'My 600-lb Life' Amber Rachdi trolled by Youtube weight loss scam after obesity

The weight loss success stories on TLC "My 600-lb Life" are awe-inspiring and in some cases, scam-inspiring. Amber Rachdi of Season 3 lost nearly 450 pounds or two-thirds of herself. Now the young woman is being trolled by a fake Youtube account selling a diet scam called "The 3 Week Diet." The issue proves there's money to be made on weight loss, and that many people want a piece of the pie, even if they have to go to fraudulent lengths.   'My 600-lb Life' Amber Rachdi trolled by Youtube weight loss scam after obesity

Fat-shaming, body love and weight loss: the unpopular view

About the whole big body love thing which is so en vogue just now, I'm going made a very unpopular statement. It's unsafe to accept your body regardless of size. Okay, while you're choking on your coffee and firing off a rant-storm, hear me out. 

I advocate positive self-image no matter what size you are. Making fun of a person's weight, shape, color, characteristics, gender, etc is just mean. But conversely, ignoring obesity (or anorexia at the other end) is dangerous. Accepting the fat makes it easier to gain more weight. It snowballs the more you ignore your growing body. 

And about beauty in obesity-- I may believe that I am beautiful at 100 pounds overweight. But I don't have the right to insist that others call me beautiful. And that seems to be the expectation of those who advocate body love. 

Clearly we all deserve acceptance as humans regardless of body size. But is obesity attractive--that's in the eye of the beholder and the obese person. Most people do not feel attractive carrying a lot of extra weight around. Is that because they have been body-shamed by others? It could be part but it's not all. 

When you are morbidly overweight you are not as healthy. You feel more sluggish and less energized. You're tired all the time and get sick more often. It's not- fat-shaming to say that. These are incontrovertible biological facts. You might say, well anorexia isn't healthy either which of course it isn't. But this isn't an either-or situation. Both an eating disorder and obesity are dangerous. 

And as such, neither are attractive. If you look at me when I was 100 pounds heavier, you can see inflammation in my face. My features are hidden and bloated.  I had skin problems from psoriasis with weight gain. You could even hear the fat in my voice (fat around organs and facial structures makes it harder to breathe and creates respiratory problems). 

It is unrealistic and delusional to insist that others call us beautiful no matter what we look like.  When we genuinely feel good about ourselves we don't need others to constantly affirm it. It sets me up for disappointment and hurt if I say I'm fat and gorgeous and folks have to agree--and they don't. People don't like having opinions shoved at them. They tend to come out nastier than they intended. Plus if gives fat-shamers leverage to mock with. 

So what should we do if we are overweight--hide  in corners and wait for permission to speak? Do we need to lose weight to make us valuable. No and No. We should work to develop self-confidence within ourselves which will give us the impetus we need to take care of ourselves. We should behave as beautiful people, giving to others, caring and reaching out to those in need. 

And then, as the genuine confidence grows, we find the mojo to work at weight loss. And weight loss helps boost the self-esteem. I gain confidence knowing that I have the power over food addictions and eating habits. And we grow stronger, more empowered and capable as our bodies grow healthier and lighter. It's a symbiotic relationship building confidence through healthy weight control. 

Vegan, paleo and ketogenic diet weight loss recipes with diet food swaps

I have lost 100 pounds using a variety of diet tips and tricks. I don't follow a specific weight loss diet because there's no one meal plan that hits everything I'm looking for. So I do like they say in the Al-Anon slogans, "take what you like and leave the rest."



The 'how I lost 100 pounds' diet

My eating strategies are culled from a variety of #weight loss programs. The #Ketogenic Diet, South Beach, hypertension DASH diet, paleo, Mediterranean Diet, Weight Watchers and more. Some of my favorite weight loss tricks are food swaps. Using the "eat this, not that" and "hungry girl" concepts, I create recipes that trade fatty, sugary, salty, junky ingredients for healthier, low-calorie ones.   Vegan, paleo and ketogenic diet weight loss recipes with diet food swaps

DWTS star Barbara Corcoran shares shocking 'Shark Tank' type weight loss tips

 Reality TV mogul Barbara Corcoran will grace the "Dancing With the Stars" stage in season 25. Keo Motsepe and the "Shark Tank" celebrity form the team of #Sharkeo and will perform starting Sept. 18, 2017. It probably doesn't surprise you that the slender ABC star can cut a rug. But her weight loss secrets will shock you. Shark Lady shared how she stays swimmingly thin.   DWTS star Barbara Corcoran shares shocking 'Shark Tank' type weight loss tips

Steven Assanti claims shocking 'My 600-lb Life' return, weight loss, drug rehab

He's baa-ack: Steven Assanti, the bombastic bariatric surgery patient of "#My 600-lb Life," promised a return to season 6 of the reality TV show after trash-talking TLC. What's more, he claims to have kicked drugs and can't understand why people still call him an addict. Dr Younan Nowzaradan vetoed Assanti's gastric bypass surgery after the 34-year-old made such a nightmare of himself. The once 850-lb man has lied and made contradictory statements about weight loss and Dr. Now. He's so disliked that there is an anti-Assanti Facebook group. Is Steven a maligned martyr or the "big, fat liar" so many have pegged him?   Steven Assanti claims shocking 'My 600-lb Life' return, weight loss, drug rehab

'Big & Little' Chuck Love talks weight loss fail, little people's obesity issues

TLC's Chuck Love shared a heart-breaking story of his struggles with weight loss and social isolation. The "Big & Little" star explained why obesity stalks Little People more than those who are not height-challenged. And his story sheds light on patients on another TLC Reality TV show, "My 600-lb Life."   'Big & Little' Chuck Love talks weight loss fail, little people's obesity issues

'Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent admits plastic surgery, Botox addiction: What's up?

 "Hi, my name is #lala kent, and I'm a plastic surgery addict." That's what the "#vanderpump rules" alumni just admitted. At 26 years old, the reality television celebrity says she's had just about every form of cosmetic surgery, silicone implant or Botox treatment known to man. And she regrets most all of it except for two. How much of the reality diva is real and how much is silicone? Which are those magic procedures that she couldn't live without?  'Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent admits plastic surgery, Botox addiction: What's up?

'Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent admits plastic surgery, Botox addiction: What's up?

 "Hi, my name is Lala Kent, and I'm a plastic surgery addict." That's what the "Vanderpump Rules" alumni just admitted. At 26 years old, the reality television celebrity says she's had just about every form of cosmetic surgery, silicone implant or Botox treatment known to man. And she regrets most all of it except for two. How much of the reality diva is real and how much is silicone? Which are those magic procedures that she couldn't live without?  'Vanderpump Rules' Lala Kent admits plastic surgery, Botox addiction: What's up?

Ali Fedotowsky 50-lb weight loss shocks: you'll never guess how 'Bachelorette' lost baby fat

Ali Fedotowsky is looking mighty trim these days after her 50-lb weight loss. The "Bachelorette" alum shed pregnancy weight gain in anticipation of her wedding. The most surprising part of Ali's weight loss is what she ate to achieve it -- carbs. That's right, Fedotowsky's diet consists of a fair portion of carbohydrates and you'll never guess what's on the menu.  Ali Fedotowsky 50-lb weight loss shocks: guess how 'Bachelorette' lost baby fat?

Kailyn Lowry pregnant or did 'Teen Mom 2' star gain weight after weight loss?

Is Kailyn Lowry pregnant after her divorce from Javi Marroquin? Did the "Teen Mom 2" star reveal a baby bump and positive pregnancy test on Instagram? The reality TV mom certainly looks heavier after last year's weight loss. Did those reports of cheating on husband Javi result in another unplanned pregnancy for the "16 and Pregnant" star?   Kailyn Lowry pregnant or did 'Teen Mom 2' star gain weight after weight loss?

Fitness guru Molly Galbraith cracks weight loss, cellulite myths in 'flawed' butt selfie

Contrary to au courant fashion, one celebrity fitness blogger isn't embracing her flaws. Molly Galbraith posted a now-viral butt selfie, with cellulite and all, but not to be politically correct. Folks praised her pictures for showing what the less-tactful might call a "big butt" and "overweight" thighs. But it's Molly's refreshing response that people really appreciated. The point of the butt selfies was to crack open long-cherished myths about cellulite, weight loss and body flaws. She exposed the manufactured crisis in advertising about what defines physical imperfections.   Fitness guru Molly Galbraith cracks weight loss, cellulite myths in 'flawed' butt selfie

Jamie Foxx talks 75-lb weight loss, weight gain, plus, does spot-on Denzel Washington

Jamie Foxx bragged about his weight loss to Ellen Degeneres recently. And though he joked a lot, he gave some interesting insight into how easily weight gain creeps up. The "Sleepless" actor shared tips on how he was able to drop and add nearly 75 pounds between movie roles. And some of them are going to shock you.   Jamie Foxx talks 75-lb weight loss, weight gain, plus, does spot-on Denzel Washington

Jennifer Aniston debuts strange weight gain of some 50 pounds: what's eating weight loss guru?

Jennifer Aniston is showing odd weight gain recently and no one's quite sure why. Pals say the "Friends" star is having marriage troubles after the divorce of her ex-husband Brad Pitt from second wife Angelina Jolie. It's said that Jen's showing too much support for her current husband Justin Theroux's liking. The A-lister did gain weight for a movie role in "Cake" but that was back in 2014. Regardless of etiology, doctors speculate the svelte actress has packed on as much as 50 pounds. What's up with the former "Sexiest Woman of All-Time"? Has she really gained 50 pounds doctors are predicting? Jennifer Aniston debuts strange 50-lb weight gain: what's eating weight loss guru?