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The Weight Loss Programs Really Work? |
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Advertisements
for weight loss products are very poorly
regulated by the government. Unscrupulous
people can say whatever they want. They
are not required to produce evidence
that their products are safe and actually
help people. The government does not
demand such evidence and |
for the most part, television networks, newspapers,
and magazines do not require anything but
a check before running advertisements, even
though some products may hurt people.
You and I could put together the most bizarre
and ineffective diet in history, make any
claims we want, and have an infomercial
on the air tomorrow. We could claim it produces
miracle results, boosts metabolism, helps
you lose weight while you sleep, and more.
We could get people in white coats to say
it works. We could have before and after
pictures. We could have testimonials from
people who say how wonderful it is.
If claims like the ones you saw were true,
the world would know about it. You would
see the news written in newspapers, doctors
would know about it, and the whole world
would be using it. There have been many
thousands of such products over the years,
and where are they now? What are the chances
that Fat Blaster represents the ultimate
solution?
To lose weight, it makes sense to eat a
reasonable, healthy diet, and to follow
a reasonable, health exercise program.
There are a number of resources available
for eating healthy, exercise, and controlling
weight. The U.S. Department of Agriculture
has an excellent web site with nutrition
information. Information from other government
agencies is also available. Another fine
resource for information on nutrition and
healthy eating is the American Dietetic
Association (ADA). Their web site is http://www.eatright.org/.
This site provides nutrition tips but also
explains how to get an excellent guide for
healthy eating – a book called “The
American Dietetic Association’s Food
and Nutrition Guide.” In addition
to this book, the ADA offers nutrition resources
and tips at the following web page: www.eatright.org/nuresources.html
WebMD has a number of resources in the Nutrition
Center.
Finally, physical activity is a key to losing
weight and maintaining it. The good news
is that modest amounts of activity can be
a real help. An excellent resource for information
on healthy ways to increase physical activity
is the American College of Sports Medicine
(ACSM). Their web site is http://www.acsm.org
. The ACSM offers tip sheets and brochures
on physical activity at http://www.acsm.org/brochures.htm
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Nanci
S. Guest is a certified personal trainer
& nutritionist, and is completing
her Master of Science degree in nutrition
this June. She owns "Power Play:
Nutrition, Fitness, Performance"
in Vancouver, BC, and for the past
8 years she has been providing individuals,
sports teams & the community with
nutritional consulting & personal
training services, as well as research
services, seminars and article writing
for local & national publications.
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Her specialization is sports
nutrition, catering to a variety of
athletes of all levels. Some of her
elite athletic clientele include members
of the Vancouver Canucks, the Vancouver
Giants & the BC Lions, the Canadian
National Freestyle Ski Team, Iron
Man participants, athletic teams from
BC high schools and universities,
and a variety of other provincial
and national team members.
Nanci can be reached at: www.powerplayweb.com
and
by email at nanci@powerplayweb.com.
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