Absolventski izlet: Ali bo (ne)vredno svojega denarja?

4 leta so minila in letos se bomo tudi mi odpravili na Absolventski žur naKreto. Seboj bomo vzeli veliko dobre volje, nekaj denarja, mogoče kakšno pijačo in letos morda še malenkost straha pred prasci! Pardon, prašičjo gripo.
Ta izlet je nekaj česar se veselimo že lep čas, še dlje pa ga že odplačujemo lepo iz meseca v mesec, tako da smo odplačali osnovni paket ki je vreden natančno 409,00 €, ob čemer so nam domnevno za hitro prijavo podarili 40,00 € popusta.
Večina družbe je bila odločena, da to pa ja gremo, saj je to skoraj nekaj takega kot maturantski izlet. Redki, katerim smo sicer takrat po tihem dali prav, pa so opozarjali, da je to veliko preveč, če ne že kar “rop” nas študentov, zato so se odločili da ne bodo šli. Mi pa smo vseeno veselo plačevali obroke naprej in bili v juliju presrečni, ko smo odplačali še zadnjega.
Takrat pa smo domov dobili dopis o doplačilih. Doplačaš to, doplačaš ono in tako sem že ponovno nesel na faks predstavnikom Colegium-a novih116,10 €. Tako se je skupna cena absolventa zvišala na 525,10 €. V to ceno imam sedaj všteto:
- 12 dnevni izlet
- Transport Maribor – Benetke od koder ladja do Aten, ogled Aten, ladja naprej do Krete (baje 3 dni potovanja v eno smer).
- 7 nočitev v bungalovih ali morda v hotelih (tega še ne vemo). Tisti, ki bodo v hotelu baje v isti (!?) ceni tudi zajtrk.
- 6 večerji
- Let (s taksami) Kreta – Ljubljana in transport letališče - Maribor.
V tej isti brošurici, s katero so nas »razveselili« z doplačili, so nam tudi na kratko predstavili možne fakultativne izlete, kar pa so naredili brez vsaj okvirnih cen. To mi je čudno, me malo jezi saj ne vem koliko denarja naj vzamem seboj in mi je po drugi strani tudi malo sumljivo. Se pa šušlja, da bi le ti (če bi se seveda odločil za vse) naj stali cca. 130,00 €. Cel absolvent me bo tako, če se bom na primer odločil za polovico ponujenih fakultativnih izletov stal 590,10 €, brez stroškov, ki jih bom imel tam (ti pa glede na žuranje verjetno ne bodo ravno mali ne?)
Kljub tej »šokantni« številki mi še zmeraj ni žal, da grem in sem prepričan da se bomo imeli odlično (če nas ne bo dobil kak požar, neredi v Atenah ali svinjska gripa seveda). Vseeno pa se ne morem znebiti občutka, da agencija, ki to organizira na nek način izkorišča svoj »monopol« oziroma »tradicijo,« ki jo ima na tem področju med študenti in verjamem, da bi se to dalo narediti tudi malo ceneje, kljub temu imeti dobiček in malo manj »scuzat« študente.
Prav tako me je zelo razjezil in me zelo moti dogodek iz včerajšnjega vplačila doplačila. Najprej sama organizacija. Glede na to, koliko denarja so s tem pobrali bi lahko denar pobirali malo dlje kot samo 2 uri v enem dnevu, da smo stali v vrsti kot budale. Še bolj mi ni šlo v glavo, kako so si to predstavljali, da so se morali npr. študentje iz Jesenic, ki pa so člani UM vozit v Maribor samo da so lahko vplačali doplačila. Ali se tega ni dalo drugače organizirat?
In predvsem me je pa motilo sledeče: Denar je včeraj pobiralo več oseb. Jaz sem lahko doplačal 6 večerji medtem, ko so kolegicama, ki gredo po čisto istem programu kot jaz rekli (druga oseba sicer), da morajo doplačat 7 večerji, če bomo tam sedem dni. Res je, da se gre tukaj za samo cca. 7 €, pa da se bo ta večerja v končni fazi tudi pojedla ampak gre se pa tudi za princip. Z doplačilom nekaj malega bi namreč lahko te dve kolegici že imeli zdravstveno zavarovanje v tujini….
Kakorkoli že, dejstvo je, da bi ta izlet lahko bil in po mojem prepričanju bi tudi moral biti veliko cenejši (če malo pogledamo podobne ponudbe, v podobnem terminu na istem otoku, morda celo z letalom sem pa tja). Dejstvo pa na srečo tudi je, da denar ne prinese sreče, tako da če se bomo imeli fajn, bomo kar hitro pozabili, da so nas morda malo fejst »izkoristili,« oziroma so izkoristili to, da si tega izleta večina absolventov želi, oni so pa zaenkrat edini, ki nekaj takega ponujajo.

Is Jenny Craig diet a scam?

1) What is the Jenny Craig Diet Program?

The Jenny Craig Diet Program is a "counseling program" that helps people lose weight not only through "portion control", but also emotional balance. This is what separates Jenny Craig from just about every other diet program out there (other than perhaps Weight Watchers). Dieters will lose weight by consuming smaller than normal portions of the same types of foods they are accustomed to eating, and each dieter is given a diet counselor to not only offer advice, but more importantly to offer emotional support every step of the way.

2) What are the negative aspects of the Jenny Craig Diet Program?

Firstly, weight loss comes slowly because dieters consume the same types of fattening foods that made them fat in the first place, just smaller portion sizes. Dieters will lose weight simply via a reduction in portion size. Secondly, price is a negative aspect because all of the Jenny Craig meals, snacks and desserts come pre-packaged and are rather expensive. Dieters can expect to pay hundreds of dollars each month just for their food (this is in addition to the cost of the counselor).

3) What are the positive aspects of the Jenny Craig Diet Program?

This type of diet program is great for those who want to lose weight without having to stop eating the foods that they love. The foods are not special "dietetic foods" but rather they are simply normal everyday foods which are simply served in "smaller than normal portions".  Also, there is no thought/calculations involved (i.e. measuring, counting calories, cooking, etc.) because all meals, snacks and desserts come pre-packaged for your convenience.

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect each week using the Jenny Craig Diet Program?

If followed exactly, the average dieter can expect to lose anywhere from 2 to 5 pounds during the first week and approximately 1 pound per week thereafter. However, the more weight a person has to lose then the more weight loss they can expect. For example, someone who is 100 plus pounds overweight (severely obese) could lose as much as 10 pounds during the first week and 1 to 2 pounds per week thereafter.

5) What are some alternatives to the Jenny Craig Diet Program?

Alternatives to the Jenny Craig Diet Program include the Atkins Diet, the Paleolithic Diet, the Zone Diet and pretty much any diet out there that does not encourage dieters to consume unhealthy foods nor charge them outrageous amounts to do so.

How to lose weight with Hollywood 48 Hour Diet

1) What is the Hollywood 48 Hour Diet?

The Hollywood 48 Hour Diet is a diet that consists of consuming a 32oz. bottle of "miracle juice" over a weekend. Dieters will "supposedly" lose up to 10 pounds (mostly in the form of "pure water" and NOT fat tissue) -- via a "cleansing & fasting" process.

2) What are the negative aspects of the Hollywood 48 Hour Diet?

The majority of weight loss will not be in the form of body fat tissue, but rather most of the weight loss will be in the form of "water weight" -- so the majority of the weight lost on this diet will return as soon as the regular intake of food and liquids are resumed.

3) What are the positive aspects of the Hollywood 48 Hour Diet?

A 2 day "cleansing & fasting" process is good because it gives the body a much needed break, plus dieters who are addicted to food will begin to "learn" that they do not need to satisfy their cravings every single time they have one.

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect using the Hollywood 48 Hour Diet?

Dieters can expect to lose up to 10 pounds of "water weight" supposedly, the average dieter will probably lose between 5 and 8 pounds of "water weight" though.  Remember that this is not fat tissue being burned, it's just water being lost (which will come back as soon as you begin eating and drinking normally again).

5) What are some alternatives to the Hollywood 48 Hour Diet?

The Hollywood 48 Hour Diet is not really a diet but rather a 2-day juice "fasting and cleansing" plan. There are too many alternatives to even begin to attempt to list them all.   Almost any diet would be a good alternative.

Explaining high protein diets

1) What are High Protein Diets?

High protein diets are obviously diets that consist of mostly "protein" -- while "carbohydrates" and "fats" are kept to a minimum (these are diets such as the Paleolithic Diet, which is also known as the Caveman Diet). Although, there are other diets which are "high in protein" but which are also "high in fat" at the same time (such as the Atkins Diet).

2) What are the negative aspects of High Protein Diets?

The average person's normal diet is VERY high in carbohydrates, VERY high in fats, and very low in protein.   Therefore, making a complete dietary change (to a "high protein diet) takes time for the dieter's body to get used to -- because the average dieter's body is accustomed to receiving large amounts of carbohydrates and fats each day (especially carbohydrates). The first week or two of using a diet that is high in protein will likely be "hell on earth" for the average overweight person who is addicted to carbohydrates.

3) What are the positive aspects of High Protein Diets?

High protein diets can result in weight loss results of the highest order, but only for dieters who can deal with the carbohydrate withdrawals and side effects of this type of diet (and not cheat). This is no joke, because food is considered to be among the most powerful drugs in the world (if not thee most powerful drug) in terms of providing people with good emotional well being via energy/carbohydrates. Overcoming addiction to carbohydrates (sugars) is no easier than getting over an addiction to drugs, alcohol or tobacco products.

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect each week using High Protein Diets?

6-9 pounds of weight loss can be expected during the first week (some of it "water weight") and 1 to 2 pounds each following week. That is of course for the average overweight dieter who is more than a few pounds overweight, but not yet obese.

5) What are some alternatives to High Protein Diets?

There are so many alternatives to high protein diets that they could not all possibly be listed here. There are diets for people of all walks of life and commitment levels.  However, one very good "midway" type of diet (not too high in protein and not too low either) is the "Zone Diet" -- because it is a diet consisting of 40% carbohydrates, 30% protein and 30% fat.

Green tea good for dieting

1) What is Green Tea?

Green tea contains powerful antioxidants and other health promoting properties. This form of tea has been used in Asia for more than 4,000 years and is said to restrict the increase of blood cholesterol, help control high blood pressure, lower blood sugar levels, deter food poisoning, lessen the incidence of cavities, fight viruses and relieve the pain of arthritis.  There are also some claims that it can help to prevent cancer and other serious ailments, but of course those are claims which may or may not be true.

2) What are the negative aspects of Green Tea?

The only negative aspect of Green Tea is that it is being advertised as a fat burning supplement. At no time in the 4,000 year history of this tea has it been proven to help burn fat. Unfortunately, this does not stop advertisers from using this "mysterious" Asian tea to trick people into believing it has "magical" fat burning properties.

3) What are the positive aspects of Green Tea?

Improved overall health perhaps. See answer to question #1 from above for the specifics.

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect each week using Green Tea?

It has yet to be proven that drinking this form of tea will produce weight loss results of any kind. Although, there are some forms of tea which are being fortified with fat burning agents (stimulants) so that they will produce weight loss results.   However, the fat burning results which those teas may offer would not be because of the tea itself, the fat burning benefits would be a result of the stimulants inserted into the tea.

5) What are some alternatives to Green Tea?

For the purpose of "weight loss" the alternatives would be an improved overall nutritional program, along with the performance of regular aerobic exercise.

How to lose weight with fat free diets

1) What are Fat Free Diets?

Fat Free Diets are diets that do not allow the consumption of fat calories, or in other words these are diets where dieters consume nothing but protein and carbohydrate calories. Diets that do not contain any fat calories became popular in the late 1980's (when it was thought that fat calories were the only type of calories that make us fat).   However, we now know that this assumption is not true and that carbohydrate calories are also fattening.  In fact, we now know that carbohydrates are just as fattening as "fat calories".

2) What are the negative aspects of Fat Free Diets?

The main negative aspect of fat free diets is that many dieters (who expect to lose weight) can actually gain weight or remain at the same weight (while using a fat free diet), due to the massive over-consumption of carbohydrates (if they are not careful).  Dieters can gain weight using fat free diets because these diets typically make up for their lack of fat calories with an over-consumption of carbohydrate calories.  Therefore, since the average person eats too many carbohydrates to begin with, the additional intake of carbohydrates often end up being stored as body fat tissue.

3) What are the positive aspects of Fat Free Diets?

Fat Free Diets are not good for "weight loss", and since we are only talking about weight loss then there are really no positive aspects to using fat free diets (of course, this type of diet can have positive aspects for those who suffer from high cholesterol and heart conditions, but for "weight loss" these types of diets have no real positive aspects.

4) How much weight loss can dieters expect each week using Fat Free Diets?

Dieters can expect to lose no measurable amount of weight each week, and if not careful a dieter can even gain one pound per week (due to the excessive carbs eaten on the diet which can cause weight gain).

5) What are some alternatives to Fat Free Diets?

Any sensible, well balanced diet is a good alternative.  A good alternative is a diet based on "portion control" (reduction of calories) which also is fairly low in carbs so that insulin levels are kept stable. Just about any type of diet is a better alternative to a pure fat free diet.