We had plenty discussions about a slimming product called Simply Slim at bookclub last night, and I can’t actually believe the hype surrounding the product.
The bookclubbers found out about Simply Slim on a local mom’s forum that I used to be addicted to. I haven’t been there very often in the last few months, so I’ve kinda lost touch with what is going on there. This story absolutely AMAZED me, so of course… I have to blog about it 
I haven’t actually investigated this fully, but this is what I was told last night.
Apparently the product is natural, and costs a bomb (R600 for a month’s supply), and contains Bitter Orange which is a natural replacement for Ephidrine which is banned. You can’t buy it from any pharmacy, and you have to order it from agents who sell it from home.
And OMG, I cannot believe the almost cult-like following this product has got!
It’s insane! The product has the most terrifying side-effects, and from the sounds of it, if you don’t get the side-effects it’s not working! Some of the bookclubbers started taking this a few days ago, and getting heart palpitations, goosebumps, increased appetite, change in sleeping patterns, needing to smoke more, dry mouth and very thirsty… oh and they’re feeling high all the time.
And that’s apparently OK… because you’re going to lose weight very quickly. Some of the ladies I know are reporting 4 kilos in 10 days (the ones that have been taking it for a while)!
Normally, with medicines and the like, you wouldn’t really expect to feel the side-effects printed on the enclosed pamphlet and it’s normally not that noticeable… or that’s how I think anyway, but clearly not everyone feels that way.
I do understand the need to lose weight. I do understand that some people find it impossible to achieve with exercise and controlled diet… but this is loony people!! This sounds to me, as a medical layman, that this is dangerous. You’re playing with your life with this stuff… this is not child’s play!
From what I understand, and from what I can find on their website, they’ve applied to the MCC and FDA for approval, but it doesn’t say anywhere that it’s an approved product… and there’s a spelling error on their site that’s irritating me.
I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for my opinion on this one… but tough… it sounds too damn dangerous to me.
Comments
Tanya
lol I was waiting for this one
Jen to be honest I ws thinking about it today and I really think it might be dangerous? I mean I have had my raving days and done my thing with drugs etc…and this stuff is hectic..for me even! I dont see myself finishing the pack I bought. I took one this morning and the way I feel tonight is not lekker (wasnt too long ago I paid big bucks to feel like this lol ) but somehow this just feels wrong to me?
Wenchy
I agree. The only way to go is excercise more, eat less. Bottom line.
Sally
that sounds hectic, gosh 1kg a day is not healthy
Corey~livingandloving
oh man….that is crazy. not safe. Eat less…move more. THAT is the natural way.
Addie
I would love a magic potion to loose wait, but this one sounds far to way-out!!!
Addie
Sorry, I meant weight and not WAIT …
Kathy
Thanks for your very interesting blog, and to bringing it to our attention. I have heard of this ‘quick’ slim ‘fix. The only way to lose weight is a balanced diet and excercise. To lose a KG a day is really looking for trouble. What happens once you lose your weight? I am sure you will pile it on again. This really cant be good for your body.
huckdoll
i’m not buying it that people aren’t able to lose weight with controlled diet and exercise! i think people taking this crap are too lazy to put in any actual work towards their health, yet will put their health on the line taking the easy way out via a product promising dramatic weight loss. it’s all part of the instant gratification society we live in ~~ and it’s sad ~~ and will be sadder when someone dies.
Schae
i do hear you on the fact that it may be dangerous. and you may have a point. The comments have got my back up though lol, holier than thou, up on my high horse: EAT LESS and EXERCISE, it’s so judgemental! I’m not obese and am only slightly overweight, but you’d never catch me telling someone else how to lose weight in such a condescending manner.
okay, i had to get that off my chest.
Po
If it has not yet been FDA approved then people who take it are playing with their health!
colsev
yar i agree with Schae – i am obese, i’ve tried eating less and exercising my whole life – i have a problem, very much like an alcoholic does – except my drugs are legal.
I started SS today and the only side affect I have had is sweating and I am very hyped. If i do get heart palpitations i will stop , it didn’t happen today.
The next step for me is bariatric surgery – and that is far more dangerous
Give us fatties a break
natashaza
It’s been a really long weight loss journey for me, I’ve pretty much done it all. Injections, sure slim, weigh less, weight watchers, I’ve done gym, I’ve been to a dietician, I’ve tried hypnotism, duromine, reductil, personal trainer, taebo.. really you name it, I’ve probably done it at some point.
For the record, I am not on Simply Slim… but if I felt the need I wouldn’t hesitate.
as long as it’s used correctly, and used as a JUMP start to a more healthy you, I don’t see the problem.
So really, I think that unless you have been where “we” are, you really do not have a clue.
Sarah
Sounds a bit dodgy – the only surefire HEALTHY way to lose weight is to eat a balanced kilojoule restricted diet and to STICK TO IT!! I can attest to that having lost 18kg’s working with a dietician!!! Unfortunately you get those that can’t stick to diets that resort to “magic” weight loss tactics. I’d also like to wake up one morning and be thin but I didn’t get fat overnight and I’m not going to get thin overnight either!!
It’s just more fun getting fat LOL!!
Tamara
Have you seen Requiem for a Dream?
What upsets me is the fact that our culture is at such a place that women feel they’re willing to try anything to lose weight. What for? If you’re trying to lose weight to be healthier, that’s great. But it won’t magically solve your problems and make you feel good about yourself or more accepted by anyone else (trust me – I battled with an eating disorder for nearly a decade). And compromising your health on a get-thin-quick mission is a bad, bad idea. Been there, done that, have the lasting side effects to prove it.
Janet B
There is no quick fix, and no quick way to lose weight. Follow a healthy eating plan and STICK to the maintenance plan otherwise you will pick it all up again. I have done this whole thing and the ONLY thing that worked for me was a dietician! When you get to my age and the blood pressure starts rising and the thyroid starts acting up, I think its just too damn dangerous to play around with anything that makes you “feel funny” – definitely not for me!
Natalie
The days of putting my body under stress like you described are over. Been there, done that, got the heart palps to prove it. But I sure as heck can understand the desperation. Especially now, since the IVF docs won’t touch me till I lose 30 lbs. Doing WW, which is tons healthier. Slower though. Not sure if I’ll make their time cut-off. Weight sux.
Syllable
If you lose more than 1.5kg a week, you’re more likely to gain the weight you’ve lost (and then some) back as soon as you stop whatever you’re doing to lose weight.
What I find interesting about Simply Slim, is that they apparently won’t allow their agents to have websites through which to sell the products. When in a public forum the owners are apparently incredibly nice, but when you call them they are abrubt and rude. They also don’t respond to queries submitted to their corporate website.
All and all, this sounds like a bad (company/product/approach) to me.
Pinkie
I was doing a bit of research. For example, you have to buy the box to see inside that it is not suitable for high blood pressure, serious heart conditions, etc. If they are MCC registered where is their registration number. I’ve only found a application for reg. on the web. The FDA won’t approve the product because of the dangers of synephrine, so the story that they are waiting for the FDA is not true… Also if you listen to the radio conversations the owner had with Radio Rippel and Radio Tygerberg, it sounded that he was the one that develop the product, but seems that’s not the case, there is a similar product coming from China that’s called Lida Dai Daihua, and is one of the products the FDA warns people against. Also I’ve found on the web that the owner of Simply Slim is the owner of China2Africa imports….Where have the clinical trials been tested, here or in China? I feel that they’ve used the Christian radio stations to make their product a good and safe product. Listen you don’t need a pill to make you feel better or to solve your problems, you need the GOSPLE! Jesus Christ is the answer!
Liez
I started using the product about 3 days ago and i have lost a total of 0.3kg, and that is with exercise and some cutting back on my regular dietry intake. Not sure how exactly some have lost 1kg/day, but i think 0.3 is a reasonable loss. i haven’t experienced any heart palpitations but must admit i’m experiencing some crazy goosebumps.
An eating disorder is similiar to being an alcoholic or drug addict. Controling one’s life and overcoming that is not for the benefit of society but rather for the wellbeing of the individual.
Will keep u updated, but for now give us a break.
Hanlie
I am 100% with you on this! There is no way I would subject my body to this kind of thing, even though I’m classified as morbidly obese. Even if weight loss is achieved, at enormous cost to one’s health, the weight will just return. The answer is to eat healthy food – mindfully – and get physically active. In other words, we need to change our habits, the way we cope with stress and emotions, and our beliefs – our whole lives in fact. This is not a popular message, but it is the only way to achieve lasting results. And no, it’s not easy, but it gets easier with time.
Diet pills, no matter how “natural” they are, are not the answer. Remember, hemlock and arsenic are also natural – it doesn’t mean it’s good for you!
jayne
I have been on ss for 4 weeks – lost 3.5 after 10 days – stayed there for the next 10 days and then stepped on the scales and was down by 5.9kg. Cant see that i’m 5.9kg down so my opinion is the first 3.5kg was pure water loss. I drink min 3 litres water a day which is really hard but you get a very dry mouth which assists in the water consumption. Gym 3 times a week and eating smaller healthy meals – the weight is not dropping off at great speed – my opinion the fast loss rate ojn SS is for the people who need to lose an exceptional amount of weight – this happens in all diets.
my side effects mild constipation, heartburn and sleep pattern – apart from the sleep pattern change i have always suffered from heartburn and constipation and this seems to be settling down, whether its the water consumption, the tablet, my head been in the right place or a combination of all i really dont care – If it aids me in achieving my goal weight loss i will carry on. It is very easy for the cynics out there to make derogative comments, some of us simply cannot lose the weight doing it the “healthy” way believe you me i have tried it. I am monitoring all the web complaints and compliments and as we all know there will be something else on the market which will take over from SS. Diet pills, vitamins, work different in all people – i cant take vitamins they make me nauseous and i have tried them all. I am in constant contact with my agent if i have a problem they try and solve it – So to all the SS users out there good luck if the side effects are mild and not detrimental to your well being carry on it gets better. if you are concerned go and see your doctor, SS does advise this on their web site especially if you suffer from some ailments.
Angel
Honestly- any and all appetite suppressants have always scared the crap out of me!
Elaine
I am going to write a blog post about what SS did to me. Watch my blog!
Marianka
hi Elaine se my ook was baie siek
sybil
i had an awful experience on ss. I became irritable, would go to sleep and then wake up at 2am and not fall back to sleep, goosebumps, heart palpitations, depression. But i was adamant to carry on to lose weight. I used to take thinz before they were banned and ss has exactly same effects as thinz. Note thinz is banned. I decided to stop ss. And it has taken me two weeka to come down and start feeling normal. Being fat is depressing but at least now i am not anxious and irritable with those i love. Another colleague, who is bipolar 2 but takes natural medication, was on ss for 4 days and it threw her into rapid cycling. She is still reeling from it. Take at your own risk. Taking ss is just another way for you to abuse your body. Dont you think it’s time you started honouring and loving it. I just have.
Gardner
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