How to Spot a Weight Loss Scam

As a moderator of the +Fitness and Nutrition community on Google+, I happily promote sharing ideas and discovering new information from around the world. But every day I see at least a few really kooky ideas put out there (which are promptly banned). The diet and fitness industry makes billions of dollars a year, and an awful lot of it is pure junk. You sink good money and faith into a program and, six weeks later, you're discouraged and frustrated. Whether it is a diet plan, a weight loss supplement, or the latest fitness craze, learn to spot the pretenders and steer clear.

Buzz words

Buzz words are particularly rampant in the female-oriented fitness industry, but can be found anywhere. Be especially wary if you see claims like:

You think Barishnykov started with this?

• Toned


• Long and lean muscles


• Sculpted


• Firmed

In these cases, run - don't walk - in the other direction. These terms are in themselves mythological. And the results will be too.

Targeted fat loss

I especially like the "life-like" spokesmodels

Anything that promises to "burn belly fat" or any other region for that matter is selling you a bill of goods. Your body will release fat reserves from wherever it pleases and nothing you can do will influence that one bit.

This includes so-called "flat belly foods" that will melt your stubborn fat away. Now we love food, and in our Mastering your Macronutrients series, we outline how to determine which choices are better than others. But if a blueberry, avocado, or some green tea really made a difference, don't you think everybody would be skinny as a rail?

"Sweat-based" or "thermic" devices

The tummy-slimming sweat belt - it's a girdle, people.

I'm almost reluctant to bring this up, because I don't want to insult any readers by implying they wouldn't already know better. There are these neoprene girdles and battery-powered devices that promise to "melt" belly fat through sweating. I lived in South Texas for a decade and I can report that I NEVER witnessed any of those bellies melting away in 105 degree heat. Sweat does not relate to fat loss whatsoever.

They promise you results

Honestly - what are you training for with this?

Any program that isn't custom designed for the individual (which means revised significantly over time) can't keep the promise of results. Everybody is different and cookie-cutter programs will work differently for everyone. Besides, most of those "promises" are artfully couched with small-print disclaimers or "as part of a healthy exercise and diet regimen". If you already have a healthy exercise and diet regimen, what exactly is their product doing?

They DON'T promise you results

This may sound counter-intuitive, given my last statement, but hear me out. A good program should be able to make specific claims, without the buzzwords and without the cure-all claims. By that I mean that it should be able to tell you what parts of your body it will impact and how.

You can't tell how it works

Skechers - 'nuff sed.

Body recomposition is about creating adaptation in your systems. If you can't understand exactly what adaptation the program will be creating, whether by being intentionally vague or simply over-promising, it probably will be of questionable benefit when it comes to calculating the results.

You have to subscribe to their product line

This one is a twofer! Team Beach Body and useless workouts.

Every single thing you need to be healthy and strong is on your grocery store shelves and in your local gym. Any product that requires continued and sustained purchase of their proprietary product lines is trying to get an exclusive line to your wallet, which is the only place you'll lose weight. This includes, but is not limited to, the host of multi-level marketers out there, a-la Shakeology and Herbalife.

Upselling

As if it weren't bad enough that someone would require you to buy a membership to care for your own body, many vendors and product lines aren't satisfied with your initial purchase. They want you to get into "boosters" and "turbo-chargers" and other such rocketry to "jump start your fat loss." This is simply the height of predatory business practices.

Anything that doesn't include a nutrition and training component

The bottom line is that there is no substitute, shortcut or magic bullet. The keys to building your best healthy body aren't hard, but they are hard work. There's no way around it. Any discipline you want to master requires dedication and commitment, be it a career, musical ability, or any other skill. Your body is no different.  If you make your health a priority and get on a reputable, proven plan that matches your goals, you will succeed.