Weight loss, it is a big issue and weight loss products and programs are big business.
You don’t have to look hard to notice that there are more weight loss advertisements (especially in January) now than there has ever been. Beware though; they are targeting the desire side of your nature that just wants it all to be effortless and fast.
EVERYONE WANTS THE QUICK FIX
I am not opposed to sound weight loss practices or nutritional supplements that have a proven track record of assisting in the weight loss process. What I am opposed to is the hype, the gimmicks and quite frankly (sorry if this offends you) the BS that is used to sell you on these “miracle fat burning products”.
How about the latest fad called Raspberry Ketones? You won’t find these in my store. Sure, I could have cashed in on the frenzy but my integrity and conscience won’t allow it.
Did you know that Raspberry Ketones have been sold as a supplement since 1960, so why are they all of a sudden the greatest thing since sliced bread?
Did you know that there is not one human study to even remotely suggest that they actually work?
Did you know the purported evidence is based on two studies done on mice? And even those two studies don’t actually show weight loss. The clinical research on mice shows that the ketones stimulate adiponectin which increases insulin release, decreases blood sugar, and boosts metabolism. However, in the same research, there was no effect on mouse body weight at 200 times the estimated amount of human intake.
THE POWER OF MEDIA AND CELEBRITIES
Without the scientific evidence or the human studies to verify its effectiveness, how in the world did Raspberry Ketones become the latest rage? It was all due to one man and one T.V. show. You know who I’m talking about. Doesn’t that make you go Hmmmmmm? If it doesn’t, it should.
MORE HARM THAN GOOD
It is bad enough that people are being conned into throwing away their hard earned money on products that deliver little to no value, but what’s worse is that so many products and programs cause more harm than good. I have many concerns, but these are my 3 biggest.
- The Magic Bullet
We unfortunately live in a world of wanting everything now. The more focus that is placed on the “magic bullet” the less attention people are paying to the real factors causing weight gain and the effective methods of reversing them. When you ignore the underlying cause of any health issue such as sub-clinical low thyroid, adrenal fatigue, estrogen dominance, Candida overgrowth and blood sugar imbalances, losing and maintaining weight loss will always remain a struggle. These underlying issues also undermine your health and lead to fatigue, diabetes, migraines, cancer, allergies, depression and more.
- Fasting and Meal Replacement Bars and Shakes
Severe calorie restriction degrades your metabolism. Women should never go below 1200 calories per day and men should not go below 1800 calories per day and that is exactly what is going to happen if you fast or replace 2-3 meals a day with a “shake”.
While it is true that you have to burn more calories than you consume, if you cut your calorie intake too drastically you will lose weight at first (mostly water and lean muscle mass, not fat) but then your body will go into ‘starvation mode’. This means the body becomes super-efficient at making the most of the calories it gets and you will actually lose less weight than if you had followed a proper balanced eating plan.
Once you have finished the “crash diet” of shakes, bars and meal replacements from a package and return to your regular eating, you start consuming more calories again after your body has learned to live without them. Now you can’t burn them all up and you put on more fat than what you just lost!
- The Biggest Scare of Them All: Metabolic Stimulators
First of all, what is your metabolism? Here’s a quote from Brad King who wrote Fat Wars:
“Metabolism is the series of biochemical reactions that takes place inside our cells (all 100 trillion of them) to create energy. Our bodies either use this fuel (food) on the spot or store it in our bodies’ fat cells for later use.
Of the energy that’s used on the spot, approximately 80% is released as heat, while the rest does the other work. A fast, efficient metabolism can produce a lot of energy and heat (and consume a lot of fuel).
Thermogenesis is a slightly different body cell process: this time, stored energy (body fat) is burned just to produce heat. Noradrenaline is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which activate thermogenesis.”
Many weight loss products seek to stimulate the release of abnormal amounts of noradrenaline but this can cause racing heart, high blood pressure, jitteriness, and insomnia. If the product is taken for too long it will cause more harm than good by eventually depleting the function of the adrenal glands.
THERE ARE SAFE AND EFFECTIVE ALTERNATIVES
- Weight loss doesn’t have to be hard.
- You don’t have to starve yourself or drink horrible shakes.
- You don’t have to spend an arm and a leg.
- And, you don’t have to destroy your health in the process.
We will teach you how.
My nutritional partner, Megan Bocsik, and I have drawn from our joint experience (totaling 36+ years) of coaching women on how to successfully shed unwanted pounds. We have compiled a detailed and comprehensive e-Manual “7 Simple Steps to Safe, Effective Weight Loss”.
We have shared the overview of 5 of the 7 steps with you in the article “Simple Steps To Safe and Effective Weight Loss”. Go HERE.
Or get your copy of this exclusive e-manual HERE.
The information made available in this article is provided for educational or reference purposes only. Nutritional Therapy and/or Coaching is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or cure for any disease, mental or physical, and is not intended as a substitute for regular medical care.
The information made available in this article is provided for educational or reference purposes only. Nutritional Therapy and/or Coaching is not intended as a diagnosis, treatment, prescription, or cure for any disease, mental or physical, and is not intended as a substitute for regular medical care.
Copyright Brenda Eastwood and Megan Bocsik 2013 – Article Is It Too Good To Be True?
MaximumResults@shaw.ca www.BrendaEastwood.com www.TotalHealthPack.com
Would you like to use this article in your E-zine or website? You may, as long as you include this complete write-up with it: Brenda Eastwood is a holistic health expert who specializes in Women’s Health Issues. Her expertise stems from over 30 years’ experience as a Registered Nutritional Consulting Practitioner. This includes ongoing research, 17 years running a successful private practice, presenting hundreds of seminars and workshops, as well as coaching clients through her unique online Inner Circle program. Today she is able to reach out to even more women through her regular article contributions to HANS (Health Action Magazine) and her book “Get off the PMS and Perimenopausal Roller Coaster, Learn 9 Natural Fast Track Solutions to Balanced Hormones”. For more information on Brenda Eastwood please visit www.BrendaEastwood.com or for information on her Total Health Packs visit www.TotalHealthPack.com
