Advocare, Thrive, et al...aka Stuff that can piss me off

Posted on August 18, 2014

Okay...so generally speaking, I am a live and let live kind of person (or live and let them figure it out kind of person lol).

But lately I have had a spate of friend IRL start one of these programs. They all tend to follow the same formula: at least 1 meal replacement shake, a vitamin (either 1-2 capusles of the same thing, or a packet of pills), and for one of them a dermal patch.

Now, in the interest of disclosure, I did get a sample of the stuff and took it for a couple of days but actually ended up with an adverse reaction to a patch and actually had muscle pain. I also gained feedback from members of the group (mostly people selling it) that reaction is no unheard of and to just 'push thru' it. As well as when some folks ran out of product before the next shipment came that they were cranky, etc.

I am seeing some crazy results from folks...like 30lbs+ loss in a very short time. To me it reminds me a little too much of the Slim Fast thing (2 shakes, 1 meal set up)...it just doesn't seem healthy overall. There do not seem to be other lifestyle changes being made (dietary changes, physical activity levels, etc). I even asked what other changes folks had done besides taking the product and I felt like stuff was not answered adequately.

So anyway, this sort of thing pisses me off. I mean, what is going to happen when you stop the product? On one hand, I know there are many paths to the same end (ie: weight loss)...but I have worked pretty hard to lose what I've lost and realistically it just pisses me off on the short cut. Why do we expect that 10 lb loss in a week?! 40-50 in a month? Ridiculous!

And I'm falling off my soapbox now y'all

Comment Now!

Michel Grutter

08/27/2014 6:54AM

Love it!!! No need to fall off YOUR soapbox - stomp down confidently - you know who you are and where you are going and you have a healthy plan on how to get there - I'm with you :)

Antonieta R.

08/19/2014 6:23AM

I agree... on both counts... no shortcuts for me but other people, go right ahead! The weight loss journey is a personal one. I share how I've been losing weight but I don't tell people to do it my way. My mantra: Find YOUR way. I suppose that some people could very well make a positive lifestyle change while using shortcuts while others will do it slow and steady and then gain it back for some reason. I'm gonna stick with what's work for me and, like you, I'll always recommend the slow and steady pace but to each its own. Great post!

Michel Grutter and Maria P. like this comment.

MaineGirl

08/19/2014 3:27AM

Loved the blog. The changes you are making are for a lifetime and will outlast any quick loss plan. Quick losses from these programs don't last. (I learned this first hand.) When my friends tell me about their quick tricks, i just smile. I am learning what works for me and that's what it's all about. Keep up the great work!

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Merel

08/19/2014 2:48AM

Shortcuts are fun for a bikini holiday in 1 week from now, not for a yearly reunion. As soon as you stop this body attack you'll gain more than before. Keep going for that 5 or maybe 10 lbs weightloss per month and you'll keep it off

Michel Grutter, Maria P. and Antonieta R. like this comment.

jmu612

08/18/2014 10:03PM

love this!

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Laurel

08/18/2014 9:52PM

Don't be bothered by the people that take shortcuts. You're taking the healthy route, they're taking the shortcut. You're going to lose the weight and keep it off, they're going to lose it and immediately gain it back because they've made no lifestyle changes. It pisses me off too seeing people take shortcuts and get fast results, but I'm proud of the progress I've made and proud of the strength and confidence I've gained emotionally and physically. I used to be really impatient and wanted to see immediate drastic results in a month, but I've spent so many hours, days, probably weeks all together doing my research and looking for the best way to go about it and be healthy. There's no shortcut when it comes to health.

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