1 of 7

Write now Article Tools

Not all weight-loss infomercials are phony. Only about 99.9 percent of them. If you believe you have a weight problem, and have tried unsuccessfully to lose it in the past, don't get sucked in by all the hype. Ignore the before-and-after photos, bikini testimonials, advertised low costs and the other outright lies. Just trust your own intelligence and take a couple of simple steps instead.

If you have a family doctor or are a student with access to medical facilities, get some honest, qualified advice. Talk to your advisers about the history of your being overweight, ask how you may take steps to correct it, and accept a schedule to start to doing something about it. Unless you have a disease that requires you to be on specific medications that affect your weight, or other contributing physical abnormalities, the reason you are fat is that you eat too much. Period. End of excuses. Forget the lies about quick weight loss from those who are much more interested in taking your money than taking off your weight.

Your honest advisors will tell you to start an immediate diet that involves healthy foods and a reduced calorie intake appropriate for your age, height and body structure. Don't attempt any crash diets that involve drastic cuts in regular meals, nor anything approaching starvation periods to take off weight quickly. Stay away from organized group sessions. Forget about using the false emotional crutch that includes attending regular meetings conducted by commercial diet and food companies. If you have any sense of responsibility at all about your condition, and don't want to waste money and time, make up your mind you will independently and faithfully follow the sensible diet regimen suggested by your medical advisers.

Along with a sensible diet, weight reduction requires an intelligent and consistent exercise regimen that improves and maintains health. Depending on your age and physical condition, schedule at least an hour of steady, heartbeat-improving, sweat-inducing exercise a day. If you are grossly obese, you may have to start your agenda with just a few minutes of light exercise a day, and then, as you shed the weight and improve your physical condition, you can gradually extend its intensity and time spent on it to an hour or more.

Most obese people buy into the hype of infomercials and other pricy weight-loss programs because they're desperate and not thinking clearly. They've most likely tried every kind of diet, including other hyped-up plans that are designed to take advantage of their emotional distress and vulnerability. You'll successfully lose weight if you can just make up your mind not to fall for the false promises and take the future into your own hands. With competent advice from medical experts and the support of your family, and a healthy lifestyle, you can take off excess weight and regain your health.

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Weight loss infomercials: Don't be fooled!?
We want to hear your view. Write now!