‘Tis the time of year when diet companies, fitness facilities, infomercials and more, come out full guns blaring. This is the time of year when these people know we are vulnerable to their pitches, and they make all their profits. They may even use unrealistic promises and even out-and- out “myths” to get you to buy their products/services. While this certainly is my “busy” time of year too, exaggerated promises and ignored pitfalls are unethical and only serve to make my industry and the professionals in this industry look bad.
Here are some myths we often hear this time of year, and the real truth you can rely on:
-You can lose up to 10 pounds in two weeks by taking “This Pill”. The most TRUE fat you can lose in one week is 2-3 pounds. Additional weight lost over and above that is water weight and/or muscle tissue. Studies have proven that severe dieting causes significant loss of muscle tissue, resulting in a slow down of metabolism and, in the end, gaining all lost weight right back.
– Using “This Fitness Product” will melt fat and inches off your body. Weight training equipment, ab machines, inner thigh exercisers etc. do NOT burn fat over the muscles worked. Weight training will add muscle tone and shape and eventually speed up your metabolism, but it does not burn fat. Only cardiovascular exercise burns fat and healthy nutritition keeps it off. Additionally, you cannot theroretically “choose” where the fat comes from.
– Use “This Pill or Product” and you’ll look like the model on this advertisement. Many, many of the people featured in infomercials and ads for weight loss are professional fitness models. They are genetically gifted and workout 2-3 hours a day to look the way they do. Unless you are willing and able do the same, you will never look like these people.
– In as little as 5 minutes a day you’ll get great results. See above! To lose significant weight, and change dramatically the “look” of your body, you must exercise hours every day.
Today’s message: Don’t fall prey to these unrealistic claims. Think things carefully through, plan and strategize how, when and where you will exercise, make a real permanent committment to yourself and don’t break it, and exercise and eat right because it will keep you happy and healthy throughout your life. Now that’s success!