Diet aid devices, slow torture to thinness
posted Oct 9th 2004 10:15AM
We know that the diet industry's got a stranglehold on a big percentage of our hard-earned dollars, so it's natural that they would start to get a tad creative. Popgadget has some deets on a few of the more unusual dieting gadgets, like, the Powerseed (pictured at right) a device that makes rhythmic beats to which you can time your bites and chews, and every once in a while prompts you to review your hunger feelings. Maybe this could help the eating-impaired but we're thinking we'll use the pod for Powerseed dinner parties, then friends and family can all munch to the same beat. There's also the DDS system, an uncomfortable merging of dental wear and a diet aid, and uses a custom-fitted retainer to reduce the amount of food the wearer can chew by 25% for every bite. Since we're sure that any pleasure gained from eating will have been completely trounced through this bulky retainer, we ask the question begging to be asked, why not just cut portions by 25%? No, that would be too easy.
Actually, that retainer idea was based on the theory that feelings of being full tend to lag behind the average speed most people eat at. Which explains that inevitable urge to losen your belt after thanksgiving dinner.
By eating with the retainer, you're forced to eat 25% slower, so hopefully you'll realize you're full before you over eat. Same thing can be accomplished by just chewing more and forcing yourself to eat slower - easier said than done...
I am waiting for mass-market availability of the device Ben Stiller uses to electrocute his nipples while attempting to eat a burger in the movie 'Dodgeball' - that's both a candidate for a future movie gadget post and probably a better motivator for responsible eating !
Hi Katie...I'm Bill Curry the inventor/developer of the tiny Powerseed mindful-eating coach (http://powerseed.com/) featured in your 10/9 post . I tracked down your blog after receiving new Powerseed orders from Japan, Australia and other out-of-the-way places where your readers reside. Thanks for spreading the word:)
I have a couple of comments on your squib. First of all the Powerseed really isn't a "diet device" . Think of it as a tool that helps ANYONE with a weight problem become more mindful of their eating and their body's sense of fullness. The bottomline is that they will enjoy more, eat less and still feel satisfied...without restrictive dieting...simply by learning how to better manage their distractible, stubborn and self-critical minds from moment-to-moment.
Mindfulness has been a key missing ingredient in the weight control equation—until now! With Powerseed, you can keep your goals in the front of your mind and observe what you are doing with clarity. When you do this, you simply will not behave in the same way as when you are not mindful (like numbing out on food, eating unconsciously, judging yourself, skipping exercise, etc.). Mindfulness is truly a difference that makes the difference when it comes to thinking, eating and exercising.
This is not snake oil...just common sense. Using this little coach makes eating a pleasure not torture. You can check third party feedback (http://www.powerseed.com/success.html) to see how the Powerseed is changing lives and lifestyles.
All the best,
Bill