Weight loss scams. Don't be a victim.

How much money do you spend on "healthy" products like cleanses, creams, pills, potions, powers, exercising gizmos and “secret” diet regimens? You are spending money unwisely. Most of the "weight loss" products on the shelves promise fast, safe and lasting results but they really don't work. They hurt your bank account is what they do. There are so many weight loss scams on the internet as well. They are complete with fake testimonials from celebrities and "real" people.

So, instead of spending a gross amount of money on weightloss, I'm going to help your wallet.

• Claims that you can lose weight without diet or exercise. For real results, it is recommend reducing about 500 calories per day through diet and/or exercise for a safe and realistic 1-2 pound loss per week. You can't lose a lot of weight fast safely. The body just doesn't work like that.
• Be aware of words like "miracle,” “revolutionary,” “secret,” “guaranteed results” and “scientific breakthrough" to describe a product. If the product is so wonderful wouldn't it be on the news and not only on a weird website?
• Claims that you will lose X pounds in Y days. No product or plan can guarantee specific results; everyone is different.
• Claims that you can burn fat while you sleep and/or by wearing or rubbing on a product. Weight loss is an internal metabolic process, and no patch, lotion, etc., can rev up that process or eliminate fat in specific areas. If you could "spot" train everyone would look awesome. Plain old hard work is the answer, not magic.

Instead of relying on claims of incredible results on Instagram or Facebook posts, do an online search of the product and company name, with words “complaints" or "scam" and if you see anything questionable, don't do it. I like this website, dietscam.org, it's written by doctors and has details about many weight-loss scams. Now you know some of the warning signs of weightloss scams. Please don't waste your hard earned money.

In Health,

Jessica Bailey