February 05, 2013

Losing weight without diet or exercise

Jerry and I had a bit of a lazy morning. Since he was off work, we sat around and chatted once the boys went to school. I turned on The Dr. Oz Show from the DVR, and was immediately annoyed with the theme he's had going on for while now with this shows: "Lose weight without diet or exercise!"


This annoys me for a couple of reasons:

1) Exercise is good for our bodies--particularly, our hearts. Dr. Oz is a cardiologist, who knows that fact better than anyone, but he still does these shows where he makes it sound like exercise is something to dread (or avoid, in this case).

2) This gives people unrealistic expectations. "Take this supplement, and you don't have to diet or exercise, but you'll lose weight!"

I used to love Dr. Oz when he was on Oprah, because you could really tell that he was passionate about telling people about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. He always got very excited when talking about it. The first time I met him, in October 2009, I still got that same vibe from him (his show was pretty new at the time).

When I met him again in November 2011, I didn't get that impression so much. He didn't seem to have that passion, and he just went through the motions on the show as it was written. I think I mentioned this before, but I wasn't allowed to talk about running while I was on the show. When I asked the producers about it, I was told that it was discouraging for the target audience to hear that I run, because that is unrealistic for them.

Um, I NEVER thought I could be a runner. When I was morbidly obese, becoming a runner was what I would label as "impossible". I like to write about running on my blog because I want other people to feel like they, too, can do what they once thought was impossible--whether it's running, or walking a race, reaching goal weight, cycling, competing in triathlons, or just being an active parent. Those are things that may feel impossible, but they most definitely are possible for most people.
Did I have any clue that I would run a marathon just a few
years after this photo was taken? Um, heck no!!

But anyways, back to the show--I watched for about 15 minutes before I turned it off. I think that there are people out there looking for a solution to their weight problem, and when Dr. Oz says it can be done without diet or exercise, it's like telling these people that they should look for an easy way out. Exercise shouldn't be looked at like a punishment, but more as a solution.

Yes, I'm the first to admit that I hate exercise--but I'm also the first to admit that I LOVE what it does for my body and how it makes me feel. I can't imagine my life without it, now that I know how much good it's doing me!

If there is one thing that I've learned while losing weight, and maintaining weight (and even gaining here and there) it is this: Exercise is crucial to losing weight and keeping it off. Period.

I've lost weight lots of times in the past through diet alone; but I always gained it back, because I wasn't exercising. Now that I'm at goal, I'm no longer working toward a specific weight--so I need other goals to focus on, and running gives me that focus. I am setting goals of getting faster, and running farther, and pushing myself. If I wasn't doing this, there would be nothing stopping me from slipping back into old habits--which did not include goal setting.

Exercise doesn't have to be as challenging as running, either. Dr. Oz could talk about the benefits of walking, which is something that most people can do. My friend Stephanie wasn't remotely interested in running, so she walked while she was losing weight. She set goals just like you would as a runner--first, to work up to walking 5K; then to walk it faster; and even though it wasn't originally part of her plan, she is now running. I started out by walking for exercise, as well:
This was in Jan. 2010, after my first walk while losing weight
On to the "diet" part... the word "diet" has different meanings, and people interpret it in different ways. Most of us think of it as a way of eating in order to lose weight. When I talk about my diet on the blog, I'm referring to the foods I eat on a daily basis--"my daily diet". Others despise the word, and prefer "lifestyle change" in regards to eating for health or weight loss. But obviously, The Dr. Oz Show was referring to what you eat in order to lose weight.

I also am a firm believer that people have to change their diets (what they eat on a daily basis) in order to lose weight. When Dr. Oz says that you can take a certain supplement and lose weight without diet or exercise, that immediately makes it sound like people can eat the same stuff they are eating as an overweight person and still lose weight. Again, very unrealistic!

I didn't mean to turn this into a rant about the show, or Dr. Oz--I still greatly respect him as a doctor and health advocate. I just wish that he would go back to teaching people about a healthy lifestyle, which includes healthy diet and exercise, rather than doing shows like this.

67 comments:

  1. I have seen that episode of Dr. Oz and I thought the exact same thing! I used to love watching Dr. Oz. He was full of great advice, wisdom and tons of information. I agree that his show has changed over the years. It's completely unrealistic for people to think that they can lose weight (and keep it off) without changing their diet or exercising. There is no miracle pill or supplement. It takes hard work and sweat. I've lost 135 pounds and I couldn't have gotten there without both of those.

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  2. I agree completely! I never like watching Dr. Oz just because of the giant emphasis on supplements. Yes, vitamins, and supplements can aid your body's performance, but just eating well and moving around can do SO much more than those ever will. Good food is medicine!

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  3. Dr. Oz went the way of Dr. Phil. Both used to be poignant, but went for sleaze and easy ratings after a while.

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  4. Amen! Could not agree more!

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  5. Amen! Could not agree more!

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  6. I really have lost a lot of respect for him over the past few years. His shows tout every supplement out there and if you Google the supplement and "side effect", you'll find its something you don't want to mess with. Like the one that was made from peppers (you might not have gotten that far) that allows you to supposedly burn 42% more fat during exercise, also can cause liver and/or kidney damage with long term use. I wish he could just be a health advocate and not have these people on that peddle their theories and contradict things the show said the day before. Sigh.

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  7. No apologies for this blog post, I really hoped you'd keep going! I have the same problem when trying to watch Dr. Oz too. If I tune in I'm like, "hmm, wonder what supplement we can't live without now?" and I tell you, I cannot believe there are SOOO many different supplements that all do the same thing! If I religiously followed all of his recommendations I'd be downing 1200 pills before breakfast! I have used SOME of the supplements he talks about, but not because he said to use them. I do tons of research on the item and see what others have found to be true of it and then make a decision. Most of them people report noticing little to no effects. I only have a little bit of weight to lose, but after trying to lose the same 10-20 lbs over the past 6 years, I've realized that only permanent, sustainable changes in my diet and exercise will do it.

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  8. I was planning on commenting on how Dr. Oz reminds me of Dr. Phil.. but someone beat me to it!!! Seems like they run out of healthy things to say once they're on 5 days a week so they just put out crap!!

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  9. I totally agree with you! I too have lost weight in the past but this time i have become a runner and i have been more successful. Do i love to exercise....not really. But I love how i feel after i'm done. I have never regretted a run or a workout. Did i think that at 245lbs i would be runner who completed her first marathon...hell no! but that's where I am today. I really wish losing weight was as easy as taking a supplement but it is not. It is hard work with diet and exercise. I think Dr. Oz is gearing his show towards the general public which i hate to say it but that target is lazy and wants a quick fix. It's sad that he just doesn't say, get your ass off the couch and start moving! I can't watch his show either...such a shame cuz so many do and they are getting the wrong advice.

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  11. You are not daunting when you tell me about your experience running! And even though I am not yet a runner, and have not yet lost my weight, you are always inspiring!

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  12. Every time I catch a snippet of that show I get angry and yell at the TV, "But you're a DOCTOR!" I'm glad there are blogs like yours where we can see it is possible to lose weight, but not without working for it!

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  13. MinnesotaKellyFebruary 05, 2013

    I love this post! I hope Dr. Oz reads it :)

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  14. Katie, I am so glad you wrote this! And I couldn't agree with you more. When I saw him promoting the raspberry whateveritis a few weeks ago I thought of you and wondered what your thoughts are now on Dr. Oz. I'm glad to hear you are just as disappointed as I am with the change of direction his show has taken.

    I recently read a magazine article that had a similar approach to losing weight; as if it all just falls off like magic! And I plan to write a blog post about it myself.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this today!

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  15. I so agree with you that Dr. Oz has lost his focus on what is really necessary for long term weight maintenance. It isn't a green tea pill or some supplement that is going to get you healthy. It is making him money though as I'm sure he gets some sort of payment from pushing the supplements. It takes hard work and a lifestyle change to lose and maintain. I yo yoed with my weight for years and like you I wasn't able to maintain until I made exercise a daily part of my life. Thanks for sharing and I love your blog. Hugs, Rhonda

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  16. Amen!
    I get frustrated when he says something on one episode and then contradicts it on another. I finally had to quit watching...
    Love your blog as well!

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  17. He needs to see this!! Do you have a secret direct email address for being on his show? You should so you could write him and tell him to see what you wrote and what all your commenters had to say!!
    I find it very hard to believe that he actually believes in "magic pills" that "melt fat off while you sleep".
    I can agree with the commenter above who said that most want a quick fix. As a respiratory therapist, I listen to patients come up with every excuse in the book as to why they can't do pulmonary rehab. They want medicine, and lots of it; they do not like it one little bit when told that lifestyle changes are the key to controlling their disease. The ones who do make the changes make amazing progress and improve their lives so much. Many of them volunteer to give talks to newly diagnosed COPD patients, you'd think people would be receptive when coming from someone who has gone through it but they are still resistant and just want their medicine. It drives me nuts and I have to stop now or I would go on forever!!
    I applaud you and every one of the FFTFL members. I get so excited when I think about the documentary coming out. People need to see it; you 12 are PROOF that it can be done!!

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  18. Totally agree with you! I hate what media does to professionals that we once admired. Not only w/ Dr. Oz but Ive seen it happen with other people as well.

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  19. Granted, I have never watched a single episode of Dr. Oz. But anymore, when someone says "I saw this on Dr. Oz... ", I immediately stop listening because I can't take any doctor seriously that would promote things like raspberry ketones or whatever "hot" product is in the stores.

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    1. Jennifer, I totally agree with you! I had a coworker that lived by Dr. Oz's show and she always was getting the next "it" product. Thank goodness I never got sucked into it.

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  20. I agree. Unfortunately, tomorrow his show is about the HCG shot/diet that I greatly disagree with. That shot is a hormone and can be extremely dangerous for certain people. In the tagline of the promo, he seems to be advocating it or even agreeing with it! That disappoints me because being in the medical field, I know how bad that shot can affect certain women. Does it work? Of course it does, but what fad diet doesn't??--Mave.

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  21. Amen, amen, amen! You couldn't have said it better myself! I was a registered dietitian prior to having children, and I got so annoyed when clients came in looking to lose weight...the fast & easy way. Pills, crazy diets, detoxes, etc. Not the old fashioned way of eating healthy & exercising. It's 80% nutrition, 20% exercise (I've also heard 70/30). No two ways around it.

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  22. I totally agree! And every show seems to get more ridiculous! I worry that there are people actually taking all these different supplements that he touts every single day. It is always something new and magnificent! How can he live with himself knowing some people really take all that seriously without doing any research? I used to be a big fan of his when he was on Oprah but now I don't trust him. He has definitely sold out for ratings!

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  23. Hi Katie,

    I couldn't have agreed more! Lately we have been inundated with the "quick fix" pill, shakes or products and my husband finally took a stand. He lost 25 lbs by doing what he loves. Dancing! Well, Zumba to be exact. He now has a great following and has inspired many "normal" people like ourselves to get off the couch and start moving. Here's a post he just wrote tonight on his Zumba With Tom Coe Page. https://www.facebook.com/zumbawithtomcoe

    My husband's rant:
    I just want to say... I am SO proud of all of you who have resolved to improve your health! I want to encourage you to "keep it real!" I see a lot of people looking for magic solutions to weight loss and I just want to scream... If it sounds too good to be true, it IS! Losing weight is about burning more calories than you consume. Period. End of story. (And you burn calories even in your sleep so don't think you need to work out incessantly in order to burn all the calories you'll eat that day.)

    Be smart, be healthy. There is NO easy way! It's a slow process. It's not cheap (although, it's probably not as expensive as some programs make you think... you just have to buy groceries, really.) It's difficult. You will have bad days. The ONLY thing that works, long term, is paying attention to what you eat and how much exercise you get. "Calories in, calories out."

    There is NO magic pill! But there are people who will support you (I'm one of them!) who are NOT trying to get your money or entice you with crazy rewards! True, I may have gotten you "addicted" to Zumba but I hope it's obvious that there is no commitment, no loss, and no "scam" involved here. We do it because we LOVE it and, for us, it makes burning calories fun!

    So, figure out how many calories a day you need to target to reach your goal, balance the "in" and "out", and remember: Food is your FRIEND! Eat a balanced diet - for each meal, think of your plate as the face of a clock: you need fruits and veggies from the 12 to the 6, lean protein from the 6 to the 9, and whole grains from the 9 to the 12. Keep fat, sugar, and sodium under control. You don't need powders, or shakes, or pills. You DON'T!

    Make good choices, plan ahead, stay within your calories, and seek the support of friends and family. There are some EXCELLENT free websites/apps that can help. (I use My Fitness Pal. Message me if you want my username.) Your "battle" is ALLLLL about YOU! You are worth it! You are capable of making the right choices! You KNOW what you need to do! No excuses! Just MAKE the decision to do what's best for you and stick to it! DECIDE that your not going to wait for tomorrow to start and your not going to eat that (whatever) just one more time. YOU CAN DO IT!!!! =) BTW, I need this advice for myself on a regular basis so don't feel bad if you think it's tough. It is! But you can do it! I promise!!!

    End of rant.

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  24. Katie- I now realize why I love your blog so much (and probably why many others love it, too). you are never afraid to tell the truth - whether it's about Dr. Oz or your skin or your sex life (like hinting at it even though your in-laws might read your blog). I really respect that you always tell the truth on your blog and you are honest- not trying to make things seem better or different than they really are. I don't have a TV (even though my husband works in television/movies) - so I don't watch Dr. Oz...but I totally see what you're talking about! Thank you for always being so open and honest in your posts. I know you were really sensitive about the photos you posted of your surgery - but I just want to thank you for posting them anyway - you are so brave and you really help a lot of people accept themselves where they are and inspire them to do better (me included!) I don't know if I will ever be a runner, but I am taking other steps in my life to live healthy and be fit. Thank yo ufor being YOU!

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  25. Oz would gladly tell his enraptured audience of fat "Woman's World"-reading housewives to start drinking Drano to lose weight "instantly!" if Drano lined his pockets to do so. The man is a shill, plain and simple, pandering to the lowest common denominator touting whichever product has paid for a "study" to be done to "prove" its (possible! no promises!) benefits, as long as they give him a paycheck. Six months ago, it was raspberry ketones. Then it was green coffee bean extract. Everyone's still fat because, despite Oz's comforting claims, walking to the mailbox and folding laundry are NOT exercise, supplements do not magically melt away pounds, and eating a half-cup of blueberries a day, while delicious, will not cure the audience's hankering for gooey nachos or chocolate (oh, but if it's organic dark chocolate made by the descendants of the ancient Incas, it is full of important antioxidants that blahblahblah). He is a bottom-feeding shyster.

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  26. My e-mail is always full of Dr. Oz "approved" supplements for weight-loss. I'd be broke if I bought them all. Nothing is more affordable but most importantly DO-ABLE than eating less and WALKING!

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  27. I totally agree with your concerns about the message this is sending. It seems that there's a lot of throwing the baby out with the bath water going around lately. Just because statistics show that it's very difficult for people to lose weight and maintain their losses, doesn't mean that we should stop trying. I think part of the problem is a lack of resources and support for us to make our changes permanent once we reach our weight loss goals. I know that's something I've struggled with and something that you've quite publicly have struggled with as well. It's one thing for individuals to throw up their hands and say that weight loss is impossible for them, but it's a whole other thing for the weight loss industry and those who we're supposed to be looking up to for guidance to say that we should try to follow a reasonable diet and exercise program. I weighed in at 260 pounds at my highest weight and have managed to stay at goal for over a year. It's not always easy, but it is doable and we need all of the support and encouragement we can get to stay successful!

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  28. Tammy/texzanFebruary 06, 2013

    I have lost all respect for Dr Oz,, and Dr Phil,, they both have gone to a place I never believed they would .. and it is a terrible shame !! enough said

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  29. The irony of the producers telling you not to talk about running is that it's BECAUSE of your ability to run and where you've come from that really inspires me. I'm still in the high 200s but I have over 6 races/events scheduled this year hopefully leading to a 1/2 marathon 1/1/14. I'm also pushing for a Ragnar in Fall 2014 or Early 2015.

    I think that larger people NEED to see that exercise is possible but beware their bodies' limitations. I think you do a good job of showing that you didn't start running an 8 minute mile - you worked up to it and that's what's important.

    PS - shows like this piss me off too. Losing weight isn't easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it.

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  30. People want to think that losing weight is more complicated than it is. And because of that, there should be some magic solution (pill, cleanse, trick) to it all. But the simple fact is you have to burn more calories than you consume. Eat less, move more. It is a pretty simple equation. And the American culture is ingrained in finding reasons for "can't" or "hard" or "hurts". But the truth is, most of the time, you can and it will be hard and it will hurt. But it won't kill you.

    The Kidless Kronicles

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  31. I totally agree with you!! You know I HATE HATE HATE seeing all these commercials for losing weight without diet and exercise! It makes me sick. I have never ever taken any weight loss pill to help me lose weight, ever. And I dont plan too. I gained weight because I ate to much and moved not enough. Why should I take these "magic" pills to make me lose weight? This world today is so lazy and these doctors encourage these types of remedies! What is wrong with society? People need to get their arses off the couch and MOVE! Ugh!

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  32. I appreciate your posts so much. Especially the ones of you before your weight loss, it gives me such hope and motivation. I too dread excercising, but LOVE the sweat of it afterwards, it's like a little yucky trophy to keep me eating well throughout the day (I shower, of course, can't keep that funk literally with you!! :) ). Yes, you've GOT to work out!

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  33. This is such a great post! I used to love Dr. Oz when he was on Oprah as well, but now it seems like he's always pushing or advertising some new miracle drug or diet. I watched one show where he was pointing out that people "steal" his name to endorse their product and how he hates that this happens, yet he endorses so many fad diets/pills etc on his show.. it makes no sense. Most Doctors would never tell someone to jump on the next bandwagon.. it's all about healthy eating and exercise.

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  34. A lot of people say that Dr. Oz is just doing shows to ca$h in. I don't watch him anymore. There aren't many tv personalities you can "trust" out there anymore.

    Your blog is awesome! I love to see you before photos, they keep me inspired!

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  35. I love your posts! You help me believe that it is possible to lose weight and regain a healthy lifestyle. And as much as I hate to admit it- that includes exercise. Your before and after photos are great inspiration!

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  36. Heaven forbid we tell people life is hard and reward doesn't always come easy. Telling people what that want to hear is so much easier than being completely honest. That is why I love your blog Katie, you are honest and transparent. You work hard and you reap the rewards of your hard work. Thank you!

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  37. When I saw the title of your post I thought, "she's gone crazy!!" :)

    I agree with all of what you said and feel the same way. On Dr. Oz.... I agree, too. He seemed so much more genuine and actually concerned before he was "famous." I wonder if now the money and perks have gone to his head so he sticks to what's scripted for the sake of marketing and profit. I guess part of me wonders if he's become a bit of a sell out...

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  38. Great post! It is frustrating that Dr. Oz has so much influence in society and is preaching things that are false. My grandmother is a huge Dr. Oz follower, as in watches it everyday AND takes notes. If she were a computer person... I would have her read your post. Thanks!!

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  39. I really appreciate you and your blog Katie. You seem like such a genuine person that many of us can relate to. I used to love Dr. Oz when he came out with his "You On A Diet" book along with his co-author, Dr. Michael Roizen. He has changed so much, but I see Dr. Roizen seems to have distanced himself from him and has stuck to advocating changing the way you eat and exercise as the way to live a healthy life. It's a shame what fame can do to a person. Thanks for staying the same and inspiring us all.

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  40. I am so glad that you blog about running because it gave me the courage to start. I just signed up for my first half marathon and I can tell by many people's reactions that they don't think I'm capable of doing it, which just makes me more driven to succeed. You will get average results if you put in average effort, if you kick it up and work hard, the results will back it up. I am so sick of people talking about quick fixes and fad diets that are just going to lead to failure in the long run. Thanks for being honest and thanks for blogging about it all.

    P.S. - Both you and Jerry look AMAZING now compared to the picture above, good job to both of you!

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  41. I've never really watched his show. I don't care for fads and I have always thought of him as a "fad pusher". That is why I like YOU so much Katie - you're not a fad pusher, you're the real deal. You did it the hard way. The real way. In my opinion, the only way. I have a cousin who is as thin as a rail yet she is always asking me (who is by definition, morbidly obese) how to lose weight. That is not a joke, she really does. She thinks I'm going to tell her something new every time. She always has some new product, some new way of eating, some new something or other. It drives me crazy. Why do you need that stuff? I think it annoys her when I don't tell her anything different. Sorry, I guess I'm going into my own little rant here. You're not alone here Katie - Dr. Oz is not doing anyone a service by doing shows like this. Well, maybe his own pocket.

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  42. I find it amazing that you'd have been asked not to speak about exercise or running by those producers. If anything, hearing about how you were able to exercise when overweight should be inspiring rather than defeating. I'm always inspired by people who overcome weight or injuries to start exercising, especially when they exercise hard.

    (And personally, I think Dr. Oz is a bit of a snake-oil salesman rather than a proper doctor these days. If it's not profitable for someone (and diet and exercise aren't terribly profitable), he just isn't interested.)

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  43. Stuff like his show really drives me crazy. I used to like him too, but he's turning into a snake oil peddler. If it were as easy as taking a supplement or drinking detox tea, NOBODY would be overweight. I wish doctors on TV would focus on counting calories, learning about nutrition, and suggesting easy ways to exercise to ease yourself into it. But that, unfortunately, doesn't sell.

    So many people I know think they can't have cake while losing weight and that they have to kill themselves at the gym for two hours every day. It's so sad. I always tell them I eat pretty much whatever I want, as long as it fits my calories, and that my exercise is just walking, a DVD here and there, and some time on the elliptical. Easy peasy. I don't even think about it anymore because it's such a habit.

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  44. Love this post. I really used to like Dr Oz but quit watching the show probably a year ago. It seemed like all he did was tell me all this stuff to buy, and it was always much more expensive than he said. Following his advice would become a full time job! I'm much better off doing Weight Watchers and running if I care about my health.

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  45. Thanks for this post and your very reasonable and realistic discussion of diet and exercise in your life. I really appreciate the pictures of you as you got started with running. I think you're very encouraging for people who think they can't become runners, too. Like you, I find running goals for improving endurance or speed to be very motivating rather than just hitting some weight.

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  46. I have to agree with you 100%!! Never in a million years did I think I would be a runner or a cyclist or a triathlete. Not to mention love doing it. And I started off just walking. I think its much more inspirational to show the real and lasting side to weight loss and exercise than to try to sugarcoat things to make them seem easy. Lasting weight loss isn't easy but it doesn't mean it cant be done.

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  47. I agree, Dr. Oz just isn't trustworthy anymore. I like to record shows about weight loss, just to see different ideas and motivational stories, and I set the DVR to record a lot of his shows at the beginning of this year. It was like each day he was promoting a different diet or supplement and each was better than the last. I couldn't watch any of the episodes all the way through. It's too bad, I really am interested in health and medical information, and his show is apparently pandering to a different demographic now.

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  48. Once again, you tell it like it is.... Thank you:)

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  49. I'm glad you posted this. Dr. Oz has been bothering me for a while now. I used to love him too. It just seems like now he jumps on every bandwagon for every new thing you should/shouldn't eat or do or not do.

    It seems everyone wants to make it seem so easy. It's not, it requires work and dedication.

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  50. Here's an interesting article about this.

    "Oz himself doesn’t rely on magic pills or quick fixes to maintain his salubrious air. He monitors his weight and exercises daily."

    http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2013/01/can_you_trust_dr_oz_his_medical_advice_often_conflicts_with_the_best_science.single.html

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  51. I love this post. I love how real and raw you are and you simply tell it like it is. You're a true inspiration.

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  52. LOVE this post! Exercise has been the key factor in my weight loss.

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  53. I've only seen his show a few times but I completely agree with you. I cannot stand people who peddle these "magic" cures. He has a lot of influence over people and this just gives them hope they can pop some pill on their way to be a healthier person. There is no magic cure.

    I finally lost the 50 pounds I needed when I finally got off my butt and watched what I ate. I knew that was the solution, I was just too lazy to do it for a while. I feel bad for people who think they can lose it in some other way because they are just wasting their time and a lot of money. :(

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  54. The first time I saw Dr. oz it was a special on cable, not Oprah. He was going into homes and showing people with major diseases how to change their food and fitness to change their health. It was eye opening, and I threw away our hydrogenated peanut butter that day. That same weekend I got my first MP3 player (6 yrs ago?) and started walking, which turned into running. Your story inspires so many people, I can't believe they squelched it. Have you noticed how people who work out look younger from all the newly generated cells?! I DO!

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  55. I haven't read through all the other comments so forgive me if someone else mentioned it, but the New Yorker did an article on Dr. Oz and his show and how much of what he now says is pseudo-science, voodoo, Reiki-Master phoney baloney. Which is very odd for a practicing cardiologist. Evidently he is very much dominated by his wife (a Reiki-Master) and completely under her spell. Go on the New Yorker site and type in Dr Oz in the search field and you'll see the article. It's quite intriguing.

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  56. Great post! I used to love watching Dr. Oz but I had to stop watching because he seemed to be panicking about everything! I was getting very phobic about every disease he talked about thinking I had that disease!

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  57. Such a great post! In my opinion, it's unrealistic to pump sunshine about how "easy" it can be to lose weight! It's really really hard if you want to do it the right way and actually keep it off! Taking a supplement isn't going to magically melt anything, otherwise we'd all be taking it and eating donuts for dinner! I hate to use the word sell-out, but yeah, that's the impression I'm getting. I don't watch the show, so I can't say anything for sure.

    Btw, I'm Amanda (verdouxkai on Instagram), and I'm playing catch-up! I'm loving reading through all your old posts, it helps keep me focused! I am up to December 2011, lol, so I have a LOT to go still! :)

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  58. I completely agree with you. I feel like his shows used to be more balanced but one day I'll watch and he'll promote healthy weight loss and then the next week he's talking about what you can do to take the easy way out. I LOVE that you started out as a non-runner. It gives the rest of us hope :)

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  59. Great post! My mother watches him daily and it drives me crazy. I read an article by him in a magazine pushing Melatonin for sleep. I went out and bought it but never used it. Then all of a sudden it was on his show as maybe not being that good for you. He seems to jump on the latest thing and as a Cardiologist he should know better.

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  60. This might be my favorite post yet! I don't like watching Dr. Oz anymore so much either - for all the reasons that you mentioned - which is too bad because I (like you) loved him when he was on Oprah (who I, ironically, also don't really care for anymore). Anyway, loved what you say about running - I never would have imagined I could run or ever consider myself to be a runner, and I still have trouble using that term, but low and behold, I do run! I run - I'm a runner (think "I'm SAILING!" from What About Bob). :)

    Love your blog - LOVE this post! Keep it coming, girl, you're doing amazing work for yourself and in terms of encouraging the rest of us, too!

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  61. Absolutely agree! I used to like him on Oprah also, but not anymore!

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  62. I have a family member that is always sending links or talking about what Dr. Oz has recently said about X/Y/Z. And I have to restrain myself from going crazy and telling her 'He is a QUACK!' everytime she says something.

    I like his daughter on the Chew - can't stand him.

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  63. I think the show's producers underestimate their audience. It's too bad that when there is finally so much information about what works, people keep being fed lies. Good for you for being honest!

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  64. I have believed this for a long time about Dr. Oz. He sounds like a snake oil salesman. I lost respect for him when he started touting miracle cures and easy answers for a variety of ailments and conditions. I am very disappointed that an MD would resort to this kind of behavior.

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  65. Saw this on the facebook sidebar and thought of you and this post...http://qz.com/315813/research-confirms-it-dr-oz-dispenses-a-lot-of-medical-advice-with-no-scientific-grounding/

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  66. Nice blog. Thanks for sharing our life to us. Looking forward for the next! GBU

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