Most Annoying Weight Loss Scams of 2009?
Every few months some new weight loss gimmick comes along. It gets marketed like crazy across the Internet, then in another year or so, everyone forgets about it.
Thousands of desperate punters shell out serious money hoping for the miracle solution, but... no authentic success stories are forthcoming.
So here's my two picks for the most annoying hard-sells of the last 12 months.
- Acai Berry Supplements
- Colon Cleanse
The humble Brazilian berry can be found in purees, powders, capsules and various other potions. It's been marketed to death. It has high anti-oxidants (like many other fruits) but any weight loss claims are completely unsubstantiated.
Colon Cleansing regimes: Either through supplements or colonic irrigation, the colon is emptied. Maybe it's good if you've been constipated, but again, any lasting weight loss claims are completely unsubstantiated.
What's your most annoying weight loss scam?
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Created / Updated: January 7, 2010
I'll second the colon-cleansing scams. It's so obnoxious to hear people trying to convince the public that there is 5 years' worth of "toxic waste" built up in their colon. Eating fruits and veggies and drinking lots of water will keep your colon sparkling clean.
Here's some other BS trends that I am sick of hearing about:
Probiotics for weight loss--as long as you eat plenty of fiber, you don't need probiotics because the beneficial bacteria will feed on the fiber in your guts. No need to shell out for $4 yogurt.
The Master Cleanse--If I hear any more people talk about how fantastic this stupid trend is, I'm going to puke. Yeah, you lose weight...water weight and the weight of the food in your colon. AND you feel like crap the entire time because you aren't getting the nutrients you need.
ReplyGenerally agree, but probiotics have their place. If I've been on antibiotics, if I'm travelling to a foreign country in a few weeks, I take probiotic supplements. (I'd rather take probiotics in advance than take immodium later as I think when your body is trying to get rid of something you should not stop that process!)
But the whole probiotic thing in yoghurt is a little weird, yes. Real yoghurt has probiotics naturally. What I think of as "fake yogurt" - usually thickened with gelatin, if you check the label - is the kind they are supplementing with probiotics it seems. Why don't people just eat the real stuff? I think because it's not heavily marketed and touted as low fat (ie 35 calories a serving) - in fact it usually isn't low fat. But it's not outrageously high in fat either, and it's good for you.
Replyyeah but the $4 yogurt tastes SO GOOD
ReplyHow about this, the anti-obesity vaccine to help you lose weight?
Apparently the product was for sale on eBay, and one month’s treatment was going for $145. The treatment required giving yourself an injection in the rump twice a week for four weeks--now that's dedication to the cause!
Of course there are no links or details about the studies which supposedly backed up this product.
ReplyAnd I thought some of my workouts were painful. Guess it's nice to know that customers are willing to take needles, proving business isn't going anywhere.
ReplyHaha, yes, it seems people are crazy enough for anything!! ;-)
ReplyI just created a post in the forums about the benefits of safflower oil on bellyfat. I'm waiting for the post to be approved.
But anyways I looked up the university study that it came from and it seems to be legit. I'm getting some safflower oil tomorrow.
ReplyThere is so much crap out there, it is hard to know where to start with the scams!
ReplyThose are the two worst... especially because they are pushed so hard. Most of those Acai Berry Supplement trials turn into large monthly bills that are hard to leave.
They also let to many fake blogs.
There is so much information available it's hard to tell what is quality and what isn't.
On that note: Thanks for providing a quality site :)
ReplyHere's a way to tell if it's quality -
If it sounds boring and a little like work, it's quality. ie, eat less calories, get more exercise, eat more fruits, vegetables and fibre, make sure you eat a proper breakfast, etc, etc.
If it sounds like a magic solution to all your weight problems, it's probably not quality.
ReplyMy doctor's advice for maintaining weight is very easy to follow - eat 3 of everything a day. 3 servings of fruit, 3 of veg, 3 of carbs, 3 of protein, 3 of fat. With fat, carbs and protein, you're talking about 100 calorie servings. Doesn't much matter where in the day you fit them in. I avoid fat and carbs all day so I can have a snack of cheese and triscuits at night. Want to lose weight, just cut back the fat, carb, servings a bit. Not so tough. And get some exercise every day.
It's hilarious, isn't it? People just want a quick fix solution, no matter what the consequences. Very sad!
ReplyVery interesting Blogs! Diet and exercise are the only true weight loss "Phenomena".
ReplyI think this one was out a few years ago, but my favorite scam was that one about listening to a tape that was supposed to make you lose weight. The ad was awful...one scene shows a very overweight woman stuffing a big piece of cake into her mouth, the next scene shows her laying back on the couch with her headphones on. Just listen to the tapes and the weight will fall off! The commercial didn't run for very long, I wonder why...
ReplyThe few I saw this year that I haven't seen last year or before was the 1 rule ads for a flat stomach and the Jillian Micheal's Protein and nutritional supplements.(which is sad because I used to have a lot of respect for the lady)
ReplyI was very surprised when I came across the Jillian Michaels Supplements. I guess the endorsement money was very tempting.
ReplyI completely agree soozeequeue!
If a program 'sounds boring and a little like work, it's quality.' I couldn't have said it better myself!
People are ALWAYS looking for a magic secret to make them thin. Well, it's called EFFORT. If you want it bad enough and put it the hard work, work out at least 3 times a week, eat healthier (I prefer to say 'eat clean' since I shudder when I see the word 'healthy' on labels that actually have un-healthy ingredients), and lastly don't give up! Any minor set back or struggle always causes people to fall off their respective 'wagons' but don't let the worst of you get the best of you!!
I hope that made a bit of sense & I didn't stray off topic too much!!
ReplyI generally find these scams entertaining.
On New Years Eve in Sydney they have 'family friendly' fireworks at 9pm too. Before watching the fireworks on the TV we had to watch about 10 'Fat Blaster' ads telling us our new years resolution should be to lose weight with Fat Blaster. It was pretty funny! Who comes up with a name like Fat Blaster?
ReplyThe best exercise to lose weight?? I think the best thing would be to find a variety of different exercises you enjoy and mix them up. If you do one exercise then you can eventually get bored..also in order for your body to improve you need to keep it on its toes and mix things up otherwise it will get used to a certain type of exercise and you will become acustomed to it and plateu.
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