The Fight for Fitness » Fad Diets

Why You Should Not Believe Everything Dr. Oz Tells You

Blake — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 16:17:59 +0000

Been kind of a rough blogging week, but I found a link that is worth sharing.

Apparently Dr. Oz (yeah, that Dr. Oz) recently aired a show promoting the HCG Diet. Read Dr. Yoni Freedhof’s take on this:

Weighty Matters: Dr. Oz – So Corrupted by Fame he even Sells Himself Out

Have a great weekend!

HCG = Economic Fraud

Blake — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:10:06 +0000

Elizabeth Miller, leader of the internet and health fraud team from the FDA, labeled HCG weight-loss products as “economic fraud.” This doesn’t come as any surprise, and it shouldn’t for you either.

Bottom line: It doesn’t work and you shouldn’t waste your money. There are healthier ways to lose weight and get more fit.

A Trip to the Mall

Blake — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:56:33 +0000

Nothing like a trip to the mall for lunch with the family, only to be bombarded with the green tea weight loss and HCG diet sales pitches. Umm, no thanks.

Not the best pic; from my phone.

HCG for Weight Loss Revisited

Blake — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:05:05 +0000

Since my last post on HCG for Weight Loss, the HCG diet has gained popularity and it seems everyone wants a piece of the action. I heard of a guy who makes $12,000/month from his HCG-selling website. I see signs like this everywhere:

I even saw a billboard along the freeway last Sunday that claimed HCG is “the healthy way to lose weight.”

I still get comments on my old HCG post about how HCG is the best thing that ever happened to the commenter. I always respond or think the same thing… I never said it doesn’t work (how could it not help you lose weight, you only eat 500 calories/day), I said IT IS NOT A HEALTHY WAY TO LOSE WEIGHT.

You didn’t wake up one morning 20, 40 or 100 pounds overweight so why do you expect a miracle injection or pill to help you lose the weight almost overnight?

But what do I know. Here’s what other experts say:

Human Chorionic Gonadotropin (HCG) for Fat Loss: “Fallacy and Hazard” – By Travis Saunders at Obesity Panacea

HCG Worthless as Weight-Loss Aid – Dr. Stephen Barrett at Diet Scam Watch

$5 Million Fine for Bogus Weight Loss Claims – By Dr. Yoni Freedhoff at Weighty Matters

Here’s another link to my post on HCG that has links to other studies and expert opinions.

Sadly, no one really cares about health anymore. For consumers, it’s all about the “quick fix.” For marketers, it’s all about pushing the “hot” product that sells.

Weighing the Evidence

Blake — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 15:59:56 +0000

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns consumers to be smart about diet products. Here’s some of what it had to say:

“Achieving a healthy weight takes work. Take a pass on any product that promises miraculous results without the effort.”

“Even if you’re successful in taking the weight off, permanent weight loss requires permanent lifestyle changes. Don’t trust any product that promises once-and-for-all results without ongoing maintenance.”

Check out more from the FTC: Facts for Consumers: Weighing the Evidence in Diet Ads

People do Crazy Things

Blake — Tue, 25 May 2010 21:37:59 +0000

Don’t do crazy things. Be smart.

[Source: CNN.com: How Crash Diets Harm Your Health].

Skinnyade

Blake — Wed, 12 May 2010 09:00:38 +0000

You can always count on craigslist to provide gems like this. In case you’re wondering, this is an example of a product that you DON’T need.

Baby Food Diet

Blake — Fri, 07 May 2010 16:05:22 +0000

Eat 14 servings of baby food, and then have one “adult meal” each day. Then watch the weight “melt ” off.

Really? This is what we’re doing to lose weight now? Thank you Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and other Hollywood idiots celebrities for making more people want to do crazy things to get skinny fast “healthier.”

Yeah, I guess eating baby food is better than injecting yourself with HCG, but here’s something everyone should know:

You can get healthier, lose weight, etc. by eating food the regular way.

You don’t need to get it out of a jar of baby food. If you couldn’t maintain healthy eating habits before going on the baby food diet, what makes you think that you can keep the weight off after you stop eating the baby food?

I don’t have a problem with the eating of baby food. We should all eat tons of fruits and vegetables. The problem I have is the way people jump on board a new trend because a celebrity endorses it. And it’s just weird. Eat fruits and veggies but you don’t need them out of a store-bought jar.

Really makes me sad that because celebrities have to be “skinny” to be worth anything in life, we feel the same way. I don’t know why we glorify these people. If you don’t know what I mean by “glorify,” just watch the E! channel for 1 minute.

If you’re getting your nutrition and health advice from people like Jennifer Aniston, and other diet trend-setters, good luck. When you want to make real, lasting, healthy changes, let me know.

The Grocery Store and Dr. Oz

Blake — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 08:34:28 +0000

["Dr. Oz's Fat-Blasting Smoothie!"]

One of my favorite things to do lately in the grocery store checkout line is to read the headlines on all those magazines. Yes, you know the ones… the alleged “health” magazines. They’re right next to the celebrity gossip magazines (sometimes they are the celebrity mags).

Found this little beauty the other day. Note: Just by slapping a celebrity doc’s name on something doesn’t automatically make it do the things it claims to. Now, I will admit that I didn’t even bother looking at what this magic smoothie is, but I’m sure it’s better than eating a lot of things. I’m sure it can complement regular healthy eating habits and regular exercise. But don’t think a smoothie can solve all of your health problems.

I think today we get so caught up into thinking that just one thing (be it a nutrient, a specific exercise move, a product, etc.) will solve all of our health problems, help us lose weight, and help us get more fit. It’s not just one thing. It’s making consistent and smarter small decisions that can add up to create a healthier lifestyle for us.

Ok, it’s late. I’m done. Excuse me while I go have Dr. Oz’s fat-blasting smoothie. Hmm… wonder where they got that “add 15 years to your life” claim…

Jillian Michaels and her Magic Pills

Blake — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 16:01:57 +0000

I saw this product at Walgreens a few days ago. Jillian Michaels on the cover and here’s what the product promises:

“Two capsules before main meals and you lose weight… That’s it!”

“Helps reduce caloric intake.”

“High energy formula fights diet fatigue.”

With Jillian Michaels on the cover, it must really work, right? Doubtful.

First, as we all know, no pill is going to magically make you lose weight, or make you fit. Second, want to reduce caloric intake? Eat less junk food and more nutrient dense foods. Third, want more energy? Exercise. Regular exercise.

I’ve read a lot of articles calling Jillian a “sell out” for pushing supplements like these. I’ll be honest, I agree. If she’s as good of a trainer/fitness expert as everyone thinks she is, she shouldn’t be pushing stuff like this.

Win for Jillian. Win for marketers and product makers. Lose for the consumer. Consumer loses money. They don’t lose weight. They don’t get fit. Then they have to buy more products and lose more money. And still, no results.

I hope they paid you well, Jillian.

The Fight for Fitness » Fad Diets

Why You Should Not Believe Everything Dr. Oz Tells You

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HCG = Economic Fraud

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A Trip to the Mall

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HCG for Weight Loss Revisited

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Weighing the Evidence

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Skinnyade

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Baby Food Diet

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The Grocery Store and Dr. Oz

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