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Are
you one of the estimated 50 million Americans who will go
on a diet this year? If so, you may be tempted by
advertisements for products promising easy, quick ways to
lose weight. You should know that when it comes to losing
weight, gimmicks usually don’t deliver on their
promises.
While
some dieters succeed in taking off weight, perhaps as few
as five percent manage to keep it off in the long run.
Most experts agree that the best way to lose weight is to
eat fewer calories and burn more energy by increasing
physical activity. Experts suggest aiming for a goal loss
of about a pound a week. This usually means cutting about
500 calories a day from your diet, eating
healthy, low-fat
foods, finding a regular exercise activity you enjoy, and
sticking to it.
When
it comes to evaluating claims for weight loss products,
the Federal Trade Commission recommends a healthy portion
of skepticism. Before you spend money on products or
programs that promise fast or easy weight loss, weigh the
claims and consider these tips:
-
"Lose
30 Pounds in Just 30 Days." As a
rule, the faster you lose weight, the more likely you
are to gain it back. Also, fast weight loss could harm
your health. Unless your doctor advises it, don’t
look for programs that promise quick weight loss.
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"Lose
All the Weight You Can For Just $39.99."
Some weight loss programs have hidden costs. For
example, some don’t advertise the fact that you must
buy their prepackaged meals that cost more than the
program fees. Before you sign up for any weight loss
program, ask for all the costs. Get them in writing.
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"Lose
Weight While You Sleep." Claims for
diet products and programs that promise weight loss
without effort are phony.
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"Lose
Weight And Keep It Off For Good." Be
suspicious about products promising long-term or
permanent weight loss. To lose weight and keep it off,
you must change how you eat and how much you exercise.
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"John
Doe Lost 84 Pounds in Six Weeks."
Don’t be misled by someone else’s weight loss
claims. Even if the claims are true, someone else’s
success may have little relation to your own chances
of success.
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"Scientific
Breakthrough...Medical Miracle."
There are no miracle weight loss products. To lose
weight, you have to reduce your intake of calories and
increase your physical activity. Be skeptical about
exaggerated claims.
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