Sensational History of
The Micro Diet

It worked in the 80s... it worked in the 90s
... and it works just as well today

The ground-breaking Micro Diet was launched in the United Kingdom in 1983 and has been helping dieters shed their excess weight—and keep it off—ever since.

It is still today ranked as the #1 weight loss program in Japan. (Yes, the Japanese do want to lose weight as well!).

During its early years The Micro Diet enjoyed phenomenal publicity in the British press which featured the annual winners of The Micro Dieter of the Year contest. A major coup was the weight loss triumph of model Mandy Shires who went on to win the coveted Miss United Kingdom title after losing 28 lbs with The Micro Diet and regaining her shapely 36-24-36 figure. Mandy was also runner-up in the 1985 Miss World competition.

After entering the United States market in 1987 The Micro Diet began to help women and men across the country lose tens of pounds—even 100 pounds and more. The weight loss plan achieved national recognition through a series of half-hour television infomercials hosted by actress Cathy Lee Crosby.

The infomercials were filmed in front of studio audiences of 400 and 500 people, who had all lost weight on the diet and who were, in reality, the real stars of the show. In addition to Cathy Lee Crosby other major celebrities and experts appeared on screen including Stefanie Powers, Robin Leach, Dr. Joyce Brothers, and Dr. Denis Waitley. Robin Leach, Mr. Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, lost xx lbs on The Micro Diet. Doctor and nurses all stood up to give their personal testimonies.

Advertisements for The Micro Diet appeared regularly in publications such as TV Guide, Parade, Cosmopolitan, Total Health, Ladies Home Journal, McCalls and USA Today.

Time and time again dieters told us "It's the only diet that worked for me." And today, the same original Micro Diet works just as well. It worked in the 80s. It worked in the 90s. And it's working today. More than a quarter century of success.

Linda Johnson

I absolutely thought I had knocked on the wrong door," says Harry Johnson.

Harry got the surprise of his life when he saw wife Linda for the first time in six months--and she was a staggering 65 lbs lighter.

Says Harry, "Well, folks, you can imagine the pleasant shock I received when I met this small, vibrant healthy, exciting person."

Linda, 47 of Pensacola, Florida, kept apart by Harry's U.S. Government job in the Indian Ocean, led him to believe that she would be as heavy at their reunion in Singapore, as she had been when he departed. Little did he know that his hefty wife of 25 years would be much less of a woman!

"I have seen Linda try to lose weight and give up on more diets than I can remember. I can only say that she came upon the perfect program and is healthier now than she was at 22 years of age," says Harry.

The best part of all, proclaims Linda, who has lost a total of 75 lbs, is that her attitude about herself has changed.

She says, "The old Linda was a miserable, unhealthy witch. The new Linda is so happy, excited, healthy, full of life and energy. I now work for the first time in 10 years."

Linda Guill

"To say The Micro Diet changed my life would be a gross understatement... it saved my life!!" exclaims Linda Guill, 39, who won The Micro Dieter of the Year contest in 1989.

Doctor after doctor had warned Linda that if she did not make some serious changes in her eating habits there was a good chance she faced an early death.

Before The Micro Diet entered her life Linda of Odessa, Texas, says she spent 90% of her waking hours slumped in a recliner eating and eating.

"I tried every diet program you could imagine. The results were always the same. I would lose some weight but regain it plus more when stress hit my life," says Linda who was scared to sleep at night for fear that she wouldn't wake up. "I was afraid I was going to smother in my own fat."

Linda's weight escalated to over 275 lbs and some of her wildest fears almost became a reality when, one day, she suffered agonizing chest pains. Fortunately what she experienced was not a heart attack but a similar chest pain due to her rheumatism; however, the scare was more than enough to convince Linda that something had to be done.

Adds Linda, "I would have comitted suicide with a knife and fork if it weren't for The Micro Diet. My days are now filled with walking and yard work—everything but sitting in a recliner."

Wayne Waggener

The Micro Diet was a lifeline for 330-pound Wayne Waggener. After nearly lapsing into a diabetic coma, he knew he had to lose weight or probably die.

Wayne, heavy all of his life and a frustrated dieter, started on The Micro Diet after seeing the TV infomercial. Over a year later, his determination had paid off. Wayne had lost 90 pounds, and planned to drop at least 40 more from his 5-foot-11-inch frame.

"The Micro Diet has allowed me to have the rapid weight loss, as well as the sound nutrition that I need to start my 'new' life. It's the first time I have ever dieted and felt good," Wayne said.

Many other positive changes have occurred in Wayne's life: upon the recommendation of his doctor, he no longer takes diabetes medication; he has learned how to combine dieting with sensible meals; he enjoys shopping for regular size clothes, off-the-rack in regular stores; he is no longer "the jolly big guy," the brunt of rude jokes; and his level of energy has skyrocketed.

"My new-found energy is wonderful. I'm working on projects around the house that I really enjoy, but never had the energy to do before," he said.

A resident of Thurmont, Md., 39-year-old Wayne added, "My wife loves to hug me now. She can reach all the way around me!"

Kathi Mooneyham

Extra pounds have a way of surprising some people, like Kathi Mooneyham, of Seattle. She slowly added about five pounds a year from the age of 25 until she weighed 170 pounds.

She had always been thin, but noticed the weight gain when she had to keep buying the next larger clothes size. "When I fit into a size 13, I told myself, 'That's not so bad.' But I was unhappy with what I saw in the mirror."

Kathi ordered The Micro Diet from the TV infomercial. She had just returned from a vacation in Greece, and the pictures from her trip couldn't hide her added weight.

Kathi, 32, dropped 45 pounds in four and one-half months. Standing five-five, she now weighs a slim 125 poonds, and easily wears a pair of size 8 jeans. She has maintained her 45-pound loss for a year.

"I feel lighter, thinner and better because of my weight loss. I eat healthier regular foods now, too," she said.

Dr. Noel Stubbs

"After seeing video tapes of myself at a family reunion, I truly saw the obese man I had become," says Dr. R. Noel Stubbs.

Although skeptical of most claims made about diet programs, 368 lb Dr. Stubbs of Spokane, Washington was finally convinced when a good friend and patient for 20 years, persuaded him to go on The Micro Diet.

"My attitude was to disprove the diet method before you prove it," says Dr. Stubbs. "If there weren't hard facts and statistics available, it didn't impress me."

With nothing to lose but weight, Dr. Stubbs decided to give The Micro Diet the opportunity to measure up to its claims.

"After only three days I felt mentally and physically better. After 45 days on the program and 58 lbs down I was totally hooked," he says.

With a 158 lb total weight loss, Dr. Stubbs no longer experiences the chronic fatigue typically associated with obesity.

Adds Dr. Stubbs, who lost 10 inches from his chest and 15 inches from around his waist, "For the first time in my life I feel that I'm in control. I'm a better health professional for it—and I don't feel guilty when I tell other people to lose weight."

Jim Ocheltree

A five cent flyer changed 'Big Jim' Ocheltree's life launching him on his path to a 131 lb weight loss.

Jim's wife, Brenda, picked up the flyer at her beauty salon and took it home to her 420 lb husband.

Over the years, Jim, of Spokane, Washington had spent considerable sums of money on dozens of diet programs—all to no avail.

"The doctor told me I had three choices," says Jim. "Wire your mouth shut, staple your stomach, or die."

"Life was rough around the Ocheltree house," he remembers. "There was lots of anger... even my wife and children were beginning to reject me.

I even considered ending my life. I had the weapon and was waiting for the right opportunity. Then my wife picked up a brochure. It became the beginning of a whole new life for all of us."

As the weight fell off, the Spokane Park Department not only gave him his job back but offered him a position he had wanted for 14 years. "The best part of all is that my wife has fallen in love with me again and my children are actually proud of me," says Jim.

Edward Ramsey

"I would like to let people know that dreams can come true and that mine did thanks to The Micro Diet", says 31 year old Edward Ramsey.

"When I started the diet I had three wishes: to be cast in a show, to go to the beach without being laughed at and to fall in love."

Edward, of Huntington Beach, California saw his dreams turn to reality after his 65 lb weight loss. Exclaims Ed, "It is unbelievable! If it weren't for The Micro Diet, I would still be weighing over 224 lbs. I was fat, alone and depressed. I knew I had to lose the weight, but I was well aware that will-power alone was never going to be enough."

To further his frustration Edward was often mocked for his size. The ridicule made him decide to get serious. After embarking on The Micro Diet, Edward noticed a dramatic difference in the way he looked and felt; and so did other people.

"Even my own mother didn't recognize me! A lot of weight has been lost from my face and now my true facial structure is being seen."

Edward now walks the beach confidently with a dance physique and girlfriend by his side and he was cast in a dancing role in the musical "No No Nanette."

Bill Gvoich

With a brag-sheet that could impress any sports fan, Bill Gvoich, of St. Petersburg, Fla., has spent his life dedicated to fitness. Not only does he have a penchant for pumping iron (he's a four-time Canadian power-lifting champion), he's a published author and an Olympic trainer. He's also worked with the Detroit Red Wings hockey team and several Canadian professional sports teams. His lecture circuit ranges from North America throughout Europe.

Depsite his finess background, Bill had gained 25 unwanted pounds by the time he reached 42. That experience alone proves that weight control is a struggle for people of all walks of life—even for an Olympic trainer.

So Bill made a new Year's resolution: to make his body his "science project," using The Micro Diet and a full daily exercise routine. Bill documented his weight loss supported by toning and cardiovasuclar and weight training for two months. He reached his goal on target: 25 pounds.

"I read all the literature of The Micro Diet and I was impressed with the balanced nutrition. Combine it with exercise, and I believe you're really got something." When Bill started recording his progress of the first day, he only jogged five minutes when his knees started to ache. By week seven, he completed a 63-minute jog.

Says Bill, "The Micro Diet really lends itself to physical activity—to athletic performance. I come from a background of traditional nutrition, something a registered dietitian would prescribe. I don't believe in popping vitamins. The Micro Diet is real food."