Why the fascination with Kimmer?

[Sharis]

Originally Posted by Melle's_Sweetheart

Kimmer has done what ALL of us have done on occasion--go into Fitday to check the calorie/carb count of something we're making or eating. On the days that she has 200 calories, it's likely she's just checking calorie counts. I wouldn't expect someone who has lost 200 lbs to be STILL plugging all her values into Fitday...by now, she knows how much she has to eat to maintain. She alluded to this on one of her threads, although I don't recall which one at this very moment.

Please consider the following:

What if Kimmer was the type of person who didn't like to be recognized/identified online? We all know people like this--I have a friend that won't even let me email photos of her children to other people! Some people are INCREDIBLY paranoid of the internet....

What if (like many of us) she still feels "fat"? Even when I lose weight, I hate having my photo taken. I've heard others say that if they lose their weight they're going to be "photo hos", but y'know what? You won't know how you feel about that UNTIL you meet goal. Give the woman a break, maybe she HATES having her photo taken!

My sister is a makeup artist. She can make ANYONE look younger by filling in lines with thick, cake makeup. This is generally what photographers use to make people look fabulous before a "shoot". That, coupled with air brushing, can make someone look COMPLETELY different. I'm surprised that no one has considered that since she's advertising her site, she JUST MAY HAVE HAD PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS MADE. My wedding pictures don't look like me AT ALL...probably because of the talent of my awesome Sister...but you know what I'm saying here...

...and SO WHAT if she's had plastic surgery? I don't understand why so many people are getting so bent over this! If you disagree with her program, DON'T FOLLOW IT....if you feel that her charging money for her program is wrong, DON'T BUY IT.....There are thousands of diet plans for sale online....I voice my disapproval by NEVER buying them!

Please don't forget...Kimmer gave TONS of advice for free on THIS site for YEARS. I've never seen anyone so patient in my entire life. I've been here since 2003 and I was VERY sad to hear that she'd left. If she's making money by sharing her knowledge, then GOOD FOR HER! Why isn't it ok for her to make money????? (and don't say she ripped off ATkins...cause Atkins ripped off Banta...)

Why is so much importance placed on whether she posted her own photos or not, whether she has surgery and her age? Why is that so important? I don't understand why her photos make her a "fraud" as someone mentioned in another thread. Those who are following her program will quickly let everyone know if the diet is fraudulent. Kimmer is selling a weight loss system...she's not selling HERSELF.

This BS reminds me of all the people who cut up Dr. Atkins after he died. Y'all should think about your motives.

I agree with a lot of this. However, there is NO WAY that the woman in that red dress lost 200 lbs at or around the age of 40. I have seen far too many pictures of people who have lost massive amounts of weight (my own body included) and there is just not way EVEN WITH SURGERY, that her neck and face would be that tight and her arms that tight and even the rest of her body. Even with surgery you don't end up looking like that. Those arms are not the arms of anyone who has lost 200 lbs. I'm sorry. It's just not possible.

Massive photoshopping? Perhaps. But then that's just more deception so that is NO excuse either.

Honestly, I just don't know what to think. The more this goes on I just don't know why there haven't been more answers. I do think Kimmer was a great asset to this board and helped many, many people but I'm also pretty sure I was kicked off her site for reasons unknown to me as I never posted anything negative about her over there so I just don't know what to think about any of it. I joined her site when it first launched and it was $15 and I did it mostly as a show of support because I thought she had been treated unfairly and poorly at the end.

The diet itself I don't have a real problem with. It's completetly unsustainable and I don't believe there are more than a handful (if that!) of people to ever make goal and keep it off for a year (my barometer of success) using Kimkins but I also think that trying the crazy stuff is part of the journey for many people. You can tell people until you are blue in the face that you can't eat this way for life and, until they try and fail, they just can't hear it. How many of us have tried crash diets? Everyone! So, I say let them try. Diet, lose 50 lbs then put it back on again. Come back try again. For many that's just the way the journey ends up. I don't think it's completely without value to have that experience so you can wise up and move on to finding something that IS sustainable for life.

Still, a lot of this is just plain ugly and mean. I know a lot of people hold grudges against Kimmer for all kinds of things. I never had a bad experience with her but I understand why some people did. I would probably be joining in on the fun of bashing her if I had had a bad experience with her so I can't fault anyone for that. However, I think all of this belongs over on the playground and not here. If I were trying to follow Kimkins and had to come to the Kimkins section of a SUPPORT BOARD everyday and see at least 3 thread bashing the hell out of my choosen plan I would not be happy. Neither would any of you. I think it's find to say whatever you want on the playground but I think it's disrespectful to the people who want to follow Kimkins to be faced with this stuff in the section that is supposed to be for their support.

[Tooter]

Originally Posted by HBGal

Isn't this what so many people have said about Atkins?

I'm sorry, maybe you didn't know this...but before "Atkins" became a so called "Diet Doctor" (And I did say DOCTOR) he was a Cardioligist. A heart specialist and found that his patients did fantastic on low carb. That's how "The Atkins" diet got started. To PROMOTE health...Not just lose weight.

Big difference between Atkins and "Kimmer". We don't even know who Kimmer is. Is she Kimmer, Kim Drake or Heidi Diez? I don't even know what she really looks like. She certainly has no medical training or experience.

[SkeeterN]

Originally Posted by Melle's_Sweetheart

Please consider the following:

What if Kimmer was the type of person who didn't like to be recognized/identified online? We all know people like this--I have a friend that won't even let me email photos of her children to other people! Some people are INCREDIBLY paranoid of the internet....

Lets step back and say this were true. Why promote to the world even on magazines that those photo's are of her. That is where the wrongness lies. If she doesn't want to show her face then be honest. Period. People would respect honestly over dishonesty anytime.

[emily1965]

Originally Posted by Melle's_Sweetheart

Kimmer has done what ALL of us have done on occasion--go into Fitday to check the calorie/carb count of something we're making or eating. On the days that she has 200 calories, it's likely she's just checking calorie counts. I wouldn't expect someone who has lost 200 lbs to be STILL plugging all her values into Fitday...by now, she knows how much she has to eat to maintain. She alluded to this on one of her threads, although I don't recall which one at this very moment.

Please consider the following:

What if Kimmer was the type of person who didn't like to be recognized/identified online? We all know people like this--I have a friend that won't even let me email photos of her children to other people! Some people are INCREDIBLY paranoid of the internet....

What if (like many of us) she still feels "fat"? Even when I lose weight, I hate having my photo taken. I've heard others say that if they lose their weight they're going to be "photo hos", but y'know what? You won't know how you feel about that UNTIL you meet goal. Give the woman a break, maybe she HATES having her photo taken!

My sister is a makeup artist. She can make ANYONE look younger by filling in lines with thick, cake makeup. This is generally what photographers use to make people look fabulous before a "shoot". That, coupled with air brushing, can make someone look COMPLETELY different. I'm surprised that no one has considered that since she's advertising her site, she JUST MAY HAVE HAD PROFESSIONAL PHOTOS MADE. My wedding pictures don't look like me AT ALL...probably because of the talent of my awesome Sister...but you know what I'm saying here...

...and SO WHAT if she's had plastic surgery? I don't understand why so many people are getting so bent over this! If you disagree with her program, DON'T FOLLOW IT....if you feel that her charging money for her program is wrong, DON'T BUY IT.....There are thousands of diet plans for sale online....I voice my disapproval by NEVER buying them!

Please don't forget...Kimmer gave TONS of advice for free on THIS site for YEARS. I've never seen anyone so patient in my entire life. I've been here since 2003 and I was VERY sad to hear that she'd left. If she's making money by sharing her knowledge, then GOOD FOR HER! Why isn't it ok for her to make money????? (and don't say she ripped off ATkins...cause Atkins ripped off Banta...)

Why is so much importance placed on whether she posted her own photos or not, whether she has surgery and her age? Why is that so important? I don't understand why her photos make her a "fraud" as someone mentioned in another thread. Those who are following her program will quickly let everyone know if the diet is fraudulent. Kimmer is selling a weight loss system...she's not selling HERSELF.

This BS reminds me of all the people who cut up Dr. Atkins after he died. Y'all should think about your motives.

OK. What if: Kimmer is actually a 45 y/o 400 pound man sitting home in his underwear eating twinkies and counting all the money that's rolling in?

Granted, a lot of people here lose weight doing the Kimkins plan. But, I have never heard of ANYBODY that had the same success that she claims to have had. She is selling the plan based on her own experience. If one is going to use their own experience to sell something, they need to offer up evidence that said experience actually happened. If they don't want to do that, then they are free to go about their life anonymously, and without taking people's money.



What if I opened up a website and claimed that if you paid me $60, I would tell you how I made my boobs grow from a A cup to a D cup in a week and I offered up pictures of an A cup woman and a D cup woman that looked nothing alike? Would you suspect me of fraud? Would you expect better proof that I had actually sprouted boobies practically overnight before you took it as truth?

[Peskie]

Originally Posted by pink parsley

Yep, if you are in your 40s now, then, yes, you were once in your 20s.

Ya think?

[Antigone]

Yes its true but doctors study a year or Biochemistry and Physiology.

[pink parsley]

Originally Posted by beautifulme

As FAR AS dOCTOR'S ARE CONCERNED-We must all remember that most medical schools don't require nutrition training to graduate.The nutrition course is considered an elective at most schools.This info comes from Dr.Andrew Weil..He is a natural health doctor and had do additional training outside of school to learn about nutrtion..and he went to harvard for his MD...

Weil's a hack. I wouldn't trust the guy as far as I could throw a stick.

His Harvard degree only lends him the appearance of legitimacy. In a review of his book Natural Health: Natural Medicine, I read that some of his suggestions are known to be harmful. For example, he recommends alternative treatments for some kinds of arthritis, postponing taking medicine. It is known that the earlier one begins taking drugs, the slower the disease becomes truly debilitating.

Most alternative medicine is unstudied but highly irrational, ill-defined, or contradictory, and the rest (which has been studied) has been shown ineffective.

[shellpurr]

You can't argue that a mentos a day + water is a diet choice not to be questioned more than you can argue it for Kimmers.

[Antigone]

I think if Kimmer makes money from people and she's using herself and her journey as the model for her weightloss plan, then she should be ready for public scrutiny. It's part of the trade. "Occupational hazard," if you will.

[SPECK]

Originally Posted by pink parsley

Hell, Red Dress looks like she could be anywhere from 20 to 40. Who knows?

There is a reason people care if it is her or not. If it's not her, isn't that fraud? And if it isn't her, and Women's World published that without her permission, wouldn't you want to set the record straight?

Yep, if you are in your 40s now, then, yes, you were once in your 20s.

I was just stating that it doesn't effect me either way. Do I think there is a problem if it isn't her and she is not who she says she is? Definitely.

I'll try to make it easier. I'm in my 40's now. I know what 20 looks like. (been there done that) Girl in red dress is beyond 20's. Hope that clears up the confusion.

[NWLoser]

I was here when Kimmer was a regular here. I thought at the time that it was odd that she wouldn't want to show her before and after photos. Isn't that what we all want to do. We can't wait to share the difference in our appearances. That made me question her clear back then. But I felt I was in the minority. It is interesting to see this coming up now. It would be so simple to solve this whole thing. Show yourself. That is all people are asking. I don't think the diet is so much in question as who is she. Did she really lose that much, etc. If it was me, I would want to post lots of current and before photos. Why wouldn't you want to? Just a thought.

[Jake]

Originally Posted by NWLoser

I was here when Kimmer was a regular here. I thought at the time that it was odd that she wouldn't want to show her before and after photos. Isn't that what we all want to do. We can't wait to share the difference in our appearances. That made me question her clear back then. But I felt I was in the minority. It is interesting to see this coming up now. It would be so simple to solve this whole thing. Show yourself. That is all people are asking. I don't think the diet is so much in question as who is she. Did she really lose that much, etc. If it was me, I would want to post lots of current and before photos. Why wouldn't you want to? Just a thought.

I will say that if I were to post before/after pics, and was then faced with people accusing me of faking the pictures, I would be reluctant to post again.

BUT, at the same time, if she litterally saturated us with pics, the accusations would die down.... I could see it going both ways.

[Sweeteater]

Originally Posted by Deb294evr

Kimmer often said she used her fitday to figure out items for other posters. Those VERY high days and the days of 200 calories , or single items, were merely to find something for someone else.

That's not what I'm talking about. Way back when, I looked at some of her days and in the part at the top where she wrote her thoughts and menu for the day, a food or two would be mentioned and then not added in below for the total number of calories. It may have been mere oversight on her part. I found Fitday time consuming and difficult to use, myself.

I just remember noticing that on at least ONE day...didn't spend too much time looking at them. I was just curious and interested in her weightloss success. I didn't bring it up at the time, but I kinda wish I could find that particular day now. But I won't lose any sleep over it.

[HBGal]

Originally Posted by NWLoser

I was here when Kimmer was a regular here. I thought at the time that it was odd that she wouldn't want to show her before and after photos. Isn't that what we all want to do. We can't wait to share the difference in our appearances. That made me question her clear back then. But I felt I was in the minority. It is interesting to see this coming up now. It would be so simple to solve this whole thing. Show yourself. That is all people are asking. I don't think the diet is so much in question as who is she. Did she really lose that much, etc. If it was me, I would want to post lots of current and before photos. Why wouldn't you want to? Just a thought.

I was watching a Dr. Phil show the other day and there was a lady on there who was SO THIN! Yet she saw a fat person in the mirror. Some sort of body image disorder. Perhaps Kimmer has this. So even though she's lost a ton of weight, she still sees herself as being overweight and shy's away from the camera. Just a thought. I know for me, I've lost more than 20 lbs total, but I still feel like I look the same.

If she showed her real self, would you all believe her or would you accuse her of using someone else's photo again?

[HBGal]

I've read the book, I know. People still bash him and low-carb diets to this day. So what if she has a "stage name". Many people do. Perhaps Kimberly is her middle name and Drake is her married name. She took plans from two DOCTORS (Atkins and Stillmans) and made her own tweak of it. No, she's not a doctor but she found something that works and is sharing it with others. I don't care what she really looks like or what her real name is. Her plan works and it's based off plans of doctors. I've never felt better in my life ... even when I was on regular Atkins for 5 months and only lost 20 lbs during that time. I get daily headaches and have now gone a full week without taking anything for my headaches! I believe this plan DOES promote good health. It's not long term. It's done to get healthy AND lose weight and once you reach your goal, you go into maintenence, just like Atkins.

[emeraldskye]

HBGal, you said that once you reach goal then you go into maintenence just like Atkins. Actually that is not like Atkins. On Atkins you up your ccl by 5 every or every other week until you reach goal.


ETA: I wish you well and a friendly reminder to take your vitamins.

[AriAnne]

Originally Posted by Melle's_Sweetheart

Kimmer has done what ALL of us have done on occasion--go into Fitday to check the calorie/carb count of something we're making or eating. .

I do that, but I don't save it, I log out after I find the answer,
that's just me.

However, Kimmer posted her fitday on the main board some years
ago to show what she ate, that was before she got all the
attention and the new name.

But it's cool. I asked her a few questions once and she was nice
to me, so I have no reason not to like her. The pics I gave an
opinion on because I doubt even she would approve of who ever
is posting fake pictures of her.

I hope that whatever she is about it's not deceptive in any way.
I'd like to think she has made good.

[cutepixy]

Originally Posted by happy cricket

I dont see anyone flaming. It's one thing to state an opinion - it's another thing altogether to simply argue points that NO ONE EVEN MADE. No one here said that they would blindly follow an MD. No one here said that they put ALL faith in Dr. Atkins just because he was a doctor. If you thought you could just make up things to argue about, and that no one would call you out on it, well I guess I'm not terribly good at relating to such a tactic....

If you'd like to discuss the actual points of view being put forth by the other posters in the thread, you may find that to be more productive and less frustrating.

Thank you for the good wishes - much luck and blessings to you as well.

I made my comments based on Hathers coment regarding Kimmers "they were DOCTORS!!!!! Not some entity on a message board." I did nto make that up nor am I here to argue a point. I simply said that I did not hold faith in someone because they hold the initials of MD after there name. Do not put words in my mouth or accuse me of saying something that I have not said. Yes I feel atacked plain and simple. I have not now or ever tried to use "tactic's" to make my points, I staited my oppinions. I am sorry that I have an oppinion different then yours but that does not give you the right to try and demean me or my oppinions.

[Antigone]

I just think if she has body dysmorphic disorder, then she probably wouldn't be swayed to build a website, charge a fee, and advertise her weight loss.

I admit I was very much tempted to join her website. I knew Kimmer last year as this really nice person who gave her time answering our questions. I never saw those pictures until I came back here in LCF this year. And I must admit, have strong doubts that those were pictures of the same person.

When she decided to make her diet public, that opened the door for public scrutiny.

[RockyMtnAngelEyes]

Originally Posted by Boujie

Interesting email a friend of mine rec'd from a former Kimkins member, who has since been banned.

Hmmm...

Email #1

Hey there.. I've been reading the Kimkins threads..ROFL

The 2 myspace sites are hers.. The one that says her age as 47 is her, the other was set up by a member and 'current' confident of hers {till she has no use for any longer}, as a site tool... That person DOES live in TX..

And the ebay postings are members who get a percentage of the membership fee, for anyone they bring in.. That one MS page is not Heidi, it's an affiliate.. Jimmy Moore is one as well and is making a killing of his referals...

I was banned for questioning, in PM's with another member, banned as well, some ethical issues that were brought to our attention... We never had the chance to ask her, because she went in and read our PM's, in which we NEVER said anything bad about her or accused her of anything, after making a big deal about never doing that because of what happened to her at LCF...

There's so much more, but all the posters are nailing it, even tho they have no proof..

PLEASE, keep my name out of anything you post...

Email #2

I trust you... So far everything that's been said, are all things we were questioning months ago.. Heidi has never met anyone in person, ever! She always had an excuse as to why she couldn't.. We were just waiting to see what she'd come up with about the cruise...LOL Her WW interview was on the phone as well, as was any communication with Jimmy Moore... And anyone else for that matter...

The pics can't be her.. I think it's a relative, posing.. The facial features don't match up at all! Not to forget she faked most all of the original B&A's on her site.. There's a thread on lowcarber with all of them, before she took them down, and one of the afters was even a well know model in Europe, but not known here.. The before was not her.. As were the others.. 2 different people, or badly stretched out of shape.. And she's always claim these people didn't want to post, but she would get any questions to them???? Plus the story writing style was pretty much all the same in each one...

After much thought on this, I've decided to make it known I was the one who sent this email.. Not to be a basher, but to let you see that it is from a REAL person, not just something, someone made up.. I've kept quiet for several months now, after being banned from the 'Kimkins' site, because I'm not the type to then run out and start bashing... And I won't do that now.. When I was banned, I recieved a scathing email from Heidi, accusing me of things I didn't do or say... As I stated, another member and I were discussing some ethical issues that had been brought to our attention, and what to do about it.. Heidi went into our PM's and read them.. I know this as fact, because she quoted things from our eamils in her message to me... I was also told there was no need to reply.. Well, I did! And I went into a lot of things, including her lack of 'proof' that she was who she says she is, and has accomplished what she says she has, among other things... What's being questioned now, has been being questioned for quite a while now.. Just not by so many.. That in itself shows that these are legit questions, and I, like so many, believe that people deserve answers...

As I said, I'm not going to bash, but I will tell you what I know/think, and what happened to me...

And many thanks to my 'little helper' for keeping my confidence, and getting my email to Boujie..

[SkeeterN]

Originally Posted by Antigone

When she decided to make her diet public, that opened the door for public scrutiny.

This is true for all who offer a public service. No matter what the service is.

[SkeeterN]

Originally Posted by RockyMtnAngelEyes