results not typical

[muppet]

Does it bug anyone else that they always say this, or have it in print for any weight loss advertisement? For example, some lady has been on Slim fast for 3 months, and has lost 15 pounds (results not typical). What does that mean? I would hope if you did the Slim fast thing for 3 months you would lose at least 15 pounds! It's right up there on Suzy's advertisement too.
I find it really discouraging. I would never try the slim fast, or any other gimmicky diet, or pill, but if even the most unimpressive results are not typical, then what is typical? Failure???
I'm sure it's a legal thing. So no one can sue you, when they don't lose any weight. But to me, it basically negates the whole program.
Let's take Suzy, for example. If you did everything that Suzy did ( diet and exercise), don't you think it would be typical to lose a lot of weight? But, if you bought the BL book and workout dvd, and didn't follow the advice, therefore not losing any weight, would you have the right to claim false advertising??
Oh, I'm just rambling. But it does bug me that they always say that. Maybe it's good, because maybe it keeps some people from trying some of these gimmicky things. I think it bugs me the most on Suzy's advertisement, for BL, because that isn't a gimmicky plan. Well, it might be a little, because most people don't get on the show, and they do follow a strict diet, I believe. But, there's no pill, no crazy diet, like just eating grapefruit, or anything. It's real --- it's just the truth about what you need to do if you really do want to lose weight. So, the 'results not typical', in fine print, kinda takes the wind out of my sails. Like they are saying... " Look at what Suzy did! Doesn't she look great!!!???!!! Yeah, well, you probably won't be able to do that, but good luck to ya!"

[Brian]

I understand exactly what you are saying and it is there for legal reasons. Some ads say "results may vary" and I think thats what they all should say.

By saying not typical its saying that it usually dont work.

[Trying4Thin]

I agree with you Muppet. They are going to draw people in one way or the other. Maybe they figure that if people fail, they wont want to go through 500 hoops just to get their money back. So in the end, the company comes out ahead. I think that some people are successful on those plans (and are also compensated). But I guess, like it or not, there are no quick fixes. There are no short cuts. I know, I have tried. Besides, in the end you get bragging rights for doing it yourself. I am sure there is some loophole that allows them to make 1/2 true advertising claims. If you read the fine print, they all have the same deal with the disclaimer. But where is McDonald's, "If you eat this in excess, you will get fat." Guess it all goes back to common sense. We are all different, and everyone will succeed in their own way, on their own plan. The diet and fast food industries will both be around for a long time. They both need each other to exist.

~Carrie

[ehyatt]

I am right there with ya! It should say "Results not typical if you don't get up off your butt and put that twinkie down."

[Jules]

Many of the people on the BL had health problems arise -especially with their feet. They worked out so hard bones cracked, shinsplints, etc. Read it in their Q&A sections on the TV's website. Working out 4 hours a day is not a typical life -we live in the real world not on the ranch with personal trainers. So don't get discouraged but realize the effort you put in is less than susies so the reward will be too, but there's nothing wrong with a slower paced plan that still gets you there in the end.

[muppet]

I actually think the slower pace is better for you in the long run, isn't it? I mean, you have to do it every day. It has to become your lifestyle. If you go back to old habits, you'll go back to your old body.
I didn't realize they had all those problems from working out so hard, but it doesn't surprise me, now that I think about it.

i've tried slimfast. it doesn't last, you never get that full feeling, ever. but it is really good frozen.

[Jules]

I think for most people slow is better, but for some health risks people need to lose a lot of weight fast. It's probably more dangerous to edge down from a really high weight than lose it by working out the way the contestants did -but yes they did injure themselves. (Which makes me admire them more.)

Season 2 -Shannon's Q&A:What a trooper you were jumping rope on a hurt foot in week 9! How did you find the resources to gut it out? What motivated you?

Season 2- Suzanne's Q&A: However, when I came home from the ranch I had numerous stress fractures in my right foot because of the intensity of workouts combining with my obese weight causing extreme impact that resulted in several fractures in my right foot.

These are quotes from the nbc website contestant Q&A about biggest loser.

[Patty_Ann]

I have been there with all the gimmicks...the pills, the drinks...I am one to tell people at this time that all you have to do is workout and watch your calorie intake each day. I was one that used to want the weight to come off right then and I turned to pills. What was I thinking? I am doing so much better and the results are happening quickly. 9lbs in 3 weeks is b/c I have watched my calorie intake, drinking lots of water, exercising, and not eating after 7pm. I am doing this all on my own - no dietician, no trainer, no meetings, no gym memberships - it's ME! I'm so proud of myself - and if it weren't for the support from my family, and all of you I wouldn't have been able to do it. I have also handed it over to God - HE is helping me through this!

[Jules]

That's amazing and inspiring Patty Ann. It's so easy to wish those pills really would work and sit around and wait for them to do their magic, but I know it's not realy, just a gimmick and usually an expensive one. I'll save my money to buy healthy food thanks. I hate the way they prey on their targets and actually take peoples money.