full of suds!

I was recently sent an email from a reader with an image attached of an old advertisement from the early 1900’s for obesity soap. The claim? “Wash away fat and years of age.” They thought I would be amused and it certainly created a smile, but it also piqued a curiosity. I’m always fascinated by the deluge of weight loss gimmicks we are continually hit with, but soap? Even though the ad is over a century old, that’s new to me. Unfortunately, googling ‘weight loss soap’, brought up not only the snake oil salesmen ads, but, the surprise that apparently there STILL IS weight loss soaps (note the plural) available for purchase! Where have I been living?! It’s extraordinary how long weight has been such an issue and, how long we have had this array of merchandise on the market. Not much has  really changed. Weight loss “cures” of yesteryear prove that pseudo-science has been around for a long time and modern day advertising doesn’t even come close to having  the monopoly on weightloss claims.

Google “weight loss ads.” Click on images. An avalanche of deceitful headlines. It probably won’t really surprise you.
“I lost 12lbs in 2 weeks.” “The new skinny pill.” “I lost 20kgs with Product X.” “Lose 1-3lbs of fat per day!” “The NEW clinically proven fat binding pill.” “New diet pill just demolishes fat.” “Boys wouldnt look at me until I lost 135 pounds.” “Carb blocker, fat blocker - eat what you like when you like.” “Lose 10kgs in 7 days.” “She dropped 21% of body fat in just 3 weeks by obeying this 1 ancient rule.”  I could fill this paper twice over with the headlines of hope and expectation we are fed. “Lose weight and flush pounds.” Oh, our fat can be flushed away? Really. Does anyone believe all this deception?
Obviously the answer is yes, because more and more diet pills and products are continually coming onto the market converting into billions of dollars for greedy corporations. The side effects are horrendous. Sustainability? Stop, and the weight goes straight back on plus some, with your metabolism totally screwed over. Again.
Exercise contraptions? Oh, we are all aware we only have to play on the abcircle pro for three minutes a day, and we are rewarded with the sexiest six pack around. Don’t we?
We’ve recently acquired a whole television station dedicated to infomercials, the majority of them for exercise devices. How many promises have we all bought into, yet now have sitting as dust collectors under our beds or rusting in our garages? It has the creaters rubbing their hands in glee each time they dream up something more cutting edge than their previous ‘only three minutes a day...’ throwback. You will find, in the tiniest of writing they can possibly get away with, the words “Results not typical. Use in conjunction with a nutritional diet and regular exercise” or words to that effect. Guess what?  Healthy diet? Regular exercise? Leads to... ? Oh.
I’m shocked by the range of weight loss products on the market. I’m astounded by - weight loss SOAP! And I am always bemused by the newest, craziest fitness thingamabob to hit our television screens.
All these products prey on the vulnerability of overweight people who are after hope. They trust, they believe, every single time, with every new guarantee fed to them that *this one* is the answer.
As a consumer, be a little bit cautious in where you spend your $$$ but more importantly, with what you feed into your body. Stop believing the fanciful words and don’t fall for the quick fix. Noone can lose 10kgs in two weeks in any safe way at all! Fat loss (which is VERY different to weight loss) is dependant on so many factors. Have patience, and stick with all the gradual changes you are making, naturally. Remember - it’s all about your body functioning healthily. It takes a holistic approach. Mindset. Nutrition. Exercise. Get it right, without the aid of trickery, and you will experience amazing, and deserving, rewards. Long term.
Cheers to the wonderful road of discovery ahead, Ann

For those interested, the ad I was sent, with other ‘vintage’ ads I’ve now come across, are posted below - they really are rather amusing. And please, don’t buy the soap! :)

Ann
www.annpt.com
www.facebook.com/annptlightentheload
www.facebook.com/lylfitnessescape

'reducing soap' - and still available in modern day times!!
"Reduce any part of the body desired without affecting other parts. No dieting or exercising. Be as slim as you wish. Acts like magic in reducing double chin, abdomen, ungainly ankles, unbecoming wrists, arms and shoulders, large busts, or any superfluous fat on body."

"One to three cakes usually accomplish the purpose."

:) ok. anyone want three?

"This obesity soap (used like an ordinary soap) positively reduces fat without dieting or gymnastics. Absolutely harmless, never fails to reduce flesh when directions are followed."

Reduce flesh :D

I wonder what the directions are ... :)

imagine, in this day and age, we put in ads and called excessive weight....  'fleshy people' or 'chubbies' or 'stout'  - goodness. We'd be slaughtered!
Even Weight Watchers has banned the use of the word *fat* on their forums.
Perhaps they should look back on some of these ....

"for girls and teens too chubby to fit into regular sizes" ... (wow!)

uhmmm wow - again! for a better start in life? wonder where the 'soda pop board of america' is now ...

Purchase "sanitised tape worms - jar packed! easy to swallow. no ill affects. no diet, no baths, no exercise, no danger! and that enemy that is shortening your life - FAT - will be banished from your life!"

oh, for the man ....

1956 -

Bonkorets. Oh so few choices back then wasn't there.

"When you have reduced your flesh to the desired weight, you can retain it.
You will not become stout again." :D

Open up this ad at full size and read it :) A very interesting read!

they changed from fat people to fleshy people? but the rest remains the same ...

"double chin, heavy abdomen, flabby cheeks and other disagreeable evidences of obesity are remedied speedily" :) disagreeable evidences? oh i DO love that!!

"It takes off the big stomach, gives the heart freedom, enables the lungs to expand naturally, and you will feel a hundred times better than the first day you try this wonderful home treatment."