You’ve put on your new bathing suit for the summer. You look in the mirror. Now you are looking for a panacea to lose weight -- and quickly. Use caution.
Recently the Better Business Bureau of Eastern Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island and Vermont released information about the weight loss drug HCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) Extreme. You probably have a friend or two who have tried the drug. I know of three people who have used it.
The problem is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has only approved the drug to treat female infertility, not weight loss.
HCG manufacturers claim that this drug will reset metabolisms, change abnormal eating patterns --- and shed 20 - 30 pounds in 30 – 40 days. You are only supposed to have a caloric intake of 500 per day while taking the drug. This is not considered healthy since the average person’s caloric intake is around 2000 calories a day.
HCG Extreme has an “F“ rating with the BBB as of 5/11/12. They have 553 complaints that range from billing and collection issues to problems with products and services.
BBB advises consumers to follow these tips when purchasing diet supplements:
- Do your research. Know what the risks are. Talk to your doctor.
- Know the side effects. You could be setting yourself up for serious health problems later on.
- How realistic are those results? Use your common sense.
- Don’t forget the fine print. Read all the disclaimers.
- Be aware that free samples or free introductory offers could lead to monthly charges.
It is important to keep extra weight off, but do it in a healthy way and stick with it. If your approach is one that is difficult to keep doing, try a healthy method that will work for you throughout the years.
I weigh myself every morning. If I have gained a pound or two, I watch my caloric intake that day. Next day, I weigh again and eat according to my weight. Try it. It just might work for you, too.