How to Spot a Crazy and Ridiculous Weight Loss Method

Glenn Cardwell, author of Diet Addiction, clinical nutritionist, and consultant to the Australian National Heart Foundation, says that changing one's lifestyle in favor of good eating and exercising habits is the only way to achieve true and permanent weight loss. Many respectable weight loss experts share this view. Unfortunately, that's exactly what people don't want to hear.

Most people are looking for the "quickie" solution to their weight loss problems. They are so desperate to lose weight rapidly that they easily fall for weight loss methods that are not only ineffective, but may also damage their health.

I, tactfully, call these methods unrealistic but Cardwell comes straight out and calls them "crazy and ridiculous". He says some of these ideas are downright frauds while others are falsely effective (example, losing water instead of fat). Most are simply restricted-calorie diets that can only be followed for a short while before you give up out of boredom or deprivation. Here are his guidelines to a spot a crazy and ridiculous weight loss method.

It promises quick and easy weight loss.
If it promised you slow weight loss achieved through self-control, would you rush to buy the product, treatment or book? Most likely not! The phrase "quick and easy weight loss" is what sells.

Rapid weight loss is mostly muscle and water loss. It isn't healthy for you and it's unrealistic. Very low calorie diets like the Three-Day induce this type of weight loss. Body wraps, sauna, plastic wraps all make you lose water for that "instant" weight and inch loss. No surprise there since the body is approximately 60-70 percent water.

Cardwell says that any program that promises or implies that you can lose more than two pounds a week is a rip-off. No question. He says that rapid or fast refers to the speed at which you lose your money and the weight loss is only permanent if you die within two days of starting the diet or undergoing the treatment!

It claims a scientific breakthrough.
A poorly controlled scientific study usually backs it up. The use of personal testimonies is common to support the new "breakthrough". Cardwell says the only breakthough is in how to pull the wool over your eyes.

It states that physical activity is not necessary.
Many people are attracted to promises like this because they hate any type of physical activity. That's how lazy modern society has made many people. Well, it is possible to lose weight without exercising by cutting down drastically on calories but it is next to impossible to maintain that weight loss without some form of physical activity.

It restricts the foods you can eat.
This type of diet restricts you to only a few kinds of food. For example, only bananas or only hotdogs. The idea is that the less you have to choose from, the less you will eat. Very few people can stay on a diet like this for very long. It's boring and can lead to malnutrition.

There is no good or bad food when it comes to weight loss -- only food eaten to excess. Protein, fat, and carbohydrates have all been praised and cursed depending on changing diet trends. Carbohydrates were the bad guys a few decades ago, then they became the good guys when high-carbohydrate diets became the vogue in the Eighties. Now, they're the bad guys again as high-protein diets have resurrected.

It uses a well-known name to imply endorsement.
It may surprise you to know that The Israeli Army Diet, Mayo Clinic Diet, and Heart Foundation Three-Day Diet have nothing to do with their claimed sources!

It promises spot reduction.
Cardwell says that you cannot devise a diet that will cause weight loss specifically from one part of your body. Weight loss occurs where the body wants it to occur depending on your genetic and hormonal make-up. Spot reduction that is promised by wrapping certain parts of the body is temporarily achieved by compression and loss of water.

It espouses an unusual eating style.
Many of the ideas, like food combining, have no scientific basis. Upon closer inspection, the diet plan usually supplies around 1,000 calories. You can lose weight on 1,000 calories of any combination of food. Unusual eating styles can cause you to lose weight because you have less choices of food. The question is how long can you keep it up before your body "rebels". Another matter of prime importance is does the eating style supply you with all the nutrients you need.

Crazy and ridiculous weight loss methods.
Here is a list of weight loss methods that Glenn Cardwell calls "crazy and ridiculous".

  • Fat burning tablets.
  • Vibrating pads.
  • "Lose weight while you sleep" diet pills.
  • Fiber tablets.
  • Tongue-numbing diet pills.
  • Cider vinegar, kelp, lecithin, and grapefruit extracts.
  • Saunas and plastic wraps.
  • Meal replacement drinks and biscuits.
  • Laxatives and diuretics.
  • Self-induced vomiting.
  • Amino acids.
  • Ice jackets.
  • Heat pads.
  • Electrical stimulation machines.
  • "Slimming" acupressure ear clip.

Craziest idea I ever heard of.
The craziest weight loss idea I ever heard of was being practiced by two relatives. I was shocked to learn that they would eat spoiled food so that they would develop diarrhea! They thought they were losing fat when in reality they were only losing water and running the risk of food poisoning!

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