No, I won't buy into your MLM

[JAYSLOL]

@JAYSLOL , it's a very tough spot to be in, knowing someone, wanting to help, but not knowing if the message will be received.  I've got a family member knee deep in Revolution Financial, an offshoot of World Financial Group, and after 10 months of work, they managed to get to the lowest rung, "Associate".  The social media posts over the plaque they were presented rivaled an Oscar acceptance speech, and also called out all the haters telling them it's an MLM, scam, or pyramid scheme.  It's truly amazing how these companies mimic cults!  Best I can do right now is warn family members to NOT buy into the Indexed Universal Life policies they are shilling.

I did find this article helpful; maybe you will too.  https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/43e573/how-to-get-a-friend-out-of-an-mlm-herbalife-amway-younique-

And if you really do want to do a deep dive, Elle's Poonique Blog and the Sounds Like MLM Podcast are worth the time.

Thanks, I did have a read through that article, the extra hard part of this case is the intangible bullshit of the crypto currency aspect of it.  It’s perhaps a bit easier to show someone that the numbers don’t add up when buying overpriced beauty products and trying to resell them.  Not so easy to kill the hype from a company about some coin that’s going to go to the moon because of bs reasons you have no way of proving or disproving.  And the dude should know better, he knows how to run the numbers, he works in finance for crying out loud.  Feels good to vent a bit, lol

[Hunny156]

Yes, I completely understand!  You buy some crappy lipstick, your finances aren't ruined.  You start peddling investments like crypto and an all-in one life insurance/savings product, and the damage can be much more difficult to figure out, while at the same time, the damage can be far worse!  The crap my family members peddle is roughly $200/mo, and they tell people that their beneficiary gets the security of a payout if they die (life insurance), and at the same time, they are investing in the market, but in a much less riskier way, so that they don't sustain the losses when the market goes down.  Of course, they neglect to mention that they also lose out on most of the earnings when the market goes up.  And that the monthly premiums are variable, so after a few years, those monthly payments skyrocket so much that most people bail on the "investment".  The only winners are the ones at the top of the pyramid, and the company.  How these schemes remain legal is beyond me!

[JAYSLOL]

Yes, I completely understand!  You buy some crappy lipstick, your finances aren't ruined.  You start peddling investments like crypto and an all-in one life insurance/savings product, and the damage can be much more difficult to figure out, while at the same time, the damage can be far worse!  The crap my family members peddle is roughly $200/mo, and they tell people that their beneficiary gets the security of a payout if they die (life insurance), and at the same time, they are investing in the market, but in a much less riskier way, so that they don't sustain the losses when the market goes down.  Of course, they neglect to mention that they also lose out on most of the earnings when the market goes up.  And that the monthly premiums are variable, so after a few years, those monthly payments skyrocket so much that most people bail on the "investment".  The only winners are the ones at the top of the pyramid, and the company.  How these schemes remain legal is beyond me!

Wow, that’s also really awful.  I’m guessing you tried talking them out of it already?  If so, I’m guessing it didn’t go over well?

[okisok]

I found some brand-new LulaRoe shirts and leggings at a thrift store recently. They were really poor quality, no better than something you would buy on a Wal-mart clearance rack. You could definitely tell they would fall apart, pill, and/or stretch out of shape after a few washes. They weren't even worth thrift store prices!
I have a friend who has a 'LulaRoe problem' and often hosts parties for the discounts. She doesn't sell herself, but she's still hundred (thousands??) of dollars into this scheme. She also works two jobs to try to pay off her debt. But keeps buying that crap!

[NorthernDreamer]

If you have Showtime: there is a new TV Series starring Kirsten Dunst about a MLM/Pyramid scheme (Likely based on Amway). Two episodes out, and I'm hooked.

"On becoming a god in central Florida"

I just started watching this show, I'm 3 episodes in. It is fascinating and terrifying. Although I doubt it will do well, it must alienate anyone involved in an MLM. My husband and I keep asking, "I wonder what people in an MLM think about this episode/scene/show?" The answer must be that *their* company is different and nothing like FAM (the company in the show).

MLMs are such good fodder for a dark comedy.

[saguaro]

I have a friend who has a 'LulaRoe problem' and often hosts parties for the discounts. She doesn't sell herself, but she's still hundred (thousands??) of dollars into this scheme. She also works two jobs to try to pay off her debt. But keeps buying that crap!

First heard of LulaRoe from a coworker who was wearing the clothes.   She doesn't sell it herself but referred me to the website which referred me to the local "consultant".  I immediately thought MLM and gave it up.  No matter how much I liked the clothes, I refuse to get into anything that has so much of a whiff of an MLM (with one exception made).  I had relatives that sold Amway and everything was Amway, Amway, Amway.  It was really obnoxious to the point that even these relatives' daughters would walk out of the room when their parents started their spiel, and relatives started to avoid them, including my parents who made the mistake of staying in their home once.

The one exception I made was to attend a Tastefully Simple party over 10 years ago in support of a friend who lost her grandchild, when her daughter hosted the party to get her mind on other things.  I bought a few things but never signed up to host a party, just wanted to buy the stuff and go.   

[Daisyedwards800]

I hate any sort of work talk or self-promotion on Facebook, even if it's a real professional job, where they are doing good things.  I just don't want to hear it in my free time.

[Daisyedwards800]

I had a friend start working at Northwestern Mutual selling life insurance (gave up a managerial position at a legitimate company for this), and I warned her beforehand that it didn't get good reviews from staff, and that she had to pay her own phone and supplies and it was $0 salary, 100% commission.  Her dad had to subsidize her for a bit and she obviously quit.  I don't understand people who have bills thinking these scam companies will be a good idea.  She kept trying to get me to set her up with meeting with my COLLEAGUES.  It was embarrassing. 

Not exactly an MLM but close.  A series of bad decisions started by her.

[Chris Pascale]

I had a friend start working at Northwestern Mutual selling life insurance (gave up a managerial position at a legitimate company for this), and I warned her beforehand that it didn't get good reviews from staff, and that she had to pay her own phone and supplies and it was $0 salary, 100% commission.  Her dad had to subsidize her for a bit and she obviously quit.  I don't understand people who have bills thinking these scam companies will be a good idea.  She kept trying to get me to set her up with meeting with my COLLEAGUES.  It was embarrassing. 

Not exactly an MLM but close.  A series of bad decisions started by her.

There's a networking aspect to pretty much all finance and insurance gigs. Some real estate agencies are even implementing this. An agent I know was told that if she brought people in, she'd receive a portion of their commissions so long as they were with the brokerage.

Basically, she'd be like a mentor to them, and she'd also be incentivized to keep them where they are, even if commissions elsewhere are better. Just like an MLM.

[PDXTabs]

She posted a few other benign questions in the group then started putting up posts like, "Snacking is a message to your body to store fat." I'm guessing the mods intervened since that sort of stuff is way off topic.
...
The most recent post was a photo of ice cream cones, with an observation of, "Ha ha the kids had ice cream and I was so good I resisted I just had my coffee." I came within a hairsbreadth of pointing out that if her magic slimming coffee did what she claimed, it would be unnecessary to refrain from eating ice cream, and if her coffee only worked if you used it to replace ice cream the slimming diet industry had sussed that trick more than a century ago.

The sad thing is that if you cut out snacks (which usually do raise your insulin triggering your body to store fat) and replace ice cream with coffee you will probably will lose weight (and save money). Of course, you don't need any special beans or MLM for that.

[sportse]

Millennial Women Made LuLaRoe Billions. Then They Paid The Price:



https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/stephaniemcneal/lularoe-millennial-women-entrepreneurship-lawsuits

[snowball]

Coworker: starts talking about how she should buy these cool face masks that incorporate silver as a natural antibacterial

Me: ...silver...natural...hmm...Norwex?  (I find MLMs oddly fascinating and have spent way too much time reading about them;  I can probably reel off all the bigger names.)

Coworker: Yes!

Me: *cannot hide the cringe*

I summoned enough diplomacy to say, well, sure, maybe the silver thing could work, but Norwex itself is a pyramid scheme, and the thing it always reminds me of is this horrifying routine where their reps will wipe up raw chicken with the magic Norwex cloth and they actually believe that sanitizes the surface.  So gross!

She laughed and agreed, so at least she's not THAT far down the rabbit hole.  She's not selling for them either, thankfully.  I wouldn't be able to sustain my diplomatic face through that...

[Dicey]

Things have been relatively quiet on the MLM front lately, it seems. You just know this idle economy is gping to allow schemers time to dream up new schemes and desperate people to cling to them like life rafts. Its sad and I really hope it doesn't happen, because I despise MLMs, but I doubt it.

[LifeHappens]

Things have been relatively quiet on the MLM front lately, it seems.

I don't know. The MLMers I'm acquainted with sell "nutritional products" aka overpriced protein powder and "cleanse" stuff. They've gone all in on the conspiracy theory bandwagon, anti-masks, etc. They're claiming their products boost the immune system so the virus is no threat to them whatsoever.

I think in a way this magical thinking is pretty consistent with the mindset needed to be drawn into a pyramid scheme. It fits into the broad universe of anti-vaxxers, conspiracy theorists and people who think The Secret is real metaphysics.

[OtherJen]

Things have been relatively quiet on the MLM front lately, it seems. You just know this idle economy is gping to allow schemers time to dream up new schemes and desperate people to cling to them like life rafts. Its sad and I really hope it doesn't happen, because I despise MLMs, but I doubt it.

They're all hawking press-on nail products in my Facebook feed right now. And one friend who hawks that has just started advertising a new, very special "opportunity" but we have to contact her to find out the details. Yeah, no.

[economista]

My facebook has been flooded since covid started with one MLM “virtual party” after another. Almost all of them are for some cooking brand I can’t remember right now.

[ixtap]

SIL posts rarely enough that I forget.

-I just did this wonderful meal in my Pampered Chef air fryer!
-Didn't you just pay extra to get the air fryer function in your new stove?
-Yes, but not all of my friends have that, so I wanted to show the Pamper Chef air fryer.

Because there is a difference between one air fryer and another??

I also have an Optavia coach (or whatever they call themselves) in my friends list. Interesting mix of genuine life tips and the Optavia "family."

[Sugaree]

Things have been relatively quiet on the MLM front lately, it seems. You just know this idle economy is gping to allow schemers time to dream up new schemes and desperate people to cling to them like life rafts. Its sad and I really hope it doesn't happen, because I despise MLMs, but I doubt it.

They're all hawking press-on nail products in my Facebook feed right now. And one friend who hawks that has just started advertising a new, very special "opportunity" but we have to contact her to find out the details. Yeah, no.

I'm seeing a bunch of those too.  And while I do like the product (or at least the idea of the product) I can't bring myself to order them knowing that I could order 100 of them for 43 cents each on Alibaba.  Maybe I should start my own MLM....

[sherr]

-Didn't you just pay extra to get the air fryer function in your new stove?

Is that just a convection oven, or is the thing actually spraying oil into the air?

[ixtap]

-Didn't you just pay extra to get the air fryer function in your new stove?

Is that just a convection oven, or is the thing actually spraying oil into the air?

No idea, the second option sounds horrendous, though! Maybe they have an attachment? It does advertise convection and air fryer as two separate functions

[geekette]

-Didn't you just pay extra to get the air fryer function in your new stove?

Is that just a convection oven, or is the thing actually spraying oil into the air?

Air fryers don't use oil.  It's convection coupled with a basket that allows better circulation for crispier food. 

[mm1970]

Things have been relatively quiet on the MLM front lately, it seems. You just know this idle economy is gping to allow schemers time to dream up new schemes and desperate people to cling to them like life rafts. Its sad and I really hope it doesn't happen, because I despise MLMs, but I doubt it.

Not for me they haven't.

The former BB coach who canceled and then signed up again and then canceled again, signed up again!  There's a new program out, and she's trying to get me to join (aka, pay $50 for early access).

I declined, because I just started a different program (already on Beachbody), and my husband is doing a lifting program on there that I just finished.  In any event, the real bummer is that the end of every workout of the set I'm doing has an ad for "and you need beachbody recover formula!" Yeah, no I don't.  I wonder if I should cancel the YMCA membership that I'm not using due to COVID...

Also. been invited to 3 Pampered chef online parties.  I love me some pampered chef, but seriously I'm not going to spend $200+ on an air-fryer.  I did get a really awesome can opener though.

Plus the CAbi parties.  One or two.  I declined because: I'm tired.  And I live in leggings.  And if I can't actually try the stuff on (the whole point of CAbi)...??

And Usborne books.

[BeanCounter]

I feel like after a break from the constant MLM's they are on the uprise again. Right now I've got several people I know selling press on nail color. A couple still on the BeachBody train which has seen a bit of an revival because of all the gyms being closed for awhile. And another one selling a new thing I've never heard of something like "the FASTer way" or something. I think it's something like a plan for fasting that I'd have to pay for. But I'd have to message her to find out for sure. She just wants me to be healthy you know.

[BeanCounter]

Plus the CAbi parties.  One or two.  I declined because: I'm tired.  And I live in leggings.  And if I can't actually try the stuff on (the whole point of CAbi)...??

I've had a few CAbi pieces over the years and their stuff is good quality. There is actually a CAbi outlet store near me so I've actually picked up things there.

[TartanTallulah]

During lockdown, a friend started doing The Body Shop At Home and invited me to join her FB group, which I did. Suddenly I seemed to be seeing nothing but her posts. The formula seemed to be that every day she'd make one post touting for interaction ("which of these superpowers would you choose" etc.), one linking to the catalogue and inviting orders, and a video of herself dabbing some sort of miracle unguent on her face, which made me laugh because I'm more accustomed to seeing her face covered in mud from playing rugby.

I unfollowed her after the first invitation to ask her how I could sign up to be a consultant myself. WTF? I last wore make-up in 1990, I'm not about to start marketing it.

[I'm a red panda]

  And I live in leggings. 

Can I interest you in some LulaRoe?


(MLMs seem to be on the upswing with so much unemployment. They are selling lies marketed as dreams. People are desperate.)

[RExplorer]

How about magnetic lashes?!   That’s the latest one I’ve seen.  I didn’t know there was such a thing, so I’ve been paying attention to this one out of curiosity.  I have no idea what these people are doing/where they’re going during this pandemic that they are buying these lashes.  This is not a go to work/run limited errands look.  And she posts about the different styles she’s purchased for herself.  WHERE is she going with this look during the pandemic????   And when you do go out you’re wearing a mask, so why do you need glamour eyelashes with the less than glamorous mask?

And I noticed that every time she posts, there are all these enthusiastic comments, but from people that aren’t the usual names on her posts.  So I investigated and yes, they’re all selling Tori Belle too!   It is comical.  There must be a requirement that if you’re selling them, you have to comment on other reps’ posts some number of times, too.  What a waste of time and money. 

[OtherJen]

How about magnetic lashes?!   That’s the latest one I’ve seen.  I didn’t know there was such a thing, so I’ve been paying attention to this one out of curiosity.  I have no idea what these people are doing/where they’re going during this pandemic that they are buying these lashes.  This is not a go to work/run limited errands look.  And she posts about the different styles she’s purchased for herself.  WHERE is she going with this look during the pandemic????   And when you do go out you’re wearing a mask, so why do you need glamour eyelashes with the less than glamorous mask?

And I noticed that every time she posts, there are all these enthusiastic comments, but from people that aren’t the usual names on her posts.  So I investigated and yes, they’re all selling Tori Belle too!   It is comical.  There must be a requirement that if you’re selling them, you have to comment on other reps’ posts some number of times, too.  What a waste of time and money.

Fake eyelashes kinda make more sense than press-on nails in light of the increased use of Zoom and other video chat platforms, where people see only your face and shoulders. Also, there's no point in wearing fun lipsticks when the lower half of your face is covered by a mask. I am not inclined to use false lashes (or any eye makeup other than mascara), but someone who is very into cosmetics might buy these instead of those weird MLM liquid lipsticks that never come off.

I don't understand how magnetic lashes work, though. I think I'll stick with my plain mascara. And MLMs suck, full stop.

[mm1970]

Plus the CAbi parties.  One or two.  I declined because: I'm tired.  And I live in leggings.  And if I can't actually try the stuff on (the whole point of CAbi)...??

I've had a few CAbi pieces over the years and their stuff is good quality. There is actually a CAbi outlet store near me so I've actually picked up things there.

All of my favorite clothing items are CAbi.  They are quality and really last.  My favorite shirt...well, I wore it for my son's first day of kindergarten.  He's 14.  Oh and I wore it again for kid #2's first day of kindergarten.

The advantage, for me, is not shopping.  I can try things on that I would never have picked.  But I simply can't look at a catalog and figure out if it would work for me.

[mm1970]

I feel like after a break from the constant MLM's they are on the uprise again. Right now I've got several people I know selling press on nail color. A couple still on the BeachBody train which has seen a bit of an revival because of all the gyms being closed for awhile. And another one selling a new thing I've never heard of something like "the FASTer way" or something. I think it's something like a plan for fasting that I'd have to pay for. But I'd have to message her to find out for sure. She just wants me to be healthy you know.

Let me tell you ALL about the FASTER WAY to Fat loss!  Really, a local mom friend works with them, so I've googled and read things and found out things.  Because I'm a nerd.

First of all, it's $199.  There's a book, but the book doesn't actually tell you how to do the program.  There are several aspects of the program:
1. Fasting.  16-8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating window - it appears that the recommended window is from 12 noon to 8 pm, but dude - I go to bed at 8:45pm).
2. Counting macros (NOT CALORIES).  But you know, all macros have calories.
3. Carb cycling - that's how you keep your body guessing
4. Exercise - weight lifting and HIIT
5. Macro cycling (from what I can tell, the "Low macro" day is about 1200 calories.  Which:no)

So in any event, as I have read several books that touch on Fasting - I sort of see it as the current "thing".  There's info out there about being a "sugar burner" vs a "fat burner" and everything in between.  Fasting, supposedly, turns your body towards burning fat so that you can lose fat.  Same with lower carb eating.  However you still need to eat carbs.

So, it seems like the "regular macro" days are weight lifting days and the low carb days are the HIIT days (when you are a fat burning MACHINE) and the low MACRO days (low cal) are basically the rest days and by the way, cardio is unnecessary.

All this is stuff that you can find through google, and various blogs.  I haven't been successful in digging up negative reviews (they are prob out there). 

But anyway: $199.

[mm1970]

  And I live in leggings. 

Can I interest you in some LulaRoe?


(MLMs seem to be on the upswing with so much unemployment. They are selling lies marketed as dreams. People are desperate.)

I live in the same 2 pair of plain black leggings I got from Costco for $14.95 (for the pair).

[Travis]

I feel like after a break from the constant MLM's they are on the uprise again. Right now I've got several people I know selling press on nail color. A couple still on the BeachBody train which has seen a bit of an revival because of all the gyms being closed for awhile. And another one selling a new thing I've never heard of something like "the FASTer way" or something. I think it's something like a plan for fasting that I'd have to pay for. But I'd have to message her to find out for sure. She just wants me to be healthy you know.

Let me tell you ALL about the FASTER WAY to Fat loss!  Really, a local mom friend works with them, so I've googled and read things and found out things.  Because I'm a nerd.

First of all, it's $199.  There's a book, but the book doesn't actually tell you how to do the program.  There are several aspects of the program:
1. Fasting.  16-8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating window - it appears that the recommended window is from 12 noon to 8 pm, but dude - I go to bed at 8:45pm).
2. Counting macros (NOT CALORIES).  But you know, all macros have calories.
3. Carb cycling - that's how you keep your body guessing
4. Exercise - weight lifting and HIIT
5. Macro cycling (from what I can tell, the "Low macro" day is about 1200 calories.  Which:no)

So in any event, as I have read several books that touch on Fasting - I sort of see it as the current "thing".  There's info out there about being a "sugar burner" vs a "fat burner" and everything in between.  Fasting, supposedly, turns your body towards burning fat so that you can lose fat.  Same with lower carb eating.  However you still need to eat carbs.

So, it seems like the "regular macro" days are weight lifting days and the low carb days are the HIIT days (when you are a fat burning MACHINE) and the low MACRO days (low cal) are basically the rest days and by the way, cardio is unnecessary.

All this is stuff that you can find through google, and various blogs.  I haven't been successful in digging up negative reviews (they are prob out there). 

But anyway: $199.

So...$200 to tell people to eat less and exercise more.

[By the River]

I feel like after a break from the constant MLM's they are on the uprise again. Right now I've got several people I know selling press on nail color. A couple still on the BeachBody train which has seen a bit of an revival because of all the gyms being closed for awhile. And another one selling a new thing I've never heard of something like "the FASTer way" or something. I think it's something like a plan for fasting that I'd have to pay for. But I'd have to message her to find out for sure. She just wants me to be healthy you know.

Let me tell you ALL about the FASTER WAY to Fat loss!  Really, a local mom friend works with them, so I've googled and read things and found out things.  Because I'm a nerd.

First of all, it's $199.  There's a book, but the book doesn't actually tell you how to do the program.  There are several aspects of the program:
1. Fasting.  16-8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating window - it appears that the recommended window is from 12 noon to 8 pm, but dude - I go to bed at 8:45pm).
2. Counting macros (NOT CALORIES).  But you know, all macros have calories.
3. Carb cycling - that's how you keep your body guessing
4. Exercise - weight lifting and HIIT
5. Macro cycling (from what I can tell, the "Low macro" day is about 1200 calories.  Which:no)

So in any event, as I have read several books that touch on Fasting - I sort of see it as the current "thing".  There's info out there about being a "sugar burner" vs a "fat burner" and everything in between.  Fasting, supposedly, turns your body towards burning fat so that you can lose fat.  Same with lower carb eating.  However you still need to eat carbs.

So, it seems like the "regular macro" days are weight lifting days and the low carb days are the HIIT days (when you are a fat burning MACHINE) and the low MACRO days (low cal) are basically the rest days and by the way, cardio is unnecessary.

All this is stuff that you can find through google, and various blogs.  I haven't been successful in digging up negative reviews (they are prob out there). 

But anyway: $199.

So...$200 to tell people to eat less and exercise more.

Shhhh, you'll spoil the secret.

[Metalcat]

How about magnetic lashes?!   That’s the latest one I’ve seen.  I didn’t know there was such a thing, so I’ve been paying attention to this one out of curiosity.  I have no idea what these people are doing/where they’re going during this pandemic that they are buying these lashes.  This is not a go to work/run limited errands look.  And she posts about the different styles she’s purchased for herself.  WHERE is she going with this look during the pandemic????   And when you do go out you’re wearing a mask, so why do you need glamour eyelashes with the less than glamorous mask?

And I noticed that every time she posts, there are all these enthusiastic comments, but from people that aren’t the usual names on her posts.  So I investigated and yes, they’re all selling Tori Belle too!   It is comical.  There must be a requirement that if you’re selling them, you have to comment on other reps’ posts some number of times, too.  What a waste of time and money.

Fake eyelashes kinda make more sense than press-on nails in light of the increased use of Zoom and other video chat platforms, where people see only your face and shoulders. Also, there's no point in wearing fun lipsticks when the lower half of your face is covered by a mask. I am not inclined to use false lashes (or any eye makeup other than mascara), but someone who is very into cosmetics might buy these instead of those weird MLM liquid lipsticks that never come off.

I don't understand how magnetic lashes work, though. I think I'll stick with my plain mascara. And MLMs suck, full stop.

Magnetic lashes are super annoying, like worse than glued on lashes, which I didn't think was possible. I haven't tried the ones that stick to magnetic eyeliner though. I tried the ones where there's two sets of lashes that magnetically click together on top and below your upper lashes to make a lash sandwich. Super bulky and uncomfortable. I lasted less than 3 minutes.

[mm1970]

I feel like after a break from the constant MLM's they are on the uprise again. Right now I've got several people I know selling press on nail color. A couple still on the BeachBody train which has seen a bit of an revival because of all the gyms being closed for awhile. And another one selling a new thing I've never heard of something like "the FASTer way" or something. I think it's something like a plan for fasting that I'd have to pay for. But I'd have to message her to find out for sure. She just wants me to be healthy you know.

Let me tell you ALL about the FASTER WAY to Fat loss!  Really, a local mom friend works with them, so I've googled and read things and found out things.  Because I'm a nerd.

First of all, it's $199.  There's a book, but the book doesn't actually tell you how to do the program.  There are several aspects of the program:
1. Fasting.  16-8 (16 hours fasting, 8 hours eating window - it appears that the recommended window is from 12 noon to 8 pm, but dude - I go to bed at 8:45pm).
2. Counting macros (NOT CALORIES).  But you know, all macros have calories.
3. Carb cycling - that's how you keep your body guessing
4. Exercise - weight lifting and HIIT
5. Macro cycling (from what I can tell, the "Low macro" day is about 1200 calories.  Which:no)

So in any event, as I have read several books that touch on Fasting - I sort of see it as the current "thing".  There's info out there about being a "sugar burner" vs a "fat burner" and everything in between.  Fasting, supposedly, turns your body towards burning fat so that you can lose fat.  Same with lower carb eating.  However you still need to eat carbs.

So, it seems like the "regular macro" days are weight lifting days and the low carb days are the HIIT days (when you are a fat burning MACHINE) and the low MACRO days (low cal) are basically the rest days and by the way, cardio is unnecessary.

All this is stuff that you can find through google, and various blogs.  I haven't been successful in digging up negative reviews (they are prob out there). 

But anyway: $199.

So...$200 to tell people to eat less and exercise more.

NO NO NO.  You CLEARLY don't understand the program at all!

It's the magical combination of all the things that makes it the best program ever.

I mean, if you just lifted weights, did HIIT, and occasionally did cardio along with reducing calories and carbs (but not eliminating carbs), you wouldn't have the SECRET SAUCE that makes this program what it is.

The SECRET, of course, is designing your macros to SPECIFICALLY match the EXACT workout you are doing each day.  It's OPTIMAL for your body, don't you know.

OH and fasting turns you into a fat burner.  Fat and weight loss has NOTHING to do, of course, with the fact that if you are only eating in an 8 hour window you probably won't be eating as much.  It's the magical combination of fasting and macros.

/s

(I'm not arguing that fasting and macro counting don't have their merits.  I read enough health books and articles to generally understand the science behind it.  And the science is young, in some cases.)  I just cannot imagine a world where I'd be willing to FIRST - pay $199 for and SECOND- follow this intricately designed program that tells you what to eat and how to exercise on each specific day (literally counting everything that goes into your mouth), in order to...what?  Have six pack abs?  Lose 3 pounds?  I realize that everyone is different. I have done weight watchers and calorie counting in the past - multiple times.  I was fat (182 lbs) in my early 30s, and then I had two babies and ended up with difficult pregnancy weight to take off.  Each time, losing the weight was basically a part time job.

Now, however, I'm 50.  The thing with this program, and many like it - they say things like:
- You don't have to exercise a ton!  It's all about food, exercise if you want! (Not this program, but similar ones.)
- The focus is SOO much on weight loss/ fat loss, and designing your food around that.

How about I design my food intake based on my LIFE.  I exercise daily.  I love running, walking, weightlifting. I eat to fuel my workouts and my life.

[OtherJen]

How about magnetic lashes?!   That’s the latest one I’ve seen.  I didn’t know there was such a thing, so I’ve been paying attention to this one out of curiosity.  I have no idea what these people are doing/where they’re going during this pandemic that they are buying these lashes.  This is not a go to work/run limited errands look.  And she posts about the different styles she’s purchased for herself.  WHERE is she going with this look during the pandemic????   And when you do go out you’re wearing a mask, so why do you need glamour eyelashes with the less than glamorous mask?

And I noticed that every time she posts, there are all these enthusiastic comments, but from people that aren’t the usual names on her posts.  So I investigated and yes, they’re all selling Tori Belle too!   It is comical.  There must be a requirement that if you’re selling them, you have to comment on other reps’ posts some number of times, too.  What a waste of time and money.

Fake eyelashes kinda make more sense than press-on nails in light of the increased use of Zoom and other video chat platforms, where people see only your face and shoulders. Also, there's no point in wearing fun lipsticks when the lower half of your face is covered by a mask. I am not inclined to use false lashes (or any eye makeup other than mascara), but someone who is very into cosmetics might buy these instead of those weird MLM liquid lipsticks that never come off.

I don't understand how magnetic lashes work, though. I think I'll stick with my plain mascara. And MLMs suck, full stop.

Magnetic lashes are super annoying, like worse than glued on lashes, which I didn't think was possible. I haven't tried the ones that stick to magnetic eyeliner though. I tried the ones where there's two sets of lashes that magnetically click together on top and below your upper lashes to make a lash sandwich. Super bulky and uncomfortable. I lasted less than 3 minutes.

That sounds awful.

[I'm a red panda]

  And I live in leggings. 

Can I interest you in some LulaRoe?


(MLMs seem to be on the upswing with so much unemployment. They are selling lies marketed as dreams. People are desperate.)

I live in the same 2 pair of plain black leggings I got from Costco for $14.95 (for the pair).

I used to live in Costco leggings, but then they tore, and when I rebought them they had changed the waist band.

LLR doesn't fit me. One size is too small, "tall and curvy" fit my stomach 9 months pregnant but is about 8 inches too long.  Also, ugly as sin.

[Goldielocks]

.....
 I realize that everyone is different. I have done weight watchers and calorie counting in the past - multiple times.  I was fat (182 lbs) in my early 30s, and then I had two babies and ended up with difficult pregnancy weight to take off.  Each time, losing the weight was basically a part time job.

....

Hmm,  Are you calling me fat?  Are you implying that I need to go to weight watchers and count calories?
/s

[LifeHappens]

Had a close call yesterday. I put a post on my neighborhood Facebook group looking to hire a decorative painter. In response I got a friend request, which I ALMOST accepted without looking. Turns out the person sending the request has a super-sketchy profile page, with a prominent link to their MLM sales page. Sneaky!

[jeninco]

<snip>

NO NO NO.  You CLEARLY don't understand the program at all!

It's the magical combination of all the things that makes it the best program ever.

I mean, if you just lifted weights, did HIIT, and occasionally did cardio along with reducing calories and carbs (but not eliminating carbs), you wouldn't have the SECRET SAUCE that makes this program what it is.

The SECRET, of course, is designing your macros to SPECIFICALLY match the EXACT workout you are doing each day.  It's OPTIMAL for your body, don't you know.

OH and fasting turns you into a fat burner.  Fat and weight loss has NOTHING to do, of course, with the fact that if you are only eating in an 8 hour window you probably won't be eating as much.  It's the magical combination of fasting and macros.

/s

(I'm not arguing that fasting and macro counting don't have their merits.  I read enough health books and articles to generally understand the science behind it.  And the science is young, in some cases.)  I just cannot imagine a world where I'd be willing to FIRST - pay $199 for and SECOND- follow this intricately designed program that tells you what to eat and how to exercise on each specific day (literally counting everything that goes into your mouth), in order to...what?  Have six pack abs?  Lose 3 pounds?  I realize that everyone is different. I have done weight watchers and calorie counting in the past - multiple times.  I was fat (182 lbs) in my early 30s, and then I had two babies and ended up with difficult pregnancy weight to take off.  Each time, losing the weight was basically a part time job.

Now, however, I'm 50.  The thing with this program, and many like it - they say things like:
- You don't have to exercise a ton!  It's all about food, exercise if you want! (Not this program, but similar ones.)
- The focus is SOO much on weight loss/ fat loss, and designing your food around that.

How about I design my food intake based on my LIFE.  I exercise daily.  I love running, walking, weightlifting. I eat to fuel my workouts and my life.

I'm a little older then you, and, boy, does this ring a bell -- the LIFE part, I mean.

I'm twitchy if I don't get out of my chair and do SOMETHING every day. I walk, run, bike, do Pilates, and I've recently added in (frightfully expensive) sessions with a trainer to learn to do Olympic lifts. (I spent close to a decade in my 20s doing regular lifting of free weights, and I'm contemplating something I can do for the next few decades, so it has to be less boring.)

Also, I don't eat when I'm not hungry. In practice this means I have coffee and water (and occasionally cocoa) in the morning, and then have first lunch around 10:30 or 11.

There was an interesting blurb in yesterday's NY Times about time-limited eating. (Looks like it helps people lose weight, is the summary.)

[dignam]

There is some merit to the 16-8 fasting method.  I can't speak to the "fat burn mode" claims of it, but if you're restricting yourself to eating only in an 8 hour window, you're likely going to consume fewer calories.  Which is the single biggest contributor to weight loss.

[mm1970]

There is some merit to the 16-8 fasting method.  I can't speak to the "fat burn mode" claims of it, but if you're restricting yourself to eating only in an 8 hour window, you're likely going to consume fewer calories.  Which is the single biggest contributor to weight loss.

Yes, but I don't necessarily think it's a magic number.

16-8 vs 14-10 vs 12-12.  It's a sliding scale.

[JAYSLOL]

Found out a couple my family knows may have got sucked into some kind of stock-trading pyramid scheme where you have to pay a big fee to take a course on day trading, then pay big monthly fees to use their trading platform, and pay the people above you a % of any profits, as well as have to recruit more people to take the courses and sign up for monthly fees.  Just terrible all the way around.  I hope they don’t lose too much money before they realize it’s all a scam

[OtherJen]

Now my friend from undergrad who hawks Color Street (press-on nail polish) and some not publicly identified cosmetics (message her for details!) is now advertising some wonder product that will improve your posture and eliminate both back fat and the need to wear a bra. Of course, we can’t actually get the name of the product unless we express interest on her Facebook wall, at which point she will PM an invitation to a Facebook “party.”

Nope. I am grateful, however, that she isn’t the type to just spam everyone in her contact list.

[anni]

I was on vacation with family once and got a bad sore throat. My aunt got upset when I (tried to) politely refuse the doterra essential oil pills her DIL had sold her v__v

[I'm a red panda]

So I'm a bit of a mean girl, but a friend who has been doing click funnels (I have no idea what she sells....I've looked at her websites and never figured it out- I think she literally sells the idea of funnels. I have never figured out what click funnels are and she's posted about them for years) posted about how excited she was after 5 years to be joining the 2 comma club.  Which is revenue through your first funnel, not profit.

I really wanted to post- "I'm in the actual 2 comma club thanks to MMM philosophy, how many of those commas do you have in your bank accounts?"


Also there is a $250 (?!) application fee for a 2comma club award from Click Funnels.  WHY? Why would you pay that? Are you trying to lose a comma?
(I mean I recognize apparently only 1% of their marketers get this award, so she's likely doing really well. But she was making high six figures as a professional engineer, so she was already doing really well).  But it's not a real two commas...)

[Metalcat]

So I'm a bit of a mean girl, but a friend who has been doing click funnels (I have no idea what she sells....I've looked at her websites and never figured it out- I think she literally sells the idea of funnels. I have never figured out what click funnels are and she's posted about them for years) posted about how excited she was after 5 years to be joining the 2 comma club.  Which is revenue through your first funnel, not profit.

I really wanted to post- "I'm in the actual 2 comma club thanks to MMM philosophy, how many of those commas do you have in your bank accounts?"


Also there is a $250 (?!) application fee for a 2comma club award from Click Funnels.  WHY? Why would you pay that? Are you trying to lose a comma?

I just fell down a hole trying to figure out WTF this shit is, and holy hell have they aggressively put their own messaging out there. It's hard to find anything online about them that isn't marketing copy.

From what I can tell though, it's a tool for building websites to sell things, which ostensibly is supposed to make it more effective to sell whatever shit you sell online. However, they also have a crazy 40% affiliate program, so a lot of people who use it, actually make more money by promoting the software than actually using it to sell their whatever online.

That's why the internet is lousy with marketing copy, because pretty much anyone who uses it as a product will then becomes an aggressive shill for the software, which gives the illusion that software itself is actually so amazing that that's why people are promoting it so much.

At least, that's how I understand it.

[TheGrimSqueaker]

I was on vacation with family once and got a bad sore throat. My aunt got upset when I (tried to) politely refuse the doterra essential oil pills her DIL had sold her v__v

I have a  bad habit of calling them "non-essential oils".

One of my many hobbies is amateur perfumery (my hearing is shot and my vision has never been great-- I might as well make use of one of the few senses I have left). I use several different kinds of essential oil to create fragrances of my own. However the markup on most of them is insane, most of them are highly flammable, some are dangerous to apply to the skin, and they're sold and used without regard to what they're supposed to be used for. A lot of the time the highly pure, ultra-refined stuff is *not* what you want to use in a burner or in a candle, and a small amount in a synthetic carrier oil is often better for the job at hand. Furthermore, most people can't tell the difference between the different kinds of carriers by smell, taste, or texture alone. They pay a fortune for something they can't personally detect.

[Chris Pascale]

Now my friend from undergrad who hawks Color Street (press-on nail polish) and some not publicly identified cosmetics (message her for details!) is now advertising some wonder product that will improve your posture and eliminate both back fat and the need to wear a bra. Of course, we can’t actually get the name of the product unless we express interest on her Facebook wall, at which point she will PM an invitation to a Facebook “party.”

Nope. I am grateful, however, that she isn’t the type to just spam everyone in her contact list.

Reply with, "But without back fat, where will my man lay his weary head at night?"

[kite]

I was on vacation with family once and got a bad sore throat. My aunt got upset when I (tried to) politely refuse the doterra essential oil pills her DIL had sold her v__v

I just finished watching the “Un-Well” series on Netflix.  I used to think of those essential oils as a mostly harmless waste of money. But they’re genuinely dangerous for those who are constantly exposing themselves to irritants for no conceivable reason.