Misleading Fitness Advertising
Flip through a magazine, scan a newspaper, or channel surf and you see them everywhere: Ads that promise quick and easy weight loss without diet or exercise. Wouldn’t it be nice if — as the ads claim — you could lose weight simply by taking a pill, wearing a patch, or rubbing in a cream? Too bad claims like that are almost always false. Doctors, dieticians, and fitness experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to eat higher quality calories and increase your physical activity. Here, then, according to the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) are the 7 most misleading claims made in Diet Ads:
“LOSE WEIGHT WITHOUT DIET OR EXERCISE!” Achieving a healthy weight takes work. Take a pass on any product that promises miraculous results without the effort. Buy one and the only thing you’ll lose is money.
“LOSE WEIGHT NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU EAT OF YOUR FAVORITE FOODS!” Beware of any product that claims that you can eat all you want of high-calorie foods and still lose weight. Losing weight requires sensible food choices. Filling up on healthy vegetables and fruits can make it easier to say no to fattening sweets and snacks.
“LOSE WEIGHT PERMANENTLY! NEVER DIET AGAIN!” 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.
“BLOCK THE ABSORPTION OF FAT, CARBS, OR CALORIES!” Doctors, dieticians, and other experts agree that there is simply no magic non-prescription pill that will allow you to block the absorption of fat, carbs, or calories. The key to curbing your craving for those ” downfall foods” is portion control. Limit yourself to a smaller serving or a slimmer slice.
“LOSE 30 POUNDS IN 30 DAYS!” Losing weight is really all about losing body-fat and learning how to keep it off. At best, products promising lightning-fast weight loss are false. At worst, they can ruin your health.
“EVERYBODY WILL LOSE WEIGHT!” Your habits and health concerns are unique. There is simply no one-size-fits-all product guaranteed to work for everyone. Team up with your fitness professional to design a personalized nutrition and exercise program suited to your lifestyle and metabolism.
“LOSE WEIGHT WITH OUR MIRACLE DIET PATCH OR CREAM!” You’ve seen the ads for diet patches or creams that claim to melt away the pounds. Don’t believe them. There’s nothing you can wear or apply to your skin that will cause you to lose weight.
Make fitness a lifetime commitment and you will reap the health benefits! And, you will look your best!
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Excellent! I’m still working on eating more fruits and veggies and working out! Hopefully the scale will be kind this week! Thanks for this blog and all the info!
This is why I prefer good old fashion hard work. No gimmicks here, they just don’t work. Great blog, thanks!
Yes, it is the same old snake oil in a new package. People want to believe that that something outside themselves will cure them of their problem.
Sometimes I really get worked up about advertising and the lies. Other times I laugh at the stupidity. My favourite? The one where they say it is a “secret”. Well, not anymore! lol
Great post. I like reading posts that question the diet and exercise industry. I think the best kwpt secret is that it really doesn’t cost a penny to lose weight or be more active!
I agree but it is amazing how tempting all those adds are when we are feeling desperate and fat! i am liking the exercise and eating well plan. works for me!
It’s human nature to take the path of least resistance and advertisers know that!
Yes, I see the fitness magazines and heck I get one by mail and with the fake boobed woman and the false advertising, I kind a feel like a big fake too. Well, I like to learn and it is good to keep an eye open to all the junk. Tis the world we live in. Thanks Mark.
Have to ask, so you have any exercises for those who have the beginnings of arthritis? The knee exercises are a bit much sometimes. I am not asking for much am I…hehe
Have a great day/week!
I’ve tried a lot of them, and I have NEVER lost weight if I didn’t work out, after all.