I recently had a comment made by a website promoting their product.  I went and checked it out before I posted it.  Geesh, I can’t believe the claims people can make about their weight loss.

Many years ago, someone talked me into buying the product.  This picture is what the pills look like.  I remember there was a powder stuff to use for shakes. 

I remember having a little pill container with 6 separate slots.  Some pills you take three times a day, others were two.  It was rather confusing.  I used masking tape to write down which pills were to be taken when.  It was ridiculous.

Here are a few claims that were made with no mention of exercise.  A person lost 33 inches by losing just a mere 21 pounds and went from a size 16 to a 12.  (Yea right)  Another person stated they lost 21 pounds and went froma size 14 to an 8.  The third example was a woman lost 43 pounds which equaled 5 dress sizes.

Any of us that have lost and gained weight in the past, know that is ludicrous.  Twenty pounds does not equal  this type of size change or inches lost.  Especially without exercise. 

I know there are people that buy this product by reading this type of hype.  I think most know it can’t be real.  They just have a hope that perhaps….just this time….they have found a product that will give them these kind of results.  Know wonder the weight loss business is so profitable.  I see it as an honest way of stealing.  Nothing happens to these companies when people don’t lose like the ones that left there testimonials.  They will tell you, those results aren’t typical.  Why post them then, other than to entice people into buying a product that most likely won’t give you those results.

I guess you can tell I’m angry.  Angry at the fact these kind of products can legally be offered and secondly, people are dumb enough to buy them. (I’ve bought many of them myself)  I’ll get off my soap box now. 

I’m heading off to the gym.  Have a great day!!

I went to the senior center excited about starting this new Shape Up Tennessee class.  Since this class is free, I was surprised to see  there were only about about 15 people that signed up.  

I know three of them are not actively going to participate.  They only came to get the free blood tests that are part of the program.  With so few signed up, this surely will through off the final results of this group study.

When we were filling out the paperwork to become part of this group, I had to laugh when we had to put down our age.  It was the day I could say I was 57….my birthday was the following day.  I’m sure both of those years are lumped in a bigger age group so I don’t think it matters.

I was already to get started with the program but all we did was fillout the paperwork and had our vitals taken along with the blood work.  I was surprised to see I was still the same height I was when I was young.  I figured I would have shrunk some by now.  My weight was ugly….in fact….it was up 2 pounds from the day before.  I know that was because I couldn’t sleep and didn’t lay down until 5 am and then got up at 8.  I had been drinking soda all night.  I hate when I have nights like that.

My blood pressure was 110/56.  They used one of those wrist cuffs.  I really wonder how accurate they are.  All three of us sitting at the same table had similar blood pressures.  My blood sugar was 105 which is pretty good.  My cholesterol was 211.  It had been at 261 so I’m doing better.

I was not impressed with the woman that is going to be giving the class.  She said the exercises we were going to be doing were the type done by people with arthritis.  I know I had a puzzled look on my face when she told us that.  She said we wouldn’t have to worry about breaking out in a sweat.  I thought, oh great this is going to be one of those finger exercise classes.  Shen then told us that when she gave this class last year, she had been the only one who gained weight.  YIKES!!

Needless to say, I’m rather disappointed but not surprised by the explanation of this program.  Heck, most that signed up for this class are 70+ and older.   The oldest one is 92…but she is one that only wanted the free blood test.  The lady sitting next to me who uses a walker is 82. 

I’m hoping the nutritional material she is going to disperse during the classes will be stuff I can find helpful.  I enjoy the company of most of the people  (few newcomers) that will participating.  I plan on following through with 8 week program but realize I’ll have to do this weight loss/get fit program on my own.

Perhaps I will be surprised by these exercises.  I do have a little arthritis in my shoulders.  If it helps with that….I guess it’s worth it.

I went to the senior center for lunch today.  It only costs $1.25 for a balanced meal.  We had baked chicken, turnip greens, small piece of cornbread, and some fruit cocktail along with butter milk.  I brought water with me since I don’t like butter milk.

I found out today the center has received a grant for healthy living.  Let’s Get Fit In 2009 …..Tennessee Shapes Up is the title of the program.

The program starts tomorrow.  The best part is the program is FREE.  I’ve got to be there tomorrow at 9:30 am for pre-screening.  This will include height, weight (ugh), blood pressure, glucose and cholesterol.  The program is going to run for 8 weeks.  It will focus on nutrition education and exercises.  There is a gym and workout room in the community center upstairs which we will be able to use for free as well.  At the end of the 8 weeks there will be a post-screening to determine the health improvements.

I’m looking forward to participating.  I’m not sure how many I eat lunch with are interested in this class.  Most of them are quite a bit older than me (67+ years).  Although most are over weight like me, they don’t care to make any lifestyle changes.  I am bound and determined to lose this weight!!!!

I’ll write more about this program when I get home tomorrow.

I was going through my emails this morning and was surprised to see I had received an email from the LA Weight Loss Corporate Office in Pennsylvania. She stated she was the account supervisor for public relations.

She stated the LA Weight Loss Center in my area was not closing. She was referencing a LA Weight Loss article I wrote on March 26th. She also wanted the name of the person who sent me the information. (don’t have..wouldn’t give it if I did)

I replied and asked her if she could send me a list of the centers that are remaining open and which ones are closing so I could list them for the readers. I also asked if I could give her phone number out to concerned clients.

I’m waitig for a response. It would be nice if people could get the answers they need concerning the closing of various LA Weight Loss Centers. I’ll pass on the information as soon as I get a reply.

An individual employed at a Texas LA Weight Loss Center has informed me the offices in Austin, Corpus Christi, and the Victoria LA Weightloss Centers are closing. The employees have been instructed not to tell customers the offices are closing but to tell them they are shortenig their times of being open.

This employee along with a few of her coworkers, are saddened by these tactics. She emphazised how much these employees really care about their clients. She wants the readers to know, there really are lots of good, caring counselors.

She wants people to know the truth about these LA Weight Loss Centers.

Thank you for sharing this information. I know it will help many people.

To the clients: Although your weight loss facility maybe closing, stay focused and continue on your weight loss journey. Take what you have learned and stay on track. YOU WILL SUCCEED!!!!!!!…….one pound at a time.

I have received an email from an employee at a Tennessee LA Weight Loss Center in regards to centers closing in her area shortly. If you are a member of one of the centers in Memphis, Germantown or Bartlett TN, you need to get a refund. At least attempt to get your money back. They are closing in a matter of weeks.

She states Germantown and Memphis LA Weightloss Centers are still running commercials to sign people up, knowing they are closing in a few weeks. She states that if you are presently a member, you should already notice that all the counselors are gone. They got rid of everyone of them because they didn’t want them to tell any of the clients the Centers were closing.

They are still continuing to enroll people for their year long program.

I want to thank the person for sending this information. I’m know this information will be helpful to many readers. It will keep unsuspecting people from signing up and perhaps help others attempt to get a refund from these LA Weight Loss Centers.

I’d like to suggest people check with their local hospital and see if or when they will be running a weight loss program. My hospital in Selmer, TN started a weight loss program three weeks ago. It’s a GREAT program and only cost $10 for 8 weeks. It includes the use of 3 different gyms (you pick one), nutrition classes every week and the chance to win cash at the end of the program. The day of the nutrition class, you can also purchase a healthy meal in the cafeteria for $3.

The gym I chose for my 8 week program (McNairy County Athletic Club) is open 24 hours and has a separate men and women’s side. It also includes a tanning bed. They are very helpful at the club and will set up an exercise program that fits your level of fitness.

I’m losing weight and having fun doing it on this program. I’ve also met so many nice people. What more could a person as for…..weight loss…..fun…..new friends. Wow…..what a win-win situation.

One of my readers is a member of the LA Weight Loss Center in McAllen Texas. She feels the place has gone down hill. She says she is having to pay for products when they come back although she had paid for them previously.

She was wondering if there was anyone else in the Rio Grande Valley having problems with this Center. She’d like to hear from you.

It’s great when we make a commitment to lose weight. When we shell out money to join a program to accomplish our weight loss goal, and we receive shoddy service, it is disheartening. Because we are overweight doesn’t mean we aren’t smart. We can tell when we are dealing with a trained professional or a wanna-be professional flying by the seat of their pants.

There is a list of various jobs, such as sales managers, and counselors available with the LA Weight Loss Franchise all over the country. I wonder what the qualifications are for these positions. You can check them out here.

Anyone from the Rio Grande Valley?….Anyone else having a recent problem with their weight loss center?….I’d love to hear from you.

This eight week weight loss program offers free nutrition classes. I attended my first class this past Tuesday. The room was packed. The program is called Lifesteps.

The first class was basicly an overview of what we will be covering for the next 8 weeks presented by a registered dietian. Our final weigh-in will be April 10th. We will be learning how to read food labels properly, portion control, and proper food choices. She also stressed the importance of exercise whether one is just starting to workout or an avid runner/walker.

We went over The Big Picture of Lifesteps Weight Management. She presented a balanced scale.

CALORIES IN……………………..CALORIES OUT
1. What you eat……………………….1. Metabolism
2. How much you eat……………….2. Physical Activity
3. How often you eat
4. How you eat
5. Why you eat

She explained all the elements of the Big Picture affect our weight. Lifesteps will help us identify areas of the Big Picture which most affect our weight. Lifesteps will also help us develop a plan to bring our own weight equation into balance.

These are the questions she had us all answer privately:
1. Are you here because you want to lose weight?
2. Are you ready to make a life-long commitment to healthy, moderate eating
habits and regular physical activity?
3. Are you willing to take the weight off slowly?
4. Are you trying to become a slimmer version of yourself?
5. Are you willing to evaluate your attitudes about food, exercise, and weight?
6. Do you have a network of family and friends who will support your efforts to
make lifestyle changes?
7. Will your current circumstances allow you to make behavior change a high
priority in your life?
8. Are you willing to keep a record of your food intake and physical activity?
9. Are you eady to target a goal weight that is realistic and healthy for you?

If you answered YES to all the questions, you are ready to make a commitment to losing weight. And the Lifesteps program may be just what you are looking for to succeed.

The official scale weight scale is in the room this class was given. I decided to way myself after class. I was down 3 pounds from my official starting weight. I left the room feeling pretty pumped up.

This time I’m going to KEEP the weight off once I get down to my ideal weight.

I couldn’t wait to sign up for this weight loss program sponsored by the hospital. It only cost $10.00. Being on a team will give me some incentive to lose weight. I drove home and brought my husband back to sign up too. We’re on the same team. We are called Mismatch Team 1. After completing our paperwork, we had our official weigh in. (have to remember what I was wearing so I can wear it for the final weigh-in) Ugh….their scales weigh me heavier than mine.

With is weight loss program, they are offering nutrition classes every Tuesday morning at the hospital. We also had the choice of attending 3 different weight loss facilities during this 8-week period. The choices available were Curves, Senior Center, or McNairy Athlectic Club. I signed my husband and me up for MAC. They have a men and women’s side and are open 24 hours a day.

I went by MAC and got the needed information from the owner and purchased our key cards to get in the building. He is going to offer a special rate for seniors when this 8-week period is over. He told me when I come in, he will show me the various machines and set up a program for me. (People down here are so so friendly)

Time for me to head off to the gym.

It’s always great to get tips and strategies that are successful in a weight loss program. I like to read about studies that have been done and the results. Although I think some studies are too narrow and some too biased, it gives me a base to which I can do my own evaluation.

Self Magazine had some it’s readers try the most popular statagies. Here are the results from a three week study.

1.Skip All Soda
Pounds Lost…… 1 to 8 (average 4)
Soda contains zero nutrients. Water is the best alternative as it aids in
digestion.

2. Eat Breakfast, even if you’re not hungry
Pounds Lost…… 3 to 8 (average 5)
You’ll teach your body to adjust to A.M. calories, so you’ll need fewer
later in the day. *250-500 calorie per morning

3. Banish Trigger Foods From Your Home
Pounds Lost…… 1 to 10 (average 6)
If you keep treats in the house, opt for the single-serve portions many
are only 100 calories.

4. Swap in Lowfat, Fat-free Or Sugar-free Versions Of Foods You Crave
Pounds Lost…… 0 to 1 (average 1)
Using this strategy, you can eat what you love without excess calories.
Read your labels…low fat doesn’t mean low calorie.

5. Use Smaller Plates And Glasses
Pounds Lost…… 0 to 3 (average 1)
We eat on the average, 92% of food we put on our plate. This is a way
of tricking yourself into eating less.

6. Dine Out Less Often
Pounds Lost…… 2 to 11 (average 6)
Resturant meals usually have about 50% more calories, fat and sodium
than home cooked meals.

7. Rate Your Hunger Before Deciding To Eat
Pounds Lost…… 0 to 4 (average 1)
Regularly checking your need for food will help you comtrol how much you
end up eating.

8. Start Your Meal With Soup, Salad or Fruit
Pounds Lost…… 1 to 2 (average 1.5)
Keep your first course high in volume and around 100 calories and you’ll
shrink your total daily intake.

9. Eat Your Meals With No Distractions
Pounds Lost…… 0 to 5 (average 3)
When you get distracted, you mindlessly consume extra calories.
Eat slowly, concentrate on your food’s taste and texture.
By changing the way you eat, you may change how much you eat.

You can read the comments of the people who tested these tips here.