fear not jen, we all really do support you
I have always found myself to eat healthy. I enjoy lots of fruits and veggies compared to eating meats/cheese. In the last 3yrs It woundnt matter if I went 4 months without a single ounce of fat/sugar food I wouldnt lose a lb or much worse I would gain. I am not someone who just sits and eats twinkes all day, I am not a junk food person I dont like choc. I am also not worried weather it is my new eating habit or the pills. I am just happy I am loosing weight. Further more I expected alittle more support here seeing as this is a weightloss forum but I guess I was wrong. And some docs think RapidSlim is more than a money truck. It can actually help using it the right way. Thanks for the replys, Jen
However, that said, you will find in this group MANY fantastic souls who genuinely care about you, whether it seems that way or not. I don't know anything about the product you are trying, but if it helps you to lose weight I think thats great. But also keep in mind that sometimes the advice you are given by those in the group is not meant to seem like accusations or discouragement, but in fact trying to show you you can do it without the need to spend money and take risks. Everyone thought ephedra products were great and gung ho too, including doctors, till people started dying. Now thats not to say you are taking the same risks, but its something that has gotten many weight loss advocates concerned. I see it every day here in China where they are selling remarkably crazy weight loss gimicks and false schemes to an increasing number of people with no experience with such things. From the doctors stand point, if it helps you to lose weight, go for it.
But really, from the group standpoint, I can guarantee no one here is trying to stop you from losing weight or make you feel discouraged. But honestly, the best way to lose weight is to make the changes in your own life you meed to do so and not rely on a supplement. Heres a great example:
Woolong tea - Miracle of the Orient! Drink 2 glasses a day and get skinny! Guaranteed! You can find testimonials out the wazoo for this one. But heres the facts:
Living in China, and speaking Chinese now, I KNOW what "wulong tea" is. It is simply Oolong tea, a variety of green tea that is mid-point in roasting between green and black tea. Nothing more. And YES, if you follow their reccomendations, you will lose weight. But lets look at the reccomendations. First off, stop drinking soda and sugary drinks all together and drink this tea instead. Then maintain a healthy exercise routine and watch your caloric intake. And drink 2 cups of miracle "Wulong Tea" a day.
Whamoo! You lost weight. But was it the tea? It is reported that stopping drinking soda and sugary juices ALONE will cause weight loss! Adding exercise and healthy eating also will promote weight loss.... So wheres the miracle of the tea?
To put it simply, it isn't there. Drinking ANY tea will have the same effect, or cut out the tea altogther and drink hot water instead.... Bottom line is the other "reccomended" activities do the work, not the tea.
Another key thing to look for is the standard "disclaimers" "Actual results will vary from individual to individual" and "Weight loss results listed are not typical" These two phrases, or derivations of, are the small print all these companies rely on to get away with making wild and crazy claims. And sadly, it is not only legal, but rampant!
Now, before you think to yourself, "Oh great, another anti-supplement nazi" please let me say I am not like that. Unlike many here, I do believe sometimes supplements can be very helpful! If by taking these pills, (as long as they dont have long term side-effects you weren't expecting) can help to motivate you and by keeping a regular schedule based on taking the pills, then by all means, it is your money and your health! Some people find having to take a supplement that cost them a pretty penny makes them more accountable to themselves at meal time. "Why spend all that dough if I am not going to eat better anyways?" Or "If I am spending $60 a month on supplements i can bloody well find the time to exercise too!"
Whatever works for you. But let me say from 20+ years of actively struggling with my weight, buying the powders, creams and pills, and trying all the fads and programs, it all boils down to one thing. And that is you and your willingness to change. My Mother lost 100 pounds a few years ago with pills, starvation dieting and miracle cures. Good for her right? At least she did it.....
Um no, now she has gained back 120.... Simply because the pills and diet gave her the tools while she was fat, but not while she was skinny. She didnt learn how to do it without the pills and therefore didnt learn how to keep it off. She even had the skin reduction surgery, but it was all for nothing in the long run. The pills and supplements may help with the big picture in some ways, but without learning what works for your own body naturally, you may have a hard time when the suplements are gone.
In any case Jen, do whatever works best for you. You might even be the one who can post in a couple months and tell everyone how well it is working for you and how wrong we all were. But simply put, we don't want to discourage you. The people on this site, overall, are some of the kindest and most helpful I have ever had the pleasure to share this journey with. I can safely say not one person here doesnt support you 100%. But it is normal for everyone to feel concerned, as there have been more failures and worst case scenarios with supplements and miracles cures than successes.
Take what they say in stride, kind of like an older brother not approving of your new boyfriend on their first meeting. Maybe he isnt a jerk like your brother thinks, but does your brother love you less because he thinks so?
I sincerely hope you find the answers you are looking for and I hope you do it in the safest and best way possible. If spending the bucks gives you the edge you need, physically or emotionally, go for it. Just don't lose sight of the fact the supplement or pill might give a little push, but the hardest part of the journey is 100% you!
sirant
