Sunday, August 22, 2010

Stop The Insanity With Susan Powter


As a chunky chick, I have no problem admitting that I've been dieting since about age 12. Like most bulge-battlers, I'm drawn to any and every new diet trick, program, book, pill, you name it. Yes, I realize cutting calories, fat and carbs and increasing exercise are key, just play along with me for a moment... In the early 1990s, my BFF and I loved these motivational diet infomercials hosted by Susan Powter, a tough-talking baldish, blond broad.

Susan Powter had several popular phrases including, "Stop the insanity" and "You can eat 32 baked potatoes!"  Unfortunately, I can't find a clip of her yelling that potato line, but for weeks my friend and I would randomly exclaim to each other,  "YOU CAN EAT 32 BAKED POTATOES!" Personally, I'm not a fan of baked potatoes, unless their drowning in melted cheese, bacon, butter and all of that good stuff. Just being honest. Check out the short video below if you're over 35, you may remember her.

STOP THE INSANITY! DIETS DON'T WORK!


Five Fast Facts About Susan
  1. She's 53. 
  2. Born in Australia.
  3. Describes herself as a "radical feminist lesbian woman."
  4. In 1994, she hosted her own talk show for one season.
  5. Has three books on the New York Times best-seller list.
Susan Powter is still motivating us chubbers to stop the insanity, visit her website at: http://www.susanpowteronline.com/

28 comments:

Macey said...

I remember her! She was a freakin' nut ball!! LOL
Yeah, I don't like baked potatoes unless they're covered in bad stuff. Also broccoli; it must have tons of melty cheese on it. :)

Tracie said...

I used to do her step aerobic routine. I think I bought one of her books, too.

mamahasspoken said...

I remember her only because of her looks, can't remember anything else about her.

April said...

I'm only 30 and I remember her. She scared me.

1950s Atomic Ranch House said...

How ironic, I just mentioned this person on a chat board somewhere.

Did you ever notice, the only supposed "fat" photo she showed of herself was a fuzzy side view of some generic large woman? She was never fat a day in her life lol...

Not to mention, the veins popping out in her neck scared me!

Lucille said...

I was completely obsessed with her and you know something, I actually lost weight with her program, no lie! I still return to it time and again when I need to lose a few pounds. But I dont think I ever ate the 32 baked potatoes.

Copyboy said...

Always had a crush on her. She reminded me of a muscular Sharon Stone.

Betty said...

I remember her so well. She was a guest on probably all the talk shows, but I don't remember her having her own show. Didn't know she was still around either. Haven't seen her in years.

baygirl32 said...

Not yet 35, but I do remember her...guess its hard not too

Big Fat Gini said...

I remember her, but I always get her confused with Suze Orman. It's not like it's hard, they're both scary and would probably but themselves in "radical feminist lesbian" category...

Pat Tillett said...

Not that I have a bald head fetish, but I always thought that she was one of the few women that could pull it off...

I'm stuck on the potatoes....
I hate them, but they are a darn fine vehicle for delivering butter, sour cream, chives, etc, etc...to your mouth!

Sada said...

Ha! Awesome. I'm under 35 and still recall what a loon Susan Powter was. I remember her quest to stop the insanity, but have no memory of her eating 32 baked potatoes.

I so wish that I did.

Riot Kitty said...

Being partly Irish, I've never met a potato I didn't like, so I'm down with that! I'm under 35 but I remember her and she scared me. I remember looking at her picture and thinking, "Who is this crazy bitch?"

Anonymous said...

I remember her too. I wonder where she is now and what she's doing.

Joe Cap said...

I remember Susan Powter!
Call me chauvinistic, but a bald chick is about the most un-attractive type of females there are...but that is just me...

Anonymous said...

Ally! Woman! This post cracks my arse up! Oh man! I didn't realize that she was as insane as you describe her. I saw her once on a talk show, and she said that famous phrase, defined it, and talked about blah blah blah. Weird! But nifty! Cool!

Bossy Betty said...

WoW! Thanks for bringing me up to speed on Susan! I remember her so well!

ISRAEL CARRASCO said...

OMG I forgot all about her. I remember that she was pretty hightstrung right?

Ali said...

I occasionally reference her in conversation ("Not to get all Susan Powter on you but...") but I usually get a blank look in return.

Margie said...

I remember her well and I still quote her line whenever someone is doing something incredibly crazy.

Marlene said...

I totally remember her screaming "Stop the Insanity". Ouch. My ears.

nikki said...

Oh yeah. In college rather than responding with a "No Way!" to crazy things, I'd respond with a "Stop the insanity!"

Babes Mami said...

I love the line 'an intelligent angry woman'

hahaha..I think I've seen her clips but it was on some kind of comedy show maybe.

Powdered Toast Man said...

Did she lose her hair in the divorce?

The mad woman behind the blog said...

I have always loved Susan, because a total whack job.
Have you seen her lately? Dreads, total hippy wear meets Betsey Johnson= HOT MESS!

word verification "formeno" I'd say thats about right!

The mad woman behind the blog said...

I have always loved Susan, because a total whack job.
Have you seen her lately? Dreads, total hippy wear meets Betsey Johnson= HOT MESS!

word verification "formeno" I'd say thats about right!

Tiffany Kadani said...

Oh wow! I haven't heard about her in such a long time! Man! That woman still draws a crowd!

Masshole Mommy said...

Oh yes, I remember her very vividly because she was so scary looking. I remember the stop the insanity line, but not the one about the baked potatoes.

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