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Diet
By Virginia Bola, PsyD, Thu Dec 8th
I had 14 weight/health-oriented newsletters in my inbox thismorning. (Subscribe to one or two lists and they will multiply-- the rabbits of the Internet!) Several contained testimonials from rabid fans of theirparticular diet program. Five contained before-and-afterpictures 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 motivateddesperate dieter to ice: "Results not typical." Now what exactly does that mean? Did they specifically selectthe greatest outlier to mislead us about results? Is it only thefreaks who are willing to rave about the program? Does the planonly work for certain people? Should I assume that I, too, willreach the dizzying heights of the featured role model? Lose the hype, please. Talk to me as if I'm intelligent as wellas overweight.
Being fat does not equate with being stupid! Show me "typical" results and I'll assess your program withhonesty and respect. If most folks lose 5 pounds, publicizethat. If not, all those unhappy overwieghters who sign up foryour diet will expect to lose the poundage of your featureddieter. The last thing the desperate, guilt-ridden, and self-criticaldieters of the world need is to be misled into unrealexpectations. That direction will only result in a magnifiedloss of self-esteem and self-respect. Your marketingmisinformation is psychologically destructive and emotionallydevasting. E-Diets, Atkins, Zone, South Beach -- Shame on you! About the author:Virginia Bola is a licensed psychologist and admitted dietfanatic specializing in the effects of attitudes and motivationon individual goals. She recently published apsychologically-based workbook, "Diet with an Attitude" whichdevelops mental skills for permanent weight control. She can bereached at http://www.DietWithAnAttitude.com/index2.html.
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