Featuring fresh takes and real-time analysis from HuffPost's signature lineup of contributors
Venice Fulton

GET UPDATES FROM Venice Fulton
 

The Book Your Skinny Friends Have Already Read - OMG!

Posted: 11/07/2012 00:00

Apparently, it's controversial. Apparently, it's a fad diet. And last, but not of least headline importance, apparently, experts are concerned.

It's a funny word, apparently. The ironic thing is how using it saves us from checking what's true, and what isn't. Apparently.

Six Weeks To OMG is not a diet. We all know what diets are - they're things that make us feel watched as we eat. And we all know that diets don't work. So, what have I actually written? The tip of the tongue temptation would be to spout out the perfect word-bite, and say "a way of life". You can relax, I've put my tongue back in.

To get skinny, you need to do a few things right. That's a few things beyond "just eat less and exercise more". You could still snuggle up to that, or hold hands with "low-fat food". You could even be charmed by the sweet talking 'balanced diet'. Clichés sit firmly in our minds, but they won't get us firm.

Our bodies are ridiculously complex things. Unfortunately, they don't come with instructions, and the inventor rarely makes an appearance. Our best starting point is research. The thing with research, is that most people never get to see it. Actually, most people don't want to. It's pretty dull.

We want excitement. Google Translate: we want results. And that's what research does, it finds results. Good scientists see what works and chuck out what doesn't. Bad scientists promote clichés, and really ugly scientists pretend that's all there is.

I used to be bad. I used to be ugly.

About this time last year, I decided to be good. I decided to write and self-publish Six Weeks To OMG. The intention was to 'get it all out', and put down in words, that which I'd known for a while, but rarely had the courage to admit beyond my closest.

The reaction was slow, then sudden, and then this. This, is surreal. 22 big-pond straddling publishing houses, asking to buy your book. It's a mighty pat on the back. Beyond the ego rub, it feels fantastic to have members of the public tell you they've been "set free" and "really get it now". But then there's them. The haters. The doubters. The don't tell them to keep sailing or they'll fall off the planet-ers.

The media sells sizzle, and conservative scientists provide the plate on which to serve it. Experts are concerned. I forgot to start that with apparently. The fireworks also dish up fad, craze, worried that, and the tabloid chef's special of the day, bonkers. Now actually, I read those things and smile. They are funny. Newspaper comment boards are hilarious.

But then my face turns sour. I think of the girl clutching her bag close. Guys, she's not cold. She's hiding her stomach. I remember the lady who didn't go out in daylight. Not her from Transylvania. Her who couldn't shift the pudge, and couldn't bear to bare. I pause to think about chatting with that metrosexual guy at the gym. Seemingly tough, but why did he whisper about feeling "not happy" with his abs?

The true controversy about "the OMG diet" is that it highlights how we've stopped being the bold, cave-to-computer, species we're still capable of being. We say skipping breakfast is stupid, and forget how we did it for 2,000,000 years. We call cold baths "ice baths", while research confirms room temperature water can boost metabolic rate by 376%. We nod at "eat little and often", and often look confused as our bellies don't get little.

Let's stop the fear. Today.

Let's ditch the safety in numbers soundbite of "eat less and exercise more". Let's look around and admit that ain't working. Let's embrace the shift in thinking.

OMG, let's all do something about it.

Six Weeks To OMG is available now on Amazon, iTunes, Barnes & Noble, Tesco, WH Smith, Waterstones, and all good stores.

 

Follow Venice Fulton on Twitter: www.twitter.com/veniceafulton

FOLLOW UK LIFESTYLE
Apparently, it's controversial. Apparently, it's a fad diet. And last, but not of least headline importance, apparently, experts are concerned. It's a funny word, apparently. The ironic thing is how...
Apparently, it's controversial. Apparently, it's a fad diet. And last, but not of least headline importance, apparently, experts are concerned. It's a funny word, apparently. The ironic thing is how...
 
 
  • Comments
  • 12
  • Pending Comments
  • 0
  • View FAQ
Comments are closed for this entry
View All
Favorites
Recency  | 
Popularity
20:05 on 18/07/2012
Paul Khanna is a fake. Calls himself by a fake name, a self proclaimed "scientist" and swindles self conscience young girls with a bunch of simple, easy answers that don't work.

He says, "experts are concerned." That's because they know better!

There are few people that are seeing minor results after reading this book. They all share one thing in common: they are exercising and staying away from fatty foods. The rest of Mr. Khanna's recommendations are crap. Some can do the opposite and make you gain weight and some can even be dangerous for your long term health.
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Nanaama
12:30 on 16/07/2012
This is just an advert for a book, masquerading as a blog.
15:12 on 12/07/2012
I am 53 ,6 feet tall ,weigh 145 , with a 31 waiste, I run every day several miles, plus sit ups ,and other things, and eat only fish, ,veggies, fruit, brown rice or whole wheat bread and only drink water, and have been doing this most of my adult life, I do not even drink coffee, I am on no meds and feel as good as I did 20 years ago, It really is that simple.
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Paul Wagland
Resistance is fertile
19:50 on 15/07/2012
Well said. Another fad diet from someone making a fast buck out of other people's misery.
photo
ginadeoliveira2008
Seen a shooting star tonight and I thought of you
03:17 on 12/07/2012
OH COME ON a full page ad with no content at all????!!!!! That's the lowest you've hit.
photo
MelissaGoldman
One moment in time--RIP Whitney
17:23 on 11/07/2012
Can anyone tell me if this book is suitable for vegetarians?
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Paul Wagland
Resistance is fertile
19:47 on 15/07/2012
The paper is fine, but there are probably animal products in the ink and glue.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
15:44 on 11/07/2012
I'm currently on Week 4 and I love the book. I am actually getting a copy for a friend. I think the book is a must read, it teaches you a lot about "diet" but most of all about healthy eating. I must say I was very skeptical when I started reading the book and thought some of the things mentioned were a bit radical, but I gave it a try and I'm glad that I did.
I did not lose a tremendous amount of weight, but I did notice I lost some inches and my body is more well defined and I workout 3-4 times a week. I still have two more weeks to go, but overall I do feel healthier and in much better shape.
Thank you Venice for this book!
photo
HUFFPOST SUPER USER
Richie2012
Your micro bio is empty.
19:41 on 11/07/2012
The best diets/lifestyle changes are the ones where you don't lose weight quickly but which changes lead to a long term gradual and sustainable weight loss. Sounds like you're on the right track.
This user has chosen to opt out of the Badges program
photo
15:25 on 12/07/2012
Thanks Richie2012. I do feel great. :-)
23:03 on 10/07/2012
Whoops just got to the part where you said if you don't have a bath, take a shower... Thanks!
22:59 on 10/07/2012
Venice, I got the book and I'm reading it. I'm at the part where you're talking about the cold bath. I don't have a bath, will a cold shower work? Also, I already have a high cold water tolerance. I used to be a competitive swimmer and in the 1970s, very few public pools were actually heated where I lived.