Don't Be a Sucker for Diet Ads!

It is already February, so there is a good chance that many Americans have already tried the latest, greatest diet this year and most have failed. January is always a big month for gym memberships and sales of diet pills, drinks and other supplements. Americans set their resolutions, give them a try and most fail around 6 weeks into the new year. Sad but true.

Here are some diet ad phrases that should always send up red flags for you:

"Everybody will lose weight!"

Every body is different. We all have different DNA, different fat and muscle levels, different heights and weights and different metabolism levels. There is no magic product out there that can level that playing field. Don't believe it!

"Lose weight no matter how much you eat!"

Food is fuel. If you eat more than your body needs, you'll simply store it. The body's storage method of choice? Fat cells of course! You simply cannot change the laws of nature. If you eat too much, you'll get fat. Don't fall for this.

"Lose weight permanently! Never diet again!"

There is no such thing as permanent weight loss. That is like having grass that stays forever cut. Just like your lawn needs care and maintenance, so too does your body. The only way to avoid dieting and weight loss is to get on a regular exercise plan balanced with a proper nutrition plan for your body. So if you don't want to diet, you'll need to either avoid taking in too many calories for your activity level or boost your activity level to burn those calories. There is no pill or tonic that can make you lose weight permanently.

"Block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories!"

Sure, there are some great products out there that can block some of the fat or carbohydrates that we consume, but never all of it. Calories are the measurement of energy in a food. Nothing can block calories. Not even bariatric surgery! You'd be better off eating a gummy bear and wishing on a star rather than trusting any product that claims this. Don't be fooled.

"Lose 30 pounds in 30 days!"

OK, this could happen but it wouldn't be fat. Your body cannot dispose of 30 pounds of fat in 30 days. What your body can do is cannibalize itself by breaking down muscle and using it for the fuel that you aren't getting from food. Funny thing about muscle though. There are some really important parts of your body that are made of muscle. The most important one is your heart! Do you realize that when you deprive your body of fuel, it will simply consume itself to keep going? Chronic dieters have been known to develop heart problems because their heart muscle just isn't strong enough to keep working properly. A "30 pounds in 30 days" promise is guaranteed to give you heartache. If not now, it will be some day when you least expect it.

"Lose weight with our miracle diet patch or cream!"

If it were this easy, wouldn't everybody be using it? Don't you think that doctors would be prescribing this product in bulk to all their patients. This is just another form of the rip-off. The best a product like this can do is the Placebo Effect. Again, eat a gummy bear and wish on a star. It'll give you the same result so long as you believe in it.

Bottom line: Don't be a sucker. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. If you need to lose weight, chances are you need to make some changes to your lifestyle. Research all the options and consider trying a proven program that includes nutrition, exercise and lifestyle changes.