To start the 1:1 diet (Cambridge Weight Plan) and then become a consultant to earn extra money

[cerealdieter]

Hello

Over the last 6 months, I have been changing my eating habits and exercising more. I lost 2 stone, I'm 5ft 8. I went from a size 16 to a size 12 (between August and December). I was trying to reach a size 10, but since Christmas, I haven't been eating healthily. However, I have carried on exercising (for mental and physical health).

I was talking to a friend online the other day and she had lost 4st with the 1:1 diet. She had also become a consultant and suggested that I could join and earn more money. Also, I thought I could get to a size 10 and earn extra money whilst doing so.

I currently work part time. DP said "you won't make any money and its just a scam". "You will put money in and never see it again". I liked the idea as I can work from home and earn some extra money.

Has anyone had any success with losing weight and keeping it off with 1:1 diet?

Has anyone made any money by becoming a 1:1 diet consultant?

@Yesmate I'm involved only in as much as I like what I do . I genuinely have never seen anyone badly damaged by an experience in an MLM . This isn't a thousands of pounds investment that could go majorly wrong . I suppose if major money is concerned it could see serious consequences, I just have never seen it first hand

Anything what wants me to pay to work for them is goimg to turn up as bullshit ime

You sort of sound like you thought these sorts of things (selling to friends and family) are a fairly standard way to "make extra money". They really aren't. 96% of people who become consultants in multi level marketing programs make nothing or lose money. The odds of you making any money from this would be very low.

[quote Mumto3kiddies82]@FolkyFoxFace because you clearly have nothing better to do than be obnoxious and narrow minded. I doubt you have had much if any experience with any ' close friends ' in the direct sales business.. you're clearly just trying to look like you've lots of experience . If you did then you would have seen the balance of success stories where people actually make a good living in direct sales. And nobody is trying to sell you anything, if you don't want it don't buy it ! I'm defending what I do as THE ORIGINAL POST ASKED FOR ANYONE WHO HAS EXPERIENCE in the field , it didn't ask for some expert whos watched a TV documentary on some bad MLMs and thinks they're right. #painful[/quote]
Dear me. How embarrassing.

Well obviously, I must just be making up my experiences with people involved with MLM's because I've got nothing better to do. The OP asked for advice, and I gave it. Many people have seen how MLM's turn out - there isn't a vast distrust of them for no reason.

As for "nobody is trying to sell you anything" - they are. The woman who harassed me throughout my pregnancy was. The old friend who got involved was. That is, after all, the point of sales.

[quote Mumto3kiddies82]@YouOkHun I have a very small team of ppl who asked me over the years if they could join. Yup we are paid on 4 gens, however most ppl join to make money selling products- sponsoring you have to have really big teams and most ppl including myself aren't interested in that side of things . I buy products, see my slimmers every week, love what I do and love seeing the results. Just because I represent a brand that allows you to build a team does not devalue the fact that you can have a good business from just doing direct sales side of the business- like Avon/ tropics / body shop . There is no big conspiracy ! I don't give a hoots what HO business plan is I like what I do and ill keep doing it[/quote]
I, along with others, run a fairly large and influential MLM watchdog group (there are a number of other groups doing a very good job). We are a point of contact for media and other organisations seeking information or wanting to understand the impact of MLM. I’ve been doing this for quite a few years now, watching the conduct of a number of MLMs (who should not be calling themselves direct selling). Our group is made up of various professions such as journalists, economists, people with legal experience and medical professionals, some people have been in MLM. We are also in touch with experts like Robert FitzPatrick who is a leading authority on pyramid schemes. More importantly we are in touch every day with potential sign ups to MLM, people who are in MLM, people who have quit MLM or been cast out. On this basis I can quite categorically tell you that many more people lose money than make it in MLM such as Avon, BSAH and Tropic. If you are signing up for a hobby that’s all very well but it’s clear from research that under 10% sign up to dabble or just for the discount, most sign up because they actually need to earn from it consistently. The only way to reach the giddy heights of the national minimum wage in MLM is to RECRUIT. You cannot earn a living wage by product sales alone. The possibility of “building a team” means that it is not direct selling and it therefore has built in an opportunity for exploitation. You may not be getting damaged, you may conduct yourself well but it does not mean that the MLM business model isn’t causing financial, emotional and social loss over all. You may not care but you are helping to perpetuate one of the greatest scams of the Internet age.

I have to say, I find it really interesting the way MLM huns get so defensive about their line of "work". If I saw a thread entitled "should I become a lecturer" I might pop my opinion up, but I wouldn't sign up to start arguing the toss complete with block capitals and barely concealed rage if someone said it's a shit job.

^sorry about the lack of paragraphs!

[quote cerealdieter]@ShulamithFirestone why would I con friends and family?[/quote]
Because that's the only way you'll make money.

You’ll lose weight definitely. Then you’ll put it all back on and then some-that’s how those companies work. Far better to calculate your own calorie deficit and take it slow.

@spicedemerald

You’ll lose weight definitely. Then you’ll put it all back on and then some-that’s how those companies work. Far better to calculate your own calorie deficit and take it slow.

I just want to try a different approach.

@Pebbledashery

Also.. My consultant lost 7 stone in 8 months on the plan.. I wouldn't want to buy products from someone who had only lost a stone that didn't do the plan long enough to truly believe in what they are selling.

Thats an amazing achievement. But surely everyone has different amounts to lose.

Also, it would take time to learn about the plan etc. The more you do it, the better you become.

@cerealdieter why don't you check out the weight loss chat section? There are support threads running with great people and people give each other tips. May be healthier than this

@jelliedreels

OP I wouldn't recommend. Like others I'm sceptical about MLM's. But I'm also not a fan of this type of dieting. I have watched several members of my family do this diet. They have spent huge amounts of money with a 'friend' who sells the product. They get quick results, and then rapidly put the weight back on when they go back to eating real food. It did nothing to reset their eating habits, I can't understand how it could be considered a good approach to weightless when it is essentially a 'quick fix'. Once the weight goes back on they simply spend more money and go back on the diet again and again and again...

I get that it can be a vicious cycle for some people. However, sometimes the root cause of under/overeating is never actually found.

I think its pretty obvious if you go from eating 3 shakes/bars a day to eating biscuits, cakes and big meals, its inevitable you will gain weight.

Also going back to old habits will cause you to gain.

@SchrodingersImmigrant thanks. I will have a look at the section :)

[quote Cocomarine]**@YouokHun* I think that’s a really* important question.

@cerealdieter how would you feel about encouraging, enabling, and make money out of those with disordered eating?

And don’t say you wouldn’t sell to someone 5’10” and 6.5st... because you can have an eating disorder at any weight.[/quote]
I've been told that you have to fill out a form before you can buy the items. Likewise if I was selling to a client. They need to fit a certain criteria (BMI, health conditions, medication etc).

Also, I've been told by another poster on here that you can buy the items on ebay. So if you had an ED, you could just buy them without going to see a consultant.

@cerealdieter still interested if you’re going to respond about encouraging and enabling eating disorders in some of the people you’re making money off...

@cerealdieter Just because they fill out the form doesn't mean they don't have an ED, or won't lie on the form to get the product.

Just because they could buy it off eBay doesn't make it any better - if they're buying from you, you'd be profiting from their disordered eating and giving them tools to harm themselves.

I don't say this to make you feel bad, I'm glad you're asking all of these questions before jumping in. It's not something to go into blindly - losing money aside, the ethics and morality side of things are really shady.

OP, if you want to learn everything about MLMs - there's a long running thread in the Money Matters Board. They are currently on the 65th thread on the subject. www.mumsnet.com/Talk/legal_money_matters/4169970-mlm-bot-watch-65-get-your-bikini-bod-for-your-inteletravel-holiday-here

Op ive never been above a size 10 and have never ‘dieted’. And im also a terrible snacker. But i always have veg or fruit to snack on. Carrot sticks, handful of grapes, tomato, baby corn etc... small amounts of veg can take the edge of hunger. And is significantly better than shakes

[quote FolkyFoxFace]@cerealdieter Just because they fill out the form doesn't mean they don't have an ED, or won't lie on the form to get the product.

Just because they could buy it off eBay doesn't make it any better - if they're buying from you, you'd be profiting from their disordered eating and giving them tools to harm themselves.

I don't say this to make you feel bad, I'm glad you're asking all of these questions before jumping in. It's not something to go into blindly - losing money aside, the ethics and morality side of things are really shady.[/quote]
I would never want to cause any harm to anyone.

It sounds like the "Consultants" need more qualifications/training in terms of ethics, morality etc to ensure that they aren't just someone selling something to earn money.

@Beforethetakingoftoastandtea

Op ive never been above a size 10 and have never ‘dieted’. And im also a terrible snacker. But i always have veg or fruit to snack on. Carrot sticks, handful of grapes, tomato, baby corn etc... small amounts of veg can take the edge of hunger. And is significantly better than shakes

Yes healthy eating is good. I used veg etc to lose weight before.

@cerealdieter Unfortunately they won't be offered that training. There's no way of knowing the truth about who you're selling to - and like someone has said upthread, things like BMI can't even show you if someone has an ED because they present in so many different forms.

I had an ED as a teen, and spent time later doing research on it as part of an academic study. Some of the women I interviewed mentioned diet pills and meal replacement shakes, and I remember being shocked that it was through MLM's and the like that they got hold of them. I'm glad I didn't have access when I was ill because I would 100% have been all over it like a rash.

OP you sound like a caring, thoughtful and intelligent person. Don't be fooled into becoming an unpaid sales rep. You won't own your own business as they'll lead you to believe. You'll end up spending loads of your own money on the products to stay active in the mlm game, to meet targets or to appease up lines. You'll feel guilty trying to recruit vulnerable people who need extra income. You'll alienate your friends and family.

Keep up the weight loss in a healthy way and maybe look at doing some ironing, typing etc if you need extra cash. Mlm will cost you money and cause a lot of stress that you really don't need.

Also. Any 'training' offered won't actually give you a qualification in nutrition, which is what most people look for when buying a diet product. It will just be meetings and activities to keep you busy and believing you are 'working your business'. Advertising on Facebook groups etc. Making goal boards. Listening to other reps bang on about the products and the opportunity. I'm sure you have better things to spend your evenings doing

Must admit my stepdaughter lost 6.5 stone on Cambridge and went on to be a consultant. Works for her.