Kimkins: At a Glance
With the controversy that surrounds this diet plan, it is inconceivable that the website is still up and running or that anyone would join the plan at all.
Kimkins was established by “Kimmer”, a woman who was obese, and claimed to have lost 200 pounds the first year after her own low carbohydrate, high protein diet. She created a diet plan based on her individual experience, and created a Kimkins empire, which includes a diet program, e-book, and Kimkins diet products. The diet has a good amount of followers who seem to have gained the weight loss results they wanted. However, there exists a dark side to this success story that has recently been exposed through various online dieting sites, forums, and even in the media.
The controversy surround the fact that Kimkins is extremely low in calories to the point of being a starvation diet, but “Kimmer” a.k.a. Heidi Diaz didn’t lose the amount of weight she claimed, and is still obese according to recent photos. In addition, “Kimmer” has no professional qualifications as a dietician, or nutritionist but continues to make money off of desperate individuals seeking a quick fix to losing weight.
Kimkins: Facts
Besides the fact that Kimkins website seems informative enough, very little information exists regarding the diet plan alone. What we do know is that the consumer has the option of signing up for a one fee lifetime plan that costs $79.95, or can pay the monthly fee of $24.95. Both plans afford their members access to the Kimkins diet plan, recipe database, workout zone, web journals, and community forums. The site offers use of free tools, like a BMI calculator, carbohydrate and nutrition calendar, and a weight tracker.
The site has over seven hundred consumer testimonials, with some being posted recently. However, keep in mind that there is reason to believe that the testimonials may be fraudulent, and that “Kimmer” is known to take pictures from other sites, and claims them to be Kimkins success stories.
The only information that exists regarding the type of food that is allowed while following the program is that it is low-carbohydrate, low-glycemic, and low in fat, like a stricter Atkins diet. A few free recipes, sample menu plan, and a short outline of the different plans that are available for Kimkin’s members, such as the Boot Camp, the Protein Shake option, original, and the Flex plan. Once again, details are vague.
Kimkins: Positive Features
- The Kimkins website has some complimentary, online tools.
- The onetime fee for membership is relatively inexpensive.
- The site has a recommended reading list, and offers helpful links to diet blogs, and other websites.
Kimkins: Negative Features
- Kimkins website has no information about the foods that are allowed while on the diet.
- The diet is claimed to be low in calories, with one plan’s calorie limit at 500 per day.
- The site claims that no exercise is needed for the diet to be a success.
- The diet has claimed that users have had a 5% decrease in body weight in the first ten days.
- There are many complaints filed against Kimkins, and a class action suit has been filed.
- Some consumers have reported having health issues after following the diet plan.
Kimkins: Conclusion
Apparently Kimkins can’t be recommended to anyone who wishes to lose weight in a safe, effective manner. Although a onetime membership fee sounds too good to be true, note that if any member questions any aspect of the diet, they will be banned from the site. Apparently it is the Big Brother of the weight loss industry.
Reguardless of the “testimonials” on the Kimkins website, no one should try this diet!