No Excuses - Wednesday - 12/28/16

Weight Loss? Think Again

Gained weight this season? Before you’re lured by January promotions that advertise “fat-melting,” “appetite-suppressing,” “metabolism-boosting”weight-loss aids,get your guard up! Even if they foster short-term results,they’re likely ineffective in the long run.

First, two gimmicks: Electric muscle stimulators don’t really work your muscles, so you don’t burn calories. Rubber belts and nylon clothes that make you sweat promote water loss,not fat loss.

About a few weight-loss supplements: Products with ephedra may suppress appetite and slightly boost metabolism; however, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes serious adverse effects (high blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, stroke, to name a few), especially when taken with caffeine. Taking guarana to make ephedra more potent makes it potentially more harmful. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) probably won’t promote weight loss, but it probably won’t hurt you either.Chitosan may reduce fat absorption (and fat-soluble vitamins),but its effectiveness and long-term safety isn’t known.And chromium, which helps regulate insulin, probably won’t promote weight loss or improve muscle mass much,if at all;it also can be toxic in high doses.

If a weight-loss product sounds too remarkable,it probably is! The Federal Trade Commission reports that 55 percent of weight-loss ads make misleading or false claims.

Before you buy:
• Check with a registered dietitian. Find a local expert through www.eatright.org.
• Talk to your doctor, especially if you take other medications.


Comments?

I've researched products & plans and thought they would help. I tried Sensa for a while and stopped and then got some money back based on a settlement. Really felt stupid but learned an important lesson. Then more recently I went with Almased which started out OK but then plateaued, so I reevaluated and ended that madness. If I felt overwhelmed, vulnerable, or disgusted with myself, I'd consider my options and what seemed realistic for me to do at that time, and after much consideration, choose a direction and go forward. Some would last longer than others. It all depended on resolve and motivation and effectiveness with a program. I tried following Dr Weil's Anti-Inflammatory Diet too, figuring I'd get additional benefits for other issues. I tried the Mayo Clinic Diet too. I'd done WW before - once very successfully, and other attempts to return ended in failure. I'd end up feeling ashamed - too ashamed to walk through those doors and weigh in, so I'd stay away and drop out. Then it all came to a head last February and I don't know how or what led me to know that WW was where I had to go, but I sat down and went on the computer and joined. A quick check of meetings dates & times showed me that there was a meeting - the last one for Saturday, in 30 minutes. So I went. And that was my beginning to success this time on the program, Simply Filling. I had the motivation and it didn't wane. I got results and found a great leader. Saturdays at 7 AM is working for me and I am able to walk to my meeting. I walked in the rain last Saturday and the snow the Saturday before. If we believed in ourselves as much as we believed in the claims these products we fall for make, we would succeed right from the start with the right plan, support, & tools. And WW has more of them now than ever before. And look at Pro Boards - and all of the posters and information and community here. Cathy, you're invaluable! The information you provide us with daily helps us so much on our journeys. Thanks everyone!