Monday, February 23, 2009

Beware the Berry

You may have seen adds on the internet, or things on TV that sound like this:

"I lost 25 pounds in 4 weeks following this one simple rule..."

And then there are some links to free trials of two supplements that helped them achieve this seemingly miraculous feat. Since one of them was a berry, and I have always been fascinated by the things that the Lord has put in nature, I thought, "Hey, if it's free-ish, I'd like to try it!" There were other good affects boasted as well, but I was mostly curious to see if it would do what it claimed.

So, I ordered the Acai Berry and the Colon Cleanse product for their free trials. (The scam of 'free' trials could be a whole other topic...). When they finally arrived, I began taking them as suggested.

Those next days seemed really hard--you know, things piling up at work or stress from moving, or whatever, until by the 4th day, I was a weepy mess. Small things felt overwhelming and out-of-proportion. It was constant. I don't know what it's like to be depressed, but if I've ever been close, I would guess that this was what it felt like. Tense and dreary all the time...

Once it dawned on me that all this uber emotionality coinsided with when I began taking these suppliments, I thought, "I'll try not taking them tomorrow and see how I feel."

It was like night and day.

I couldn't believe how different I felt after not taking them. I was easily happy again. Things felt back in their proper proportions, and poor patient Travis I think felt relieved that his wife was back to her normal self. Incidentally, I did not see one bit of the affects that were advertised: no weight loss, no improved energy or focus, no 'light' feeling.

I know that some products are higher quality than others, and I don't know if it was the berry or the cleanse product, or both. (And lest anyone think I was scammed too bad, the whole experience only snatched about $10 from our wallet.) It might just be me, and I'm not discouraging anyone from trying it. I'm just saying: beware the berry.

5 comments:

  1. Carma, I am so glad you shared this. I can't tell you how many similar experiences I have had! So many friends who want to sell me their "latest" and "won't I just give it a try?" Invariably, when I've told them that I have a headache from it, don't feel well, etc., they will say that that is just by body "detoxing." Rubbish! It's also sad that there are so many companies making money off of others this way.

    LOVE the new picture at the top!!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Truthfully, when I tried it, I was expecting that nothing at all would happen. Yeah, I was surprised both at the strength of my reaction to it, and the immediateness of relief when I stopped. I'm glad you understand.

    I like trying new things, and this won't discourage me from trying, but it will make me be very aware of the experience!

    Thanks, Mom!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Carma!! Hi dear...I found your blog and it's so cute. We'll keep you updated on the scooter status and maybe the weather will be nice enough for a picnic.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Also...3:46 a.m.- girl you need to get some sleep!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Ha ha--Jess, yes, I was thinking of doctoring the posting time, but I really was up then...I had inadvertently taken a ridiculously long nap that day and just couldn't fall asleep! :)

    ReplyDelete