Dana Carpender still reigns supreme in the low-carb community
When you stop and think about who the most influential voices in the low-carb community are in the mainstream of public health, only a handful of people come to mind. I mean people who have been out there in the trenches working to help change people's lives for the better with the positive and healthy message of low-carb living in the midst of a world that still believe the low-fat diet hung the moon.
Who pops in your mind on a short list of low-carb champions like this?
Immediately, I think of people like Drs. Michael and Mary Dan Eades from Protein Power who are some of the strongest and most consistent voices for livin' la vida low-carb on the planet. And Dr. Jonny Bowden, author of Living The Low-Carb Life and The 150 Healthiest Foods On Earth, who is dedicated to getting people to eating less sugar and refined carbohydrates for the sake of their weight and health.
Then, earlier this year there was a fabulous study released by researchers from Stanford University and published in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) that found the Atkins diet was best for weight loss and health improvements among a list of popular diets, including the Zone diet, a high-carb, low-fat diet called LEARN, and the ultra-low-fat Ornish diet. The results of this study precipitated a unique discussion presented by Revolution Health which I shared on my podcast show in two parts here and here. Wanna hear classic Dana Carpender? Just take a listen to that audio and you'll see exactly what I mean!
For the sake of those who have never heard of her, Christine and I share about all of Dana's bestselling book in Episode 19 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube." Seriously, anyone who is living the low-carb lifestyle should be aware of who Dana Carpender is and they'll be a lot more familiar with her contributions to the low-carb community after watching our latest video. And pay a visit to her web site LowCarbohydrate.net sometime for more from Dana!
Allow me to introduce you to the one, the only Dana Carpender:
There were a bunch of books listed on that video, so here's a link to each:
Coming up in January, I'm going to give you a chance to win your very own Dana Carpender library with all of the books I featured in Episode 19. Additionally, I'll be featuring my review of each of these books, although I've already written a review for Every Calorie Counts. That's all coming up really soon, so keep reading for more information about this!
The winner of the THREE DOZEN EGGLAND'S BEST EGGS from the contest on Episode 17 was announced, so be sure to tune in to see if that winner was YOU! :) And leave your comments for Episode 19 of "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb On YouTube" to share what you think about Dana Carpender and her dazzling set of books to help you on your low-carb lifestyle change.
We're building up quite a listing of YouTube videos now, so be sure to go back and watch any of them you might have missed. We work hard to make these as entertaining and informative as possible on a wide variety of subjects pertaining to diet, health, nutrition, and practical low-carb living. Subscribe to our videos e-mail us your feedback at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. It's our pleasure to serve you and we look forward to continuing our videos for you in 2008. By the way, you'll be pleased to know "The Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Show with Jimmy Moore" podcast will be returning in January. WOO HOO!
Battinger: I Still Believe The Kimkins Diet Works, But 'The Doors Are Closing' Soon
She has been the public face of the Kimkins diet scam over the past few months and even went on national television late last month to defend the indefensible--a diet fraud that we now see runs as deep as the lies told by its creator Heidi Diaz. But now Jeannie Battinger wants to tell her side of the story and answer the tough questions, so that's what I'm allowing her to do today in my exclusive interview with the woman known as "Tippy Toes."
Does she make a convincing argument for her actions and behavior since becoming the spokesperson for Kimkins? Does she sound contrite and sorrowful for the actions she caused others throughout this process? Is there anything she could possibly say at this point that would convince those she has hurt to even remotely put their trust in her again?
YOU will be the final arbiter who decides truth from fiction after reading her answers and drawing your own conclusions. She says some things that a lot of people will not be happy with while admitting there were mistakes made and errors in judgment she made as well. This is Jeannie Battinger raw and unedited sharing what's on her heart right now just mere days after making the decision to sever ties with Kimkins and Heidi Diaz forever.
Her words now speak for themselves.
1. Today we have with us here at the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb" blog someone who has become somewhat of an enemy in the low-carb community because of her association with the woman who was behind the Kimkins diet scam--Heidi Diaz. As the public spokesperson for Kimkins over the past few months, Jeannie Battinger--aka Tippy Toes--has attempted to keep up the appearance of normalcy regarding the Kimkins diet even as a class action lawsuit is moving forward against Diaz and questions over her true identity as well as many of the so-called "success stories" remain.
Thank you for joining us today Jeannie and for being willing to share your story with me and my readers about your previous relationship with Diaz and the Kimkins diet and to talk about why you recently decided to sever ties with Kimkins altogether. When the whole controversy started coming out about Diaz, aka Kimmer, and the pictures of her were out there, why did you decide to go and work for her when it was obvious to so many people at that point that she was both a liar and a con artist? Why would you want to align yourself with someone of such low character?
I gave Kimmer the benefit of doubt and I was wrong to do so. I really wasn't convinced that she was the heavier woman in the pictures. But I thought even if she was her crime was obesity. Because I know too well what obesity is and how life-destroying it is, I could not fault her for this possibility. And she kept insisting to me over and over that she was not Heidi Diaz. I do have a certain respect for people's privacy on the web and I did respect her decision to remain anonymous. Now, you asked why I wouldn't believe what was so obvious to so many? Simple, Jimmy. I read lies in that thread all the time and that makes it very difficult to sort the truth. My blog today has some recent examples. So it isn't that I wanted to align myself with such a low character...I was not convinced she was.
2. It was one thing to be excited about a diet plan that you believed in, but yet another thing entirely to become an employee of a company that you knew was based on a lie. Heidi Diaz has since been found to be a morbidly obese woman who has not lost 200 pounds as she claimed. Since she is not a doctor or nutritionist nor does she have one who endorses the Kimkins diet plan as written, why do you continue to support that diet in particular even now?
If you are eating more fat and calories than the Kimkins plan calls for, then it's not the Kimkins diet--it's probably closer to Atkins instead. And if you weren't ever following the Kimkins diet strictly, then why did you take the job as spokesperson? Don't you think the PR person should be able to support the Kimkins plan 100 percent without any need for alterations to it?
I did not know the company was based on a lie when I took the job. The worst remote possibility was that she could be obese and I didn't see that as a huge crime. The possibility that she was indeed an obese woman made me feel pity for her. In fact, I will say being obese does not mean you don't know HOW to lose weight.
So why do I continue to support this plan now, even with no medical endorsement? Because I stalled out on Atkins after losing only 50 pounds. I still had over 50 to go. I tried other plans, EFGT and more. But the bottom line is I could not lose any further weight on those plans. Then I tried Kimkins and presto--fat be gone.
I honestly believe that the Kimkins plans could have offered hope to even the most metabolically resistant...The plans do work. I have lost 68 pounds doing Kimkins to date. Perhaps eating more calories and fats is not the way Kimkins diet once was but she did allow me to make those tweaks and I felt it made the diet healthier. I have always felt that Kimkins diet should be able to make positive changes and be allowed to do so.
3. One major area of concern was when people began getting banned from their "lifetime membership" to the Kimkins web site and you became the default scapegoat for many of these. Were you indeed personally responsible for banning members or was it others as well? If it wasn't just you, then provide the names of those who were doing the banning?
Also, why were people banned for a "terms of service violation" when they clearly had not committed one and how many of them are there? By the way, how many people are actually running the Kimkins business? Is it just Heidi Diaz?
Every admin can ban and so can Kimmer herself. I cannot list all admins who could ban as many came and went at the blink of an eye. Currently SingingLass, Kimmer and Gary can ban or at least could when I left. I did ban a small handful and I mean 4 or 5 people. They were on a mission and had clear intent of being banned for going out in a blaze of glory. I did not go into other web sites to look for offenders but other admins did. And I'll not throw them under the bus for taking orders from Kimmer. They did the job that was assigned.
I know nothing of the TOS bannings that were not clear. But again, no one had to ask me if they could ban a person. They didn't have to ask Kimmer either. So I don't know. I also have no idea how many were banned in total. I also don't know how many people run Kimkins. Kimmer told me she sold out too. Now I see this was not true. Believe it or not, she hid things from all of us too.
4. You signed on to work for Kimmer/Heidi at Kimkins AFTER much of the controversy was already out there for all the world to see following the departure of Becky, Christin, and Deni--three major admins who decided to leave after opening their eyes to the truth. Did you really think you could actually defend the indefensible once the truth started getting out there? Do you wish you could take back everything you did after being informed that Heidi Diaz was a liar?
I had no idea what the real truths were at the time. And I was not convinced of anything people told me. I am funny about these kinds of issues. If someone today told me Jimmy Moore is a bad person I would disregard that until I saw it for myself. For me it is a dislike of participating in gossip--particularly hurtful gossip to a fellow human being. And sorting lies from truth is still a challenge because BOTH exist to this day on these very issues.
As far as wishing things would have turned out differently, well of course I do. But Jimmy, I just can't regret helping people learn how to do Kimkins in cycles and I cannot regret preaching more calories. I think I helped many people in these ways. And helping them seems far more important to me than Heidi. Yes, it came at a huge price for me. But you know what? Kimkins members are worth it. And I miss them all so much. I hated leaving them. There are days I am tempted to go back to them. But I know I cannot and it is hard.
5. Just before you decided to leave Kimkins, you appeared on national television defending the Kimkins diet on FOX-TV's "The Morning Show with Mike and Juliet." If you had a chance to go on that show again, would you use the opportunity to recant your previous stance? Was Heidi pleased with your television appearance after you seemed to be putting Kimkins in a bad light with your comments? Was your encounter with Christin and Deni a positive one?
I have learned more things about Heidi since the show. I regret that new members may sign on and not have a home for long. To do all over I would NOT have accused Christin and Deni of setting poor examples. And Heidi and I both knew upfront what I was walking into. She was not mad at me for what I said at all and I was not kicked to the curb for it. And it brought in a lot of sales.
Every time Christin went on TV it brought people to Kimkins. Meeting Christin and Deni did surprise me. I found myself wanting to be friends and take a better look at their stories and stances. I hugged Christin and said I wished her well and that I didn't want her to be sick.
6. On that show, you noted that the Kimkins diet had gone through some recent changes, including now calling for 800 calories consumed daily as a minimum. Where did you get that number and did you realize that is still well below the 1200 calories needed for basic basal metabolism? Were you pressured by Kimmer/Heidi to deny any references to low-calorie intake on the show although many Kimkins members reported consuming less than 500 calories a day?
I read a brochure at my doctor's office concerning low calorie diets. The medical profession has deemed that less than 800 calories a day is indeed starvation. I asked my Doctor and she confirmed it. So I decided Kimkins should not be LESS than 800 calories and looked for ways to increase the levels even more.
I am all for 1200 calories a day and then some if the person can still lose weight. I was not pressured by anyone before the show. I researched old posts at Kimkins and saw for myself what moderators told others. Those people now have made me understand that it was Kimmer who instructed this behind the scenes. I very much regret blaming staff for following orders from their boss.
7. You have come under fire, some probably justified and some not, from the members of the low-carb forum community Low-Carb Friends and you haven't backed down from them either as you faithfully defended Kimkins. Some have said you made threats against members of Low-Carb Friends which brought on a lot of bad blood between you and them. Do you regret threatening members of Low-Carb Friends when many believe you had no reason to?
Would you like to offer a public apology to them and others you may have harmed by your behavior towards them over the past few months? And knowing what you know today, and seeing what you've seen, do you currently hold any grudges against the members of Low-Carb Friends? How do you feel about the work they have done and continue to do in their pursuit to shut down the Kimkins web site?
I had reason to believe one member there was contributing to and responsible for the Ducky blog. I do regret sending her an email saying I knew it was her and to pull the blog before I exposed her. That was the threat. I acted in haste and should not have and to her I do apologize for the email.
And I have had problems at LCF since Atkins quit working for me and I chose to do the Kimkins diet instead. In fact, every problem I ever had there, Kimkins was attached. Do I hold grudges against some there? Yes. People who do not know me, have never known me or encountered me at all are running on hearsay. They say they read my postings and find me mean.
While I have made 3 or 4 mistakes in posts I wish I could take back, there are hundreds and hundreds of posts showing me helping others. I even buy Atkins books and mail them to those in need at my own expense. And I have always been glad to help others. My posts are nice and cheerful and I am NOT what they say I am. The BS makes it hard to sort the truth.
And posting about my husband and that I said this and that is mostly lies or twisted versions of my attempt at being funny. I challenge anyone to this day to show where I mentioned anything bad about him at all. True we had a few spats and I whined...well, we have been together for a very long time. He is and always will be the love of my life and Low-Carb Friends will never divide us.
They can search for his email all day long and tell him whatever they want. He knows exactly what is happening to me and why and he isn't too happy with Low-Carb Friends. But he is VERY happy with me. Our marriage is rock solid and will remain that way. You asked me if I am upset with LCF for trying to close Kimkins. In a way I am because there are a lot of wonderful people there who may lack support. But, now knowing what I do (learned much from the class action lawsuit attorney John Teidt) I see some justification to their cause.
And before I forget, I want to comment on Jeanessa. We may not have been on the same side of the fence before but I think you have shown an enormous amount of class with your actions. I wish the rest of my critics would pay more attention to you and learn. And I want to thank you for not being a nasty, gossipy person. You have a cause and you never lost focus nor were you sidetracked by the gossip pit. That is class.
8. So what was the actual turning point for you, Jeannie? How far did Heidi Diaz have to go before it was too far for you to stick around? When did you decide that it was time to get out? What did you know and when did you know it with regard to the fraudulent activity happening at Kimkins? Do you know how many people are still at Kimkins as of the time you left? Do you know how many people have joined Kimkins in the last few months since you took over for Christin as the public spokesperson?
And I have to ask this question because I know it's on the mind of many people reading this interview right now: If the Kimkins assets hadn't been frozen as part of Diaz' legal woes and you were still being paid, then would you still be the spokesperson today?
The turning point was having given her a chance to come clean and she couldn't/wouldn't do it. I was thrilled she had admitted being Heidi and thought she had a chance to make things right. I recruited the husband/wife team on the front page and I did see that while the wife lost about the same as Heidi, Heidi appeared 100 pounds less. And there were more lies I finally was able to see for myself. Lies that came from her own deposition in conflict with emails to me. It was this and the realization after reading parts of her deposition that I fully began to understand just how much trouble she was really in.
The Russian Bride thing was the first fraud I saw aside from thinking she could be Heidi and we were ALL horrified. I do not know how many members are at Kimkins now nor do I know how many new ones came since I was there. Another admin can see new membership welcome emails but I could not. That admin told me sales spiked when Christin went public. But not everyone who joins posts so it is hard for me to say.
If Heidi's accounts were not frozen, would I still be there today? Well, the fact that it takes some pretty serious accusations for a judge to do this has much to do with my answer. If her assets had not been frozen then there may not have been merit to this case. Some don't know this but I was willing to stay on for free and did so. So yes, I would have stayed without being paid if there was no problems. It wasn't all about the money. It was the legal trouble. And the legal trouble was from the fraud. That I cannot handle nor wish to be a part of.
9. Now that you have gotten out, are you willing to cooperate with the ongoing legal investigation against Heidi Diaz? I noticed you recently created a blog to help tell your side of the story about this whole Kimkins fiasco, but you stated it was only going to be temporary.
If you are committed to exposing the Kimkins diet fraud to the world like Becky, Christin, Deni and others have, then why wouldn't you want to keep it up at least until the web site is shut down for good? Are you going to actively denounce and warn others about the inherent dangers of attempting to do the Kimkins diet?
Yes I am working with John Teidt. In fact, I am waiting for some paperwork from him now and am very willing to give him anything I have which may help his case. I pulled the original content from my blog (see the original post here) as I learned it offended some people. I think I should have left it up but was trying to do the right thing.
I now see that yes, people will be offended as we sort the real truths. I don't think my blog will help shut down Kimkins though as I do believe the diet can be used safely and is effective. I also believe no one should go on ANY diet without medical supervision and this includes Atkins as well as Kimkins.
10. THANK YOU so much for being with us today, Jeannie! It takes a lot of guts and courage to answer these kinds of questions and I'm so thankful for your willingness to share openly and honestly about this. What would you like to say to SingingLass and the thousands of others who are still at Kimkins to help them see the light NOW before the Kimkins site is shut down for good in the very near future? Is there anything encouraging you'd like to tell them to offer guidance about what to do about their weight loss and health efforts when that happens?
SingingLass, you know how I feel about you. And I respect how you feel about Kimkins diet and the site. I feel the same way. I know we tried and did make Kimkins plans better and safer. But there are legal problems coming your way, not from what you have done but from Heidi's doings. She will not be able to pay for an attorney to represent you and I am so afraid you will need representation. But I understand why you stay.
I wish I could have too and I miss you and the others more than you will know. I will always have a place in my heart for you. Anytime you feel like emailing or calling me you can. I know you are in a tough spot. I wish I could share what John Teidt has shared with me but I cannot. You will learn it all soon enough. Even if you want to stay, if he does contact you, please do cooperate. He really isn't after us--he wants her.
But if he has to steamroll over us to get her he will. And for other members, please stay safe and don't do crazy extremes to the diet--even if Kimmer says she does. You should all see your doctors anyways--everyone on a diet should no matter what diet. Listen to your doctor and always be honest. I have shown the diet of original Kimkins to two doctors now and one prefers it to Atkins. The other gave me a list of supplements to buy and take and had no problems either.
You can maintain a Kimkins loss. But you don't have to try to lose 100 pounds overnight either. And I miss you all. Gather emails of friends and form a buddy system. I do think the doors are closing. And I want you all to have my email if you want to stay in touch--contact me at baitingerjeannie@yahoo.com.
Incidentally, Jeannie insists she is NOT behind the new Magic Chicken Diet and she believes it is possibly Heidi Diaz trying to reinvent Kimkins again under a new name.
Kimkins cover girl: "I was wrong...Kimkins is not the way to lose weight"
It takes a very special person to publicly admit when they were wrong about something even after multiple warnings and concerns shared by those around them. And yet that is exactly what has happened this week when Kimkins Woman's World cover girl Christin delivered an impassioned video apology at her blog along with a detailed explanation of the health complications she and others have suffered since beginning the risky low-carb imposter diet scheme devised by a morbidly obese woman named Heidi Diaz.
I blogged about my concerns over the Kimkins fiasco that culminated earlier this week when this beautiful young woman had to be rushed to the emergency room because of some pain in her chest and heart complications. When you hear something like this happening that was brought on by such an extreme low-fat/low-calorie diet like Kimkins, it should make you angry. AND I AM ANGRY ABOUT IT!
To anyone who is still on the Kimkins diet, CHRISTIN has a message just for YOU:
Show your support for and encouragement to Christin by leaving a comment about this video at her "The Journey On" blog. What a brave woman she is and I am honored to know her as a friend. She has demonstrated nothing but grace, elegance, and dignity in the midst of what has become a complete and utter nightmare for so many of us in the low-carb community concerning this Kimkins debacle.
For the sake of those who cannot view the video, the following is a summary of the video, including direct quotes made by Christin regarding her experience following the Kimkins diet. Be prepared to be shocked and stunned as she shares quite openly about the negative impact this weight loss fraud has had and may continue to have on her health. Pray for her even now as she seeks to reverse the damage that has been done.
Christin before Kimkins when she weighed 250 pounds
Christin said she did this video so that others would "know exactly where I stand on this." She explained why most people choose to lose weight: to improve their health. Period! When you are 100+ pounds overweight, then you are not living healthy, she noted.
She chose the Kimkins program because she "wanted to lose weight quickly and I thought healthfully" because she "wanted more for my life." She wanted to "be there" for her family in the years to come. I think all of us who have ever gone on a weight loss plan can relate to that.
Christin today after losing 100 pounds
When she first began, the program was working great for her because "I was following the program exactly as written. I thought I was doing perfectly." But after losing 100 pounds in five months, Christin then conspicuously noticed there was not one single doctor who approved the Kimkins diet. That's when she started looking into who Heidi Diaz, aka Kimmer, really was and what she claimed to be.
Diaz had alleged in the marketing of Kimkins that she lost 198 pounds in 11 months on this Kimkins diet and was promoting it that way to anyone who would listen with supposed pictures to prove it. But it was this recent series of articles that included recent photographs of Diaz along with several other sites that made Christin become concerned and realize that those claims by Diaz were simply "not true."
"Heidi did not lose the weight, she did not follow this program that she claims is safe for anybody, even for diabetics," Christin said.
Then Christin turned in her video to the "risks" of being on the Kimkins diet that she discovered first-hand while following the program. She said she has real "concerns for everyone else that has attempted this program or will attempt this program."
That includes first and foremost hair loss. Christin admitted that her hair "started fall out in handfuls" and it "scared" her. She estimates she has lost as much as 60 percent of what used to be "thick, full hair" prior to her Kimkins experience.
"Now it's very thin," she exclaimed.
Another side effect was the loss of her menstrual cycle that she believes happened from "eating so few calories and my body was becoming malnourished." She said the hair loss and lack of periods are both tell-tale signs of anorexia, an eating disorder where victims literally starve themselves to be thin.
"I believe now the Kimkins diet program promotes a form of anorexia that I don't know if science has even attempted touch on this yet," Christin stated. "300 calories a day is not safe weight loss."
Any dietary change this drastic need to be closely monitored by a doctor just like those who undergo gastric bypass surgery do, she added.
When these symptoms began to show up, Christin went on the Kimkins forums to see if anyone else was losing their hair and female cycle like she was. "What's going on?" she pleaded to anyone who would listen to her concerns. And Christin said she "saw it come up multiple times" regarding these symptoms she was having in other people, too.
The excuse provided in response to this happening was that it was "perfectly normal and you're going through a shed. Your body is just losing estrogen." It was just too coincidental that "almost every other person who kept their calories under 1000 calories, probably more under 700 calories, has lost hair."
"I don't want to scare you," Christin said speaking directly to people who are still following Kimkins, "but I want to bring you into the reality that there is a better way to lose weight."
Christin asks "are you really doing this?" and urges people to take their diet plan to their doctor for him to examine it. "Take him your Fitday, take him exactly what you are eating, let him see your calorie counts," she said.
"I'm concerned about you," Christin pleaded.
Christin says she is sorry for supporting the "dangerous" Kimkins diet
When the time came for Christin to step into the spotlight back in June when the Woman's World magazine cover story opportunity came up, she said she was "put on a pedestal as the 'cover girl.' I was the model, I was the way to do it." But now she realizes how she was used as a pawn and seeks the mercy of those who trusted and looked up to her.
"I need to ask your forgiveness," she said. "I'm sorry. I was wrong. Kimkins is not the way to lose weight. Kimkins is dangerous...for your health, it's dangerous for your psyche."
But as much as Kimkins hurt Christin up until this point, none of it was as grave as what was happening to her without even realizing it. She had the symptoms of an eating disorder that she admits made her realize she "had a problem" when she was fearful of even consuming some salad out of fear that she'd stall in her weight loss.
"I did not get fat on salad and on healthy vegetables," Christin explained. "I got fat on sugar and white carbs."
Getting over the fear of eating was a very difficult mental test for Christin as she now obsessed over every little bite of food she was eating and how it would impact her on the scale. She revealed that she hasn't met anyone who has been on the Kimkins program who wasn't "literally scared" to add food back into their diet.
"What kind of a program is it that makes you scared? Weight loss is not about fear, weight loss is about excitement, it's about joy, it's about recapturing your life," Christin shared with a glimmer in her eyes. "It should be a fun journey, not a fearful one."
And yet fear was exactly what gripped Christin and it would not let go of her.
"If I wasn't losing everyday, then I began wondering what was wrong with me," Christin admitted. "Nothing was wrong with me. My body was screaming at me. It was putting the brakes on and telling me you're going about this the wrong way."
As a devout Christian, she knew that "God created us to eat healthy foods; vegetables and fruits, whole grains, and yes, even fat." Christin reiterated that she believes there is "validity to low-carb programs" like Atkins, Protein Power, and the like when they are done the correct way and not the Kimkins way.
"You will provide your body with all of the nutrients that it needs" when you follow low-carb by the book, Christin shared. "God did not create you to starve yourself."
Outlining the "many dangers within the Kimkins program," she said that it goes much deeper than just an eating disorder. She said that "something is going on within my body" and that it has been manifested in the form of "flutters" in her heart for the past month.
"Twinges, cramps, aches, all within my chest cavity right around the area of my heart," Christin expressed, sharing that it all came to a head on Monday when the "severe chest pains...stomach aches, and nausea" were so great she was admitted to the emergency room staying there until late at night.
The doctors examined her with many tests, including an EKG, blood work, chest x-rays, and they kept her at the hospital for several hours to monitor her condition. It's still unknown what caused the tremendous pain to come on Christin like it did on Monday night, but she was prescribed pain medications and was referred to a cardiologist for an immediate follow-up visit.
That visit to the cardiologist took place on Wednesday who shared several concerns for Christin. With a "more and more serious" look on his face after hearing Christin's story about her starvation-mode weight loss method compliments of the Kimkins diet, he told her flat out that "our bodies can suffer damage from eating that little."
After conducting more tests on her, including an EKG, an ECG, blood work, and "lots of listening with the stethoscope," the cardiologist said he was not concerned about what he called a "normal" low pulse rate of 45 (incidentally, mine is in the upper 40's since I lost nearly 200 pounds and Christin has experienced a heart rate in the low-to-mid 40's). Even still, she says she "might get a second opinion on" just to be sure about it.
But there were real concerns that the cardiologist had for Christin, including "possible damage to my heart nodes and valves from malnutrition." Because of that, he wants to have a sonogram of Christin's heart to confirm whether or not there is this damage since it was inconclusive from the initial examination. He's also concerned about some "esophageal spasms" that happen whenever there is a "rapid change in your dietary program and you lose a lot of weight."
"Things can change on your insides," Christin quoted the cardiologist as saying, "that it takes it a while to catch up."
She is now medication for this "distress" with the contractions surrounding her esophagus and trying to rest as her body goes through the healing process.
Speaking passionately and directly to those who still think the Kimkins diet is a safe and effective way to lose weight in a healthy manner, Christin had an extremely clear and articulate message for them.
"If I and my story can stop anyone else from having pain and having the fear that I did that I might have caused even further damage and by attempting to be for my family I hindered my longevity with them--I was scared to death. That ride to the hospital was one of the most fearful ones that I have ever had! My husband was scared at having to face the possibility of losing his wife and his helper and his love," she recalled from her haunting experience earlier this week.
When they got to the hospital, Christin said she and her husband "prayed together" while holding hands hoping for the best in God's hands. And that's something she wants to help others avoid if they will simply listen to what she has to say.
"If I can save any of you from having to go through that, then it is worth it," Christin concluded.
Speaking about her role as the Public Relations head of Kimkins last month and as the cover girl on the Woman's World magazine in June, Christin said she did it because she "thought [she] was helping" others as is her heart's desire.
"It has always been my desire to help people," she said. "And especially those that I feel a connection with, those who have struggled to lose weight their entire lives, those who have issues with obesity--something that I know all too well."
Christin said taking on those responsibilities felt like she was "doing my part to give hope, to give assurance, to sympathize and to empathize" with people who were facing the same struggles that she had trying to lose weight. She still has those feelings for people who want to beat their obesity which is why she is still blogging and participating in a low-carb forum again.
"My heart goes out to you because I know what it's like," Christin stated. "I know the euphoria of losing weight quickly, but I also know the risks and the dangers involved and I am begging with you now to please listen to your body like I've said so many times and do the right thing."
She added: "There is a right way and a wrong way to lose weight. And I am now convinced that starving yourself and utilizing the Kimkins program in that manner is not the right way."
Realizing there is still a need for a community for people who desire weight loss the healthy way, Christin said we should all "stand together and learn together" the "correct way to use a low-carb program to make each other healthy, to live a longer life for our loved ones and our families."
Christin said she'll be back to blogging again soon and appreciates the friendship and love that has been shown to her through this horrific experience.
"I love you and I'm here for you," she concluded.
Visit Christin and learn more about her continuing low-carb weight loss journey at her "The Journey On" blog as well as the "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum. And if you would like to contact Woman's World magazine to let them know about your concerns regarding the Kimkins program, their direct e-mail address is DearWW@aol.com. Perhaps if enough of us let them know about Christin and others who have suffered serious health consequences from being on Kimkins, then they may print a retraction.
As much as I have tried to distance myself from the still growing controversy over the low-carb imposter diet known as Kimkins since my public apology for once supporting it nearly two months ago, new revelations that cannot be ignored keep bringing it back to the forefront and warrant further exposure here. THIS IS TOO IMPORTANT TO JUST IGNORE!
When the virtual face of Kimkins--Becky, Christin, and Deni--decided to distance themselves from the diet earlier this month, it was a tremendous blow to the reputation of Kimkins that promises "super-fast results" by restricting fat, calories, and carbs. These three beautiful women were the heart and soul of Kimkins and their departure has left the Kimkins web site with a very noticeable lack of love and concern that it had become known for (incidentally, all three of them are now at my forum providing support like they once did at Kimkins).
But then when it was discovered by a private investigator that the founder of this diet who calls herself Kimmer (her real name is Heidi Kimberly Diaz despite the fact she told me personally that Heidi was both her real name and her cousin on two different occasions) is a morbidly obese woman who never lost weight according to her son and ex-husband and has a very long history of being a scam artist, I could no longer remain silent.
If you are a member of the low-carb community, then this issue with Kimkins should be of grave concern to you. What started out as a seemingly innocent-looking diet that's "just another low-carb plan" (it isn't really, but that's how it is being portrayed) has turned into something really ugly that is now having a negative impact on the lives of real people. That's right--PEOPLE ARE GETTING HURT FROM BEING ON KIMKINS!
One such person it is having a direct impact on is the Woman's World cover girl Christin herself who lost 100 pounds in five months on the Kimkins diet. I don't know if you've heard about this yet or not, but she was admitted to the hospital last night with chest pains and has been referred to a cardiologist. Her pulse dipped into the upper 30's and that has the doctors worried for her heart health.
They have ordered Christin to rest today and she is on pain medication to help relieve the chest pains until she can see the cardiologist.
"They did all the tests for major cardiac issues and ruled them out," Christin wrote at my forum. "EKG, blood work, chest x-rays, all came back normal so that is good...please keep praying. I'm pretty sore today (in my heart), but feeling a bit better."
Add this to the other side effects Christin admitted she experienced while on Kimkins, including her hair falling out and missing her menstrual cycle for five months in a row and it is quite disconcerting to say the least. While it is unclear whether this chest pain issue is related to the Kimkins diet or not, it's certainly difficult to ignore.
Then you have Deni who lost 60 pounds in three months on Kimkins and she is now wondering where the "warning label" about this diet is at her blog this week after experiencing some rather odd side effects since being on the diet, too: extra periods, hair loss, dizzy spells, blurred vision, heart flutters, and intense cravings. All of this came in the pursuit of weight loss so she could live a healthier life for her family.
The irony of it all isn't lost on Deni.
"I said that one of the reasons why I wanted to lose weight was because I wanted to be here long enough to see my kids and future grand kids grow up," Deni wrote in her blog this week. "Now, it's possible that losing weight has lowered the chances of that actually happening."
More tests are being run on Deni to see if the damage that was done can be fixed. Please pray for Christin, Deni, and all the others who have received the grim news about the damage to their health that may have been caused by their participation in the Kimkins diet. What a travesty this would be if hundreds, even thousands more following the dictates of this scam diet plan were to have their health ruined, too!
Is it just mere coincidence that the two most prominent Kimkins weight loss success stories are now having to deal with this kind of thing? Why is something like this even allowed to exist when real people have DOCUMENTED proof that they have been damaged as a result of this low-carb imposter diet scheme cooked up by an extremely overweight woman named Heidi Diaz?
If anyone is considering going on the Kimkins diet, then let me warn you: PLEASE DON'T! There are better ways to shed the pounds that are a part of a happy and healthy low-carb lifestyle. You can find information and support for these plans at my new "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum so you can shed the pounds in a healthy and safe manner. Eating at least 1200 calories a day with ample protein at each meal, limiting your carbohydrates from mostly non-starchy veggies (green leafy), and getting healthy amounts of fat will put you on the pathway to success in your low-carb lifestyle. YOU CAN DO IT!!!
As for Kimkins, please do your research by checking up on this growing list of web sites for detailed information about how this diet is nothing more than a ruthless money-making scheme that has been perpetrated on unsuspecting victims by someone who doesn't care a bit in the world about the weight and health of the people she comes into contact with.
Anyone who doubts this (especially those who are still supporting Heidi despite all the evidence inside Kimkins) should get introspective and take a long, hard look at all that has transpired over the past couple of months. If you do that, then there's no other choice for you but to distance yourself as much as possible from this shyster. It is for the best and you'll be so glad you did.
For those of you who were either employed by or were affiliates of Kimkins and are concerned this scam artist Heidi Diaz may try to use your Social Security number for her devious schemes, you may want to try LifeLock to protect yourself as I did. For less than $10 a month, they guarantee your credit and identity will be kept safe from evildoers (like Heidi) and you get a copy of your credit report twice a year along with that service. Additionally, they stop all those annoying credit card offers within a couple of months and alert you anytime someone tries to open a line of credit in your name using your private information. It's the best protective purchase I've made in a long time and it may be just what you need to protect yourself, too! Regardless, good luck to you and here's hoping your sensitive information was not compromised.
The moral of this story surrounding the Kimkins calamity is simple: be very careful about who and what you choose to associate yourself with. I learned my lesson as have many others who were sucked in by this. What began as merely a raw business deal has now turned into something much worse. It's without a doubt a really big danger for the health of those who are on this low-fat/low-calorie starvation diet.
How many more lives will need to be hurt before something is done to bring an end to this? If you want to get pro-active in stopping this dangerous dieting scheme before anyone else is harmed, then lodge a complaint with the Better Business Bureau. Also, if you were a member of Kimkins and have been refused a refund, consider joining the class action lawsuit that has been filed against Heidi Diaz for fraud.
9-26-07 UPDATE: My friend Christin has posted a heart-wrenching video at her blog about all that has happened to her health since she began the Kimkins diet that EVERYONE needs to watch--especially those who are still at Kimkins. She addresses her recent heart concerns and warns others to be very wary of this imposter low-carb scam. I'm proud of you Christin!
Statement from Jimmy Moore regarding the latest PI revelations made about the woman known as Kimmer/Heidi Diaz, founder of the Kimkins diet, at Slamboard this week here, here, and here:
"I am fully aware of the pictures that have surfaced about the founder of the Kimkins diet this week and frankly I am not surprised by what has been revealed. It absolutely confirms many of the exact reasons why I decided to apologize and completely sever ties with Kimkins six weeks ago and I expect even more investigations into the business practices and ethics of Kimkins and those behind it will continue.
That's why those of us who support a much more sound low-carb nutritional approach with proper caloric and fat intake for the sake of a permanent and healthy lifestyle change should follow the lead of myself as well as former Kimkins leaders Becky, Christin, and Deni in completely renouncing Kimmer and the low-carb imposter diet she created and made millions of dollars off of known as Kimkins."
If you have any comments or questions about this, then please feel free to contact me anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. THANK YOU!
9-8-07 UPDATE: Quite a few readers have inquired about how they can file a complaint against Kimkins with the Better Business Bureau. For your convenience, simply click here to lodge your concerns with the BBB in California where the Kimkins business is headquartered. Here's what I wrote in my one-star review:
Of all the people who could possibly review the Kimkins diet, I believe I have the most intriguing perspective about it. You see, I was once an affiliate for this very unhealthy diet plan when I didn't fully understand all of the ultra-low-calorie versions that are a part of the written plan. Now I know better.
People on this diet to the letter regularly eat 500-750 calories a day--about half of what is considered the minimum basal level of caloric intake for health. Additionally, fat and carbohydrates are restricted to the bare minimum which leaves protein as the primary source of calories. Eliminating fat and encouraging it to be "as low as possible" is extremely dangerous advice for people to follow.
While carbohydrate-restriction is certainly not an issue as it relates to health since the body can make its own carbs through a process called gluconeogenesis, the body NEEDS fat or it will cause some rather unpleasant side effects: nausea, weakness, body aches, hair loss, diarrhea, and even death. I'm not trying to be overly alarmist, I am simply sharing the truth about this very risky "diet" plan that purports to be a low-carb plan. It is NOT.
Instead, the Kimkins diet has been documented to lead to anorexia in many vulnerable and desperate people who want to lose weight. The founder of this diet plan is extremely obese and giving out diet advice under the auspices that she lost 200 pounds. That is a lie!
While I am ashamed to say I was once an affiliate of Kimkins, I now feel the Better Business Bureau should conduct a full investigation into this diet with the lifetime membership because there are literally thousands who have been banned from using the web site after paying $60 for permanent access. Everyone who wants it should get a refund and/or the site should be shut down for good!
It was a little more than a month ago when I decided the time was right for me to break my previous ties to the Kimkins diet completely. Although it was hard, I can honestly say it was the right thing to do in light of so much that has been revealed about the person behind the diet especially during my recent podcast interview with her (listen to Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3-5) as well as the dangerously unhealthy dietary advice promoted.
My only regret about leaving Kimkins was the people on the forum I left behind. They are the ones who kept me there because I appreciated the open dialog with such a loving and caring group of people. I had missed that until I created my new "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum last month.
The instant connection between the members there has been magical so far because we are all respectful, professional, and honest with each other. What a thrill it has been to see over 125,000 pageviews in just the first month and I'm ecstatic about how many people will be positively impacted with the message of livin' la vida low-carb through that forum in the months and years to come.
I share all of this because of a very brave decision that was made by three extra special angels in God's eyes: Becky, Christin, and Deni. For those of you who are familiar with these awesome women, you know them as the faces (and cute ones at that!) of the Kimkins diet over this past year.
Becky was always providing thorough and direct posts on the Kimkins forums to questions posted by members. Christin was the cover girl in Woman's World magazine in May and a big cheerleader on behalf of the Kimkins diet after losing over 100 pounds. Finally, Deni was also in the Woman's World article for her weight loss and was a Spirit-filled spiritual leader for so many going through this journey.
But you'll notice I said "was." As of today, all three have left Kimkins.
It started with Becky last Thursday when she announced it was time for her to leave. Here's an excerpt of what she wrote:
"What led to my dawning awareness that it was time to go was more than irreconcilable differences of opinion, more than self-protective concern, and more than current controversy. What led to my regretful realization that I would have to leave is another story for another time."
Then, in a Labor Day surprise, both Christin and Deni wrote detailed blog posts (and Deni changed the name of her old blog to remove the reference to Kimkins) announced their sudden departure because of many of the same concerns I had.
Christin admitted her hair started to fall out after four months on Kimkins and she didn't have a period for five months in her farewell post today. She began to wonder what price she was paying with her health by following a weight loss plan like Kimkins for sustained weight loss.
"So while I do agree and whole heartedly support that there is everything to be said for protein sources to be lean, and eating fresh vegetables, there is also something to the fact that God created things like whole grains and fruit for our bodies as well. However, I saw those things as a short term sacrifice for a long term gain. But sacrifice at what cost?"
For Deni, she believes God had her at Kimkins for a purpose and now it's time for her to move on to the next phase of her life according to His Will for her life. Her growing concerns about Kimkins led her to no other conclusion.
"I am leaving because I have learned some things that make me doubt the integrity of the founder, and because I have been used for purposes that go against my personality, my moral, and my conscience. I was deceived, and yet.. I still do not regret or doubt that the Lord called me to be there.. I simply accept now, that my work there is done.. and that the plans HE had for me there.. have been completed."
With the departure of such strong and faithful leaders as Becky, Christin, and Deni from Kimkins (and others at Kimkins have already or will soon be following their lead), I would like to offer an open invitation to any Kimkins refugees looking for a place to call home where they can reconnect with one another in fellowship and community to join my "Livin' La Vida Low-Carb Discussion" forum.
If you are worried about being judged or ridiculed, then don't worry. None of that will happen there and you may just find a few new friends in the process. There are already several former Kimkins members there who are an active part of the threads sharing their experiences alongside those who are following plans like Atkins, Protein Power, Barry Groves, and more.
Everyone is welcome there and that includes Becky, Christin, and Deni when they are ready. As I have said, the Kimkins forum members were some of the most genuine, down-to-Earth, and fun group of people I've ever come across online. It would be an honor to have them bring that same personality and energy to my new forum.
If you have any questions (and I've been getting quite a few lately in my e-mail box from Kimkins members) about transitioning to a different low-carb approach or if you just have something on your mind, then please don't hesitate to contact me anytime at livinlowcarbman@charter.net. I'm always happy to hear from you and will answer you as quickly as possible.
Becky, Christin, and Deni--I'm more proud of you than you'll ever know!
The post that appeared here has been removed for not promoting the low-carb community in the professional manner I have come to expect from myself. THANK YOU!
Kimkins Low-Carb Diet Hotties To Grace Woman's World Magazine In June
The post that appeared here has been removed for not promoting the low-carb community in the professional manner I have come to expect from myself. THANK YOU!
