Be-Well Information

On a recent trip, I caught an interesting TV infomercial about a new weight loss herbal preparation, called Zylotrim.

That presentation seemed to fit the marketing advice of “You can get rich selling weight loss products if you promise great results with no change in diet or exercise.”

First, they showed a trim and fit couple that most people would like to resemble. They were described as having been born with a natural advantage over most folks, namely an abundance of digestive enzymes which burn off fat.

Second, they showed a couple that were a bit more padded. Not exactly obese, or that would have turned most viewers away. The audience was told that most of us are like that couple.

Further, we are told that couple number 2 (“us”) is really not responsible for the fact that they are overweight, because they were born with fewer fat burning digestive enzymes.

Next, we are invited to call a toll free number to order a 30 day trial sample of pills.

Note that “fat burning digestive enzymes” were not defined. A google search on that term (without the quotes) just finds more offers for pills and advice lacking scientific basis.

Let’s review the steps.

They have reminded us of how we would like to look (couple #1), that we are — like most people — in need of weight loss (couple #2), but we are not really responsible for this condition. That is, we don’t have to take responsibility for our own actions and can escape the consequences by consuming magic pills. In other words, “send money, lose weight, no calorie reduction.”

Observation #1: neither couple is deficient in digestive enzymes. Quite clearly, couple #2 is doing very well in their digestion, or they would not be (dare I say it?) F-A-T!

Observation #2: We really should all accept responsibility for our choices. We are not overweight because someone cast an evil spell on us. The devil did not make us do it. And we really are idiots to expect some government health plan to make us all better without adjusting our life styles.

Observation #3: There is only ONE way that any of us becomes over weight, and that is by consuming more calories than we use. That is basic physics, namely, matter is neither created nor destroyed.

Said another way, if it’s on your body, it came in through your mouth.

People just don’t want to admit that they are fat around the middle because they are fat between the ears.

People no longer want to be responsible for ANY thing. That approach won’t work in the wilds of Mother Nature, with no social structure to protect us from ourselves. Just read your history.

People depend on science and technology for nearly every aspect of their lives, from MP3 music downloads for their IPODS to store bought foods over all seasons, even to automobiles which can tell us where to make our next turn. But most people understand very little about science, about why there is light when they flip a wall switch, about what makes a car go, about how a healthy diet really works.

Even when we “go back to nature”, we use technology in our light weight water shedding boots, tents, and packs, and our freeze dried camp foods. Yet we turn to wacky magic for weight loss. Continue eating high calorie foods without limit, then pop a pill and become beautiful.

Get REAL!

After my trip, I visited the web site zylotrim-dot-com. There I read that
“Zylotrim weight loss pills are clinically proven to increase fat burning enzymes to help you lose weight and body fat.”
BUT
“Disclaimer: The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease.”

Remember, that disclaimer is typical of herbal preparations, which are unregulated by government agencies. Claim anything, but offer a money back guarantee for people who wake up after purchase.

What is this article supposed to teach?
1. You can get rich telling people they are not responsible for being fat.

2. You can actually stop being fat, at no extra cost, by adjusting your calorie consuumption to your calorie needs. Hunger is not needed if you select low energy foods to stuff yourself.

3. Real facts are not changed by wishful thinking.