What diet gimmicks have you tried?

19 years ago

I, like many people I'm guessing, have fallen prey to various gimmicks. Maybe gimmick isn't exactly the right term but you know what I mean.

My most recent one was coconut oil... Yep I read all about it in a supermarket checkout magazine. By consuming the equivalent of two tablespoons of coconut oil a day its supposed to raise your metabolism by some incredible amount and you don't have to worry about dieting. Having consumed too many Christmas cookies and looking for quick answer I went for it. Bought a jar of coconut oil and stirred two tablespoons into a cup of tea. Well lets say that in tea or not, its still oil. I chugged down this tea flavored oil and water mixture. Gawwwd it was awful! Then about eight hours later I woke up with severe discomfort in the lower regions. Lets just say I spent several hours in the bathroom. Later read you aren't supposed to start with two tablespoons, you're supposed to build up to it. Anyhow once was enough.

Anybody else try any of these quick wonder cures?

-Janet

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Comments (12)

kathy_
19 years ago
I can see where the coconut oil would make you lose weight - ewww..
I am too cheap for most gimmicks but had a cousin whose hubby took some stuff that made him sick on his stomach and he threw up a gelatin mess. (Sorry). I am thinking the powder he paid so dearly for was gelatin.
A friend takes a lot of stuff so when she finds one that works for her I'll buy it too. So far no go!
Not diet but I worked with a man whose wife wanted bigger b@@bs so she sent for a magic device and got an artificial man's hand...TRUE story! Kathy
Susy
19 years ago
Here is a link to a site with lots of discussion on coconut oil.

Coconut Oil

Here is a link that might be useful: Coconut Oil
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janetm_md
Original Author
19 years ago
Maybe its worth trying the coconut milk instead. The oil just didn't work for me!

Now back to reading Dr. Gabe Mirkins book on high fiber, lot fat diets. One week at a 1200 calorie diet drove me nearly insane...

-Janet
wildchild
19 years ago
I don't do gimmicks..no low carb, no points, no supplements, just good old balanced eating and making sure the calories I take in are worth it.

Wierdest diet I ever tried was back in the sixties. Wine and cheese diet. You were supposed to eat nothing but wine and cheese for a weekend. My neighbor and I tried it,I was still a teen. We were very happy that weekend. Don't remember if we lost any weight.
lindakay
19 years ago
Has anybody tried the new cactis diet pill. Hoodia. I just read about it and it sounds wonderful if it works and is safe. It was on 60 mins. Linda
centralcacyclist
19 years ago
I tried the cabbage soup diet, I lasted one day. It's really high in sodium, not a good thing. I do best with a bit of everything in moderation, lots of fresh fruits and veggies. Still trying to lose that last stubborn ten!
mary_md7
19 years ago
After making my Weight Watcher's goal some time back, I'm now one month into a new round, having gained it all back. Counting points isn't a gimmick--it's a way for me to be accountable for what I eat. The program works very well--I just went back to what I was doing before, which is the downfall of any weightloss approach.

I've come to the conclusion there is no magic bullet. Of course, I knew that in my head, but now I accept it and live by it.

Actually, I'm having dinner with Janet (OP) tonight--so we can yak about gimmicks all evening. Sorry, Janet, no margaritas for me tonight--they're 5 points each!
Wild_Chicken
19 years ago
Hoodia is safe, but as of recently, only natives can collect it. So hoodia pills and capsules products have VERY little hoodia in them, and certainly not enough to make it an appetite suppresant.
gardengrl
19 years ago
I recently tried the coconut oil thing too. Think...Crisco shortening flavored like coconut. Gaaaaack! By day three, I would start to gag at even the thought of choking down two tablespoons of this goop. Now, even the smell of coconut makes me shiver. I tried it in smoothies & such, but coconut is one of those things that's best in trace amounts.
lydia1959
19 years ago
I tried the coconut oil. Didn't see any weight loss. I also have some Hoodia capsules, but don't see that they suppress my appetite any. Oh yeah, I did the cabbage soup diet too. I gained weight on that one.
maryanntx
19 years ago
I tried taking the natural vinegar with the "mother" in it each day. After a month or two I started feeling sick to my stomach all the time. Stopped the vinegar and felt fine. I never saw any weight loss.
carrie2
18 years ago
I don't do gimmicks anymore either, but I have been counting calories and weighing one morning a week. I've lost almost 30 pounds in nine months. I try to keep my calories to 2,000 per day but if I go over it doesn't matter. Most days I do keep to 2,000 calories and the consistency accounts for the weight loss. I also eat and drink everything I like and want -- butter, cream, carbs, sugar, gin, beer, wine. I also don't do much exercise, but when the weather is better I want to start doing 30 minutes walks three or four times a week. I'm 5'10" and 57 years old.

What diet gimmicks have you tried?

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What diet gimmicks have you tried?

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