Where’s my Guarantee?

     When I was writing my book, my publisher wanted me to change the tone of the book to be more of a self-help variety; ‘10 easy steps to change your stumbling blocks into stepping stones’.

I have issues with self-helps of all kinds, not just books. There are a few that have recently affected my life and I would like to pass on my experiences to you.

        Disclaimer: The opinions stated in this blog are my own and not the views of the actual people who have written or in other ways published some self-help book, program or other fast-track to money, health or organization skills.

        I have come to my own conclusion that most people want to better their life in some way, whether its wealth, productivity or health and there is a book — or hundreds — probably thousands of books out there that will show you just that.

        Let's start with self-help books. I have had the opportunity to see and interact with literally hundreds of authors within my publisher's group. Of those, there are again, hundreds of books on how to better _____.  You fill in the blank. All of them have the same tagline. 7, 10 or 12 steps guaranteed to transform your life.

        Guaranteed!?

How can you guarantee that this is going to change my life for the better? They will cite that they have some sort of creditability as to why you should listen or follow their advice. In my experience, it is all fabricated credentials based on their own lives experiences; i.e. I did this and so can you.

Maybe they did change their life or even the lives of others, simply by following their own made up 12 step program. The results were so striking, they couldn’t wait to share it with the world and change it in their image. (Sound familiar?)

I have read through these books as well as talked with the authors personally and in all cases, they are adamant that their way is the end-all, beat-all, final book to ever be needed on self-help; and yet, there are still hundreds published every year.

Weight loss and personal trainers are very much the same way. This is something that I have personal experience in, so in true self-help fashion, I guarantee I know what I'm talking about.

Hundreds if not thousands of trainers and dietitians have plans that guarantee that they can change your life and you can lose 20 – 30, even 60 pounds in just 6 or 8 short weeks. All you have to do is follow their specialized diet that has been specifically modified just for you and your body type.

I have signed up for these diet and exercise programs under three different names, with three different body types and goals, and three different genders; and you guessed it, all three diet plans were exactly the same.

Even worse than actual trainers and dietitians, are all these asinine diet “programs” which is a term that I use very loosely. I cringe like listening to fingernails on a chalkboard when I hear people saying:

“Look at how much I have lost on this program.” — “Look at all these people who have gotten healthy on this program.” — “It’s so easy and you don’t even need to exercise.”

The kicker to this and the thing that should shout, “Danger Will Robinson!”— 

Message Me For Details.

AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!

Again, they will guarantee your results on this powerful “Program.” What they should be saying is this powerful “SCAM”, that’s what it is.

Yes you will probably lose weight, yes you will probably feel better about yourself, yes you will have the admiration of all your friends and neighbors, but at what cost?

Every year thousands of people are hospitalized for kidney or liver failure, heart conditions and other medical problems that all have one thing in common, one of these super-secret – so that I have to message you – so the world doesn't find out how great a product this is “Program.”

Any “Program” that has to be secretive and you have to either message people in private or go to a special meeting just to get info is a great big huge sign to…RUN, RUN AS FAST AS YOU CAN!!!

If You Can’t Run, Drive, Block, Ignore Or Any Other Means Necessary To Avoid These People.

Think about every cult or hate group ever developed in this country and what do they all have in common? Secrecy! They know that they are doing wrong so they do it in secret. I am in no way saying that these groups or programs are associated with or are themselves cults or other hate groups, but why is it such a secret?

My advice is, look into these products; HARD. Most of them have what is known as a ‘Proprietary Blend’ and do not list all the ingredients. They will claim it’s so no one can duplicate their product, but trust them, nothing in there will hurt you, “Guaranteed.”

These people are just passing on the same speech and info that was given to them when they signed up and so on and so on. Proprietary blend means one thing — this product has NOT been evaluated by the F.D.A., D.E.A. or any other ‘A’ that could shut them down.

The proprietary blend is just legalese for, don’t ask, and we’ll tell you what we want you to know. You don’t ask what is actually in this product and we’ll tell you that it’s all natural and healthy ingredients that were researched by some, apparently well-known person in China, Indonesia, or another country, including the U.S. where it has been available for hundreds of years and their population has never been healthier.

(But this isn’t your product, right?)

If Beets, Aloe Vera, or red turnip sauce with hotdogs — whatever the magical ingredient is in your product that I certainly couldn't be talking about — was so powerful that it can cure all that ails you, make you stronger, full of energy and as healthy as a God, this planet would be free of disease and full of healthy people that would all look incredible and live forever.

Health only comes from one source; diet, and exercise. No pill, patch or other concoction will ever give you health. Losing weight, and all the different ways of losing it, isn’t always healthy. It isn’t all about weight loss it’s about health on the inside as well.

What good is it to look skinny on your deathbed? I guess it’s all the rage to be a skinny corpse. This being said, the same holds true for diet and exercise; in fact, a very prominent health and fitness coach, who was renowned as one of the healthiest coaches in the fitness world, was recently hospitalized for a heart attack.

Why is this important? His heart attack was because of his diet; the diet that would guarantee your health and weight loss. 

I have encountered trainers and dietitians both, who have guaranteed that their program “works every time” and you will lose weight gain strength and overall health.

In the end, the same result holds true. When a client doesn't reach their goals as the guaranteed trainer has promised, it’s the client's fault. You didn’t follow the diet plan, you didn’t work out, or you weren’t dedicated enough. Many, many, more.

As for me, when I explained that I have a disorder that prevents me from eating certain foods, or performing certain exercises, I was dismissed as they can’t help me and should just accept that I will never be able to reach my health goals.

Translated, “I don’t know how to help you because I only know what works for me.” They will always have a reason —"excuse"— as to why their guaranteed program didn’t work. What it comes down to is, just like clothes, there isn’t a one size fits all. 

 If you think about it the only one-size-fits-all is a toilet, which is where most of these should go.

The reason there are hundreds of books, programs, and trainers is that in the end, what worked for them may not work for you and then again, maybe it will. I just hope you can "live" with the long-term consequences. I still stand by the fact that the person who knows you best is the one that looks at you when you stand in front of a mirror.

SP