cardio can; not that cardio is a bad thing at all, just that maybe it’s not the one best answer for weight LOSS.
Carbohydrate control is the only thing that helps me control cravings. I am struggling with the exercise issue right now because walking and/or running is the only non-gym thing I can fit into my life at this time (hectic commuter here). I have failed at using the exercise videos I bought. The guidance I am using for exercise is called Couch to 5K and it’s available free online, although for me and my knees, 3K is the limit for now (ie 2 miles). It’s something to look at and I think you will be a lot happier with the overall tone on their site.
Good luck with this project; I totally sympathize. Here’s hoping you never hear anymore from eDiets.
By Keith, RN, May 16, 2007 @ 4:07 pm
Weight loss is so very difficult. For myself, the secret has been eschewing all sugar—-and I mean ALL sugar—-even fruit juice, if it’s not diluted with water. Most people tend to load up on the rice, bread, and pasta, three members of the trinity that add so many unnecessary carbs and calories to the diet. My only real carbs are brown rice and quinoa. Not easy, but I just fill up on fresh veggies, moderate amounts of fruit, lean protein, and good fats like nuts and oils and avocados. Oh, I forgot—no alcohol!
My support goes out to anyone trying to lose weight. It is a struggle—-a life-long one for some of us—and something worthy of attention and focused effort.
By enrico, May 20, 2007 @ 7:48 am
Celeste: Thanks, I’ll check “Couch to 5K” out (right now, a 5K might as well be a marathon for me, so good for you!), and I agree completely on a “scientific” as well as personal level that resistance training is, pound for pound (ha!) more beneficial than simple aerobic activity, should one have to choose.
Keith: Simple carbs are evil, I agree. I am not a candy/sugar person, but simple carbs are everywhere if one is not careful.