Conquering demons, losing weight

2008: Buh-bye!

2008-12-28T11:41:00.000-08:00

Reflection is the most over-looked aspect of learning, yet it is vital to the process. It is natural at the end of one year to reflect on what has happened. Many do this with a critical eye, thinking only of the mistakes they've made, not of the lessons learned through those mistakes.

I didn't reach all my goals for 2008, yet I've have learned much about myself and others. The most important of these lessons is that I'm not giving up THIS time when it comes to my quest to lose weight. I've haven't really gained, but I haven't lost either. In the past, that would've meant me giving up entirely. Not this time. As one of my low carb friends (Wifezilla?) puts it: I would low-carb forever, even if I never lost another pound. I feel better and have tons more energy!

I've also learned in the past few days that while I haven't entirely conquered the demon of stress-eating, I now recognize when I'm doing it and have much more control over it than I used to. My stress level has been elevated the past few days due to the impending open-heart surgery my father will undergo on 12/30 in Birmingham. He must have his Aortic valve replaced and possible repair made to the bypasses he had done in 1994. The same doctor will be doing his surgery this time and he is wonderful, so we feel good about the chances for full recovery. Still, it is a scary time.

Amyb ~ I haven't forgotten about you, just so you know. I'm am praying for your full recovery and for Philip and your entire family. It may help you to know that a family friend was diagnosed with Lymphoma in 1981 and is healthy as a horse now. My friend Kelly who had stage 4 IBC is doing great and just got remarried. Hang in there! You're gonna do just fine!

As for the new year, I have many hopes for good things to come. I never make resolutions, because I think they're silly. But, here's some things I'm wishing for and working on this year.

1. Health and well being for my family and friends
2. Developing an exercise habit
3. Returning to a basic low carb diet and not overdo the fat
4. Continue to increase my teaching skills and get my own classroom!!
5. Continue the fight against Heidi Diaz until Kimkins no longer exists
6. Take a "live and let live" attitude more often.
7. Remember and apply the lessons learned in 2008.

Happy 2009 everyone!

Kimmer: Vegas. AGAIN? LOL!!

2008-12-07T21:28:00.000-08:00

We all need a good laugh now and then. So, I'd like to thank Heidi Diaz for a good one. Seriously! Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz made me laugh out loud with a recent post at her Kimkins.con website.

What could possibly be funny about a 300 lbs. woman selling a starvation diet to thousands of desperate dieters using fake success stories? Nothing. Well, except that Kimmer is...wait for it...already talking about this summer's Kimkins gathering in Las Vegas.

Yep. Just when you thought Kimmer couldn't get any more ridiculous, she tops herself!

Take a look at this!

This is at least the third time Kimmer has talked up a meet and greet for Kimkins, only to cancel at the last minute to due "security concerns" or high gas prices.

Current Kimkins dieters: PLEASE do not book any accomodations in Vegas hoping to get to meet Heidi. It's NOT going to happen. Never, EVER gonna happen. Never.

Also, notice Kimmer's new sig line quote from Pastor Joel O'Steen. Pretty appropriate for Kimmer, wouldn't you say? Is this what you were doing, Heidi, when you claimed to have lost 198 lbs. in 11 months on your diet and maintained it for well over a year with ease? Were you just talking about "the way you want to be" when you claimed that infamous picture of the 118 lbs. Russian bride was you?

The lies you've sold at Kimkins are not funny in the least. They have hurt people, damaged their self-esteem, their trust, and made them vulnerable and in some cases, less healthy than before trying Kimkins.

But, planning another Kimkins trip to Vegas? Now that's funny!!

Happy Snarks-giving Kimmer!

2008-12-01T15:02:00.000-08:00

Heidi Diaz of Kimkins.con is a peach. She really is. She shows SO much concern for her paying customers over there it's just amazing.

Recently, I posted an amalgamation of posts by longtime Kimkins dieter Robin. I am truly very, very concerned for Robin's health. Robin keeps complaining of dizzy spells, feeling bad, and so forth. But what does she get from Kimmer? A slap on the wrist for talking about her problems.

I'll tell you, that Kimmer is all heart. Take a look at this recent exchange between Kimmer and Robin on the Pinky Swear Challenge thread. You know the one where Heidi never posts her own stats, but demands that the rest of the members do each week? Well, take a look at this charming exchange. The full photo can be seen at: http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/Mayberryfan/?action=view¤t=Robin_Kimmer_combo.jpg

This woman paid Kimmer her hard-earned $$ for help to lose weight and this is all she gets for it. No concern for the CONTINUING problems this woman is having. Just an admonition to keep going so Robin can encourage others to starve themselves with the Kimkins diet.

Robin, many of us are worried sick about you. All attempts to reach out to you have met with stony silence. Are you so desperate to be thin that you will risk everything and follow the advice of someone who weighs 300 lbs. and cannot follow her own dangerous plan?

I hope not. I'm praying we can reach you somehow before it's too late. DON'T DO KIMKINS!

Kimkins Dieter Enters the Danger Zone

2008-11-12T18:02:00.000-08:00

A longtime, devoted dieter over at Kimkins is talking about health worries and Heidi Diaz is telling her to keep up the great work.

This dieter has been doing Kimkins since July 2007 and has dropped close to 120 lbs. thanks to the starvation diet Heidi Diaz is selling.

But, that doesn't come close to telling the whole story. This particular dieter has been stuck for a while and is regaining and losing the same 20 lbs. over and over again.

Danger.

This dieter is complaining of frequent falls - loss of balance - which she calls Vertigo, but that doctors have not been able to find a cause.

Danger.

This dieter is also complaining of muscle weakness, apathy, depression, and an inability to adhere to the diet.

Danger.

Want to see it in her own words? Here's an amalgamation of some of her posts from the past several weeks, in chronological order and talking about separate events:

Now, I am not a doctor, nor do I pretend to be one on the internet. But, this woman is exhibiting several classic symptoms of an eating disorder and her frequent falls could easily be caused by blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance brought on by trying to live on 800 or so calories per day for over a year.

This person has been written about in other blogs before and yet she continues to stand by Heidi Diaz and Kimkins.

I believe she is in extreme danger due to extreme dieting. I pray someone can reach her before it's too late.

As long as the Kimkins diet is out there to make desperate dieters think they've found a viable solution to their weight problems, many of us will be here trying to warn people of the danger of this type of VLCD - very low calorie diet.

DON'T DO KIMKINS!!!!!!!

Kimkins Dieter in Danger

2008-11-10T18:24:00.000-08:00

Recently, a member of the Kimkins diet website complained of mental fogginess while doing the VLCD - very low calorie diet. And what did founder of Kimkins and self-proclaimed dieting expert Kimmer - Heidi Diaz - tell this person? Well, it was a typically snarky Kimmer response with none of the "expert" advice this dieter paid for when she joined Kimkins.

Here's the post exchange from inside Kimkins:

XXXX - Hi everyone. I have been doing well now on my weight loss. I only
have one concern. In the last couple of days I have been really forgetful. I
understand that before this I was excessively eating carbs. However since I have
reduced my carbs it seems like at times my brain is not functioning properly.
Something awful happened today. I was running around the shopping centre with my daughter to run a few errands. I bought an aftershave for my husband. As we
walking through the shops I realised I did not have the shopping bag in my hand.
I had left it somewhere and I was devastated. It was a present for my hubby and
it cost me $100. I have had to forget about it now because things happen and I
cant change it. My 7 year old daughter told me to stop dieting because I am not
concentrating properly. Before the incident occurred I had a protein shake in
the morning. It was 12pm in the afternoon, and I just grabbed a low carb protein
bar for convenience. Around 2pm I noticed the bag missing. Later we sat down and
I had some chicken with salad and I was upset that I had allowed to this to
happen because I hadnt eaten either enough but was running around the shopping
centre like a mad woman. After I had the chicken I felt much better. I would
like to ask if this has happened to anyone in terms of losing their memory or
concentration a bit. How do you combat that you have enough carbs for your brain
but still lose weight. I do not want to give up with my weight loss but I want
to ensure I am having normal brain function. Thank you for any responses.

Kimmer responds: According to your Personal Journal, the last few days your
carbs have actually been rather high. Maybe close to 100 grams per day because
you're eating protein bars and low carb chocolate. If you have medical concerns,
please contact your physician immediately. When you're ready to commit to
Kimkins, we'll be here to help.

Did you get that? This woman is exhibiting a sign of dangerously low blood sugar and Kimmer accuses her of "eating too many carbs" and says "when you're ready to commit...we'll be here to help."

Unbelieveable! Honestly, reading that makes me want to slap the taste out of Heidi Diaz' mouth. This paying customer of hers is SO committed to her horrible and dangerous diet that she's having trouble concentrating. Yet Kimmer insinuates that she is "uncommitted." Oh, and the "if you have medical concerns" was a nice touch, don't you think? Heidi knows very well that her diet is dangerous and impossible for many to stick to it. Afterall, she is still about 300 lbs. herself. Who the hell is she to be selling diet advice to anyone?

Here's what one of MANY credible website sources has to say on low blood sugar, which can be the result of too few calories, and mental clarity:

In order to prevent type 2 diabetes, it is vital to understand that blood sugar problems travel along a continuum. A lot of people initially develop signs such as low blood sugar (reactive hypoglycemia), which can manifest as afternoon fatigue, mood changes, and mental fogginess. Abdominal weight gain is a key finding in insulin resistance. When blood sugars are severely elevated, the classic symptoms of diabetes – excessive thirst and urination - ensue. Source: http://www.thecenterforoptimalhealth.org/services/endocrinology/diabetes.php

If you are still doing Kimkins, or any diet that encourages calorie levels of 500-1000 per day without direct doctor supervision, you are putting your health at serious risk! When I did Kimkins, I ate about 700 calories per day and soon started having mental fogginess, sudden and severe dizzy spells and my hair started falling out in clumps. I believed the lie that Heidi tells: the excess calories one needs will easily come from the weight you need to lose. Don't let Heidi Diaz talk you into starving yourself! Your body will begin eating it's own muscle tissue (and your heart is a muscle!) in an effort to prevent starvation.

Heidi Diaz created Kimkins by combining parts of the Atkins diet - which is safe and doctor approved - with Stillman's which is an extreme diet meant only to be used on a very short-term basis. This woman has NO MEDICAL APPROVAL for her diet and NO TRAINING as a nutritionist or dietician. She has no expertise whatsoever to advise anyone on losing weight.

There are wonderful diet websites and support available on the internet for FREE! Low Carb Friends is a great place to get help and support on your weightloss journey.

Kimkins is DANGEROUS to your health. Don't do it!!

Actual Success Stories Do Not Tell the Whole Truth

2008-11-02T21:10:00.000-08:00

Fraud is at the heart of the lawsuit faced by Heidi Diaz of Kimkins infamy. In a deposition before the court, she has admitted using stolen photos of beautiful, healthy, slender people from mail-order bride and groom sites to entice people into paying her for her starvation diet and advice on losing weight.

But, are ALL the Kimkins "success" stories fake? No.

Have some people actually lost weight on Kimkins and kept it off? Yes.

Does this mean it's okay to try Kimkins? NO!!!

Let's use an analogy about media bias my brother came up with to explain how some Kimkins success stories are "real", but in NO way tell the true story of Kimkins.

Let's say a sportscaster who graduated from Western BFE University wanted his team to look good at the end of the season. So, he edits together clips from W.BFE.U's games, but only shows the best plays from the entire season. He doesn't fake any of the clips, but the presentation would not show the true W.BFE.U's team - a team that didn't win a single game all season. By selecting only certain clips, W.BFE.U could LOOK like National Champions.

Btw, if you will notice, the media does this in some fashion all the time, showing only the most unflattering photos or video of the politicians they do not like, etc. Media bias is ALIVE and well. It's what they DON'T tell you that makes them biased. Technically, they don't lie so much as they only present one side of the story - lying by omission.

Same thing with Kimkins. For those who have lost weight strictly following Kimmer's diet, none that I know of have done so without experiencing some health problems. Significant hair loss and dizzy spells are the most common. That is what made me stop doing the Kimkins Diet plan. For others, irregular heart beats, amennorhea, and eating disorders are pretty common. One person who did Kimkins even lost so much muscle tissue that she had to undergo surgery to repair the damage.

Skinny, yes. Healthy, no!

Frankly, most people cannot live on the 800-1000 calories you get to eat on the Kimkins diet plan. Nor should ANYONE try to live on that small amount of food. For those who've stuck it out and lost the weight, many are paying a HEAVY price for believing in Heidi Diaz.

Bottom line: DON'T DO KIMKINS.

Heidi, how low can you go?

2008-10-29T17:09:00.000-07:00

Other than Heidi Diaz, are their any administrators left at Kimkins? Just who is there to provide the vaunted support for dieters? Dieters who've plunked down $60-80 for said support from people who have made the plan work?

Many of the original admins, along with other members of the Kimkins diet site are now suing Kimmer - Heidi Diaz - for using fake success stories to sell her diet plan. Success stories which showed stolen pictures of trim, healthy, beautiful people.

But, what about some of Heidi longtime supporters, people who were admins giving advice to the paying customers at Kimkins - where are they now?

One of the admins to serve the longest at Kimkins - Singinglass, aka Delaney Deaver, hasn't posted in over a month. It has been two or three weeks since she's even been to the site. So what happened? Could Singinglass be experiencing some of the same health problems other Kimkins members have suffered? We know by her own admission she's lost a lot of her hair. Is there something else going on? One has to wonder.

So, you'd think after being sued and having the dangers of the Kimkins program brought to light, not to mention the fact that surveillance video shows Heidi Diaz to be 300 lbs. , not the 118 lbs. she claimed - that the advice-givers at Kimkins would have learned something.

Not so fast. Former Kimkins admin and someone who still (astonishingly) supports the diet Swalt gave this piece of advice to a new Kimkins dieter recently.

swalt (User)
I'M SOOO EXCITED!!!
Professor
Posts: 2014

Re:Daily
calories. Too little? Too much?

Ok, I may not have the best
answer but I can give you my 2 cents worth.The plan says to not go under 800
calories and 1200 seems like a good number, my calories were closer to the 800
while I was losing. I think it is more important to make sure that you
don't go ABOVE 20 carbs and don't go BELOW 800 calories. If you watch these two numbers everything should go as planned.Good luck to you. Sue

The dieter in question stated her intention to follow the caloric intake guidelines based on her BMR - basal metobolic rate. Going too far below this number can send your body into starvation mode where the body starts eating itself for nutrition. But, notice Swalt has NO trouble telling this person that - hey 1200 calories is okay, but (hint, hint, wink, wink) you could drop down to 800 with no problem.

Can this possibly be safe? Well, NO, of course not!

Using a BMR calculator, which measures the amount of calories you need just to run your body with no activity, (http://www.bmi-calculator.net/bmr-calculator/) I plugged in some really low numbers: 4'5" tall, 85 lbs. and 45 years old. A female this size and age would still have a BMR of 1,062.35 calories for a day. Thats almost 33 % more calories than the Kimkins advisor says is okay for a large person with lots of weight to lose. This calculation is what would be needed by a TINY person just to maintain basic bodily functions.

Swalt may no longer be listed as an "admin" at Kimkins, but she is known as a former admin and she's still singing the same ultra-low calorie tune that's done a number on many people's health.

By the way, Swalt's new title (user) seems pretty appropriate if you ask me.

Like Kimmer, Swalt has no degree in nutrition and no training to be handing out advice to dieters on a paid subscription website.

Don't pay Heidi and her gang at Kimkins to tell you how to starve yourself. Find a good low carb diet and get healthy!

Oh, and the next time you're in the grocery store, check the milk cartons to see if Singinglasses' picture is there.

A Blast from Kimmer's Past, part II

2008-10-27T18:47:00.000-07:00

Combing through some more of the "Ask Kimmer" threads at Low Carb Friends is like looking into a gaping maw of arrogance. Heidi Diaz perfected her Kimkins Diet B.S. while ruling the message boards there for a while. At least, she ruled her own little corner of that site.

In case anyone has forgotten, Heidi is the 300+lbs. woman who bragged on LCF about her ability to water-fast, singing it's praises in glowing terms. This is one of the ways she claimed to have lost a ton of weight, but developed her Kimkins diet plan for those "who didn't want it bad enough" to water-fast the weight off.

Of course, it was all a HUGE lie.

Here's a little gem or two concerning the practice of water-fasting in which Kimmer claims that it gives one a feeling of euphoria and increased mental acuity. By the way, hyperbole is just one of the tools liars use to make their stories sound so incredible, it MUST be true. After all, who would tell such a lie? Well, Heidi, for one, certainly would.

From LCF: 06-07-2006, 11:17 AM #2389

Originally Posted by XXXXXX - Wow, thats great. How did you feel after
45days of not eating or did you eat broths as I see some do? I know your not a
big water person so you fasted with mainly diet sodas? I'm just wondering how it
would feel after not eating for so long.

Kimmer - Believe it or not, after you stop eating for a
week you don't think about it much. After two weeks, it feels normal not to eat.
Why?We spent an extradinary amount of time food shopping, putting groceries
away, prepping, menu planning, cooking, cleaning the kitchen, washing dishes ...
and when you take all of those food related activities away, you're literally
forced to take a hard look at yourself. This is when most new fasters quit,
around day 4. Mentally they're freaking out. They're sure they're starving. They
miss their dear friend, "food", and food addiction is a very strong habit to
fight. OK, without food what am I? Who am I? If something bad/good happens and I
don't celebrate or commiserate with food, what else on earth can I do? You take
a whole new look at yourself. Until you go through it, you don't know what I'm
talking about. The energy high is incredible. Detox is a lulu, but you thank your body for doing what it does best, establishing priorities and taking care of business.

From LCF: 06-04-2006, 02:01 PM #2210
Originally Posted by xxxxxx
Need Advice Kimmer.I've been doing induction for almost two weeks and I'm down 14 lbs. I'm happy with my progress and I've hurdled over some tough obstacles to stay on plan b/c I know this is what I want most. My question is do I stay with what is working for me now, which is straight good old fashioned Atkins induction with the occasion processed stuff when in a pinch, or should I go for the K/E or Kimkins now. I didn't know if it would be best for me to switch things up when I start to slow down. Any advice would be great, I'm very commited to doing whatever (except I don't know about fasting just yet)

Kimmer - Oops, I did overlook it! Sorry! I read it early this morning, made some mental notes ... and didn't post. See, if I were water fasting my acute mental clarity wouldn't have allowed that to happen, LOL. If you're slowing down, my guess would be it's because you're higher calorie Atkins with occasional LC 'stuff'.If you want to maintain the most rapid weight loss, by all means fall back to Kimkins which is pretty much lean protein & a couple veggie servings. Your loss will stay kicked up for quite awhile. Don't do water fasting if you're not sure of it. Mentally, you've got to be on board and I don't recommend
it for casual weight loss in non-obese people. Why? I don't know. If you want to stay on Atkins, count the LC products at full carb count to help you understand about slowing weight loss.

These are just another couple of examples among hundreds, maybe thousands, of posts where Kimmer encourages dieters to eat less. Oh, and did you catch the little dig at the dieter seeking Kimmer's advice? "Mentally, you've got to be on board [with water fasting]." In other words, it's easy for Heidi to water fast because she's got the mental toughness to make it work.

Just know this: If you are considering joining Kimkins, this is the kind of lame, dangerous advice you'll be spending $80 to get from a woman who was caught with an open container of sugar cookies in her car during a news story last fall concerning the lawsuit she faces. That's right! Diaz faces a class-action lawsuit for using phony success stories, including her own, to sell Kimkins to an unsuspecting dieting public.

Do yourself a favor: DON'T DO KIMKINS. Don't pay Heidi Diaz $80 to tell you how to live on just a few hundred calories per day! There are many healthy, delicious low-carb plans that you can do, and you will lose. You don't have to starve!

P.S. Sorry to leave you hanging, Kat. I'm a busy gal!

A Blast From the Past, part I

2008-10-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

Since discovering that Heidi Diaz and her Kimkins diet plan is a complete fraud, from time to time I go back and search the advice peddled by "Kimmer" at Low Carb Friends. I always find something jaw-dropping.

For years Kimmer (Heidi) masqueraded as woman who had lost around 200 lbs. using her combo Atkins-Stillman's diet dubbed Kimkins. She also claimed at LCF to be an expert on water fasting, claiming it not only helps one shed pounds quickly, but provides a state of mental clarity and a feeling of euphoria.

Pardon me, but what a load of it!

Currently, even while facing a class-action lawsuit connected to her actions at Kimkins, Kimmer is still giving out questionable and even dangerous diet advice. And, while she maintains a knowledgeable facade of dieting expertise, she is in fact a morbidly obese woman who has NEVER lost a significant amount of weight. Just consult the recent photos posted at Amyb's blog, or ask Heidi's family.

The following is an exchange from June of 2006 at LCF between an actual medical professional - which Heidi is NOT - and Heidi's online persona Kimmer. This is just one of numerous examples where Kimmer pushes the idea that eating 500 calories a day is perfectly acceptable as a safe and healthy diet.

06-03-2006, 04:54 PM
Originally Posted by XXXX Actually,
very obese people can and do die from starvation and malnutrition. I've seen it
happen countless times over the years. Especially true in the past couple years
with the increased popularity of bariatric surgery. I work in a specialty
hospital...we function as an ICU step down unit. We've had a lot of bariatric
surgeries gone wrong. People who can't eat at all for a period of time after
surgery, or can't keep any food down, get infections, massive wounds, and die
from complications because they become extremely malnourished in a very short
period of time and can't recover and heal from the infections and wounds. Some
die from the "electrolyte imbalances" as well. It's hard to imagine 300, 400,
500, etc lb. people being malnourished but it happens all the time. Once that
vicious cycle is recognized it is often too late. Many people do not
recover, even with appropriate nutritional intervention.

Kimmer responds:
I don't want to detract your experience. But if you consider that non-bariatric surgery people go on "water only" fasts for months on end without dying, my guess would be infections and massive wound could account for a degree.Let's also include the Optifast, Medifast, Slimfast and other "shake" patients who don't die. Why not? 500 calories is 500 calories, right? I don't want to comment on your hospital and its practices. I believe the death statistics for bariatic surgery is 1%. That's 1 out of every 100 weight loss surgery patients your hospital has. If more than that someone should look into it.Let's say people don't have bariatic surgery. Who's tracking the heart disease, diabetic and other morbid obesity related deaths? I would also gather that since insurance companies, experts in risk management, continue to approve and pay for bariatic surgery, either the statistics are skewed or hospitals are in collusion. Last edited by Kimmer : 06-03-2006 at 05:01 PM.
(Bolding mine for emphasis)

From what I gathered, this person was trying to lend her expertise to the questionable advice Kimmer was giving out at LCF and got shot down.

As most any former member of Kimkins knows, disagreeing with Kimmer about anything often led to a sudden banning and a loss of the "lifetime" membership so many had paid $60-$80 to get.

But, many people disagree with Heidi Diaz' advice and believe her Kimkins diet program is dangerous. And, we will keep on disagreeing until the Kimkins website is nothing more than a 404 error message. Count on it.

Muscle: It's 'what's for dinner'

2008-10-16T18:32:00.000-07:00

So now, according to Heidi Diaz at Kimkins, it's okay for your body to eat it's own muscle tissue for protein.

Yep. You read that right!

Here's a recent inside Kimkins post from Heidi - Kimmer - to her Pinky Swear Challenge group:

Heidi: Re: Kimmer's "Pinky Swear" Challenge 2008! Don't think of excuses to fail. Think of reasons to succeed!xxxxx - Yep, nobody has ever asked me about protein intake and the number of doctors I've had through various neighborhood, insurance and HMO changes is probably close to 50. Remember a few weeks ago when I felt "different" when I woke up with my 11 day TOM? I'm diabetic and nobody at the ER asked me what I had eaten. Here's one that's even better: after my gastric surgery the surgeon saw me twice to check that I was healing OK (this was the old days with the 14" incision). He never ordered blood work afterward. Then again if the surgery works and you're eating way less, you're losing quickly. As you lose weight you need less muscle to support the smaller body and that unneeded muscle atrophies and is used for protein requirements. What a nice topic for Tuesday morning, LOL!

As usual, Kimmer is telling a half-truth. In cases of extreme dieting like Kimkins, a person's body may began feeding on it's own muscle tissue in an effort to survive. But, it's not a 'healthy' part of dieting as Kimmer suggests. It's dangerous, even deadly. This is the kind of advice people are paying $79 dollars for at Kimkins.

The truth about Kimkins is: IT DOESN'T WORK. Just look at the various recent photos of Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz on the web, some from a court deposition she gave. If she cannot follow her own plan and make it work, how can anyone else?

But, that's not going to stop Heidi from trying. No ma'am. She wants your $$ too much, even in the face of a class-action lawsuit. That's why she's trying to keep her "Pinky Swear Challenge" going, just so long as SHE doesn't have to play by the rules she's set for other people.

Heidi hasn't posted any kind of stats on herself in the challenge for months. But, she goes on to demand "accountability" from others.

Heidi: Ladies, if this is a challenge we need stats. Lose, gain, it doesn't
matter. Accountability is important! Try to get your numbers in this Friday.
xxxxxx is sweet enough to keep track for us -- let's keep her busy!

Here's a challenge for you Heidi: Show potential new members at Kimkins your real stats and see if the truth works as well for you as your fake success story pictures.

*Thanks to my inside source for helping me get the word out about Kimkins!

Self-Sabotage: Have Another Heapin' Helpin'...

2008-10-10T15:08:00.000-07:00

Over the years Heidi Diaz ,of Kimkins infamy, has written a lot about self-sabotage when it comes to dieting.

Question is: Who's zoomin' who on this front, Heidi??

Diaz is facing a class-action lawsuit for selling starvation and calling it a diet plan. Still giving out all kinds of dangerous and misleading diet advice, she has placed yet another article on line. The article is nothing more than a viral marketing technique to sell memberships to Kimkins at close to $80 bucks a pop. By the way, Kimmer, as she is known to millions of dieters, has used other questionable techniques to sell her diet such as taking photos off of Eastern European mail-order bride sites and using them to back up fake Kimkins success stories.

So, the latest version of an article by Kimmer was posted this week on a free hosting site. In it, Heidi is singing the same old tune about sabotaging one's own diet:

How many times have we started a new diet with the very best of
intentions? We know we picked a good program, we’re excited, we’ve stocked up on
the essentials. We might even manage to do well for a few days.Then the shoe
falls. Our resolve wanders. We almost look for an excuse to cheat. You ask yourself, “Why?”You know that 14 strong days as free of temptation as possible will garner you the best chance of weight loss success....Yeah that was the promise, but it didn’t quite turn out that way. Yet again....Take comfort in knowing that your dieting sisters and brothers are joining you world over.
From: What’s Up With Diets and Self Sabotage? — by HEIDI DIAZ - posted 10-8-2008

But, wait just a low-carb minute! If Heidi knows SO much about dieting, why does she look like this still?

This picture of Heidi is about a year old, but this picture is very similar to more recent pictures of Heidi from a deposition and ones taken by fellow anti-Kimkins blogger Amyb.

It's not as if Kimmer hasn't been at this whole dieting and handing out dieting advice thing for a while now.

In fact, she was preaching this same stuff in a post from 2004 at Low Carb Friends.

Posted at Low Carb Friends by Kimmer, 10-07-2004, 11:54 PM

I wasn't tempted during my weight loss phase because I was super paranoid
about not cheating. I know from experience what gets me started with my excuses
... 'just one is OK', 'well, I already had one so I may as well eat more and
start over tomorrow', 'I've been really careful for 8 days so ...'If I were 22 I
may not know myself well enough. I might think I'm strong enough to stop before
I start. I'm 46 and beyond the stage of fooling myself. I've always stayed as
low carb as I could ... all the way to 318 lbs ... but interpretation is in the
eyes (and stomach) of the beholder. It took about 10 years to finalize the ins
& outs of my best "Kimkins" low carb [plan]

So, Heidi is still peddling the same old advice trying to sell memberships to Kimkins for $79.99.

Save your money folks. At best, the dieting advice you'll find on Kimkins won't work and at worst: IT'S DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS. Yes, some people have lost weight on Kimkins, but most have paid for that loss by damaging their health. Kimkins is a VLCD and can make you dizzy, cause significant hairloss, and if done long enough can lead to far more severe health problems.

Just because someone has been handing out advice for a while doesn't make them an expert. Heidi Diaz at Kimkins is only an expert at one thing - taking your money.

Find yourself an effective low carb diet like Atkins or Protein Power and a free support group like Low Carb Friends.

All the best!!

I'm just here for the shrews...

2008-10-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck, right?

Ehhhhh...not always.

Folks, it appears that one of the anti-Kimkins crowd has gone overboard. And, while this person can be as irritating as sliding across broken glass, I'm beginning to worry about her. Seriously.

You see, she has a pattern of questionable behavior that has played out over and over again behind the scenes in the fight to bring down Heidi Diaz.

Here's how it goes. First, this person befriends someone in the anti-Kimkins crowd. She then enlists their help on some investigative task or prank. If valuable information is uncovered, she has tried to take full credit for the find in some cases. In the case of a prank, she is the architect of the mischief, but then washes her hands of it if problems arise. Then, she turns on the person she originally befriended.

During the befriending stage, the person she's targeting will get numerous supportive emails full of concern and {{{{{hugs}}}}}. But, beware if you cross her. She will go on a full-blown campaign against you. Been there, had that done to me, and it ain't fun.

It very much appears that she has pulled a new "prank" on a couple of regulars at Low Carb Friends. Why? Who knows?? But, it's ugly. It's uncalled for, and it's NOT a joke. It's mean, plain and simple.

The thing is, this kind of behavior distracts everyone from the task at hand: Seeing to it that Heidi Diaz' con game known as the dangerous Kimkins Diet ends once and for all. Heidi may be down, but she's NOT out. Not yet. The fight must continue to rid the low-carb community of the scourge of Heidi once and for all!

So, I would like to ask this person - Do you want to HELP bring down Heidi and forget about massaging your own ego, or do you want to continue acting like you're in Jr. High when you are definitely old enough to know better?

For the sake of a worthy cause, please decide to help. Leave the good Ducks alone. Take on a live and let live attitude. You'll be a much happier person.

And the Lies Just Keep on Comin'....

2008-10-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Well, by now, most of the anti-Kimkins bloggers have had their say on Heidi Diaz' ridiculous counter-suit. It's laughable on so many levels. There is plenty of evidence to show that Heidi Diaz is a liar. Her diet program "Kimkins" amounts to starvation. She's used dozens of photos stolen off mail-order bride websites to create her "success" stories, and the list goes on and on and on. Hey, Heidi...here's a little tip for you: It isn't against the law to speak the truth. You might want to give it a try sometime.

So, here I sit at my computer, and my fabulous inside Kimkins source sends me something amusing from inside the Kimpound. And, what do you know?? We've caught Heidi in yet another lie. Here's a message Heidi posted recently to a KK member who was the victim of a burglary. Notice how Heidi ALWAYS turns everything into being about her!

XXXX - Wowowow! Double hugs for you and the family!!! What a crummy thing and so violating. We had something similar a few years ago when I had a house full of foster kids. The burglars woke us up and scared the boys to death. The
robbers ran and I wasn't going to call the police until morning since they would
be long gone. But I called anyway and within 7 minutes I got a call from the
dispatcher that the K-9 police dog had the burglars pinned at the back security
gate. I was in shock they were caught so quick and that I got most of my purse
stuff back (sprinkled through the apartment complex). The DA was super nice and
kept me updated throughout the proceedings. The guys were 3rd Strike offenders
and shoplifted at our Wal Mart the week before. The worst part?
According to the DA the burglars knew they were stealing from foster kids and that we had XBox, Nintendo & games for the boys. Took all the kids'
tech stuff, but left 2 computers that were in plain view.Sorry, XXXX, my
reminiscing doesn't help you. But I know exactly how you feel this morning. Let
me know if I can help.

Ooops! According to infomation found by blogger Kimkins Dangers who talked to officials in Riverside, CA where Heidi lives, she has not been a foster parent since the year 2000. Guess what? According to the Associated Press, the Xbox was first released in 2001.

AP Online 10-17-2001 Microsoft Announces Xbox Release Date
SEATTLE (AP) -- Microsoft Corp.'s Xbox will be available in Europe March 14 and will cost about $435 at current exchange rates. The software giant, which will be making its first foray into video game hardware with the console, said Wednesday it expects to ship 1.5 million Xbox units to Europe for the release. The company previously announced it would delay its U.S. release to Nov. 15...

So, unless you've figured out that whole time-travel thing, Heidi, I'd say you've been caught in another lie. What a surprise.

Maybe if Heidi wins her countersuit against the anti-Kimkins crowd, she can use her earnings to buy some golden arches for her yard with sign on them that says "over one billion lies told."

Sounds about right.

Maintenance, smaintenance: Kimmer's con game still going strong!

2008-09-07T13:43:00.000-07:00

As her day in court draws near, Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz is trying to come up with a maintenance plan for her doomed Kimkins diet program. Scratch that. It's obvious from the following text from inside the Kimpound, Kimmer is trying to get what few members she has left to come up with a maintenance plan for her.

But, wait! Don't you have to actually lose all your weight before you can go into maintenance? Recent pictures published elsewhere on the 'net seem to show that Kimmer has lost a few pounds. (Good job on getting those pictures, btw!) But, Heidi is no where near maintenance!

Let's take a look a her message to the dieters she has left. In typical Heidi fashion, she's included just enough sensible suggestions to make everything she says seem reasonable.

Designing a Maintenance Plan - Feedback! 23 Hours, 42
Minutes ago OK, let's take a look at "maintenance". Let me jot down a few ideas
and you all let me know what you're thinking. (translation:
Write the maintenance plan for me and let me take credit!) My vision of a
successful Kimkins Maintenance Plan should be focused on high nutrient whole
foods. Brown rice instead of instant white rice, whole fruit instead of juice
drinks, 7 grain bread instead of white, lower calorie higher carb choices (fresh
fruit or winter squash) over high calorie lower carb (faux cheesecake).Kimkins
Maintenance should be as simple as Kimkins. A few easy to remember rules that
you'll always have with you. Nobody is going to drag a diet sheet in their purse
or wallet for eternity or whip out a calculator at a restaurant -- not for long
anyway.
* Kimkins Maintenance must be very simple. I think
regular Kimkins is ultra simple, but some newbies have problems at the beginning
figuring it out. (Translation: truth is, while Kimkins food
lists look relatively healthy, dieters are encourged to eat about 800 calories
per day. Starvation will equal weight loss for a while.) Maintenance will
more complicated, but it needs to be simple. (Translation: Kimmer wants her dieters to tell her how to convince
people to live the rest of their lives on about 1000 calories per day without
feeling deprived, in order to keep the pounds they've lost off.)
* Should Kimkins Maintenance be calorie or carb oriented?
If a combination, what limits? The accepted definition of "low carb" is 100
carbs or less per day. To us that sounds very generous until we realize that
much fast food, fruits, grains and carb snacks can easily meet that limit with 1
serving. If a limit of 300 carbs is chosen, then any maintenance plan fits the
bill including Weight Watchers. (Translation: Kimmer
used parts of other diet plans such as Atkins and Stillman's to create Kimkins,
so why not just steal parts of other maintenance plans and call it the Kimkins
Maintenance plan?)
* How do we add back junk food? Few people are willing to
give up cheeseburgers (on buns), pizza, spaghetti & garlic bread, beer,
Grandma's fudge, Hot Pockets, mashed potatoes & gravy, Girl Scout cookies,
or nachos for the rest of their life. My vote would be that they not be included
in Kimkins Maintenance choices, but I don't think that's realistic. (Translation: Kimmer needs a way to justify her love of sugar
cookies and Cap'n Morgan, but it's everyone elses' fault because THEY can't give
up nachos!)
* What about restaurants? Would a good solution for
Maintenance to state a calorie limit and advice to check the restaurant website
in advance? (Remind me, who was it that went to a
Chinese restaurant for a family birthday celebration and ordered a high-carb
treat without realizing it?? Why, I think it was Kimmer!)
* I'm reminded of Dr. Atkins research. A criticism of Dr.
A was that high fat went hand in hand with heart disease and other conditions.
Dr. Atkins' research over 30+ years showed that it is high fat WITH high carb
that triggers heart disease and poor cholesterol profiles. If Kimkins
Maintenance leans toward typical American diet aren't we leaning toward typical
American health problems? (Now, doesn't this make you
wonder why Kimmer harps on keeping Kimkins ultra low-fat and low carb? Do you
only buy Dr. Atkins' research when it suits YOU, Heidi??)
* If we suggest a calorie limit will people be shocked to
realize that they can't eat as much as they think? Permanently? I've talked with
thousands of people about low carb and weight loss over the past 10 years. One
of the top 3 questions people have (or want to argue) is calories. Particularly
for people who once weighed 300+ pounds (eating maybe 3500 calories a day or
more) it's a shock to learn that at 125 pounds they're looking at 1300-1500
calories for life -- and 1500 calories might require 30-60 minutes of exercise a
day. (Translation: Since Kimmer has talked to SO many
dieters over the past 10 years, she's extremely qualified without any other
medical or nutritional training to advise you on losing weight and maintaining
that loss, right?)
* Will people "modify" Kimkins Maintenance? If so, is it
really Kimkins? (Translation: If you tweak it, it's
not Kimkins. Why not just do Atkins or Protein Power or some other
medically-approved weight loss plan and forget about any advice coming from
Heidi Diaz!)
* Should we design our ideal "Kimkins Maintenance" as the
official plan and those who find it too healthy or strict can follow other
plans? Do people really want a "low carb" maintenance plan? (Translation: Does Kimkins really need a maintenance plan, even
though Kimmer used the promise of having one (which she does not) as part of her
success story (she's never lost a lot of weight nor maintained a loss) for
selling memberships to Kimkins?)
What do you think? The perfect maintenance plan for me
won't necessarily be what's best for others. As an example I would look forward
to adding back fruit, yogurt and milk -- but others
can't wait to add back spaghetti, rice, tortillas and Sara Lee. (Translation: Kimmer is superior to other dieters because she only
desires "healthy" additions to her diet whereas you other slobs can't wait to
stuff your face with pasta and pre-packaged baked-goods.)

Let's hope no one left at Kimkins will help Heidi do her dirty work in an honest desire to help formulate a maintenance plan. And, let's face it: Even if the "perfect" maintenance plan surfaces over at Kimkins, it's too late to take back all the damage you've done Heidi. Much, much too late!

Thanks to my inside source at Kimkins for helping me spread the word about this dangerous diet program!!

Cookie Monster??

2008-07-29T08:48:00.000-07:00

For those of you familiar with Dr. Mercola's fine health newsletter know it's always a treat when it arrives in your inbox. For those who don't know, Dr. Mercola is popular with the low-carbers of the world for his recognition that the standard food pyramid is just plain wrong.

The standard food pyramid allows someone to fill their plates with all manner of processed foods, while conforming to a diet sanctioned by doctors and nutritionists everywhere. But, now a colleague of Dr. Mercola's shows that food additives and sugar can turn someone into a beast.

Food additives and poor diet could help explain poor school performance, criminal behavior, alcoholism, and the growing numbers of Alzheimer's patients.
According to Dr. Russell Blaylock, high sugar content and starchy carbohydrates lead to excessive insulin release, which in turn leads to falling blood sugar levels, or hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia causes the brain to secrete glutamate in levels that can cause agitation, depression, anger, anxiety, panic attacks and an increase in suicide risk.
The glutamate that causes this is identical to the flavor-enhancing monosodium glutamate (MSG) and its chemical cousins, which are found in thousands of food products, further exacerbating the problem.
Repeated hypoglycemic episodes increase the risk of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's and ALS (Lou Gehrig's). In children, hypoglycemia often leads to hyperactivity. In both children and adults, it can cause violent and aggressive behavior. In older people, there can be mental confusion.
An anti-hypoglycemic diet would consist of lean meat and lots of fresh vegetables. Another key is limiting sugars and starches. Source: http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2008/07/29/what-s-in-that-how-food-affects-your-behavior.aspx?source=nl

Perhaps this explains some of the things Heidi Diaz has done over the past years. Diaz has been doling out dangerous diet advice at her Kimkins website and now faces yet another deposition in a pending lawsuit.

Perhaps she can use the the video evidence gathered against her in her defense now. She can point to the open pak of sugar cookies in her car and tell the judge, "Your honor, the cookies made me do it."

Here's hoping that's the best defense Heidi can manage.

Low calories + starvation = Kimkins

2008-07-21T14:39:00.000-07:00

Heidi Diaz of Kimkins infamy just never, ever changes her tune. Here she is as a 300+lbs. woman, still dispensing dangerous diet advice to someone who has placed their hopes of losing weight in Kimmer. It's sad. This Kimkins member is trying to do what's known as the "Kimmer Experiment" or K/E version of the diet, which is virtually no carbs and no fiber. What Heidi aka Kimmer doesn't bother to mention is that the potty problems this dieter complains of is more likely due to a lack of fat in her diet instead of fiber.

fiber on k/e 1 Week, 3 Days ago

hi everyone,
been follow k/e for 2.5 days and no poops yet, i know with eating a lot of meat
there isnt much fiber in the diet, what do ppl think of fiber supplements?

Kimmer (Admin)
Do It For YOU!
Admin

Re:fiber on k/e 1 Week, 3 Days ago

I don't recommend fiber pills because they're only 1 fiber gram each. A
better way is with vegetables or Fibersure. Here's a blog piece about getting 18 daily grams of fiber from vegetables: If you're going to begin fiber supplements of any kind be sure to drink extra water.

Wow. Don't go all warm and fuzzy on us, Kimmer! And, just what medical training gives you the knowledge to "not recommend" fiber pills? Last time I checked, there was no M.D. following your name.

Re:fiber on k/e 1 Week, 3 Days ago

I am just starting on day 3 of
K/E and really wanted to do the 2 weeks, what if I did a small amount of veggies
would that. K/E is just meat and eggs. I dunno I am confused. I've been staying
under 20 carbs a day, and it is hard to hit 800 calories when just
eating meat when I am not hungry! I did have string cheese
yesterday....hmmm guess if I have a small salad with low carb dressing that
should be okay to add in...anyway thanks for listening, just trying to figure
things out!

Kimmer (Admin)
Do It For YOU!
Admin

Posts:
6014

Re:fiber on k/e 1 Week, 3 Days ago

You can get to 800 calories a day with meat/chicken/eggs:1 medium cooked
chicken breast 280 calories1 4 oz cooked ground turkey patty 193 calories1 6 oz
can tuna packed in water 220 calories2 boiled eggs 193 calories. The
above foods = 840 calories. My suggestion would be to add more veggies
if you're concerned with fiber, choose less protein (the above example provides
200% of our daily protein requirement) and not focus on calories. Build small
meals with a portion of protein, a portion of veggies, zero calorie beverages
and a good daily multivitamin (I'm partial to Centrum or generic equivalents).
You might like wraps which are small, quick and portable. Keep asking.

Why 'keep asking' Kimmer? All you have to offer anyone is a broken record we've all heard before! 840 calories amounts to starvation! Could you explain why you keep encouraging people to starve themselves when even you cannot stick to your own plan?

Note: Thank you to the sources who make it possible for me to show what's really going on inside Kimkins.

Low Carb and High Minded, part II

2008-07-16T13:54:00.000-07:00

My, my how times have changed! Just this past spring, all the principles of this little brouhaha about stealing one person's post from a message board and blogging about it without the courtesy of asking the OP, were working in a little investigative group. The purpose? So we could discuss theories and share bits of information away from the prying eyes of any Kimkins spies. (I didn't mean for that rhyme, it just happened!)

Again, this problem is NOT about blogging to get the word out about Kimkins! It's about taking someone's else's research from a public, but relatively closed-off forum, and blogging about it without giving any thought that this might cause problems with the OP's inside source at Kimkins. This blogger claims to have her own inside source, so why steal the material?? In any case, co-owner of the board where this all started is the blogger known as Yust Yucky. But, when she was in the investigative group back in March 2008, she had an entirely different take on using material found by someone else.

Yust Yucky said: Let's all keep in mind that one of the fun
-- and motivating -- aspects of investigative blogging is "first dibs." If
you're the one who found something, you have the right to blog about it first
and break the story. Common courtesy. If there's something somebody else has
discovered, and you're eager totalk about it on the boards or blogs, please
let's all remember to discuss it with the person who made the discovery --
there've been times when somebody found something but in order to maintain
secrecy passed the "dibs" to somebody else. And a lot of times, more than one
person was working on the story, and found other aspects that are related but
unique -- each person has the right to blog or publicize the information they
themselves have found, but like I said, let's keep common courtesy in mind ahead
of the excitement in spreading the word about whatever's been found. I myself
have been guilty of blabbing because the news was so cool, and that's something
I'm ashamed of and hopefully have learned my lesson!

(Screenshot available at: http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/Mayberryfan/?action=view&current=Yucky_stolen_thunder.jpg )

Common courtesy. That's all we were asking for. Maybe you can understand why I assumed the rules Yucky promoted at one group would apply to another, similar group. Obviously, the groups are different because the group Yucky is speaking to here was entirely hidden, and by invitation only to join. Still, her message board is advertised only on a couple of blogs, but cannot be found by searching for it at Google. So, while it may be "public," it does not have the same visibilty that the anti-Kimkins blogs do. Case in point, the anti-KK blogs are regularly advertised on Low Carb Friends, but the blog posts announcing Yucky's new board a couple of months ago were not linked at LCF because it would have violated the TOS.

Co-owner of the message board, and also a member of the hidden investigative group, prominent blogger Medusa weighed in this past spring about using other people's information from one group and then blogging about it.

Medusa said: As with any sleuthing group, it is imperative
that any information discovered and reported here be kept within the strict
confines of this group and not disclosed or alluded to in our own personal
blogs, onLCF, or in personal e-mails to people outside the group without the
consent of the majority of the members here. If you have discovered something
independently and wish to blog about it, post it on LCF, or discuss it with
another party, that's fine, but if that information is discussed here, it should
remain here within the group until most agree that it's fine for you to release
the information. There are just too many unknowns and double-agents lurking
about to risk releasing sensitive information before its time. Put simply, "what
happens in Vegas stays in Vegas :^) Hope everyone understands my "hard line" on
this.~ Medusa (screenshot available at:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/Mayberryfan/Medusa_stays.jpg )

Oh, I totally understood your 'hard line' then. But I'm at a total loss to understand it now. You obviously have sources helping you with your blog. You should understand the dangers of potentially burning one of those sources.

The most disappointing thing in all of this is that these people have tried to damage my reputation within the anti-KK group. Whatever disagreements we might have, I would never try to paint you as backstabbers, as you have done to me. It reminds me of when Kimmer called Amyb "fake nice." But who could expect any better from Heidi Diaz? I expect better from you. We can agree to disagree on the ethics of taking someone else's post, but you've made this personal against me. And what you've insinuated about me is untrue. Period. So I will offer this final quote from the investigative group where I make my intentions clear about why I continue to investigate, and Yucky has nothing but good things to say about me.

Mayberryfan- Just so there are NO
misunderstandings.... I am zealous about our pursuit of Xxxxx and the
xxxxx, but it has nothing to do with personal animous toward her. At this point,
we just don't know much about her. She's greedy. That much we know. But, we also
know that she doesn't seem to be nearly as aggressive as Heidi, based on her
lack of marketing of xxxx and her lack of activiity within her own forum.
Even if she is somehow in league with Heidi, she still doesn't appear to be
quite the landshark that Kimmer definitely is. So, I am motivated in this effort
by trying to educate people about the dangers of this type of eating. There are
many things about Xxxx that appear to be less than honest. I am hoping if
she realizes that we're on to her, she'll decide the risk to her in terms of
liability are too great and she close Xxxx, and refund Suzy's $$

Yust Yucky - {{{Celeste}}} That's because you're a NICE
person! :) So many times I feel so snippy (that's a nice word for it)
toward Xxxx and Xxxx, reading their crap and the weird stuff, and the emails
like between Xxxx and AmyB, and Xxxx and Suzy -- she's so snippy and
cold, for no apparent reason, and totally paranoid. So I do have feeling of
personal animosity toward her, and I've got to work on that, because a lot of
times that gets in the way of what the real goal is. So I wasn't criticizing you
and ANYBODY, definitely! {{hugs}} Just reflecting on my tendency to take
everything so personally andoveremotionalize everything. (screenshot available at:

http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/Mayberryfan/Yucky_nice_Celeste.jpg

Special Note: To those who have taken the time to PM me, I truly appreciate it! One person even apologized for not speaking out publicly and supporting my position. That's absolutely OK! There is no need to choose sides. I'm choosing to speak out because a friend was wronged in this mess, and I have been personally maligned in the process. Believe me, Heidi Diaz was the last person to walk on me. No mas!

Low Carb and High Minded

2008-07-14T19:29:00.000-07:00

Just over a year ago, I began a new lifestyle. A low-carb lifestyle. So far, I've learned quite a bit about myself and about others. Even though some of the lessons have been tough, I am realizing those tough lessons have made me a stronger person. A person who is willing to stand up for herself and do what I see as the right thing, no matter what the cost.

By examining all the lies, cons and the overwhelming level of narcissism displayed by Heidi Diaz of Kimkins diet infamy, I am reminded how important it is to be above-board and play by the rules. True, it is easy to pretend to be something you are not on the Internet, Heidi is a prime example. She's a 300+lbs. bald woman who used bits and pieces of various low-carb diet programs to create a dangerous, starvation diet plan she calls Kimkins. It is well-documented that she did so by pretending to be a svelte 118 lbs. woman who claimed to have lost close to 200 lbs. in about 11 months using her own program.

It may be easy to pretend to be something you're not on the Internet, but it's also easy to get caught. And, while Heidi or Kimmer as she calls herself is being sued, we don't know yet whether or not she'll pay for her crimes. One thing is certain, Kimkins will NEVER again be the thriving diet website it was this time last year.

I was one of the many who signed up for Kimkins and blindly followed her advice. Fortunately, I kept searching for answers to my long struggle with weight and found a lot of people who were already on to Heidi's games. I read the message boards; I read their blogs, and I learned. I not only learned to face that I had been conned, I learned to forgive myself, be strong, and walk away from Kimkins.

I've now had to walk away from one of the anti-Kimkins groups. See, it is more important to me to stand up for what I believe is right, than to knuckle under to popular opinion. I never have been one to follow the crowd.

A little background: I don't fully understand it myself, but one of this group I've chosen to remove myself from, I now know to be one of the anti-KK bloggers. Several months ago, she took a few swipes at me and was quite ugly to me. Why? I haven't the foggiest clue. Later, when she got duped by one of the minor villains in the Heidi saga, I defended her. Not so she'd be my bud, but because I felt it was the right thing to do. I had been duped by Heidi (which this blogger wasn't and was never a KK member) so I knew how it felt to get suckered. Nothing more was said between us and I quit trying to learn who this blogger is or why she disliked me so much. I had NO clue this person was masquerading at LCF since F.W.Kimmer #14 and another anti-KK message board and being quite friendly to me. Oh and we also belonged to a small Yahoo! group together as well.

Anyway, flash forward to a few days ago. This blogger did something I found to be distasteful and unethical. First, I went to her blog and made a comment about it. Secondly, as the information she placed on her blog was lifted verbatim from the alternate anti-KK board, I placed a few messages there saying I thought it was wrong. The information in question was found and placed there by a dear friend of mine IRL who was and is quite upset about this. Long story short: Two other prominent bloggers who started this board turned on me like a pack of she-wolves. We couldn't even agree to disagree. And, I have irrefutable proof that the post was stolen verbatim. Still they say I am wrong to call her on it and that I need to drop it.

Just because I chose to stand up for what I believe in my heart to be right, people I thought were friends have turned on me in a vicious and ugly manner. They have gone so far as to insinuate that I am a back-stabber and frequently talk about other Ducks behind their backs. This is not true. I am a good person, loyal, and will stand up for what I believe in no matter what. It is how I want to be treated and how I treat others. Period.

During this whole scene straight out of " Jr. High School Musical" one of these prominent bloggers accidentally revealed to me the identity of the original blogger who attacked me months ago. I promised her before she completely turned on me that I would not reveal this blogger's true identity. No matter what this person and her friend have said about me, I won't reveal this person's secret. Two wrongs really can't ever make a right.

I'm going to do the right thing, keep fighting to shut down Kimkins, and stay true to the strong, decent person that I truly am. I didn't let the likes of Heidi Diaz shake my faith in myself, and I won't let ANYONE else do so either.

I am Mayberryfan, and I approve this message!

The Bald and the Beautiful?

2008-07-09T11:45:00.000-07:00

Being a huge Chris Daughtry fan, I'll be the first to admit that bald can definitely be beautiful. But then again, he's a guy. On women, bald is, well, scary!

Witness the latest in a LONG line of Kimkins dieters who are complaining about significant hair loss, only to to be told by the diet's creator, Heidi Diaz - who happens to be a 300 lbs. bald woman - that it's no big deal.

Hair Loss? 1 Day, 7 Hours ago
Has anyone had a lot of hair loss?
I've been on the plan since January and last month my hair started falling out really bad. My Dr. took blood and said everything looks OK so the only thing I can think of is some vitamin I'm not getting since I've cut out sugars and all the uck stuff. I take a multivitamin and B-12.... Any one have any ideas?

Kimmer (Admin)
Re:Hair Loss? 1 Day, 7 Hours ago

Temporary hair loss can result from rapid weight loss, sudden diet change, stress or hormone changes from estrogenic body fat. You started in January and have lost 50 pounds in 6 months which wouldn't be considered "rapid". Six months of Kimkins isn't a sudden diet change. Hmmm.What are your weekends like? Are you 100% on program or cheats here and there? My reason for asking is when we cheat, then get "strict" on Monday ... maybe a few episodes of extreme carb/low carb could trigger the estrogen flood from melting body fat. Maybe. I'm not a doctor. Do a Google search for "hair loss" and "Weight Watchers", "Atkins", "South Beach" or any popular diet and you'll see posts about hair loss. A Kimkins member posted awhile ago that her hairdresser told her she always see hair loss when her clients start a diet.What I've always found fascinating is men don't typically report hair loss on diets. They don't have high estrogen levels and they don't take birth control pills. Birth controls are estrogen and tiny amounts of estrogen (and every other drug we eat) are stored in body fat. When the fat melts, those drugs and toxins are released into the blood system. Follow up with your doctor, ask his advice. FYI - During water fasts this flood of toxins triggers lethargy, acne, coated tongue, etc. which

Did you notice how Kimmer always blames the dieter for the hair loss?? See, since Heidi Diaz has the auto immune disorder alopecia universalis, and therefore has no hair whatsoever, it's pretty easy to be flippant about someone else's hair loss, eh Heidi?? Of course, Kimkins couldn't be at fault! Eating 500-800 calories per day, why no, that leads to tons of shiny, beautiful hair, right?? Wrong!

Kimmer's mini-me, SingingLass - Delany Deaver - then chimed in with her own brainwashed advice:

SingingLass (Admin)
Re:Hair Loss? 1 Day, 3 Hours ago

Like Kimmer said, it is a common occurence from weight loss. I was assured this both by my doctor, and three different hair-stylists. It is also something they warn weight loss surgery patients about as a side-affect. Basically, some people will experience an interuption to their hair growth cycle whenever any change or stress occurs to the body....this can be illness, high periods of stress, pregnancy, weight-loss, reaction to medications etc....what it does is put a larger amount of hair into the regrowth cycle then normal---so more new hair comes up and pushes hair out all of a sudden, causing shedding. The good news is that the reason it does this is due to new growth coming in, so it is hair that is coming back however annoying it can be. Like Kimmer said, you can search the net and find it is common to any program of weight loss. It is something the "anti" people like to wave as a negative, but you can find posts all over the place on the "other" board of people experiencing hair loss from other diet plans. That is actually where I first came across it myself actually. I had a lot of hair loss back when I was on atkins ( was shortly before I started doing kimkins).....however I was not sure if it was from the diet or the fact that I was recovering from a long period of illness. I however, have not had problems with loss in a long time, and in fact have lots of new growth that is catching up to the rest of my hair now. I have had three different stylists chatter to me about how they see hair loss in people who have lost weight all the time, especially in those who admit to having lapband procedures etc....They misquoted me on a television program a few months back ( basically they took small clips out of an hour long interview and spliced about 20 seconds of things taken out of context together to make it sound like I said something totally different) regarding hair loss. basically in the interview I had been discussing all the risks of being obese...such as heart issues, diabetes, arthritis, just over all how it affects our lives, mobility etc....and in comparison, some cosmetic hair loss that comes back, though frustrating, is a small price to pay when compared to over all health and well being. I was someone who really prided myself in having really long hair......I miss it yes, but I would not trade it back for the 100+ pounds I have lost even if it came with a million bucks. Now, make sure to take your daily vitamin. Vitamin b complex, biotin, and fish oil have all been said to be good supplements for hair growth and health. I take a woman's daily multi, biotin 5000 mcg, and a b complex every day. I seem to personally be allergic to fish oil though. Nioxin makes products for thinning hair, shampoo, conditioner, scalp treatments etc....and even just getting treseme or pantene variations for hair strengthening if nioxin is too expensive can help.

In other words, hair loss is no big deal when you consider the dangers of being overweight, right Del?

Take a vitamin and you'll look like the lady in this picture in no time, right?

The reality is that the hair loss suffered by many Kimkins dieters is a serious symptom of malnutrition whether Kimmer or her little synchophant Singinglass want to acknowledge it or not.

Hairloss is a sign that your system is being taxed, too few calories, too few nutrients going in and your body rebels. Can this happen on any diet? Yes. But it is a constant complaint on Kimkins because it is a starvation plan which forces the body to shed hair and absorb it's own muscle tissue in order to survive. Normal, effective low-carb diets like Atkins do not cause these dangerous side-effects. Singinglass tries here to work in the comparison between Kimkins and Atkins, but there is no comparison. Atkins is medically approved, safe and effective. Kimkins is NOT.

Since Heidi Kimmer Diaz has no hair to lose and she cannot stick to the Kimkins plan that she "invented" ...well, it's just no big deal to her. As for Singinglass, her misguided and impossible to understand hero worship of Kimmer has blinded her to very real danger she is in.

*Editors note: Special thanks to the unseen helpers who gave me this info. It is very much appreciated!

Trickin' Chicken?

2008-06-22T17:10:00.000-07:00

Is the magic gone from the infamous Magic Chicken diet?

According to one of it's most ardent supporters, it just might be. You may remember Suzy351. Suzy is the gal who tried her darndest to keep the forum alive at the MCD site, but it has flatlined. And, it's so-called leader Bonnie Luper is no where to be found. The "support" Suzy and a few others paid Bonnie Luper for, well it simply doesn't exist.

Magic? No. Tragic? A definite yes!

Take a look at the latest message posted by Suzy over at the Magic Chicken Diet forum. The quote from Suzy is typed in below since the screen grab isn't clear.

Suzy said: "Ive asked for my money back several times. They just ignore me. Is this what they call support? I don't think so. There's no support here. There's no
community. The board is still messed up. I have to log back in every time just
about I go to a different screen. None of the admin will do anything about it.
Wheres the free website they promised? This is the wrost website I ever seen.
Give me my money back. And you call yourself a Christin Bonnie Luper. You should
be ashamed."

In other words, Suzy is pissed, and she's not gonna take it anymore!! Way to go Suzy. Step up and let everyone know that just because you've bought a service on the internet, and definitely did NOT get what you paid for, does not mean you're going to slink off into cyberspace, never to be heard from again. Bonnie Luper owes you a refund. Pure and simple.

See, this is why I and several other bloggers have been following the MCD story. Just like Kimkins, and it's obese, never-lost-an-ounce creator Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz, Bonnie Luper's so-called magic diet is dangerously low in fat, carbs, and calories. Such diets encourage eating disordered behavior and are DANGEROUS to stay on for any length of time.

The dangers of VLCD - very low calorie diets - are hair loss, heart palpitations, muscle mass loss (including your heart), dizziness, fainting, general malnutrition and a variety of other problems. For a sobering look at what can happen to you when you don't eat, surf over to Medusa's blog and look at the stuff she's written on anorexia. It's scary to say the least.

In fact, there is a rumor going around that the reason Bonnie has been absent from her own website for so long is that she had a heart attack. While I certainly hope it's not true, it would fit the pattern of someone who followed such a drastic diet and lost more than 100 lbs. in just a few months. Bonnie actually has lost a tremendous amount of weight. We just hope she can recover and find a healthy way to eat low-carb like Atkins or Protein Power. We also hope Bonnie has learned that putting people's health at risk just to make a buck isn't right, by any standards.

By the way, Kimmer of Kimkins infamy NEVER lost weight on her starvation diet, and she doesn't appear to have a heart, so no worries there. The latest on her is she's using every stall tactic she can to try and fight the class-action lawsuit she's facing because the facts are not on her side. She has also stooped low enough to use some deeply personal information against two of her former dieters, seeking revenge because they've learned the TRUTH about her. One of these people has a son who is severely disabled, another is struggling through fertility treatments trying to have a child. Heidi has made it a point to blame the disabled child's mother for his issues, and sent a message of congratulations to the infertile couple claiming to think they had recently had a baby.

There is no one lower than Heidi Diaz, folks. NO ONE.

For anyone at Kimkins or the Magic Chicken Diet websites, contact the Better Business Bureau, the California Attorney General (Kimkins) or the Texas Attorney General (MCD) and make yourself heard. You have rights. And you have definitely been wronged.

Cheap now, but costs lives later

2008-06-18T19:10:00.000-07:00

Is it any wonder there are so many fat kids today?? The stuff schools feed kids is absolutely atrocious. And why do they feed it to them??

Because carbs are cheap. Cheap food now, adds up to paying a huge price later in life with the staggering health problems brought on by obesity.

No, it's not just video games and computers that are making kids fat nowdays. The lunches at schools and daycares amount to little more than greasy starch on a plastic plate.

It's sickening.

Having just started a summer job teaching at a daycare, the lunches I've observed are enough to make dear Dr. Atkins roll over in his grave. Today, for example, the children had burritos (starch-thickened pinto bean paste with a little spice rolled in a flour tortilla), mashed potatoes, english peas and cranberry sauce. Top it off with milk, then apple juice and pudding for snack time and you've got yourself a literal butt-load of starch and sugar.

Other days have been little better with menus such as pork patties swimming in sugary barbeque sauce, white bread, macaroni and cheese, green beans and apple sauce. With no seasoning on the green vegetables served, the kids won't touch them with a 10-foot pole.

Regular school lunches are no better! Corn dogs, tater tots, and pizza are regular menu items, to say nothing of the daily servings of cookies, ice cream or cake that are readily available. Sure, there's usually salad and fruit, but the children are loading up on starch!

We're already seeing a marked increase in childhood diabetes, and I fear it will get worse before people wake up and realize we are CARBING OUR CHILDREN TO DEATH.

The lunches parents send for their children are rarely any better. Trix yogurt or Gogurt for kids which is starch-thickened and full of sugar, white bread sandwiches, chips and the most God-awful food product to come down the pike in a long time - fruit roll-ups. Plasticky, sugar-soaked, chemically preserved fruit bits on a sheet of wax paper. Yum, yum. Then, just for kicks, wash it down with a big ol' honking cup of Hawaiian punch which is actually syrupy, artificially-colored water with a splash of real fruit juice to ease your conscience.

When I was in elementary school in the '70's, there was no ADHD. I firmly believe the cause of so many problems with behavior and attention span now is due to feeding children loads and loads of sugar and starch everyday. Coupled with more sedentary lifestyles, this is a recipe for disaster.

It's time for this to end. Parents, WAKE UP. Read some lables. Educate your selves. Your children's healthy future starts NOW.

One Year: Reflections & Thank You's

2008-06-07T21:45:00.000-07:00

Sometime today I remembered that it was precisely one year ago that I began eating low carb. 365 days and still going strong. Such an occasion should be marked by remembering how much progress has been made, what obstacles lie ahead, and who has been there along the way to help.

While I'm a little disappointed that I'm not yet at goal, I have come a long way! I've lost about 60 lbs. Amazing! I'm very proud of myself for that! Plus, I've learned so much about healthy low carb eating (see, I don't think it's a diet), the dangers of VLCD's, made some terrific friends, and become an activist against the diet scam known as Kimkins, while becoming an advocate for those who are determined to reclaim their health after leaving Kimkins.

One of the most amazing things I've come to understand in the past year?? Fat is your friend. My body LOVES burning fat for energy. I used to be sluggish, sleepy, and ravenous when I ate so many carbs, even though I was eating real whole wheat bread, brown rice, etc. Now, I have tons of energy like I haven't had since I was a kid. It's a beautiful thing!

I've learned just how dangerous starving yourself can be. Kimkins encourages people to eat only about 500 calories per day and keep fat and carb gram intake extremely low. That can cause permanent health problems long-term, and make your hair fall out, give you heart palpitations and dizzy spells even after just a few weeks.

I've learned to control my emotional eating...for the most part. And, at least now, when I'm stressed and I want to eat, I'm making much better choices. I don't dive into a bag of chips and swim to the other side!

I've learned drug-free appetite control by eliminating sugar and starch from my diet. Even now, when I allow myself a tiny cheat, that's ALL it can be. Tonight at dinner I had a big salad with bacon bits, albacore tuna and my fabulous honey-mustard dressing. Afterwards, I ate a 1" slice of homemade lemon ice box pie. I COULDN'T have eaten more even if I'd wanted to. And, I'm not tempted to go back for more later. That sort of thing just doesn't taste that good to me anymore.

I've learned that adapting recipes to low carb is easy, fun and much tastier than what I was eating in the past. I don't miss the rice, potatoes, or corn. But, I'm still working on not missing garlic bread.

I've learned to make exercise a part of my routine. Walking virtually everyday is now a habit and I don't even think about it. I just do it.

I've learned that there are horrible people online who will lie to you, take your money, and manipulate you. This is what it was like to be a Kimkins member and be a victim of Heidi Diaz. I've also learned to stand up for myself and others who have been hurt by this diet scam. In short, I work hard everyday to make Heidi say uncle.

I've learned that there are some WONDERFUL people online who are willing to help others, share their knowledge, make suggestions and support you through difficult times. I'd like to name just a few: Pauline - TaDa!, Cleochatra, Linda Sue, and countless others at Low Carb Friends Main Lobby. These gals are experts and go out of their way to be helpful to all.

Everyone in the Fascination with Kimmer thread at LCF - this is a funny, caring, determined bunch of folks who help each other daily in the quest to rid the Internet of Heidi Diaz - founder of Kimkins. Jeanessa, Honeybee, Truth, Lora, WA6, MrsMen., Lou, Magicsmom, Amyb, Rebel, MomtoEli, MissMerize, 2Big, CarolynF, Barb, Mariasol, OYB, Christin, Kat, etc. etc. etc. ALL of the weed-pullers, Russian Bride finders, etc. You are all very special people and I'm glad to know you. (If I left out your name, please forgive me. It's late!!!)

Special mention to Mimi, Bamagal, and Medusa: We may not always agree on everything, but I think the world of you and I appreciate the help and the encouragement you've given me along the way!

And last, but SO not least, my partner in crime Jo! The other Fun Girl. So glad we've gotten to know each other IRL! I guess we'll just have to accept that we owe Heidi a teeeny-tiny debt of gratitude for helping us meet. Your encouragement and support will enable me to make my goal. I have no doubt about that! You are truly THE BEST!

So, where will I be in another 365 days? At goal, and helping write the screenplay about the rise and demise of one obese diet guru - Kimmer. We might just call it "The Kimpire Strikes Out"

Use me, abuse me. I'm fat, I deserve it....

2008-06-02T13:20:00.000-07:00

Many wonder how it is that Heidi Diaz keeps the few dieters left at Kimkins under her thumb? Why would anyone believe a proven liar? How does a woman who's over 300 lbs. sell diet advice on the internet?

The answer is actually pretty simple: failed dieters blame themselves, not the diet. After all, it's negative self-image that leads to weight gain, NOT the other way around.

Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz knows this and she gleefully uses it against people.

A poster at Low Carb Friends today linked to a September 2007 blog post http://www.kimkinscontroversy.com/2007/09/19/kimmerheidi-diaz-ex-husband-and-his-new-wife-speak-out-about-the-kimkins-scammer/ in which Heidi's ex-husband details many of her deep, dark secrets. Heidi is a con artist who has gone to jail in the past for her schemes, is on disability for mental illness and has a presence in so many corners of the web, it takes a whole flock of Ducks (the anti-Kimmer crowd) to keep up with it.

Among Heidi's past sins are the fact that she's never lost weight, she's stolen the identities of her children and other relatives and had failed weight loss surgery. The proof of what Heidi looks like and a multitude of truth stretchings by Heidi can be found among the court documents available online through the Riverside County courts.

So, again, this all begs the question - WHY? Why after all the evidence showing that Heidi Diaz is a fraud has been widely publicized, why does anyone keep believing her? Why are there any dieters left over at Kimkins?

I imagine it's a combination of desperation and ignorance. Many, including myself, fell for the Kimkins scam before there was any negative information readily available about it online. All I knew of Kimkins is what I read in Woman's World magazine - which I'll never buy again - and what I Googled. All of it was positive.

But, that's no longer the case. Google Kimkins now and you get the actual site first, but then the next several pages are the truth about the lies and dangers that surround Heidi Diaz' starvation diet. Proof of faked success stories, complete with stolen pictures and ACTUAL pictures of what Kimmer really looks like.

To think that Diaz is dispicable enough to take advantage of the people there who are willing to try anything to lose weight, is heartbreaking. Like any attempt at starvation, Kimkins will help you lose weight. But the after affects can be devastating to your health, your self-esteem, and your relationship with food.

Food isn't your friend and neither is Heidi Diaz. But, there is life and weightloss after Kimkins. You don't have to be lied to anymore. Please, if you are doubting Kimkins, having trouble sticking to her plan, or are worried about your health, please check all this out for yourself. There are people who will support you, help you and not take advantage of you.

Leave Kimkins now, before it's too late...........

Kimkins Member Wrestles with Major Issues

2008-05-22T15:59:00.000-07:00

As a former journalist, I don't take kindly to sensationalizing the news. But, there is so much that is so over the top about the Kimkins diet and its obese guru Heidi Diaz, it's hard to write about it and NOT sound as though your sensationalizing.

An inside source at Kimkins sent me a couple of passages from a member journal. It is full of pain, and overwhelming issues. So, I've been wondering if publishing it is the right thing to do.

I do NOT want to sensationalize, and therefore trivialize what this woman is going through.

But, I feel her words give important insight into the mental issues that can arise from trying to conform to a starvation diet like Kimkins. I hope that by shining a light on this situation, it may help others to face their eating disordered behavior.

Kimkins member journal:

I recently joined a 12 step program for people married
to addicts of any kind and this is one of the things that started me realizing
that I have problems too. Also my doctor came right out and told me she thinks I
need to be on Wellbutrin and that I have an ED. So where does that leave me? I'm
not taking the antidepressant. Leaves me dealing with the truth and "taking it
one day at a time" to admit what I have been thinking and doing is not good.In
taking a moral inventory and also admitting the exact nature of my wrongs
(against myself really) I will now admit for the first time ever in public that
I have been binging and purging. Only I don't throw up. I take lots of
laxatives. LOTS. I learned this a couple years ago when Miralax came out. I have
this fear of being constipated, it makes me physically ill and panicky. Also, I
have this weird thing in my head that when I *say* I'm going to watch my
calories, it's like it turns on a Super Hunger switch inside my head. When I
*say* I'm going to exercise I feel weak and tired and never do it. It's like I
make myself sick just thinking about it. I hope anyone reading this won't judge
me too harshly. It doesn't sound like anyone could judge her as harshly as she is judging herself! Admitting this is hard. My heart even now is pounding so hard
and my face is red, I can feel it. I wonder if others get physical signs like
this? But I know if I want to get better I have to.Did I ever go off Kimkins?
Well yes, a little bit but I haven't gained the weight back too bad because the
truth is I pretty much eat K/E all the time with the occasional salad thrown in.
I recently realized that XXXX left here but I was trying to cycle like she
did with Atkins. Then is when I began seeing some of my issues. Another thing I find hard to maintain is eating several square meals a day. I tend to starve
myself and then overeat. I rationalized this by saying it all balanced out in
the end calorie wise. Ok that's all for now. If I can come in here and say all
this on a regular basis maybe I can get on a journey towards healing.
Kimmer wrote: Hi XXX! When you were diagnosed were you given recommendations? That would be the first place to start. Did you doctor recommend a different weight loss program? Therapy or support groups? Don't feel down on yourself. If you consider that every obese person has an eating disorder as defined with an unhealthy relationship with food. Whether lacking the control to avoid foods that are harmful, purging foods out of guilt or being unable to limit quantities. In other words, it's NOT your fault, eh Heidi?? Some might call it addiction. Whatever it is, many of us are there.Some consider it a control issue -- either lack of control or super obsessive control. Others find diets with liberal guidelines most beneficial. Some people find a restrictive diet helpful which is the basis for medically prescribed liquid diets or gastric surgery. Glad to have you back!
From XXX
-Thank you for commenting. I have been trying to get my nerve up for days to PM
you but I'm just too what...nervous? WHY?? Aren't you paying her for support? Why on earth would you worry about PM'ing Kimmer?? Sorting it all out I think, but you know, admitting this is so hard.She didn't give me much other than a handout. See, also she is a diabetic doctor (I'm prediabetic and just started on metformin a
few months ago trying to avoid full blown type II) and so of course we get into
food questions. She is pretty much in favor of low carb so that's good, but she wants me to make an appt with a nutritionist. Well, thank heavens!For some reason THAT freaks me out. Why?For what you said, yes, I seem to go back and forth between obsessive control (starving) and getting too hungry, binging and then, well you have to get rid of all that. (sorry, TMI). What is weird is like I said before. I have thought this was normal for a long time. Admitting it's not is just, strange. thanks again for your comments This poor girl is totally out of control where food is concerned, she had no idea that she's doing a dangerous diet that is not helping, but contributing to her issues with food.
From the Kimmer:
XXXX, there's nothing to get your nerve up about, I'm always available and I won't judge. People share their most intimate secrets with me and I'm honored. It sure makes it easier to use people and lie to them when they tell me exactly what they're thinking! Which eating disorder did she diagnose? Bulimia or a combo? She gave you a pamphlet and that was it??? Do you have a follow up appointment? Did she set goals? Keeping in mind that I'm not a therapist or doctor, the root of eating disorders and our relationship with food and body image is very complex. Shazam, call Mike Wallace - Heidi just told the truth for once!! There's a triangle of guilt, hate & shame that's really difficult to overcome on your own. You might want to look for someone to talk to. If you have insurance they probably have a referral source for mental
health. If you don't, check out your community or county health department for
sliding fee scale resources and clinics.What I do know is anything done in
secret is done in shame ... and that's not good. Whether binging, purging,
drinking, drugs or shopping sprees that are hidden from spouses. I think meeting
with a nutritionist is a good idea. Most aren't supportive of very low carb
diets (they're trained on the USDA food pyramid), but maybe a less restrictive
weight loss plan is better for your situation? Doesn't hurt to chat with her and
get a different viewpoint. If you feel strongly that you want to stay with
Kimkins, ask her if she can modify for you Why modify Kimmer? Haven't you said that your diet is just like those doctor-approved plans for WLS patients?? (chances are it will be higher carb like South Beach, but that's fine).Your relationship with food and your self image is what's at stake. I'm very proud of you for having the courage to publicly post. That took a lot of guts.

People like this are why I and so many others keep on fighting Heidi Diaz. She must be stopped. This woman is so overwhelmed with her life, I seriously doubt she knows anything of the controversy surrounding this diet. I cannot quit until Heidi Diaz can no longer dispense her insane diet advice and her false friendship to people who are hurting like this woman is.

It is my sincere hope that she gets the help she needs to be whole, healthy and happy again. One thing is certain: Heidi is looking at this woman's problems as an opportunity for her to further the fraud that is Kimkins. Heidi isn't that nice to anyone without expecting a huge payoff in return!

Vegas, baby! Hey Heidi, I wanna help you out!

2008-05-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Well, in spite of my generous offer last week to help Heidi Diaz make the Kimkins meet and greet in Las Vegas this summer, I haven't heard from her.

Does this mean she doesn't want the free trip?? Maybe, she of all people, recognizes the free trip offer for the spam that it is. Very perceptive, Heidi!

Okay. But, I REALLY want you to be able to make that trip, Kimmer. What better way to show your dieters at Kimkins what the truth really is?? Hmmmm?

So, I'm going to make you another, generous offer. I will reimburse you for your fuel costs for going to Las Vegas to meet with your dieters. See, from where you live, the trip just isn't that far!

Even at the going rate of about $.50 per mile, the cost of driving round-trip to Las Vegas for Kimmer will only be about $245. I'm SURE we can come up with the cash for reimbursement.

Let's see, how much is $245 anyway?? That's just 3.064 Kimkins memberships at $79.95 a pop.

So, while I'm certain you COULD pay to go to Las Vegas, I'm just as certain that you WON'T. Why is that??

Going to Las Vegas and facing those people whom you've conned, fleeced, scammed, etc., means facing the music and that's something you just aren't going to do. Willingly, that is.

I feel truly sorry for those who think they're going to get to meet you in Las Vegas; for those who believe you give a damn about their weight, their health, their hair! I feel sorry for them because I was one of them. I believed you were trying to help me and that I was lucky to have found someone who understood my struggle to lose weight. Wow. Was I wrong, or what??

Now I know it was just my money that you cared about. Nothing, NOTHING more. Just another means to buy sugar cookies, booze and pay for your internet service to keep the scam going.

Anyone who is considering doing Kimkins or going on the trip, please ask yourself why?! You don't have to explain it to me. Just try, in the face of all the evidence against Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz would you believe one thing the woman says?? WHY?

She isn't your friend. She isn't struggling to lose weight with you, okay? She just wants your money, then she's done. If you want to go to Las Vegas this summer, by all means, GO! But don't do so in hopes of meeting Kimmer. She won't be there. She can't be there. She cannot face you looking like she does in this picture. The real Kimmer is nothing that she claims to be.

But, my offer is quite genuine, HKD. Send me those receipts, and I'll cough up the cash.

My only question is, what excuse will you use now for not showing? The truth? That WOULD be fun, but I highly DOUBT it!

I'm Feeling Generous

2008-05-05T20:31:00.000-07:00

Several members of the Kimkins diet website are planning a meet-n-greet in Las Vegas this summer. And, Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz has promised to show up. I've got news for the gals who are planning to head for the strip - even if you look good in blue, please don't hold your breath!

Kimmer WON'T be there. She'll have some sort of emergency which will, regretfully of course, cause her to cancel.

But, I want to help. I'm offering Kimmer the "free" trip to Las Vegas that I keep receiving in my email. No strings attached. I'll forward it right to you.

See, I don't want her to have any "excuses" such as the repairman says I need a new hot-water heater and there goes my trip fund. Sorry gals, have good time anyway.

Or, I finally had to break down and buy my son Brandon a bed. Cannot afford to do both. Sorry.

How about this one? My poor overworked tech guys deserve a bonus, and I just can't live with myself if I go to Vegas for fun knowing they're still there, behind the screen, making Kimkins run for all of you. Stay on plan and be sure to post pictures when you get back!

So, Heidi, I hope you will decide to use the free trip. Go to Las Vegas and let your dieters see who you really are. See what you really are. Let them ask you questions like - why isn't the Kimkins diet working for you now? If you've really lost 50-100 lbs. several times during your life, how fast did you gain it back? Why won't you address the medical problems people who've done your diet have had? Where in the hell did you get the idea that eating 500 calories a day is fine as long as you are fat - you body will automatically take the extra calories needed from storage? Why do you persist in saying there is no such thing as "starvation mode" when many studies show there is such a thing and trained medical professionals say the same.

No, you don't have the guts to face those people, do you Heidi? You are a bully and deep down, all bullies are just cowards. Once your members have paid for their Kimkins memberships, that's all you care about.

Well, you may not be generous, but I am. I'd also like to offer you the winnings I keep getting from the U.K. lottery, the money left to me by a long-lost relative in Africa, some great online pharmacy deals and that penis enlargement I keep hearing about.

But, wait, there's more!

Soon, you will be the guest of the State of California, and get a brand new wardrobe. But, you will have to pay for these accommodations, and pay dearly.

Dear Fairy Godmother...My first wish is......

2008-04-30T20:37:00.000-07:00

By now it's clear I'm no fan of the "lying liar that lies" Heidi Diaz. I believe the evidence gathered around the internet by a fabulous flock of Ducks shows that Heidi Diaz, aka Kimmer of Kimkins infamy set out to line her pockets and enjoy the pain she's inflicted on others with the starvation that is the Kimkins diet plan.

Knowing that, and believing that Kimmer will eventually face criminal charges, in addition to the civil liability suit for fraud and other crimes she's already facing, I want to ask my Fairy Godmother (if I have one) to grant me this wish:

Upon conviction for her crimes, please remand Heidi Diaz to the custody of my hero Sheriff Joe Arpaio of Maricopa County, Arizona. Here are just of few of Sheriff Joe's accomplishments and I heartily applaud him for each and every one!

*Maricopa County was spending approx. $18 million dollars a year on strayanimals, like cats and dogs. Sheriff Joe offered to take the department over, and the County Supervisors said okay.The animal shelters are now all staffed and operated by prisoners. They feed and care for the strays. Every animal in his care is taken out and walked twice daily.He now has prisoners who are experts in animal nutrition and behavior. Theygive great classes for anyone who'd like to adopt an animal. He has literally taken stray dogs off the street, given them to the care of prisoners, and had them place in dog shows.The best part? His budget for the entire department is now under $3 million. Most of his budget is for utilities, building maintenance, etc. He pays the prisoners out of the fees collected for adopted animals.

*He has a huge farm, donated to the county years ago, where inmates can work, and they grow most of their own fresh vegetables and food, doing all the work and harvesting by hand.He has a pretty good sized hog farm, which provides meat, and fertilizer. It fertilizes the Christmas tree nursery, where prisoners work, and you can buy a living Christmas tree for $6 - $8 for the holidays, and plant it later.

*He created the Tent City Jail.

*He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.

*He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails and took away their weights.

*Cut off all but 'G' movies.

*He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects. Then he started chain gangs for women so he wouldn't get sued for discrimination.

*He took away cable TV until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that required cable TV for jails. So he hooked up the cable again with two channels: The Disney Channel and The Weather Channel.

*He cut off coffee since it has zero nutritional value. When the inmates complained, he told them, "This isn't theRitz/Carlton.....if you don't like it, don't come back!"

*He bought Newt Gingrich's lecture series on videotape that he pipes into thejails. When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.

*With temperatures being even hotter than usual in Phoenix, he has about 2,000 inmates living in a barbed-wire-surrounded tent encampment at the Maricopa County Jail. When the inmates called this treatment inhumane, Arpaio replied, "It's 120 degrees in Iraq and our soldiers are living in tents too; and they have to wear full battle gear. But they didn't commit any crimes. So shut your mouths!"

*By the way, he was reelected last year with 83% of the vote.

So, dear Fairy Godmother, I think Sheriff Arpaio has a lot to teach Heidi Diaz about the proper way to behave, and how to WORK to actually earn a living, rather than lying to people to earn one. Tough love you might call it.

Now, for my second wish...........

Why Continue the Fight?

2008-04-24T12:00:00.000-07:00

Several people (Ducks!) took part in a bombing raid over at the Kimkins diet website a few nights ago. Here is just one of the messages posted in an attempt to reach the dieters still left there.

We are here to help you. We're not asking you for money or hero-worship. We only ask that you read this and then check out the facts for yourself.

You have been lied to over and over by Kimmer. Her family says she has NEVER been thin. All she cares about is getting your money, nothing else.

Kimkins is DANGEROUS. This diet is starvation. It can lead to problems such as significant hair loss, dizzy spells, heart palpitations, fainting, and muscle wasting. The consequences can be very serious, even deadly. Google the term VLCD - very
low calorie diet - and see what effects it can have on your body.

Kimmer has NO medical training whatsoever to properly advise you on how to lose weight. Kimkins promotes a condition known as "rabbit starvation" - another good thing to Google and check out what it can do to you. It's serious, it's scary and it's not worth endangering your health!

I have been where you are, I know exactly how desperate you
feel to lose weight and how GOOD it feels when it starts falling off. But,
when you starve the weight off, you're putting your metabolism at risk and
making it MUCH harder to keep the weight off unless you keep eating at
starvation levels. Can you really follow Kimkins for the rest of your life? No. Your body's natural defenses will take over.

Kimmer doesn't follow her own plan. When the private investigator talked to her and got pictures and video of her last fall, she had an open container of sugar cookies in the passenger seat of her car next to her. At the same time, she was brow-beating dieters at Kimkins to carefully measure how much lettuce they ate!

There are good low-carb plans out there that you can do to lose weight, and be healthy at the same time. There's Atkins, Protein Power, Glycemic Load, etc., all
doctor-created and safe. Please, leave Kimkins now before you damage your
health. There are great support sites out there for FREE. You don't have
to do this alone! Take some time and research Kimmer - Heidi Diaz for
yourself and ask yourself if you can still trust her?

-I'm a successful low-carb friend and I approve this message!

During the raid a few members posted comments that said "take your hate elsewhere." Do you see any "hate" in the above quote?

No. What you see is an attempt to wake up some people and educate them on the DANGERS of the Kimkins diet.

My dear friend Medusa - http://2medusa.blogspot.com/ - has blogged in excruciating detail about the ravages of anorexia nervosa. Anyone who does a 500 calorie a day diet for very long is in serious danger of doing that kind of life-threatening damage to their body. Your body will literally eat itself to death trying to live.

As a "Duck" - someone who knows all about the fraud behind Kimkins and all the lies told by Heidi Diaz, I cannot give up on stopping Heidi until she is in prison where she belongs.

This fight isn't about hate at all! I am not motivated by hate. I am motivated by a deep desire to help others.

If you are still at Kimkins, or doing another starvation diet like the Magic Chicken Diet, you must ask yourself some tough questions.

Are you willing to break away and do a sensible, effective diet like Atkins, Protein Power or The Glycemic Load diet?

Or, are you determined to simply leave behind a skinny corpse?

Top 10 Reasons to Join Kimkins

2008-04-17T16:04:00.000-07:00

10. Dozens of low-carb recipes, lifted and uncredited from other websites, so you don't have to!

9. Free PhotoShop lessons.

8. The latest cabana boy pick-up lines and techniques.

7. A diet that's as safe and easy as any 600 calorie-a-day diet can be!

6. Delight in the change from boring standard measurements like 1/2 cup, to the more whimsical finger-grab!

5. Hours of forum fun playing "Who's real, who's a sock?"

4. Hair - who needs it anyway??

3. What else could you possibly do with $80 bucks?

2. 6-8 other forum posters is ALL the support most people can handle!

1. Where else are you going to get weight loss advice from a 300 lbs. alcoholic?

Note: I realize as much as anyone that the topic of doing a dangerous diet like Kimkins is serious business. But, I like to have some fun every once in a while. If you've found your way here and don't know much about Kimkins, please read a few other posts first. Oh, and I apologize to the folks at the Letterman show. I just couldn't resist! :P

2008-04-14T14:12:00.000-07:00

Things worth caring about, and things worth ignoring

It's difficult to search any "news" site or watch a "news" cast these days without seeing stories like these:

"Beyonce' and Jay-Z - married?"

"Angelina admits 'I'm pregnant'"

"Ashlee Simpson engaged and knocked up!"

"Britney Spears sneezes!"

Okay, I might have made up that last one. But it wouldn't really shock me to see that being reported as "news" even though the information lacks anything of any real newsworthy import. And, I'd just like to say to the news media: I DON'T CARE! Couldn't care less. Not interested, Shut up already!

You see these kinds of stories tick me off for two reasons: They aren't important and they take up valuable news time that could be devoted to more important stories like the on-going fraud that is Kimkins and the dangers of similar VLCD's like the tragic Magic Chicken Diet.

A former Kimkins administrator turned against the program, Deni Huttula, astutely pointed out not too long ago that there are still people out there who do not realize how very dangerous diets like Kimkins can be. Hair loss, nausea, dizzy spells, heart palpitations, loss of muscle mass and menstrual irregularities are just some of the problems one can have if following a program like Kimkins or the lesser-known Magic Chicken Diet.

Compare the pictures here of Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz and Bonnie Drusilla Luper. What do these two have in common? Well, they're both trying to be internet diet gurus. Each has a website promising a diet that will end your weight problems, supply you with tons of support for your weight loss journey, lifetime memberships, a $70-80 fee to join, and access to the diet guru for support. But, wait. There's more!

Both the Kimkins diet and the Magic Chicken diet are starvation diets that will deprive you of valuable nutrients, lead to muscle wasting and eating disordered behavior. And, if you order right now, you can be assured of getting a word or two from your diet guru of choice almost NEVER. Yep, that's right. All that "support" you're promised, well its about as hard to find as "legal" foods are on either diet program.

My spies inside Kimkins tell me that she rarely posts these days, and when she does, it's some form of snarky comment about someone eating too much salad and that's why they're not losing. As for my spies at the Magic Chicken Coop, they show that Bonnie has made about 50-60 posts total on her forum, whereas her most active member Suzy - who paid $79 for "support" - has close to 200 posts. Who's supporting whom here?

In fact, about the only thing Bonnie and Heidi do not share in common is that Bonnie has actually lost weight. Heidi Diaz, according to her family, has been heavy her entire life.

So, WHY on Earth would anyone still be paying either one of these women to help them lose weight? Perhaps they don't know any better. And, who's fault is that?

News media, do your job! Report on stories such as these that have real impact on people's lives. There used to be a clear line between real news and "infotainment" news. Not any more. It's a shame, too. The media wields enormous power to do good, and they know it. They just choose not to, for the most part.

And the media wonder why they are losing viewers and readers in droves?

Could it be many feel just like I do?

Newsflash: Ducky's Identity Discovered!

2008-04-13T12:20:00.000-07:00

Which duck is Ducky?

Like any good melodrama, the Kimkins saga has it share of villains, victims, do-gooders, and shady characters. The main storyline - morbidly obese woman masquerades online as diet guru and makes a fortune - is compelling all on its own. But, some of the subplots are almost as compelling. One of those, has been the identity of anti-Kimkins blogger affectionately known as Ducky.

Now, I'm here to tell you with 99% certainty that I have found out who Ducky is. The only thing I need is confirmation from her to settle that 1% doubt in my mind.

Am I going to reveal Ducky's identity? Hmmm. I don't know. That's the simple answer - for now. I can think of many good reasons why Ducky has never revealed herself. Perhaps she doesn't want to incur the considerable wrath of Heidi Diaz. We've seen the nasty, vicious, and cut out of whole cloth lying attacks Heidi has perpetrated on some of the lawsuit principles like Christin Sherburne and Trista Essex. (Keep going gals, you're doing GREAT!)

Even attacking a former Kimkins member and questioning the nature of her son's disabilities - our friend Amyb over at Food for Thought http://amyb1569.wordpress.com/ - isn't too low for Heidi to stoop.

So, is it this kind of thing that keeps Ducky's identity a secret? Is it fun being the object of so much speculation? Or, is it a desire to help the cause and not take any "extra credit" for the work done by so many to bring down Kimkins? Only Ducky can answer those questions.

So, here's the plan: Ducky, I'd LOVE to hear from you. My email address is available here on CDLW. I also plan to contact you through you new blog which has NOTHING to do with dieting, scams or Heidi and everything to do with your life, family, and other interests outside of this whole effort to rid the low-carb world of the lying liar that lies - Heidi.

I'd love to hear from you. That would be, well, just Ducky!

All night long...and other gigantic lies you've heard

2008-04-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

In a particularly funny episode of "Raymond" Debra gives Ray a withering look during an argument about their sex life and asks, "What does 'all night long' mean to you?

The biggest lie that most of us low-carbers hear all the time is that "High protein diets will damage your kidneys! You have to have some carbs! Bread is a staple, for heaven's sake."

No. It's not.

I've been reading an awesome book "Good Calories, Bad Calories" by science reporter Gary Taubes. It's no "diet" book. It is an in depth deconstruction of every major diet and nutrition study conducted around the world since the late 1800's. It is a remarkable piece of research, and extremely eye-opening about the origins of what many doctors and nutritionists still believe is a "healthy diet" composed of mostly starchy carbohydrates, little protein and very, very little fat. Taubes shows how the studies that supposedly "prove" this type of eating healthy are based on assumptions.

That's right. Assumptions. Sound like science to you?

Just today conservative radio talk show host Rush Limbaugh was talking about a large group of scientists who share a "consensus" that man-made global warming exists. This group won't even begin to examine any reported errors in their study design or any studies that refute the idea that man is causing global warming. He pointed out that "consensus" has NOTHING to do with science. Man-made global warming is about politics and so is the so-called healthy diet based on the food pyramid.

Real science is about provable fact. It is cut and dry. Obviously there are phenomena that exist which science hasn't yet been able to explain. But that doesn't mean there isn't a logical, factual reason behind these phenomena. There were no cars or factories at the end of the last ice age to "create" global warming; and our ancestors survived just fine on meat, leafy greens, roots and fruit.

Think of it this way: police officers cannot go out, decide someone is guilty of something, THEN set out to find evidence to prove their chosen suspect guilty. That kind of "investigating" has an inherent bias that would lead the officers to ignore any evidence that disproves their original theory. The evidence must lead to the suspect, not the other way around.

In the case of a healthy diet, many nutritionists, doctors, dietitians and the like ignore anthropological evidence that show our earliest ancestors ate little to no starch or sugar in their diets, were disease resistant, and did not exercise 24/7. If their diets had been deficient, we wouldn't be here. It's just that simple.

I highly encourage you to read "Good Calories, Bad Calories" and learn about this for yourself. It could make a huge difference in your life and your health.

Now, if only someone could get Taubes to write a book called "Good Climate, Bad Climate" this whole man-made global warming thing might get cleared up, too.
.

Worth Remembering

2008-04-06T12:29:00.000-07:00

I'm a teacher, so I find the following Savage Chicken cartoon particularly amusing.

Following the rules is important in life. But, it's just as important to give yourself a break sometimes. I think I'm due for one of those!

I have been too caught up lately in being more strict on my diet, worrying about finding a full-time teaching job, bringing Heidi Diaz to justice and trying to discover what's really going on with the Magic Chicken Diet and Bonnie Luper. All of these are worthwhile - just like following the rules - but for today I'm not going to worry about any of these things.

Just for today, I'm going to:

Have all the peanut butter I want (serious craving going on!)
Enjoy a nice sunny, springtime day
Eat pineapple and strawberries
Not freak out if my protein intake is "low" for the day
Not freak out if my fat or carb intake is too "high" for the day
No worrying - seriously. None.
No internet investigating against fraud or suspected fraud

I often encourage my fellow dieters over at Low Carb Friends to give themselves a break and not be SO strict or get too upset with themselves for going off-plan. Then, I realized how seldom I take my own advice.

Hmmm? Why is that?

So, today: NO WORRIES! Join me, won't you?

Hidden meanings, hidden purposes

2008-04-03T09:46:00.000-07:00

Several months ago when I began this little blog, I wrote a post fully explaining why I chose the name "Conquering demons, losing weight." It dawned on me today that some may not understand the title since I have removed that original post.

Allow me to clarify things a bit.

If I have learned anything over the past several months, it's that losing weight is ALL about conquering one's personal demons - not food! Sometimes terrible things can happen to you in life, things which ruin your self image and unfairly saddle you with guilt. It can be completely overwhelming and cause you to spiral downward in a vicious cycle of self-loathing and a feeling that you simply are not good enough to deserve to lose the weight.

But, I have good news for anyone feeling this way. You DO deserve to lose the weight. And, what's even better, you CAN do it in a healthy, enjoyable manner.

For me, the transformation began when I started working for a small bloodbank. I dedicated myself 110% into educating people about the importance of giving blood. I worked LONG hours, usually 6 and sometimes 7 days per week educating, cajoling, prompting and yes, guilting people into giving up a pint of blood to help save some stranger's life. It felt SO good to know I was helping people!

After a little more than a year, though, I realized that I couldn't keep up that pace. I thought long and hard about what I could do. I had wanted to return to school so that I could become a teacher. So, I quit a job that I truly loved, and I began working about 12-16 hours a day on earning a Master's degree. One year and three months later, I graduated summa cum laude with a perfect 4.0 G.P.A. And, I don't mind telling you, my grades had NEVER been that good before. This time I believed that I was worth the effort.

About the time I graduated, I started wondering what would happen if I used that same dedication and applied it to finally losing the extra weight I'd gained over the past several years. Weight gain which had only added to the tremendous and seriously misplaced guilt I'd been carrying with me since age 11.

Less than one year after asking myself that question I've lost more than 50 lbs., am healthier than I have been in years, and I did so in part by falling for one of the worst diet scams in the history of the world: Kimkins.

Fortunately, I didn't stay on Kimkins long enough to do myself much damage. I did lose some hair, and I did have some dizzy spells. But, thanks to an excellent vitamin regimine I had going prior to Kimkins, my system didn't suffer as much as some others who have followed the lies and manipulations of one Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz. I have since switched to a doctor-approved low-carb diet - scratch that - way of eating forever - and am doing just fine!

So, if you are still struggling with your weight, give yourself a break. Love yourself. Find a way to do something good for someone else - give blood, visit the nursing home, volunteer at a hospital or school - and find out just how valuable you really ARE. Then, find yourself a doctor-approved low-carb plan that you can live with for life, and start working it.

Don't pay anyone like Heidi Diaz or Bonnie Luper (Magic Chicken (starvation) Diet) to help you starve yourself and damage your health. You are too valuable to trade your health and stamina for $70 dollars worth of false hope.

Know that, and give yourself a fresh start! You deserve it.
.

No (April) Fooling!

2008-04-01T09:22:00.000-07:00

I LOVE the diet support site Low Carb Friends. I spend a great deal of time there sharing information, learning and trying to stop the likes of Heidi Diaz and Bonnie Luper who have absolutely no business selling diet advice to anyone. Both the Kimkins diet plan and the Magic (tragic) Chicken Diet are nutritionally bankrupt and can cause severe and even permanent damage to your health if followed for very long. Please, google VLCD's and learn for yourself!

There is a lot of bad stuff on the internet, but my low carb friends and I are using the internet as a tool for justice. That feels pretty good! So, in the interest of justice, the rest of the post has NOTHING to do with diet frauds or diet scams. But it has everything to do with justice.

Please take a moment to read, verify, think the following information over. I am a proudly patriotic girl and staunch supporter of the U.S. military. And, the information below makes me even more PROUD!

Did you know that 47 countries have re-established their embassies in Iraq?

Did you know that the Iraqi government currently employs 1.2 million Iraqi people? Did you know that 3,100 schools have been renovated, 364 schools are under rehabilitation, 263 new schools are now under construction; and 38 new schools have been completed in Iraq?

Did you know that Iraq’s higher educational structure consists of 20 Universities, 46 Institutes or colleges and 4 research centers, all currently operating?

Did you know that 25 Iraq students departed for the United States in January, 2005 for the re-established Fulbright program?

Did you know that the Iraqi Navy is operational? It has 5 - 100-foot patrol craft, 34 smaller vessels and a naval infantry regiment.

Did you know that Iraq's Air Force consists of three operational squadrons, which includes 9 reconnaissance and 3 US C-130 transport aircraft (under Iraqi operational control) which operates day and night, and will soon add 16 UH-1 helicopters and 4 Bell Jet Rangers?

Did you know that the Iraq Army has a counter-terrorist unit and a commando battalion?

Did you know that the Iraqi Police Service has nearly 55,000 fully trained and equipped police officers?

Did you know that there are 5 Police Academies in Iraq that produce 3,500 new officers every 8 weeks?

Did you know there are more than 1,100 building projects going on in Iraq? They include 364 schools, 67 public medical clinics, 15 hospitals, 83 railroad stations, 22 oil facilities, 93 water-production facilities, and 69 electrical-distribution facilities.

Did you know that 96% of Iraqi children under the age of 5 have received the first 2 series of polio vaccinations?

Did you know that 4.3 million Iraqi children were enrolled in primary school by mid-October, 2007?

Did you know that there are 1,192,000 cell phone subscribers in Iraq? (Land-lines are basically non-existent.)

Did you know that Iraq has an independent media that consists of 75 radio stations, 180 newspapers, and 10 television stations?

Did you know that the Baghdad Stock Exchange opened in June of 2004?

Did you know that 2 candidates in the Iraqi presidential election had a televised debate recently?

If the so-called journalists in this country had the balls to cover the real news, maybe the United States would get credit for some of the good we do in the world. All these facts are verifiable at http://www.defenselink.mil/ .

God bless the U.S.A.

A Fox in the Magic Hen House?

2008-03-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

This is a warning for anyone who has dared to sign up for a completely free forum known as the Magic Chicken Diet Forum - the MCD diet creator Bonnie Luper is P.O. and she's not going to take it anymore!

Strange, though, since she claims that she created the Magic Chicken Diet after talking things over with the big guy upstairs who just wants her to help people. Does he also want you to charge $70 to belong to a FREE forum? That's odd!

My dear friend Jackie was astonished to learn that Bonnie would be upset by people joining her free forum, but not paying $70 to learn how to starve themselves via the Magic Chicken Diet. After all, can't you starve yourself for free? So, Jackie was kind enough to send me the following shot of Bonnie Luper's free forum. After all, there are some great, free diet advice and support sites out there like Low Carb Friends.

Judge for yourself if Bonnie is doing the "Christian" thing by spreading her diet advice.

http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg235/Mayberryfan/?action=view&current=Warning_MCD.jpg

Witness for the defense: Kimmer knows "fat is where it's at"

2008-03-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Is science on the side of Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz?

A new study just released links big bellies to Alzheimer's and dementia later in life. Gasp!

"Your honor, I throw my (large, large, never lost any weight in my life) self on the mercy of the court. The mistakes, the times I misrembered, and the lies that were told at Kimkins just aren't my fault, your honor. The fat made me do it!" said Heidi, sincerely.

The study - Kimmer's best defense - can be found here at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20080326/hl_nm/alzheimers_belly_dc_1

"We're sort of at the beginning of understanding the
clinical effects of these byproducts of fat," Whitmer said. "But there is
evidence from the molecular level, from animal models, and from population
studies that it could have a negative effect on the brain."

Fat-induced crazy. Hey, Kimmer, there's a lot of Ducks that might just buy that argument - coming from you. Oh, and check with your tax accountant. Your sugar cookies might now be medically deductible. Just a thought.

The funny thing is, Heidi Diaz has been caught in so many lies during her depositions - even asked once of the judge - "Is it too late to take that back?" Still, I can easily imagine her trying to use a study like this, with a totally straight face, to defend the lies, fraud and manipulations that she's pulled. And, even funnier than the thought of her trying to pull a stunt like using fat as a defense, is the amount of evidence against her that's been turned over to John Tiedt of the law firm Tiedt and Hurd in California. Heidi has NO idea of the avalanche of proof waiting to fall on her.

Sorry, Heidi. Study or not, it is FAR too late to take it all back. I hope some of you other diet guru's out there are listening. There's no magic in selling a diet plan that could injure someone, no matter what you call it.

The Puppet Master

2008-03-23T14:10:00.000-07:00

Anyone who is familiar with the Kimkins diet scam saga, and the growing suspicions about the Magic Chicken Diet will find this Savage Chicken cartoon particularly hilarious.

Former Kimkins admin turned witness for the prosecution Jeannie "Tippy Toes" Baitinger has talked about Heidi Diaz' use of "sock puppet" members at Kimkins. Over the past few days, former Kimkins member Amyb has shown proof that current Kimkins admin Singinglass - Delaney Deaver - has used at least one other name when posting at Kimkins. So, any real members left at Kimkins never know if they're talking to a real dieter, or just an alter-ego of Heidi's.

Sad, right?

Now, members of the low-carb community are buzzing about the possibilty that the Magic Chicken Diet and it's "creator" Bonnie Luper are just the latest parts of Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz' con game. While we know that Bonnie is a real person - who actually lost weight, unlike Heidi - the question remains: Is Heidi Bonnie's puppet master?

See, the Magic Chicken Diet ain't exactly magic. Starvation will cause you to lose weight - along with your hair, muscle tissue and your overall sense of well-being. But, unlike Heidi Diaz or Bonnie Luper, I won't ask you to take my word for it. Google the term "very low calorie diet" or VLCD and read the information for yourself.

Is there a link between The Magic Chicken Diet and Heidi Diaz - who is facing a class-action lawsuit and possible criminal fraud charges because of her actions at Kimkins? That remains to be seen. What we do know is this: The MCD is as nutritionally bankrupt as the Kimkins diet plan.

So, here's a word to the wise dieter - Don't pay for any plan online until you've had a chance to look at what you are buying. There are so many FREE support sites and doctor-approved plans that you can get for little or no money.

When it comes to online diet advice, you often DON'T get what you pay for. And you may pay a price that is far higher than the $70 Bonnie or Heidi will gladly take from your bank account while offering you a way to starve in return.

Abracadabra! Is the Texas AG already aware of the Magic Chicken Diet?

2008-03-21T17:39:00.000-07:00

Once upon a time there was a woman named Bonnie Luper who claims she can solve your weight problem for $69.95 with a plan she calls The Magic Chicken Diet. But, this is no fairy tale. Seasoned low-carb dieters have been wondering where Bonnie, an insurance professional of some sort and candle supply store owner, got the medical expertise to advise others how to lose weight. Well, it seems that the Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott has a warning for people who use the internet to solve health problems. A quick search of the Texas AG website: http://www.oag.state.tx.us/index.shtml has the following story as the LEAD item on it.

Consumer Alert: Check The Source Of Online Health Information
When it comes to something as important as health and wellness, Texans seeking more information should always consult their doctor or licensed healthcare professional. According to a recent Pew Internet and American Life Project study, every day an estimated eight million Americans search the Internet for health care information. But Texans should never solely rely on a Web site to diagnose or treat a serious illness. Equally important, Internet users should always pay close attention to their information source. Although many Web sites offer informative, helpful information about a variety of health and lifestyle issues, not every site can be trusted for accurate, factual material. Texans who consult the Internet for health care information should always pay close attention to who or what operates their favored Web sites.In some cases, what appears to be medically-oriented Web site may actually be an advertising tool for a third party with a financial incentive to exaggerate or downplay a product’s benefits or dangers. For example, Web-based law firm advertising is particularly common among Web sites that are dedicated to certain specific illnesses or prescription medications. In fact, a recent study revealed that Internet searches for medical information produced results that were “dominated by Web sites paid for and sponsored by either class action law firms or legal marketing sites searching for plaintiff referrals.”In contrast, an unbiased online information source might include a broader spectrum of data about a given subject matter. For example, Web sites created by reputable organizations like the American Cancer Society and the American Heart Association often feature peer-reviewed medical journals and other impartial research sources. In addition, many government agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration, impose similarly rigorous standards upon any research included on their Web sites.But even trusted, verifiable online information cannot be relied upon to treat serious ailments or answer critical medical questions. Texans should always contact a licensed medical professional whenever their health is at risk. An in-person visit to a doctor’s office or local clinic is the best way to ensure patients are getting accurate information that is tailored to their unique health needs.Texans who have encountered misleading or deceptive medically-oriented Web sites may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General by calling (800) 252-8011 or visiting our Web site at http://www.texasattorneygeneral.gov/.

NOTE: To Suzy - It's a free call. Just ask yourself if The Magic Chicken Diet has really given you your $69.95 worth as promised?

Honoring a life lived well

2008-03-17T12:11:00.000-07:00

My dear Uncle Lloyd passed away today. But, I am not really sad. Born in 1922, a World War II veteran, a widower, a proud father and one of the kindest and most decent men to ever walk the planet, he lived a full, quiet life.

He was never one to complain, though he certainly had trials and difficulties in his life. His wife, my father's sister, was bi-polar and put him through many years of misery. But still, he worshipped her. His only son died in a car accident in 1973 at the age of 18. Yet, he lived and worked in a quiet way. Always, always there as a devoted father to his daughter. A proud and devoted grandfather, too. A smiling, gentle, southern gentleman who would beat the pants off almost anyone who dared play cards with him!

As I sat at his bedside a day ago holding his hand and reflecting on his life and mine, I made peace with his leaving. Even though he was very ill with cancer, he was surrounded by people who loved and admired him. His Hospice nurse Susan has become a member of the family and it was clear that she loved him as much as we did and always will. And, as I thought about how many people care for and admire my Uncle Lloyd. I thought about how he lived his life in a way that was unremarkable, really. He never wanted to be the center of attention or have people fussing over him. And that's what made him so lovable. He never really thought he was so great. But, we all knew better!

Then I began thinking about how many great people there are like this in my life. I guess I really am a lucky girl. I also thought about the kinds of people that I never want to be like. The selfish, narcissistic, stab-anyone-in-the-back-for-a-dollar kind of person, or someone who would do anything for a little more attention. Tell a few more lies so some poor sucker will give you money in order to curry your favor. I think we all know to whom I am referring. Though, I won't stoop so low as to mention her name in this post. She, and others like her are not fit to share this particular place.

But, I will ask this of her: Who will sit at your bedside when you are dying to hold your hand? Who will cry when you are gone? Who will love you and honor you and give you medicine and drops of water just to keep you comfortable as long as possible when your time comes? Have you cared in the slightest way for anyone other than yourself? How very sad that the answer is no.

For many people that I am privileged to know, the answers to those questions are sure and certain. For others that I know of, the answers are just as sure and certain, but far more tragic.

And, I have to wonder if there is enough humanity in some people to ever stop and think of such things and how they treat others with such selfish and reckless disregard. I would truly hate to know that I have wasted my life being selfish, when doing things for others brings so much joy.

God bless you Uncle Lloyd. Thank you for being an example of patience, kindness and quiet strength in my life.

Love you!

As the Magic Chicken Turns?

2008-03-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

As the Ducks continue their effort to bring down the dangerous diet known as Kimkins, another, shockingly similar diet is...uhmm...'fowling' things up. That would be the Magic Chicken Diet.

The Magic Chicken diet shares many similarities with Kimkins - the promise of super-fast weight loss without pills, special foods or exercise. As fast as some of the magic chicken dieters have supposedly lost weight, I'm wondering if they shouldn't have called it the "Magic Roadrunner Diet!"

Take a look at this random testimonial (available for free) I found on the MCD website:
(NOTE: While there is no timetable on this testimonial, MCD went online in July '07. So, at best this is a 106 lbs. loss in roughly 8 months time. I have a good friend who had WLS then discovered she has stage 4 breast cancer and is going through aggressive chemo and radiation. Even she did not lose weight this fast.)

But, I find this part puzzling - WHY NO PICTURES? In fact, the ONLY pictures of any successful weightloss I've been able to find at MCD are the ones of Bonnie Luper - "creator" of the Magic Chicken Diet.

Hmmm? Did Bonnie actually lose lots of weight? Her pictures seem genuine. Perhaps her whole story is true. Maybe she did devise her own plan to lose weight, and was very successful. (But pictures of her look gaunt, ashen, and tired, btw.)

So, does that QUALIFY her to dispense weightloss advice to anyone else? NO! I know how to clean the corrosion off the battery terminals in my car, but that sure as hell doesn't make me a mechanic!

Here are just a few truths about the puzzle that is the Magic Chicken Diet.

It is every bit as nutritionally bankrupt as the Kimkins diet. In a coming post, the MCD sample menu will be posted and compared to Kimkins.

Bonnie Luper is as qualified to sell diet advice as I (a teacher) am to do brain surgery. She might be able to set up shop online, but she'd never be able to open up a physical location next to her Stoney Creek Candle supply shop in Texas. Special training/licensing is required to set up a physical location and Bonnie has never claimed to be a nutritionist or counselor.

There is SOME connection between Kimkins and the MCD. We haven't found it yet. But we WILL find it.

The lack of nutrional content in the Magic Chicken Diet will lead to a condition called rabbit starvation if it is followed for long. Hair loss, nausea, muscle cramps, constipation and heart palpitations will also result and signal damage to your health, possibly permanent damage.

For a while now the Ducks at Low Carb Friends, including bloggers Mariasol, Medusa and others have been asking Bonnie Luper for some explanations about her website. Why won't she answer those question? What is she hiding? Why is there virtually no marketing for the MCD site, even though it's supposedly worth $69.95 to join? The forums there are DEAD, and we have the screenshots to prove it. Look for them coming to a blog near you, soon!

Perhaps the only connection between Bonnie and Heidi Diaz is that Bonnie (or one of her sisters) was (are?) a member at Kimkins and decided to start her own website. The concern is that people who are desperate to lose weight may essentially go from drinking the Kimkins Kool-aid to a cup of magic chicken broth, without realizing they are jeopardizing their health.

With all the good, healthy (and doctor approved) low-carb diet plans around - Atkins, Protein Power and The Glycemic Load come to mind - it's hard to understand why anyone would try a dangerous low carb, low fat, low calorie plan like MCD or Kimkins. (I tried Kimkins prior to any negative publicity and because I was ignorant of the dangers of very low calorie diets -VLCD's).

Show us some verifiable, medical approval of your diet Bonnie, or take it down before the Magic Chicken diet turns into the Tragic Chicken diet!

(cartoon created and copyrighted by Doug Savage)

An open letter to: Bonnie Luper

2008-03-08T15:58:00.000-08:00

Will the real Bonnie Luper please stand up, please stand up, please stand up?

Who are you Bonnie Luper? I know you are a Texas woman who recently started a new job in the insurance industry, and you are the creator of the so-called Magic Chicken Diet.

But, are you also a misguided, but well-meaning internet diet guru? Or are you the business partner of Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz? You know, the woman behind Kimkins that promotes pro-ana behavior, and causes hairloss, dizzy spells and heart palpitations?

First of all, let me say I do believe you've lost a great deal of weight. Your before and after pictures seem genuine, unlike Kimmer who stole hers from a Russian Bride website. I am uncertain whether you lost your weight via your diet of chicken with magical powers or whether you had GB surgery. In either case, you do appear to have actually lost a great deal of weight. So, kudos on that achievement.

But, in your pictures, you do not look healthy. It's not a put-down, it is an observation. And, I've got to tell you that your Magic Chicken Diet doesn't look healthy either. In fact, the calorie, fat and carbohydrate contents of your menus look a great deal like Kimkins. Coincidence?

One way or the other Bonnie, you are in dangerous territory. If you are not in league with Kimmer, you are promoting an unhealthy, unsafe WOE that can lead to a condition known as "Rabbit Starvation." You can read about it here: http://www.rawfoodsbible.com/index.php?page=ch6/rabbit .

The whole reason a number of consumers are suing Heidi Diaz is so she cannot continue to promote an unsafe WOE, that has caused health problems in several people. What makes you think people following the Magic Chicken Diet won't do the same when they start experiencing similar problems? Do you have ANY medical backing for your plan? Any qualifications to advise people on how to lose weight? D-A-N-G-E-R !

If you are in business with Heidi Diaz, then the danger is even more pronounced. Diaz is a dangerous con-artist. Whatever benefits she's promised you for "fronting" her new site will NEVER materialize. Kimmer's penchant for using people and then discarding them is well-documented. She has used her own children as a way to do illicit business. Do you really believe she wouldn't sell you out in a heartbeat? Think about that very carefully.

Whoever you are, and whatever you are remains to be seen.

Rest assured, we will be watching.

Character Still Counts!

2008-03-07T09:38:00.000-08:00

The galling lack of character displayed in Heidi Diaz' latest attack is nothing short of sickening.

By now, anyone paying attention to the Kimkins diet scam saga knows that Kimmer - Heidi Diaz - is a shockingly sick, twisted and sadistic woman bent on spreading her self-hatred to as many unsuspecting dieters as she can.

Those of us who've wised up are out to stop her by all legal means available. Details of the lawsuit against Heidi can be found here at: http://kimkinsclassactionlawsuit.blogspot.com/ .

In the course of bringing this lawsuit that intends to shut down Kimkins and stop the fraud perpetrated by Heidi Diaz, several astonishing pieces of evidence have come to light. Most notably that while Heidi was raking in over one million dollars via membership fees for Kimkins.com, she was also accepting SSI disability payments.

Greedy much, Kimmer?

But, this week, it also came to light that Heidi is using the very sick and disabled son of a former Kimkins member to attack that member - our dear friend Amyb - all the while taking money that could go to help people like this boy and others who are truly disabled and deserving of assistance. As Amy showed via e-mail exchanges on her blog, Kimmer had the nerve to question Amy's sons illness - which is well documented via a wonder site called http://www.blogger.com/www.caringbridge.org/ and even suggested that Amy uses her son's illness to get sympathy.

It really makes you gag, doesn't it? Despicable, deplorable and CRIMINAL.

So, while Kimmer was using the money from disability payments to buy sugar cookies and booze, this young man, and so many others, had medical bills piling up, and true need for many things in life the rest of us often take for granted.

So take a good look at ol' Kimmer ------>

She is without decency, without character and without a prayer of escaping the web of lies and deceit she's woven for herself.

You may laugh at people with character and morals, Heidi. But, you're going to find your total lack of character will be your undoing.

And it can't happen soon enough!

Ex-Kimkins Members: Hold you head up high!

2008-03-03T09:42:00.000-08:00

No big surprise, but Heidi Diaz is up to her same old tricks.

If there has ever been a more dispicable human being on the face of the earth than Kimmer, it would have to be someone like Saddam Hussein, Hitler, or Castro. She would fit right in with these folks.

Hyperbole? Eh, maybe. But, the woman known as Kimmer is a MONSTER. There is absolutely nothing she won't do to try and save her own sorry hide.

I won't get too specific, because I've been asked not to reveal the "who" in this situation. This person will reveal themselves in this regard when they feel comfortable doing so. But, as a former Kimkins member myself, I know how this person feels. When bad things happen to good people, those people always look inward to see why. What did I do to deserve this? Heidi KNOWS this and uses it against people.

So, Heidi is in full-on attack mode against someone who's seen the light about her. And it is the most disgusting, sickening thing I've heard of in a long time.

So, I just want to say this publicly to the person she's attacking and to other Kimkins members or ex-members who fear Heidi's considerable wrath. Don't fear her. If you let fear be your guide, she wins. If you let her intimidate you, she wins. You don't have to be "public" about leaving Kimkins. You don't have to mount a protest march in front of her Corona, CA home. But, you do have to leave. Get out and never look back, no matter what she does. It's time to be strong, and leave Heidi in the dust right where she belongs.

I heard a song this morning that seems to fit this situation. The words are beautiful and I hope it will reach you in a positive way and help you leave Kimkins behind without beating yourself up for it. Lots of love to all you Kimkins members and ex-Kimkins members. Get healthy, stay healthy and be strong!

You have the right to get down on your knees
And you have the right to make yourself believe
That you don't know my name
But I don't care, you can do it
Cause you have the right
To shake the loneliness and shine the light
Take all your tears and save 'em for a rainy night
Go and wish on every star that's fallen
Shake your head in wonder when it's all to good to be true
Like a whole new you
So don't lose your way
You can do no wrong
And don't spend your days just trying to be strong
When you don't know your name
You know it's ok, you can do it
Cause you have the right
To shake the loneliness and shine the light
Go and wish on every star that's fallen
Shake your head in wonder when it's all to good to be true
Like a whole new youIt's too good to be true
Like a whole new you

(copyright, S. Colvin - J. Leventhal)

Calling all Kimkins members

2008-03-01T14:12:00.000-08:00

Well, our good friend Amyb has something to share with anyone who is or was a Kimkins member. I'm placing a link to her new, and may I add fascinating, blog where you can contact her.

You have nothing to lose by hearing her out.

http://amyb1569.wordpress.com/

...and a P.S. to Heidi Diaz:

That ban button is going to be your ultimate downfall. How does it feel to be hung with your own rope?

Jeannie Baitinger, I'm callin you out!

2008-03-01T10:21:00.000-08:00

Okay, enough is a-freakin' 'nough already.

Tippy Toes, Jeannie Baitinger, Pochahontas, WHAT do you know?

Yes, I know you're all involved now with your Camp Carbaway, but as a former admin of Kimkins and someone who went on national television to defend Heidi Diaz, you must know some things that could be helpful.

Here are some questions I would LOVE to see you answer:

1. Do you have knowledge of Kimmer's use of fake members? Proof?

2. What is the connection between Heidi and Bonnie Luper? Was Bonnie a member of Kimkins? Is she related to Kimmer in any way? Is "the magic chicken" website Heidi's backup plan for when Kimkins goes dark? There IS some connection. There HAS to be.

3. Is Heidi involved in deviant sexual practices or are those dominant/subservant sites just where she trolls for Kimkins members? Is Heidi the ultimate Dom?

4. How can you live with yourself? You have a chance to repair a lot of damage you've helped do by setting things right.

Listen, we're not friends so you may think you don't owe me any answers. Yes you do. You owe anyone who was a member at Kimkins some answers about all this. Maybe you have joined the lawsuit as a principle, maybe you have turned over evidence in the suit to John Tiedt. But, I don't know. You are silent in all this. Why?!

Come forward Jeannie. Make no mistake about it. We will bring down Heidi and Kimkins with or without your help. But, you should help. You should be willing to make things right. This won't just go away if you ignore it long enough.

The ball is in your court.

Tsk, tsk, Heidi! Is THAT the best you've got?

2008-02-27T08:31:00.000-08:00

So, the breaking news today is that Heidi Diaz, aka Kimmer, tried to throw a monkey wrench into the fraud lawsuit she's facing by posing as a person "in the know" on Low Carb Friends (LCF)'s Fascination with Kimmer thread a few days ago. Posing as "Martina's Martini" and using the same IP address as Heidi's, Martina tried to distract the Ducks by dropping a few pitiful innuendos that there might be a traitor in the flock. But, Martina vanished almost as soon as she appeared, sensing that the Duck squad can't be so easily distracted.

So, I've gotta ask, seriously, Heidi, is that ALL you've got? Is that your best effort to stop the tide of truth that threatens to wash over you? Really?

Pitiful. Just pitiful!

It would seem that Heidi's considerable lying skills are failing her just when she needs them most. Don't you just love it when that happens?

For years, Heidi, masquerading under the name Kimmer, has been a fixture in the low carb community, trying to sell people on her diet - Kimkins - and finally lucked up on some major success last June when the diet hit the pages of Woman's World and exploded Heidi's bank account to the tune of $1-2 million bucks.

The problem? It was all based on lies and faked success stories. The few real success stories from Kimkins have since retracted their support of the diet, after experiencing health problems related to starvation and malnutrition.

Heidi, face it: You're running on borrowed time. The fat lady is getting ready to sing, and oh what a great tune she'll belt out!

Woman's World asks "Is it too late to take that back?"

2008-02-21T18:19:00.000-08:00

Is there anything in the world more irritating than a half-hearted apology?

Here' s a few you may have heard before:

"Oh baby, I meant to call you. But my freinds came by and we started watching the game....blah blah blah"

"The dog ate my homework"

"I did not have sex with that woman, Ms. Lewinsky"

Now, Woman's World Magazine has printed a small retraction of the Kimkins Diet (fraud) story that launched Heidi Diaz' bank account into the stratosphere, sent desperate dieters to the emergency room and unleashed a thousand angry ducks on the Low-carb blogosphere.

Let's see why this is SO not right, shall we?

First, the original story about the Kimkins diet plan was a big splashy coverstory. Inside were pictures, supposedly of Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz and the story of how she's lost 198lbs. in about a year with no negative health issues. The so-called "journalists" at WW broke their own editorial policy by not forcing Heidi to show up for a photo shoot. If she had, the story would never have been printed! Heidi was a 300+lbs. woman with NO qualifications to sell diet advice at the time the story was published. She is still a morbidly obese woman now facing a lawsuit, possibly class-action, and has had her assets frozen by the court due to a high probablity of fraud. The evidence of her fraud is readily available on the internet, yet Woman's World chooses not to publish any of that. I wonder why that is??

The "retraction" does nothing to tell their readers what is wrong with the Kimkins diet. That it is a nutritionally bankrupt plan that has caused serious health problems for the dieters featured as success stories in the original article. Their "retraction" is just an "Ooopsies. Our bad!"

The whole retraction thing is just a poorly done "CYA" by Woman's World and Bauer Publishing. So, save your money because you cannot trust anything printed in Woman's World, First for Women, In Touch, Life & Style, and CBS/ABC soaps. DON'T BUY THESE MAGAZINES!

If some desperate person dies doing Kimkins, Woman's World will have blood on their hands just as much as Kimmer will.

Apology not accepted.

Winning the battle and winning the war

2008-02-18T13:27:00.000-08:00

It’s time to admit something. The Mighty Ducks have won. Won the battle, and now winning the war with Heidi Diaz is close. Very close.

Inside info, you ask? Nope. Just a realization of how far the mighty ducks at LCF and various bloggers have come in taking down the Kimpire.

Let’s examine the evidence.

Kimkins diet website ain’t what it used to be. No longer an active place with tons of posts and lots of real dieters losing weight, Kimkins is a virtual ghost town, literally. Sure, a few posters remain. But, last summer it was so hot it was hard to keep up with the posts and so active if you missed a few hours online, you’d be hard pressed to keep up. Those days are GONE!
No one and I mean NO ONE still believes that Kimmer and Heidi aren’t the same person. Seriously, did anyone ever believe otherwise? I mean, even when I was on the fence about the safety of Kimkins as a diet, I was certain that Heidi and Kimmer are in fact the same person. She once made the statement “No one knows who Kimmer is.” Oh, I beg to differ. Kimmer, Heidi, whatever you’re calling yourself today, you aren’t nearly as smart as you think you are. You are an evil liar who is going down for your crimes. You cannot escape the long arm of the law forever.

As hard as Kimmer has tried to flit all around the ‘net spreading her diet scam known as Kimkins, the Mighty Ducks have worked tirelessly to remove those lies, and spread the word about this dangerous diet program known as Kimkins. There is absolutely NO WAY for Heidi to keep up. How many pro-Kimkins websites or blogs can you find on the web, versus how many anti-Kimkins blogs can you find? It’s not even close. The word is out about Kimkins being a dangerous, dangerous diet. Anyone now who attempts it is simply not paying attention.
The class-action lawsuit is likelihood, but even if it isn’t approved by the court, tons of evidence is piling up against Heidi. Frankly, I have no idea how difficult it is to get a lawsuit classified as class-action. But here’s the thing: the very attempt to get a class-action suit filed against Heidi for false advertising, misrepresentation, fraud, etc. means that many other agencies are looking into what Ms. Diaz has done. Nailing someone for consumer fraud looks really good on a resume or as part of a campaign platform. Somewhere in all this is at least one legal eagle looking to make a name for themselves. What better way than making someone who’s taken advantage of people who are desperate to lose weight PAY for what she’s done? There is no better campaign slogan, NONE.

Finally, by doing the right thing, the Mighty Ducks are encouraging others to do the same thing. Think someone is guilty of fraud? GO AFTER THEM. The web gives you a voice and a platform to make yourself heard around the world. Think someone is promoting an unsafe plan? Shout it from the virtual rooftops! You will be heard, eventually. The web makes it possible for people in all corners of the globe with similar interests to unite sharing those interests, learning from each other and making lots of noise when something isn’t right.

Long story short? Stick a fork in her. Kimmer’s done.

As the Kimmer Turns

2008-02-15T08:18:00.000-08:00

Addiction. It's a scary word. It implies drama, passion, human frailty, remorse and the need for healing.

But, addictions are not created equally. For example, I will happily tell you I'm addicted to the show 24. There's nothing like an hour or two of Jack Bauer kicking terrorist ass to make me feel good!

C'mon, admit it. You've been there! Dallas, Melrose Place, ER....ring any bells?

My latest addiction is the soap opera called "As the Kimmer Turns." It's filled with more drama and intrigue, more J.R.'s, Allisons, Janes, and Michael's...(or Amy's *wink* ) than you can shake a class-action lawsuit at. (yeah, so I ended a sentence with a preposition - whatev!)

*fade in. The scene is a California courtroom*
When last we saw super-villan Kimmer, *cue the scary music..bomp, ba, baaaaammmm* she was giving another deposition in court trying to make the judge believe the millions she scammed from desparate dieters at the Kimkins website doesn't exist and went *poof*. Now, poor little Heidi, as she sometimes calls herself, is just a waif, without enough cash to feed her starving foster children and put gas in her tank so that she can continue her volunteer work teaching Spanish and reading to the blind.

*FLASHBACK* Just weeks after internet chatter about Kimmer's fraud swells, a secret P.I. reveals super-villain Kimmer to be *gasp* not the 118 lbs. red-dress-wearing diet guru she claimed, but a 300+ lbs. bald woman whose in love with sugar cookies. Rumors swirl that she's also dating a pirate named Captain Morgan.

Throughout this drama there are other characters that are caught in Kimmer's web of diet scam lies. There's Kimmer's "Mini-me" Tippy Toes a.k.a. Jeannie Baitinger who did Kimmer's bidding for awhile. When Tippy could no longer cover for Kimmer, she was banished to forever live among other minor characters in Camp Carb-awry.

"As the Kimmer Turns" is also filled with heros and heroines. There are the good girls Christin and Deni, innocent diet ingenues who fell under the spell of the secretly evil Heidi. Who believed they were losing weight healthfully and helping others do the same. But, as with all evil super-villians, by the time the innocent diet ingenues realized Kimmer/Heidi had lied to them, it was almost too late. Heart problems, hair loss and damaged thyroids are part of Kimmer's curse, which Heidi gleefully bestows on most anyone who falls under her Kimkins Diet spell.

*FLASHBACK* As things are going well for Heidi/Kimmer as the self-appointed queen of Low-Carb Land, a dashing man rides into town on a white horse wearing a simple crown and declaring himself King of Low-Carb Land. King Jimmy, here to deliver a message of hope, along with a healthy scoop of narcissim, bestows his greatness to the peasant dieters of Low-Carb Land. But, tension arose. King Jimmy, assured of his rightful place as King, proclaimed queen Kimmer a fraud! *gasp* War descends on Low-Carb Land. But, instead of trying to dethrone the queen, King Jimmy merely decreed that queen Kimmer is not the queen after all. For, in the eyes of King Jimmy, there is only one ruler in Low-Carb Land. *flashback fades as Jimmy looks in the mirror and shouts "All hail King Jimmy. All hail King Jimmy. All hail.........*

And, lastly, there are many friends in Low-Carb Land. Friends who work tirelessly to end the reign of queen Kimmer/Heidi. To stop the diet fraud known as Kimkins. And to keep unsuspecting residents of Low-Carb Land from pledging their allegiance to queen Kimmer.

Stay tuned for more of "As the Kimmer Turns". At some point, queen Kimmer will fall, Kimkins will be banished forever, and the friends of Low-Carb Land can happily spread their message of weightloss by using healthy doses of good fat, protein, green vegetables and very, very few trips to the twin cities of Sugarland and Starchtown.

A little knowledge is truly a dangerous thing

2008-02-09T12:54:00.000-08:00

Have you ever questioned conventional wisdom? I'm beginning to think it's an oxy-moron. Of course, truth, like beauty, is in the eye of the beholder...or is that beer holder?

Like most everyone else, I'm a busy person. So, when hearing about the Kimkins diet, I thought - hey, sounds good to me. I didn't really think about it. I just did it. Big mistake?

Huge mistake.

Did I lose weight? Yes! As so many people involved in this controversy have pointed out, starvation does work. But, the arguments Heidi "Kimmer" Diaz made for her diet sounded soooooo good, so logical, so almost-true-enough, I believed them.

Here's a quick refresher or a Kimkins 101 for those who need it:

1. Fat people cannot starve. You can live off your stored fat until you are no longer overweight.

Wouldn't it be nice if this were true? The problem is, it's easier for your body to convert protein to fuel than fat, so guess what? You will lose fat, but you'll lose more muscle and damage your bodily processes that convert food to fuel making it harder and harder and harder to lose.

2. Nausea and dizziness are normal by-products of using your body fat stores for fuel.

Uh...no. Nausea and dizziness are normal by-products of starving yourself, just ask your nearest supermodel. Just eating a low-carb diet should not make you feel sick. In fact, it makes me more alert, more energized, and less hungry than I've ever, ever been. Just remember, healthy feels good. No pain, no gain is outdated.

3. Low fat combined with low carb is the perfect weightloss formula.

Before I knew better, this sounded so logical to me. We've been literally fed the low-fat nonsense for so long, it's ingrained in our freakin' DNA. I constantly catch myself thinking - oooo, I don't want that - too much fat! Bleh. The trouble with the Kimkins low-carb, low-fat mantra is that you cannot possibly get enough calories in your system by eating this way. Of course, Kimmer thinks 500-800 calories a day is okay for all us lard-asses out there. But, this is actually something known as "Rabbit Starvation" and you can Google it for some eye-opening reading. And really, who wants the rabbit to die, am I right?

4. Eat only when you are really hungry.

Maybe it's just me, but if I let my appetite guide me on when and how much to eat, I'd be as lost as Jessica Simpson taking an advanced Calculus course. Some days, I could eat non-stop. Other days, now that I'm low-carbing, I have to make myself eat. That's what made Kimkins so seductive. Having control over my appetite for the first time ever, was so thrilling. And addictive.

5. There's no such thing as starvation mode.

This is just plain wrong. Not eating enough to meet your body's basic metabolic needs will eventually cause your metabolism to shut down, hold on to your fat stores and do harm, possibly irrepairable harm, to your body. People who starve themselves, or who starve because of famine or other disasters get to a point where they cannot process food. Their bodies can't handle it. Doing a diet like Kimkins can cause this kind of reaction in a person.

6. No pills and no exercise are required to lose weight on Kimkins.

Okay, so Heidi and I can agree on the no pills part. And, who COULD exercise while consuming only 500-800 calories per day? Not me, that's for sure. In this case, Kimmer was really telling me what I wanted to hear. Unfortunately, I have to admit that I don't like exercising all that much. Truthfully, I hate it. But, I'm getting better at doing some strength and toning exercises so I can have a satisfying weightloss success story. Do you have to run marathons? No. But, just starving yourself won't work either. It's not about just getting skinny. It's about gettng healthy!

Thanks to a great number of dieting pro's, I saw the light about Kimkins before I did real damage to myself. Eating and losing weight by following a low-carb eating plan requires you to educate yourself in order to stay healthy. Dr. Atkins, Dr.'s Eades, and so many other sound, safe low-carb programs are out there to offer you real weightloss success. Don't fall for quick, easy and painless weightloss.

Kimkins is like winning a foreign lottery or finding out you have a long-lost relative in Nigeria that died and left you millions. Don't believe the hype!

Haunted: The Lasting Effects of Kimkins

2008-01-30T11:07:00.001-08:00

I'm struggling right now.

I'm stalled.

No longer losing weight, but not gaining either.

I'm frustrated, and wondering what I can do to get the scale moving down again.

But, I'm not just struggling with the scale. I'm struggling with my thoughts. I'm haunted by the things Heidi Diaz taught me during my 3 months on the Kimkins diet program. I constantly struggle to eat fat. I feel guilty when I put butter on something. I question using half and half in my coffee. Maybe 1400-1500 calories a day is too much?

Maybe not.

I'm trying to follow the Protein Power Lifeplan which encourages eating enough fat, protein and calories to keep your metabolism going. But, still that old Kimkins mentality sets in. Am I eating too much? Maybe I could be a little stricter about measuring? Do I really need to eat so much?

I've learned so much about eating disorders by going on this "Kimkins is very dangerous" journey. It scares the hell out of me when I realize that I was in the beginning stages of developing anorexia nervosa due to this diet. I was proud of how few calories I could eat and get by. So, why did I hide it from my family? The same reason I hid my dizzy spells and hair loss. I knew they'd freak out. Plus, I LOVED feeling in control of my appetite for the first time in my life.

You may be thinking - but didn't you already have an eating disorder at 100 lbs overweight? No, I don't really think so. What I had was a severe lack of knowledge over how my body works. I was never one to eat multiple meals at one sitting, full containers of ice cream, or nosh on junk food all the time. I was just eating way too many carbs - mostly in the form of whole grains and brown rice - which kept my appetite roaring all day, every day.

So, I continue my journey to lose my last 50 lbs. But, I'm not in search of skinny. I'm in search of a healthy, slender, attractive body. That's why I'm not tempted to return to Kimkins, no matter how many times some of that mentality slides through my brain. I know I cannot get healthy, slender and attactive by doing Kimkins.

And, trust me, you can't reach your goals doing Kimkins either.

Putting the die in diet

2008-01-10T21:07:00.000-08:00

To the girl whose posts are featured right now on Medusa's blog, I just want you to know...

You are not alone!

Any woman who has ever been overweight knows what you're feeling. Alone. Sad. Self-hatred. Desperation. Helplessness.

But, you are none of those things. None of us are.

Reading your posts at Kimkins, the underlying message is clear: You are willing to risk your health, you very life, for a shot at being skinny. You are playing a dangerous mind-game with yourself all orchestrated by an evil, cruel and phoney harpy known as Kimmer.

Please, don't do this to yourself! It isn't worth it. I was at your weight just a few months ago. So, I when I say I know how you feel - I KNOW. I know. The messages are all around us. The supermodels and the size 0-2 actresses that seem like the summit of beauty.

But, you know what? Beauty really comes in all sizes, and all shapes. You need to believe that and understand it because it's true.

Life can beat us all up, especially when you are overweight. It feels horrible to be ignored when you go somewhere, not be able to find pretty clothes, to never feel attractive. It wrecks the self-esteem.

But, and this is the important part, you CAN boost your self-esteem which will help you lose weight the right, healthy way. Doing things for others is a wonderful way to find your own self-worth, and anyone can do something. Read stories to children at school or residents at a retirement home. Volunteer at the Boys and Girls club. Give blood. You have the ability to make a positive difference in someone's life, which in turn, will make a positive change in your own life. It all starts with taking care of yourself. Reach out. We're here!

Starving yourself to death for the desire to fit someone else's idea of beautiful isn't worth it, dear. You have value, whether you weigh 240-something, 140-something, or 940-something. Don't let this diet - Kimkins - steal your life. Use your life for good.

Someone as rich and famous as Karen Carpenter literally starved herself to death trying to be thinner and thinner. DON'T DO THAT TO YOURSELF. Losing weight is very possible without starvation.

Please reach out for help. Many, many people in the low-carb community are here for you. What can we do to help you?

Journalism 101 - Skip bad information

2008-01-07T17:36:00.000-08:00

I'm fortunate to be in the virtual company of my Low Carb Friends everyday. And, I have good ol' Heidi - Kimmer - whatever, to thank for that. This is a group of folks who like to have fun, have biting senses of humor and work tirelessly to spread the word that Kimkins is a dangerous diet whose creator - Heidi - is a total con artist.

But what about the help Heidi's gotten in spreading her fraud? You see, most people, myself included, found out about Kimkins through Woman's World magazine. And, despite repeated pleas, news stories on KTLA, features on the Morning Show with Mike and Juliette, Woman's World refuses to acknowledge their part in helping Heidi by doing a follow-up story or a retraction.

So, what's a former jouralist like me to do?

Well, gosh darnit, I think I'll help spread the word about Woman's World and the other "fine" publications produced by Bauer publishing.

See, the power of the press (print, electronic) is not something I take lightly. The very fact of a story appearing on "the news" or in print gives it credibility in people's minds. Freedom of the press is one of the main ideals on which the United States was founded. So, along with it's awesome power comes the responsibility to tell the truth. Apparently, that doesn't matter much to Woman's World.

When Heidi sold Woman's World on her diet plan, she did so with faked success stories, fake pictures and a menu that, had the "journalist" writing the story bothered to check, would have never made it into print. And thousands of people would not have fallen prey to the Kimkins diet.

This diet makes your hair fall out and can cause serious heart and health problems. Funny, I didn't see that mentioned in the story!

So, how are we to trust anything that's written in Woman's World? Simple. You can't. So, don't buy it! Same goes for Bauer publishing's other titles including First for Women, In Touch, Life & Style, and CBS/ABC Soaps.

DON'T BUY THESE MAGAZINES! Period.

Since learning of the Kimkins scam, I've not bought a single one of these rags, and I never will. Maybe if Bauer gets hit in the pockets, they'll have to change their shoddy practices.

Save your money, girls! You might be saving yourself a lot of heartache as well.

Looking back and looking forward

2008-01-06T20:16:00.000-08:00

In many ways 2007 was a banner year for me. I earned a Master's degree with honors, I lost 50 lbs., I discovered a WOE that helped me lose (and continue to lose) and gives me more energy and stamina than I've ever had. But, it's also the year I fell prey to one of the premiere scam artists of our time. Heidi Kimberly Diaz, aka Kimmer. Now, if you've done any Googling on this subject, you know I am far from alone in falling for Kimmer's lies. Still, it makes me take stock in what I've learned and what I can help others learn from my mistakes.

So, my belated New Year's resolutions are:

1. Keep losing weight, using a sensible low-carb plan. I am following Protein Power Lifeplan and I feel great. Anytime I'm tempted to stray, I'm just going to remind myself that I'm doing something Kimmer has NEVER been able to do, actually lose!

2. Don't spend money for something I can get for free. I can't explain what made me decide to risk $60 to join Kimkins when the plan is available for free. So is the vaunted support Kimmer fraudulently touts on the net. She's facing severe civil charges and very possibly criminal charges for using illegal tactics to promote Kimkins. If I had taken just a bit more time, I would've discovered that what I bought at Kimkins was already available for free elsewhere. I don't recommend anyone try the Kimkins diet because your hair will fall out and you could suffer other health problems! But, if you're determined to give it a shot, save your money and find it for free! Google, friends, Google!

3.Exercise! This was one of the reasons I fell for Kimmer's lies. She promised there's no need to exercise on Kimkins. Well, if you're only eating 500-600 calories a day, you CAN'T exercise. Truthfully, I HATE exercising most of the time. But, guess what? I just need to get over it. I don't have to run 5 miles a day, but some rebounding, dancing, or walking is good for me and I'm just going to do it. (Already started!)

4. Educate myself and others. In 2007 I became a certified teacher. It's something I wish I had done YEARS ago. So, I am committed to keep learning about the low-carb lifestyle, and helping to spread the word about dangerous and unscrupulous diets and the people like Kimmer and some of her former admins who perpetuate 800 calories a day plans. That kind of eating will ruin your metabolism and wreck your health. You need about 1200 calories per day. Do the research and find a free support group to help you on your journey. Low carb friends (LCF) and Eating Low with Amy are excellent support sites.

Good luck everyone and continue to fight the good fight!

Exposed! Finally!

2007-10-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

I try to live my life by certain principles, one of those being that I do not normally take pleasure in the misfortune of others.

But, today is different.

The scam-artist Kimmer aka Heidi Kimberly Diaz was exposed in all her glory last night on KTLA. After all of your vainglorious glee at ripping off people who just want to lose a few pounds, and purposely trying to hurt people, I cannot help but take pleasure in seeing your very public comeuppance. Karma is a bitch, you know!

It is beyond ridiculous how she is STILL trying to claim that Kimmer and Heidi are different people. PUH-leeeeeeeeeeze! There is so much irrefutable proof that they are the same person, no one in their right mind could deny it. NO ONE.

So, what is to become of the people there, though not many are left, at Kimkins? What's to become of Tippy Toes and Singinglass, the admins who may also now be culpable in this fraud? Throw yourself on the mercy of the court ladies. Perhaps you needed the meager money she offered for your services so much that you overlooked her inconsistencies. If so, then I'm truly sorry for you because you are headed for a fall, too.

This whole sorry episode makes me realize that P.T. Barnum was right. Kimmer knows it too. There is a sucker born every minute, and we are all vulnerable to falling for something. I hate admitting I fell for Kimmers lies or better yet, LIES. But, I have learned a valuable lesson I will NEVER forget: Research before you buy.

The internet is a wonderful tool. Bloggers have exposed all sorts of liars and Kimmer is just the latest. Remember Dan Rather and those forged "documents" about President Bush's National Guard service? Lies, all lies. Rather lost his job over that mess, thanks to the bloggosphere!

You are next Heidi/Kimmer. Stick a proverbial fork in her . She's done!

Keep on learning to lose weight

2007-09-27T09:18:00.000-07:00

Over the past 4-5 months I've been on a serious, and successful quest to lose weight. I've taken off close to 50 lbs. and have about 50 more to lose. What I've learned may help you. That is what I hope to do here.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say that I foolishly began losing weight using the Kimkin's diet plan. Please, DO NOT make the same mistake! It is nutritionally bankrupt, can harm your health, and bring on the symptoms of starvation and eating disorders before you know what is happening to you.

Kimkins is a scam. Pure. And. Simple.

The so-called creator of this plan, a.k.a. Heidi Kimberly "Kimmer" Diaz is a con artist and a fraud. Please. Research this online and don't just accept my words for this. This woman is an obese person who made up her own weightloss success story and others to sell memberships to her website. If nothing else, search for the blog of her "poster girl" Christin whose blog is called "The Journey" and see what first-hand information she has on the Kimkins diet scam, er, plan.

So, I did Kimkins for about 3 months, give or take a week. As I began experiencing hairloss and dizzy spells, I wanted to understand what was happening to me and if these were just temporary or if my body was trying to tell me something. I now know I was starving myself. I was eating far less than 1000 calories per day, and about 10-12 grams each of carbs and fats. All of this was encouraged at Kimkins.

Can you safely low-carb diet? You betcha! Protein Power is now my program of choice because it is doctor-created and has the science to back up their claims. Unlike Kimkins! Atkins is another good choice. Just make sure whatever plan you use has medical backing and encourages healthy weightloss!

The sad truth behind Kimkins is that, while you DO lose quickly at first, the loss usually slows or stops altogether at about 2 months in. It's called starvation mode and your body is hanging on to every ounce it can. Quick weightloss isn't worth permanently damaging your health. It just isn't. If you kill your thyroid, losing weight will be virtually impossible.

Diet safely! Educate yourself. Never give up!