The weight loss industry is a multibillion dollar industry with no accountability or guarantees. These days the media is flooded with diets and weight loss programs promising extraordinary results in a short span of time. I see advertisements like “lose 20-30lbs in 30 days” almost on a daily basis. But just how true are these claims? You would think that if these diets and weight loss programs worked, and since there are so many of them, then the population would be getting skinnier on average as the years pass by. However if you look at the statistics obesity has been on the incline since the 1980s. From years of professional experience I can tell you conclusively that no these promises are false and misleading. It may be theoretically possible to lose 30lbs in 30 days in a laboratory under medical supervision so unless you can hire a team of specialists then it’s unlikely that you will.
Why do so many people fall victim to the hype if these don’t work as advertised? For one thing we are lazy by nature and the prospect of working hard and exercising to get modest results in a longer span of time is very unattractive to many people. Most people cringe at the thought of sweating and breathing hard as they are lifting weights or running on the treadmill. I see people glued in front of TV screens or reading newspapers as they do their low intensity cardio for an hour then crank out a few measly sets on machines without even breaking a sweat. No one likes to be overweight and the possibility that you can lose %10 of body fat in only 30 days without even having to do much attracts many people who just want to get rid of the fat as quickly as possible with as little work or effort. For those hopeless people out there I recommend liposuction because at least you will get your money’s worth.
What is even sadder is that people keep buying in, trying different programs and diets month to month because they may lose some weight initially but once they cease the diet/program they regain the weight very quickly or even gain more and so it becomes a vicious cycle costing people up to thousands of dollars- especially people who are in poor health and are desperate to lose weight. The weight loss industry is opportunistic and takes advantage of this to make a hefty profit and as long as people keep buying in the cycle will continue.
A proper weight loss program should have a combination of diet and exercise. I use a slightly calorie reduced diet that is high in protein and fiber, moderate in carbohydrates and low in fat. Certain foods are eliminated like foods that contain a high level of high GI carbohydrates and saturated fats. High GI carbs are only used during and after exercise to provide fuel and replenish glycogen stores. The ratio of macronutrients for each meal varies depending on time of day and whether there is resistance or cardiovascular exercise on that day. On days where there is no exercise the caloric intake is further reduced. The variety of foods can be somewhat limited in order to precisely and conveniently control daily caloric intake. The diet is especially limited in fruits because they contain fructose which is converted to fat much easier than glucose. As a result I use a high quality multivitamin/mineral/antioxidant & phytonutrient complex that provides all the vitamins, antioxidants and phytonutrients to ensure that the body gets all of its micronutrients and stays healthy during the weight loss phase. The typical rate of weight loss on my program is 1.5lbs a week so it takes about 3 months to lose 20lbs but there are no health side effects like loss of muscle and strength, low energy, liver and kidney damage etc., and the results are permanent as long as you are active and maintain a healthy diet.