Diet | Beauty and Fashion Tech

Ignore the Diet Ads Please! I Do Not Endorse Them!

Update: Glam quickly processed my ad removal request, so the offending ads appear to be gone now. Many thanks to them for acting so quickly!

I am being served a bunch of those awful diet ads today: The ones leading to called “blogs” claiming you can get rid of belly fat by following one simple rule–which is to buy a couple of products from a subscription type service that might be hard to cancel before your card is charged. That free sample? You have to sign up for the subscription to get it. For more on the issues with these and and why I so dislike them, read my previous editorial post on them.

Please do not patronize them. Don’t click them, don’t look at them. Because of reports of questionable activity from these companies, and what I personally believe is deceptive advertising, I don’t endorse them.

I have asked that the ads be removed from my site, but it could take a day or two. Until then, please ignore, ignore, ignore.

Thanks!

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Fitness Friday: Why You Should Ignore Those Acia Berry Diet Ads

I recently saw one of those acai berry/total cleanse diet ads pop up on my site from an ad service. Needless to say, I immediately took steps to have it blocked. Why? Because the acai berry diets that have been widely advertised have been reported as fraudulent and misleading.

Here is how they work: The ads note something along the lines of “I lost 40 lbs of belly fat in one month by following one simple rule” and usually include some logos for news sources, Oprah, and Rachel Ray, indicating that they have endorsed the information. If you click the ad, you will be taken to a site that looks like a blog telling you that, how by buying a few products, you too can quickly loose enormous amounts of weight. There are a fairly good number of these “blogs” floating around out there, all with the same format and all selling products.

Despite the ad’s inferences or claims, they are not endorsed by Rachel Ray and Oprah: Instead, these ads are capitalizing on various unrelated mentions of acai berries or juice on their programs. But be sure to be clear on this: Oprah and Rachel Ray do not endorse the diet products and methods in the weight loss ads. Read here for Oprah’s announcement on the matter, and here for Rachel Ray’s announcement.

Next is this problem: These “blogs” will proclaim that you can try the method free. Simply order a free trial and cancel if it doesn’t work. But these are subscription based trials. You provide a credit card number, and if you do not cancel properly, you will be charged. For some, canceling has proven to be difficult. There have been reports of the cancellation phone numbers not working or cancellation requests not being honored. To learn more about this read the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Warning, or see this CNN article.

Finally, there is no concrete evidence that these programs work: Think about it. If they did, the stuff would be on every drugstore shelf and Oprah and Rachel Ray really would be talking about them and endorsing them. The fact of the matter is that there is no magic fruit or pill for weight loss. Acai juice has some anti-oxidant properties and I think it tastes good as well, but it isn’t going to make you lose your belly fat in a matter of weeks, and a crushed up version in a pill isn’t quite the same as drinking a good juice. You could eat the bike in the picture that I used too, and you would get some great antioxidants and such—but you wouldn’t magically burn off 10 pounds.

I have taken steps to try to avoid having these ads appear on Beauty and fashion Tech and Girl Gloss. However, because I am under contract with third party ad servers, some might slip by. If you see any such ads on my sites, please know that I do not endorse them in any manner whatsoever. There are also other similar ads for products such as teeth whitening and wrinkle removing out there that, like the acai ads, lead to “blogs” with free trials of products. I also do not endorse those ads, but lack information on their business practices. I suggest treating them with skepticism.

(Added June 11, 2009) How to report an ad: I have made, and continue to make attempts to block these ads. I have asked that one be removed from Glam’s server (which they did). I also have blocked ones that show up through Google. The rub is that there are many different links, so they sneak past the blocks that way. I ask any reader that sees one of the ads on my site not to click it. Instead, right click it to get a pull up menu and select “copy link location.” Then please email that link to me at beautyandfashiontech@gmail.com. I can then go to google and block the ad. Please also note that some acai ads are legitimate. For example, there is nothing particularly wrong with a company seeking to sell acai juice. It is the fake blog diet and colon clease ads that are of most concern.

On a side note, why a picture of a veggie bike and not some acai berries? Well, I went to purchase a licensed photo of some berries and found them terribly overpriced. I guess a lot of people are making money from acai!

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Ten Years Thinner by Christine Lydon, MD. One Month Later Review

It has been about 5 weeks since I finished the six week Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise plan. So here is my promised update.

I spent plenty of time cheating lately by having wine or beer with dinner and going out to eat a bit more. But I otherwise eat fairly well and according to the plan. I also lost 2 more pounds over the past 5 weeks, while my measurements stayed about the same.

I still do the exercise plan a couple of times each week, but have replaced it on other days with a more traditional weight program at the gym, dance class, yoga, and some intervals on the cross trainer. I like the program in the book, but I also like to have a bit more variation and I enjoy the gym. So I do the book program on days when I need to be at home or don’t feel up to going to the gym.

Overall, a month or so out, I still feel that the Ten Year’s Thinner program is a good choice. It provides a nice guide and solid program to jump start weight loss and leave the dieter with a solid foundation when the six weeks are finished. So I give it a big thumbs up!

Jump to: PreDiet Writeup

Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Three Recap
Week Four Recap
Week Five Recap
Week Six Recap

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Ten Year’s Thinner by Christine Lydon, MD: Week Six

I now have week six of the Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise plan done, which marks the end of the formal program laid out by the book. Of course, that doesn’t mean that I get to return my old ways. But it will mark the end of my weekly updates. I will post back in a month with a final follow up.

I had a pretty good final week. Despite a bit of cheating by having wine with dinner a few times, I lost 2 more pounds and found that I have also gone down a full clothing size. I did not have any measurable changes in inches this week. Here are the totals:

Total weight lost in week six: 2 pounds

Total weight lost through six weeks: 12 pounds

Total inches off so far: Thigh 1 3/4, Hips 1 1/2, Stomach 2 3/4, Arm 1/2, Chest 4.

The six week experience has been good. I still feel that the Ten Year’s Thinner program is a good choice for both weight loss and general fitness. The diet is effective and builds good eating habits, while also being fairly flexible once the initial few weeks are finished.

The exercise program is a great alternative for those who do not, or cannot, go to a gym. It also is easily adaptable for varying levels of fitness. However, those who are already fairly fit may find themselves adding extra exercises or cardio time to the program. I have settled into adding a couple of interval training cardio sessions and a heavier weight routine at the gym each week. I also add several gluteal and thigh exercises to the end of the home program.

I will post something again in four weeks to report on the longer term effects of the program.

Jump to:

PreDiet Writeup
Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Three Recap
Week Four Recap
Week Five Recap
One Month After the End Review

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Ten Years Thinner by Dr. Christine Lyndon, M.D.: Week Five of the Diet and Fitness Plan

I have now finished week five of the Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise book, by Dr. Christine Lydon, M.D. I have one week formally left to go.

This week essentially saw no changes. No gain, no loss, either in weight or size. I found that interesting because while I did cheat with Easter dinner, I wasn’t terrible about it–I kept portion sizes low, especially on the high glycemic items. I also felt that the week went particularly well in terms of exercise and I feel stronger despite the lack of any results this week.

Total weight lost through five weeks: 10 pounds (most lost generally in the first 2 weeks)

Total inches off so far: Thigh 1 3/4, Hips 1 1/2, Stomach 2 3/4, Arm 1/2, Chest 4 (losses were generally spread across the weeks).

The diet now allows grains and high glycemic vegetables in limited amounts and allows a bit of dark chocolate. I found that I adore Planter Nutrition Energy Mix, which has Almonds, Honey Roasted Sesame Sticks, Peanuts, Walnuts, Pecans & Dark Chocolate Covered Soynuts. That would not be compliant with the first 4 weeks, but I think is OK now. The calories are slightly higher with it than other nut mixes, although not horribly so. If other chocolate is not added, it does not add any more calories than a person would get following the diet and adding chocolate separately. I still am eating a more standard nut mix for some snacks as well.

I also found a decent eating out option. Outback Steakhouse has a chopped ahi tuna salad that is terrific. It is a basic chopped lettuce salad with chunks of cucumber, and it comes with a light wasabi vinaigrette. Thin slices of rare ahi tuna are laid across the top. The salad does include crunchy tortilla strips, so ask for those to be left off in weeks 1-4. It also is a rather large salad, so consider saving half. The hardest part about eating at Outback for me was not eating the bread. Somehow I managed to stop myself. My husband, however, ate the entire loaf and then asked for a second!

Next week will mark the end of the 6 week program and will be my last weekly update. However, I will likely update again one month after that.

Jump to:

PreDiet Writeup
Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Three Recap
Week Four Recap
Week Six Recap
One Month After the End Review

Comparison shop for diet books and plans

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Book Review: Ten Years Thinner: Week Four of the Diet and Exercise Program

I have now finished week four of the Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise plan, by Dr. Christine Lydon, M.D. This week saw another illness, which made me miss a number of days of exercise. I lost no weight, but my measurements continued to shrink. For those confused how that could happen, keep in mind that muscle takes up less space, but weighs more than fat, so I assume that I replaced some fat with muscle. That is good with me!

Weight lost in week three: 0 pounds (no gain either, I just stayed the same).
Total weight lost through four weeks: 10 pounds

Inches off in week four: Thigh 1/2, Hips 1/2, Stomach 1 (Yay!), Arm 0, Chest 0.
Total inches off so far: Thigh 1 3/4, Hips 1 1/2, Stomach 2 3/4, Arm 1/2, Chest 4.

The annoyance this week was that I was ill yet again. A couple of weeks ago I had the flu, and much of this week I had a cold. I am normally very healthy, so back to back illnesses are quite unusual for me. I’m beginning to wonder if the sudden lifestyle changes messed with me enough to make me more susceptible to such things. Regardless, while I did not lose weight, I did continue to drop inches–something I could tell by the fit of my clothes before I even took my weekly measurements.

I was allowed to bring dairy back in this week and used that to switch out eggs for a couple of breakfasts with cottage cheese and fresh pineapple. Otherwise, I didn’t take advantage of the dairy all that much. I added a bit of Feta cheese to a salad, and sprinkled a bit of cheese on some chili, but that was about it. Obviously, I am being good about taking my calcium and magnesium pills since I am not drinking milk like I used to!T

Today marks the start of week five. I am now allowed to have up to 100 calories of high glycemic foods, such as grains, potatoes, or corn with each meal, and 2 ounces of chocolate or dried fruit with each snack. However, I am a bit concerned that because of my two illnesses, I haven’t built up as much muscle by this point in the program as I should have for my body to be ready to handle the high glycemic foods and still continue to lose weight. So I am inclined to wait another week before adding much of those. My hope is to have a full week of normal exercise this week now that my cold is subsiding.

Amazingly, I don’t miss the grains now anyway and have pretty much gotten a fruit habit formed. Our beer of the month club shipment came today though and will have to sit in the fridge and wait a few more weeks. I do miss that!

Jump to:

PreDiet Writeup
Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Three Recap
Week Five Recap
Week Six Recap
One Month After the End Review

Comparison shop for diet books and plans

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Ten Years Thinner Book and Diet Review: Week Three of the Diet and Fitness Plan

I am now through week three of the Ten Years Thinner diet and exercise plan, by Dr. Christine Lydon, M.D. With the start of week four, I finally get some dairy!

This was a week of cheating for me, so it is no surprise that the numbers are much less impressive than the first two weeks:

Weight lost in week three: 1 pound (maybe 0, the scale kept switching between the numbers so I am giving myself the benefit of the doubt)

Total weight lost through three weeks: 10 pounds

Inches off in week three: Thigh 1/4, Hips 0, Stomach 1/2, Arm 0, Chest 1/2.
Total inches off: Thigh 1 1/4, Hips 1, Stomach 1 3/4, Arm 1/2, Chest 4.

As I said, it was a week of cheating. I had company staying with me to attend a mutual friend’s retirement party, which was dubbed “beer night.” I think you can see where this is going…. I basically skipped the exercise plan the whole weekend, plus skipped yesterday for no good reason. I spent two entire days where I stuck to the items allowed in the food plan, but went way over portion size, and I had wine (several glasses) one night and beer (several glasses) the next. I also had two other meals during the week that met the plan, but again were likely over the proportion size.

The result of all the cheating is pretty apparent. I lost little, if anything. I was pleased, however, to still see another 1/2 inch come off of my waist, which is definitely my trouble area. I put a belt on my jeans just yesterday! I am definitely going to be back to good behavior for the next several weeks.

With legumes added to the diet, I made my favorite white chicken chili and had some green beans with lunch one day. I also found that it is possible to eat out at Chili’s and generally be compliant once you hit week three. They have a low calorie menu with grilled salmon, black beans, and veggies that meets the plan, as long as you ask that they leave the Parmesan cheese off of the vegetables. They also have chicken and shrimp fajitas that can be mixed on a plate with some guacamole, pico de gallo, and black beans (order that as a side), which is fairly compliant if you are careful about not putting too many of the buttery oil soaked onions and peppers in with it. I suspect those don’t come close to any of the cooking guidelines! Tip: paper napkins blot off extra oil quite well.

So, it is on to week four, when I finally get dairy. I am looking forward to switching to cottage cheese instead of eggs for a couple of breakfasts!

Jump to:

PreDiet Writeup
Week One Recap
Week Two Recap
Week Four Recap
Week Five Recap
Week Six Recap
One Month After the End Review

Comparison shop for diet books and plans