Kimkins Controversy - Kimkins Scam

Kimkins Spotlight: Google AdWords

Our readers have had tremendous success in getting the message about the Kimkins scam to Kimkins affiliates — good work!  All three of the affiliates we have spotlighted so far have pulled their links.

Now it’s time for the big guns, because we want to stop one of the major sources of new signups for Kimkins.com — the paid ad placements on Google and Google network sites from Google AdWords.  If you go to Google and search for “Kimkins” you will see that there are ads at the top or right side of the search results.  These “Sponsored Links” are paid advertisements from Kimkins affiliates or Heidi herself.

Google has a policy of refusing ads for sites featuring “miracle cures” and Kimkins is certainly marketed as a miracle cure for obesity.

Click here to contact Google AdWords to encourage them to remove these Kimkins.com ads and prevent future advertisers from buying links to Kimkins.com.  Remember to tell them:

• The “Kimmer” success story is untrue and fraudulent.  Kimmer (Heidi Diaz) is a morbidly obese woman and there is no evidence that she ever lost the weight (http://www.slamboard.com/category/kimkins-diet/).
• A great number of the other success stories are fakes using stolen pictures.
• The Kimkins.com claims of weight loss are exaggerated and unreasonable:  ” There’s no faster diet! None!”  “They’ve been told their entire lives they should be happy with slow 1-2 lb a week weight loss.  How depressing and untrue!” “Kimkins is perfect for all diabetics!”
• The Kimkins.com site advocates extremely low calories, laxative abuse, and even fasting.
• Many Kimkins dieters have suffered side effects such as heart palpitations, menstrual irregularities, hair loss, dizziness, and faintness.
• Many Kimkins members have been banned for no good reason and the site is currently rated D with the Better Business Bureau (http://www.labbb.org/BBBWeb/Forms/Business/CompanyReportPage_Expository.aspx?CompanyID=100055868).

Tippy, Meet Ducky

The latest focus of Ducky’s attention at Kimkins Exposed is Jeannie Baitinger, or Tippy Toes as she is known to Kimkins members. Now that so many other admins have seen the light and left Kimkins, Tippy finally gets a long-awaited shot at being an admin. Ducky says:

We know in the past Kimmer has taken to manipulating situations to motivate individuals to do things they might not do on their own. An example of such behaviour in the past is the January 2007 blog by Jimmy Moore, where he attacked Low Carb Friends and did so in a scathing and vicious manner. He’s since retracted that post, but our memory is long here and we’ve been told that Kimmer’s input was indeed the impetus for that post.

It’s interesting that many of the points Tippy brought to her post at Low Carb Friends are now the same points Kimmer is trying deperately to convince her members of within the Kimkins forums. It appears much of Tippy’s post contents were scripted by Kimmer. Tippy seems unaware of the manipulative instincts of Kimmer and may not realize how she too is now being used by her as a means to an end.

Christin Opens Up About the Kimkins/Heidi Diaz Lies

Regarding the identity of Kimmer/Heidi Diaz, Christin writes:

5)I now had several questions regarding confusion surrounding Kimmer’s identity. Kimmer has told me things about herself at various times that are confusing and conflicting.

a.She speaks quite often about her sister and her use of Kimkins. She also told me that the picture in the red dress is in fact her. However, she also told me that not even her sister knows that she is Kimmer. How can this be? Would’t she see her picture on the site and put two and two together?

b. When I have called various times to speak with Kimmer, I have spoken with several other members of her household. One claimed to be her sister and another Brandon, and also one other unknown male. Each time, I have asked for “Heidi” and they have given the phone to her or told me she was not available. Months ago, Kimmer told me in one of our discussions “If you call me Heidi I might not know who you’re talking to,” insinuating that she is NOT Heidi. But, in that same conversation she also told me that calling her “Heidi” would keep her grounded and help remind her of where she came from. She reminisced to me also about when she was class mom for her boys and they called her “Ms Heidi.” However, she is now claiming that is not her name. I have a problem with this.

c. Kimmer speaks freely about Brandon and her involvement with him. However, the only reference ever throughout any business dealings and in records is for “Brandon Diaz.” If she is not Heidi Diaz, did he legally change his last name to coordinate with the name that she is operating under?

d. According to public records, “Heidi Diaz” birthday is in May. On that date, “her birthday,” this year, we made a fairly big “to do” about it being her birthday within the forum in which she accepted congratulations and spoke of how much she enjoyed celebrating her birthday. Was this not accurate? Did we have a “ghost” birthday celebration?

e. Kimmer has repeatedly allowed me to continue call and represent her as “Heidi.” I unknowingly participated in a deception that I am not comfortable with. And once again, I feel I owe my readers and friends an apology for this as well.

f. MULTIPLE times Kimmer informed me that she is the only one who handles the money. She doesn’t trust anyone else to do it. This is confusing to me if she is not Heidi, as the instructions for sending a check/money order state to make them out to “Heidi Diaz / Kimkins.”

Becky Gives Us Some More Info About the Kimkins “Empire”

Becky is opening up more and more. All the good stuff is in the comments section of her blog:

I do understand the anxiety and desire for truth. I have been in that place for quite a while, and still am. I agree that you, I, and all the other members and ex-members deserve it, and deserved it long ago.

Unfortunately, the one person who has all the facts isn’t talking, and has repeatedly and flatly refused to do so. In the fullest sense, it is she who owes us these answers. It is unconscionable to me that she continues to let her members and her ’staff’ twist in the wind while she shields herself in secrecy.

What people do not realize is that the site runs very nearly as a one-person business operation, with the flow of ‘information’ carefully controlled. Admins are such in title only, and have no decision-making authority. (And the “Meet Your Team” page means virtually nothing. I could say more here.) I and the other ’staff’ who left (or who remain, for that matter) have no deep insight into the inner workings, no shared core of secrets. All we really have are our own impressions and opinions and interpretations of little things said and done here and there.

As to the situation precipitating our exit, there is no huge revelation — just a great deal of legitimate concerns and questions receiving extremely unsatisfactory and downright disturbing responses and non-responses.

I have long privately ‘pushed the envelope’ there, trying in small but steady ways to moderate the more extreme views, to move the diet in a healthier direction, to provide actual care to the members, etc. As has been said, I did not see eye-to-eye on the diet or on how things were being handled, and we had numerous disagreements. I imagine I was a vexating annoyance, but a very useful one, so I was tolerated — until I broke the unspoken rules. I broke the code of silence and intimidation.

I sent an email calling for open discussion of the controversies at hand, and copied it to all the other admins. (First time we all talked together, btw. Prior to this, in my opinion and experience, the MO there was to isolate, manipulate, and control us, by pitting one against the other.) A long string of about 30 or so PMs/emails flew among us, and once it got rolling we admins (cautiously) expressed our views, and (timidly) asked our honest questions, couched in diplomatic ways. We pressed for changes in the plans and practices of the site. The resulting responses were alarming, to say the least.

I do not know the ethics or legalities of posting excerpts of those sorts of communication. I also know that everything said hedged in such a way that it ‘could’ be interpreted some other way by someone predetermined to see things a certain way. All I know is that all of the admins went into the conversation highly motivated to find solutions, and almost all of us came out deeply troubled, not knowing whom to trust or where to turn. In our own ways, most of us began making our plans to ‘escape’.

I am caught here between a rock and a hard place. Whatever I say will be ’spun’ by both ’sides’ and used against me and the others.
I do not know what I can say, legally, without being threatened with libel and made a scapegoat by one side, while being threatened with civil suits and criminal charges by my ‘rescuers’. I may already have said too much. I feel like I am walking a tightrope without a net.

I believe I can post some of my own questions and points from the emails we all exchanged. You will see my concerns with the plans as written and as practiced there, and the adjustments I recommend.

As for the other, I can only ask, why should being on a diet support site end up feeling like keeping secrets in a dysfunctional, abusive family?

How is that healthy?

To me, leaving felt like it what I imagine it must feel like when someone escapes an abusive relationship.

I loved and still love the people there, though I know they will need to be subtly turned against me now. I understand that. No hard feelings.

I tried to ‘run interference’, but in staying too long to make positive improvements, I inadvertently aided what i believe to be practices I can in no way condone.

I am really sorry.

I completely agree we need truth!

One reason why those who were leaders might be hesitant to speak (besides being dazed and hurting and wanting to run away) is a matter of libel. For instance, if a blogger were to write that someone was perpetrating fraud, and it was not proven, then that blogger might be charged with libel. That might be one reason why some might not wish to speak.

Then, there is the whole issue of facing a situation so unbelievably bizarre, that either the facts or crazy or we are. It is easy to doubt your doubts in that case.

I wish I had more facts and hard evidence, really I do. I do think some facts are out there, if people will be objective, though I see what looks like jumping to conclusions on both sides. Still, if an individual will not be forthcoming with basic, simple, easily-verifiable information, then speculation and investigation is all that is left.

I have my recollections and experiences, and a few little bits and pieces of communication saved here and there, and reliable reports from others of their own communications and experiences - and a sick feeling in the pit of my gut.

What did I or any of the leaders witness as an eyewitness? Well, nothing through personal visual contact. Ever. Despite opportunities and invitations for personal meetings and web-cam conferences.

What do I believe? That either dozens of good people with nothing to gain are conspiring to lie —- or that one person with a lot to lose is.

I think there are enough reliable individuals who can give testimony concerning that.

I am convinced to my own satisfaction that things are seriously very, very wrong. Seriously very wrong, on many levels. I am convinced enough to have taken painful, personally costly action.

I have told every Admin and potential Admin who has asked me to do the same

I would tell any member who asks the same thing.

However, I know that many might feel they have reasons to stay, mostly to be with friends and to keep losing weight. I do understand, and I do not judge that. I also understand that we all have to cover the gap from Point A to Point B at our own pace and timing. We’re different in how we deal with things.

But, that something that ought to be a simple non-issue is even this big a deal at all is weird enough, really, to tell you the answer.

I understand the desire for privacy. That is normal —- to an extent.

But, I also understand the need for personal disclosure and connection in human relationships. Most of us have a basic understanding of natural affection and loyalty.

So, when I see a situation in which someone is believed and trusted least by those who ought to know and trust them best - well, it does not speak well of the trustworthiness of that person.

When a person leaves behind a long series of damaged and discarded relationships - well, it does not speak well of that person.

When someone is not only willing but skillful at protecting themselves while exposing those around them to harm - well, that is just plain wrong!

I wish I knew how to be more helpful. It stinks all around. I stayed for the sake of members who either blame me for staying or blame me for leaving, or for speaking up or not speaking up.

I say what I say for your benefit. If I don’t say more, it is because I don’t know yet know how or what.

Just realize - whatever plan you choose to follow can be followed elsewhere, too. It is the member support, not the URL, that make it work.

A Few More Hints From Becky About Her Kimkins Departure

Becky has been chatting on her blog comments lately and she is beginning to open up about her experience with Kimkins and Kimmer (Heidi Diaz):

Why I stayed and why I left is a long and involved story, and I may never tell it all publicly.

I certainly will not tell it for the entertainment or idle curiosity of bystanders. I will tell some of it for the sake of the past and present (and possible future) members

I will say a few things in the next day or so, but for now, I will say this:

I stayed because of the members.
I left because of the leader.

I did not leave because of pressure or fear or random doubts placed in my mind by the blogs or forum posts of strangers.

I left because the words and actions of the individual in question left me no doubt and no choice. I could in no way aid and abet that situation.

Others who were witness to the same things reached the same conclusions.

I think that speaks volumes.

I have not been told that I am banned. As far as I know, my account still exists.

However, my username and password no longer work.

This is not the first or second time this has happened to me. Each time previously, I was told it was a technical glitch.
Interestingly, each time occurred after a serious blow-up, and lasted until a strong protest.

More than a few friends of mine have encountered similar situations — two just very recently.

Don’t Ask Questions at Kimkins!

Kimkins Dangers reports on the scurry to keep the truth from Kimkins members:

Kimmer and her admins (the remaining ones) are busy cleansing and sanitizing the forums again. The loss of three beloved Kimkins members has caused a bit of a stir and people are asking questions. What happened? Is it true? Why did they leave? People want to know the answers to these questions and instead of answering them with honestly and candor, Kimmer has issued a blanket ultimatum - “If you don’t like the diet, find another diet. If you don’t like me, go to another website” and similar statements.

Christin Fired From Kimkins for Asking Questions About Kimmer?

A comment on Kimkins Exposed:

Christin, for weeks, tried to get answers to her satisfaction from Kimmer, to no avail. Finally Kimmer locked her out of the site and basically fired her, then begged her back, then locked her out again due to irreconcilable differences (like Becky).

Really makes you wonder, doesn’t it? How is it that two very prominent moderators and superstars within Kimkins are FIRED for asking questions and then Kimmer runs around the site acting like all is well and dandy.

All is NOT well and dandy. Kimmer is scared. She’s paranoid now. She’s got admins watching each other. She’s got members spying on other members. She has admins spying on members. She’s spying on members and it’s all crazy!

Becky, Deni and Christin questioned the great Oz and anyone else who does the same has the primer in front of them - you’ll be fired/banned/locked out. You cannot cross Kimmer and stay. Period.

Vickie Speaks Out About Kimkins

Longtime Kimkins member Vickie speaks out about Kimkins and Kimmer (Heidi Diaz):

I have been watching all of the controversy unfold for a while now. At first I was very vocal in my defense of Kimkins. I completely believed that the posters on ther fascination thread at LCF were just jealous and spiteful and had some sort of axe to grind with Kimmer. To some extent, I still believe that about many of them, although I now believe that some of them really are concerned over what they believe to be an unsafe plan. So, I have continued to watch and read and see how all of this has unfolded. I listened to the interview with Jimmy Moore and Kimmer’s answers were, in my opinion, rational and reasonable. I heard her say that she would turn teens away from the site in that interview and I was relieved that she was reasonable about it. So, when a 14 year old girl posted that she was eating 500 calories a day and was needing to increase her calories, I was SHOCKED to see kimmer advise her that she didn’t need to increase her calories. What happened to turning teens away from the site? This plan might be ok for those of us who are adults but for a child who is still growing there is no way that this diet is appropriate.

Then Becky resigned from the site. Now, no matter what I think about the motivation of the anti-KK gang out there, I know Becky’s intentions were good. I also KNOW that we were LIED to about the circumstances of Becky’s departure.

Now, Christin and Deni are leaving. I have watched both of these young women stand under the pressure of the anti-KK gang and not crumble. And, they have stood with very little, if any, support from this forum. Those women did not suddenly crumble from the pressure of the attacks on their character. If they were going to crumble they would have done it before now.

Having said all of that, I will say that I have nothing personal against Kimmer or the kimkins plan when it is done in a rational intelligent manner. But, when I see women posting that they are eating 300-500 calories a day and wondering why they are sick, having electrolyte imbalances, and their hair is falling out and they are not told to EAT…for goodness sakes! Then something is wrong. When a child is encouraged to eat 500 calories a day….something is wrong. When Becky left the site and we were lied to about her departure….something is wrong. And when it is infered that Christin and Deni crumbled under pressure…..something is wrong!

I don’t claim to have the answers for all of this and I will probably be banned for saying everything I’ve said in this post…..but I can no longer just go along trying to believe that everything is ok and that there are just a bunch of crazy people who are jealous and disgruntled attacking this plan.

There are some very serious questions and accusations flying around that should be addressed and put to rest if there is no basis for them. But, that hasn’t happened….something is very wrong.

Jimmy Moore Reports on Kimkins Staff/Admin Exodus

Jimmy reports:

Becky was always providing thorough and direct posts on the Kimkins forums to questions posted by members. Christin was the cover girl in Woman’s World magazine in May and a big cheerleader on behalf of the Kimkins diet after losing over 100 pounds. Finally, Deni was also in the Woman’s World article for her weight loss and was a Spirit-filled spiritual leader for so many going through this journey.

But you’ll notice I said “was.” As of Monday, all three have left Kimkins.

Kimkins Diet Review: Silent No More

Stephanie at Living Low Carb & Lovin’ It! discusses her experience with the Kimkins diet:

At week 3*, my weight loss stopped. I began questioning Kimmer and the admins on the forum. Their advice was “drop your carbs, drop your fats…”that food” isn’t allowed on Kimkins etc.”

This meant, in a practical sense, drop your calories. So I did. For a little while I dropped my daily caloric intake to approximately 600-800 per day.

How did I feel?

Ravenously hungry. My stomach growled almost constantly. Deciding it was time to kick up my exercise routine a notch, I tried to work out one day on the elliptical machine at the Y (I’d been walking at least a mile a day or every other day at that time in my hilly neighborhood). After about 6-7 minutes I was getting woozy, my knees felt like jello, and I couldn’t see straight. I decided to finish my workout on a treadmill. I took it easy, but only could finish another 4 minutes before the dizziness and weakness in my legs made me a little scared and I stopped.