“My 5 Takeaways I Had Last Night In Half An Hour”
So, last night there seemed to be a fair storm kicking up on various social media sites after a show called Weightwatchers: How They Make Their Millions.
Did you see it??
There were obviously those who were disgruntled, feeling conned and those who were quick to defend WW.
I only realized the show was on at about 8:05pm , so I missed the first 5 minutes. So my thoughts are based on those 25 minutes of the 30-minute programme.
It would be very easy for me to stand here and absolutely slate WW in a very unconstructive manner. To be honest it seemed that that was the objective of the programme last night. Whilst they did unearth some nasty little truths, which to be honest I have been telling my readers about for well over 2 years now, the programme was out to catch them out.
Right now you are probably thinking, Matt who’s side are you on?
To be honest neither, I have my beliefs and my philosophy about what I believe is an ethical way to treat our clients and its set out in our member’s handbook in the “Core Values” section.
If you missed the programme, then head on over to http://www.channel4.com/programmes/4od and take a look, its worth a watch.
Now I could go into great detail about the ingredients contained in their products and how they affect your ability to function, and completely go to town on WW as a brand, but I thought it would be more constructive to summarise it in
“ Matt’s 5 Takeaways from WW”
1) The Show Was Biased
The show was only showing one side of the coin. It really went to town on all the additives, preservatives, MSG’s and E numbers that all the WW branded foods contained.
It also focused on how the WW “leaders” were people who had dropped weight using the WW method, and that they are not actually qualified professionals, does this sound familiar (a well known dance brand does similar)?
It also highlighted that very few of the WW members who got the weight off did so long term, in fact they even highlighted that a lot of the research journals showing evidence in support of WW had been funded by WW themselves. Hmmmmmm!
I was speaking to a client of mine last night, who was a previous member of WW and she said …
I think where the programme missed the point is that those who go to WW probably keep going because they get weighed each week and for the social aspect.
Now if you have been a reader of mine for longer than 7 days you will probably realise that I pride myself on getting results and providing a lifelong empowerment to make educated choices. So in short my philosophy is very different to WW or any other slimming club. I am interested in the long-term health of my client, so if something doesn’t have that at the forefront then I believe it should be seriously questioned.
So if you felt conned then remember that the programme was biased, as it’s title suggested, they wanted to find out how they made their money.
Takeaway 1: The programme itself was biased, but some of the evidence uncovered cannot be denied.
2) The Products – Didn’t We Already Know This?
Was It Really News?
Well I guess that because I have been studying health and fitness nearly every day for the last 10 years in some way or another, I probably watched it in a slightly different light than most.
I knew their “products” (sorry you cant call them foods) were full of chemicals etc!
I have said it before, “low fat”, “reduced fat” , Fewer Than X Calories” or “ X points” products are not FOOD! They are products derived from food sources and have been manufactured, doctored and adulterated beyond belief!
Some people say, “you cant blame companies for being clever with marketing” , well yes you CAN!
The only thing in their defence is that they make choices easier for their clients, which I always try to do, but in this case they clearly don’t care what their clients are eating.
One of my other friends also mentioned that we should all be taking more responsibility for looking at what’s in our day to day nutrition. To which I agree to an extent, but sometimes these nasty’s get hidden behind a host pseudonyms to disguise very complicated “un-food like” names! Surprise surprise!
If you did watch the programme you will have noticed that they compared a well known ice cream brand with WW ice cream. Yep, the WW ice cream contained 4 x the number of ingredients than the well know brand. Including propane!!!Hmmmmmmm!
The programme also showed you two packets of crisps, which to be honest you would not be able to pay me to eat let alone get me to buy them. One was a WW branded bag and the other was a well-known brand. The WW bag was sold based on its “points”. It actually contained more points than the other, less volume and cost more! Hmmmmmmmmm!
Incase you weren’t at one of my seminars you may not have seen this picture before of a bar that WW were selling around that time.
Takeaway 2: Be responsible for what we put in our mouths.
3) Hard Sales Tactics……Selling Products
A little harsh on the leaders out there who don’t just push products on to their clients.
The programme just showed a leader who was having a sale and who just wanted ill-informed clients to buy products on their way out of the meeting.
This part of the programme in my opinion wasn’t really a fair reflection on the personality of the “leaders” even though I don’t know them, I am sure they want to help people, they just don’t know the best way.
Takeaway 3: Not all “leaders” are ‘pushy’ but they just don’t know the “best “ way yet!
4) Funding Their Own Research
I mentioned this earlier and like many of you reading this you probably are aware that a lot of drugs companies fund their own research and then the results get published. Do you honestly think they will publish results that display their brand in a bad light.
I am pretty sure I have read about a well know toothpaste manufacturer doing the same oh and the next time you watch the Lucozade advert watch the bottom of the screen.
If you set up a study, to prove something, you already create a bias as the methods you choose to test/prove it will be flawed simply by the fact you are looking for a particular result.
Takeaway 4: Do not take research at face value, do you own research ☺
5) The N*S and WW’s Scheme
Yep, the NHS, ok us, the UK tax payers invested £4 million on WW scheme to help people lose weight. Now, I have very strong views on the NHS and its nutritional advice. So without getting too fired up about this, lets just say that I have seen custard creams featured in a post operative handout given to my gran after her hip operation!
You don’t have to go too far into the NHS food pyramid to find that the pile of rubbish that it is! “ starchy foods such as bread, cereals…..i am not going any further that says it all!
So they have already recommended wheat, one of the largest sources of intolerance in the world and also a cause of leaking gut syndrome that leads to a host of other illnesses!
So as far as I can see it, another big company gets associated with a “healthy” initaiative because of its spending power. Did something similar in the summer at the Olympics?
From where I am stood, just sending people from the waiting room to WW is really just another way of palming them off without educating.
Its worth remembering that when a person has a goal to lose weight , when they become educated and empowered this helps them get excited and stay on track ☺
Takeaway 5: Just because the NHS says so…….I would seriously look for a second opinion when it comes to nutrition, exercise and lifestyle.
In SUMMARY
People will still attend!
Yes. They Will!
Why?
Because they probably don’t care about weight loss after a while. Until something haunts their conscious mind again…..
WW will continue, slimming clubs will continue and we will all have the ability to make CHOICES!
Sure we will make mistakes, but why not learn from the mistakes of others so you make less!:)
Some of your friends will still attend these clubs, be patient with them, educate them, show them the light, but remember there is more than ONE way to do ONE thing.
There are some that are clearly healthy, some that are less clear and some that just plain ridiculous.
My results guaranteed personal training and fitness camps are definitely not for everyone.
I wont just work with anyone, they certainly do not have to be the fittest, in fact we don’t want any ego’s, but also I don’t want to pull the wool over people’s eyes and tell them they can achieve great health eating branded bread and ice cream.
On that note, running isn’t for some people and swimming is not for everyone.
Find something that works for you and your lifestyle.
If it isn’t working change! You have a choice.
Remember to keep health at the forefront of all of your decisions because without that performance will deteriorate.
The trouble with the programme last night, is that it really scratched the itch, it didn’t offer solutions to the problems!
So take what you saw last night with a pinch of salt (make sure its Celtic not table salt ), get educated and do your own research, read your food labels, take responsibility and make informed decisions.
Now whilst we are on the subject of education, I am hosting my first seminar of 2013 next Tuesday at 8pm.
This is just over two years after my first live seminar where we had nearly 100 people in attendance.
I am very excited about this one as it is the first seminar I will have held since becoming Cornwall’s Jamie Oliver Food Revolution Ambassador.
There we have it, make your choices and be healthy.
Matt
p.s. If you want to come and join us on our next Fitness Camp starting on February 4th, you need to get a wriggle on as we have limited spaces left. Click HERE to get guarantee your space.
