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 They stand about with clipboards at the ready, searching for a friendly, or at least un-hostile face. They another obstacle on the already crowded city sidewalk, and as you’re rushing to an appointment with your doctor, trainer or lunch date, you hear them  asking you if you just have a minute to help a political party, the environment or a myriad of other charitable organizations. In Britain they’re known as “Chuggers”, charity muggers; and they can be found up and highly traversed through fares like Oxford Street from mid morning until rush hour. Now I realize as the economy tightens, non-profits still need operating budgets and cash flow, but I’d like to know exactly how successful someone who’s bugging you while you’re on your way to the aforementioned, appointment or lunch date could possible be. And even if they were successful enough to engage me in a few lines of conversation, why would they think in an age of identity theft, I’d give someone I’d never seen before, my personal and debit card details?   So if you’re feeling generous, then take the initiative and find the charity of your choice either on line or through their local chapter so you know you’re contacting the real thing and not some ad hoc representative that may or may not have the security clearance to handle your precious details. You don’t have to be mean to the poor working sods but for your own safety make sure the only thing you volunteer freely is a smile.

In search of the body beautiful, I’ve sucked, sipped or swallowed many a manky tasting thing.  While Slim Shots aren’t the worst of the bunch, it’s not exactly a party in your mouth. These individual shots (not to be confused with the effervescent Slim Shots Diet supplements) share both packaging and a look of coffee creamers. You can put them in food, in coffee or tea or drink them straight. According to the manufacturer, clinical studies have demonstrated that Slim Shots’ proprietary blend of oat and palm oils curb your appetite and can help you eat up to 30% less at each meal.Here’s the deal: The product does work. I’ve noticed that my appetite was lessened after drinking one before each meal. The texture is similar to a coffee creamer but oilier, with a slightly vanilla flavor. I actually found it less offensive when I drank it straight as when it dispersed in a hot cup of tea, the taste seemed slightly more “chemically”. The other great thing is the portability. When you buy the box, it comes with a small hard plastic carrying case, in the same shape but slightly larger than the creamer sized package, protecting the  more flimsy container from getting poked or squished, once it’s settled in the deep dark recesses of your handbag.This is a product I not only use but would endorse because unlike so many other  options I’ve tried, it doesn’t leave me jittery or lightheaded. While many products claim to have no side effects, they mean it. Because this product has been in the media of late, it may be a bit difficult to find in stores, but I placed an order directly  through the site www.slimshots.com, took advantage of the buy 2 get one free deal for $79.98 plus $7.99 shipping and handling and received them within one week.

If you’ve been dieting for any length of time, you’ve probably had the story of water drilled into your head.Water comprises 60% of the human body.People often mistake hunger for thirst so we should drink water.To keep our body working effectively we need proper hydration.I drink scads of the stuff. On average, I consume between 8-10 pints daily, and that’s just before lunch. But if you’re looking to lose weight while you down those 8 glasses a day, Slimquick™ drink mix may help you do both.  Although Slimquick™ is available in capsules, the single dose power packets make it easy to slip one in your purse, and then tip into a bottle of water during the day. The manufacturer recommends during the first week that you drink one serving in 16.9 oz (500 ml) of water twice a day (morning and afternoon) and in week two and going forward, increase the dosage to twice in the morning and twice the afternoon.  Here’s the deal: Like the aforementioned products, this too contains Hoodia. While the claims Slimquick™ will help, reduce water retention, balance hormones, reduce stress, increase metabolism, and increase energy, the only thing it did for me, was when consumed in the afternoon, stave off those post-lunch, pre-dinner munchies. Since I wasn’t looking for a diet panacea, I’m happy to say, that’s enough for me.  Slimquick™ drink mix 20 packets at $24.99 available nationwide at GNC or from Slimquick™ at www.howwomenloseweight.com. 

Another recent recruit in the diet army is Hoodia gum. Like the aforementioned Hoodia lollipop, Zoft Hoodia gum, seeks to provide oral satisfaction to those who mindlessly graze or consume mass quantities for comfort. Without the white lollystick, it is much easier and more discreet to consume, but like the Power Pop, it also creates a drying sensation in your mouth, which triggers the need to consume water.

According to the manufacturers each piece of gum contains 120-mg of pure Hoodia, which, by chewing is immediately absorbed into the tissue of the lining in the mouth through the capillaries and is absorbed directly into the bloodstream.  It is recommended to chew a piece before each meal and if you have a craving or are tempted to snack during the day, to enjoy a few more pieces.

Here’s the deal: I didn’t find it particularly helpful in reducing my appetite before meals, nor did it assist with the fat burning or provide me with more energy than usual. (Trust me, with a 4:30 wake up call, I’d definately notice feeling more energetic and would have eagerly reported it, if it were true, but alas, it was not to be.) The gum was useful when used as a reminder that I really wan’t hungry, nor did I need a post dinner snack,  hich as my husband lovingly sits next to me, spooning into and finishing, an entire pint of Hagen Daas with reckless abandon, was a very good thing. The minty flavor is average, but you’d better have a strong jaw and no crowns to chew this, as once you’ve cracked through the white minty shell, the gum itself is really tough.  

The price is a bit high too, at $29.95 + $9.99 s/h, for five packs with 10 chicklet sized pieces of gum., that’s about $8 a pack and if you need to chew a piece or two before each meal, when used correctly, the pack isn’t going to last much beyond 36 hours. If you’re going to try it, search your local GNC or Vitamin Shoppe store first. The product is helpful if you haven’t practices self control as it applies to eating in some time, and for people who consume mass quantities, it may indeed be a star weapon in your arsenal. I bought ten packs several months ago and the last pack sits in my handbag as an emergency ration during meetings or times when I’m starving and know it will be quite some time before I’m able to grab a healthy meal, but to be honest, I often find a piece of Orbit, sans Hoodia, works just as well. Zoft Hoodia gum: www.zoft-hoodiagum.com

When I first heard about Power Pops I thought they were a great idea; a low calorie lollypop, with Hoodia that you could suck and keep munchies at bay. They were seen in Brittany’s mouth after she appeared as a chunky and uncoordinated mess on the MTV awards, and declared by tabloids to be one of the new “Hollywood Slimming Secrets”. The Hoodia based pop also contains Citrimax, L –Tyrosine, Vitamin B6, B12, and Guarana and claims to suppress appetite, reduce body fat, reduce water retention, assist with proper digestion and help reduce fatigue and increase mental alertness.

According to manufacturer Fun Unlimited, all you need to do is consume one Power Pop with a glass of water 30 minutes before each meal and it will help suppress your appetite, or give you the burst of energy.

I have to say that some of the flavors are surprisingly good, but they have a drying effect, so I can completely understand why they recommend the consumption of water with the pop.

Here’s the deal! if you’re one of those people who eats without thinking, or out of boredom, this may work for you. The pops take about 30 minutes to consume the pop and research has shown that by changing the taste in your mouth and/or by waiting 15 minutes to ride out a craving, you can control your appetite. For me, it’s the whole pop thing. At 40+ I really don’t think I need to be walking around for a half hour with a white stick protruding from my gob. Sure I could bash ‘em with a hammer and just suck on the pieces, but I could just as easily go on line for 30 minutes or paint my nails so my fingers are occupied and brush my teeth to change the taste in my mouth all of which if practiced regularly, would change your behavior without programming your body to believe you need the lolly; but if you travel or are such a sugar maven that a 32 calorie pop is going to keep you from eating 320 calories in chocolate, it could be a Godsend.
Powerpops : Bags of 30 from $24.00 http://www.alternative-health-supplements.com or on ebay at www.ebay.com

There are times I can’t believe that the diet industry is a multi-billion dollar industry. Having fought weight all of my life, I was keenly aware, at an early age, of what was on offer.   My mother, also plagued by a genetic predisposition to carry extra weight, had been my unwitting mentor. Back in the dark ages, there was only one diet drink, Tab; Coca cola’s  harbinger of diet sodas to come. If you wanted a support group, Weight Watchers was the only game in town, although there were loads of diet books encouraging all sorts of exciting menu options like boiled eggs and grapefruit. Diet pills were only prescribed by physicians so for the rest of us, it was the usual, eat less, move more and avoid sugar at all costs.   

  So before you open your wallet, read the reviews over the next few days before you make first. Over the next week, this blog will cover everything I’ve tried recently and give you a good idea of what you can expect.