Sometimes, a little bit of knowledge is all you need to make a big decision.
It all started a few weeks ago. I was in the car with a friend, and she was sharing the results of her recent physical.
“So officially,” she said with a chuckle, “I’m obese”.
I looked at her skeptically. She didn’t look obese to me; slightly overweight, maybe. I knew she could stand to lose (more than a) few pounds, and I knew that after joining the gym for her birthday in August, she had meant to. In fact, evidence of her commitment to a healthier lifestyle was instantly apparent in her choice of a large green tea versus my towering mochaccino.
(My views on my body and dieting? See right.)
Still, I frowned at her in confusion. I had a mental image of what an “obese” person looks like. And my friend, to put it frankly, is in better shape than I am. She’s the one who walks her dog twice a day, even in the dead of winter. She has a job that requires her to be moderately active, and has been known to routinely take the stairs when entering her fifth floor condo.
“I guess I love food too much,” she giggled nervously, misinterpreting my frown to be one of disappointment rather than confusion. I opened my mouth and closed it, thinking that in all the times I’ve enjoyed a meal at her home, it has always been nourishing, satisfying and well balanced. So, if she’s eating too much, at least it’s the right kind of food. I told her this.
“I don’t know,” she sighed. “I need to do something. Try something. I need to change something.”
At that very moment, we drove past a strip mall close to my home. And on a sign near the road that displayed a list of retailers, we recognized a logo. It was for Herbal Magic Weight Loss & Nutrition Centres. I looked at my friend and laughingly – but never mockingly – said, “Well, try that!”
Admittedly, neither of us had any prior knowledge of Herbal Magic, assuming (correctly) that it had something to do with proper nutrition and herbal supplementation. Upon returning home, we checked them out online and learned more about the program:
“Herbal Magic’s natural weight loss program is designed to help you change your body and the way you look at food. At Herbal Magic, you won’t drink strange concoctions, buy pre-packaged meals or follow a crazy diet. Our revolutionary weight loss program helps real people lose weight and keep it off – for life. By following our customized weight loss plans you will lose an average of two pounds per week. This weight loss strategy is designed to ensure that the weight you lose is maintained successfully, as studies show is most effective for long-term success.”…