“What The Health Club & Diet Industries Don’t Want You To

 Know…Scams, Fads, and Fat Chance!”

1. Don’t Sign Your Life Way - When the New Year rolls around you will get tons of solicitations in your mailbox from health clubs. Health clubs come in two basic flavors. The first have contracts, commissioned salespeople and don’t care a hoot about you. The other kind do not have contracts, the people there actually encourage you to work out because they’re interested in your well-being and they will only make money if you continue to come in and see results.

With the first kind of club the salespeople know that most members stop working out within six months of joining a club. And that is what they hope happens. They have to sell tons of memberships to meet their quota, and they don’t care about what happens to you once you’ve signed the contract. They then sell your contract to a finance company, which also gets part of the cut. If you default on the payment you’ll end up in collection and then the nightmare REALLY begins! You many know someone that has been in this scenario, or worse, maybe it was you.

There is good news in all this…there are many highly qualified and results-driven fitness professionals available to help you reach your weight loss and fitness goals. So how do you find them? You already have. On the last page of this report I have included a special gift just for you that I think you’re going to really enjoy!

 2. Put It In Writing - During 1999 and 2000, the Michigan Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division received 210 complaints from consumers about fitness centers. The majority of the complaints involved discrepancies between what consumers say they were told by sales personnel and what the signed contract actually guaranteed. In particular, consumers reported the written cancellation procedure frequently differed from what they were told by the salesperson.

 Here’s why it’s so hard to prove that you have been misled. The gym and health club industry has one of the highest employee turnover rates. In fact, I have personally seen an entire staff change several times in the course of 30 days. So unless you have everything that was promised to you in writing – you’re never going to find the person that sold you the membership (and even if you did, they won’t admit it). Get everything in writing.

 3. As Seen On TV – If you’re considering buying exercise equipment, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) offers this advice: Evaluate advertising claims for fitness products carefully. Exercise — with or without special equipment — is essential for good health. But be skeptical of claims that you will lose several pounds, inches or pant sizes in a short time (for example, “7 inches in 7 days” or “3 dress sizes in one month”). Even when combined with dietary supplements or specialized breathing techniques, it is virtually impossible for most consumers to achieve such major changes in appearance in a few days or weeks.

Let’s face it – if it sounds to good to be true then it probably is. But you may be asking yourself what about all the university-approved claims and doctor-recommended pleas? Hold you’re horses, because here comes another kicker! Doctors, scientists, universities and labs can all be paid off to make any claim – so buyer beware.

 The FTC advises consumers to:

•  Ignore claims that an exercise machine or device can provide long-lasting, easy, “no-sweat” results in a short time. These claims are false: You can’t get the benefits of exercise unless you exercise.
•  Question claims that a product can burn fat off a particular part of the body — for example, the buttocks, hips or stomach. Achieving a major change in your appearance requires sensible eating and regular exercise that works the whole body.
•  Read the ad’s fine print. The advertised results may be based on more than just using a machine; they also may be based on restricting calories.

 There is no such thing as a quick fix – However, with proper guidance and a program created by a nationally certified fitness trainer you can achieve the results you want in a relatively short time. Furthermore, working with a fitness trainer will ensure that you develop the habits that will lead to healthy a lifestyle and continued success.

 Lucky for you, Contra Costa County’s top fitness trainers are here to help you achieve your fitness and weight loss goals. I can’t promise “no exercise” but I CAN promise results in a fun and energetic atmosphere.

 4. Avoid Quick-Fix Pills, Drinks and Powders - The FTC has the following tips for consumers who are interested in weight-loss products or programs:

• Products and programs that promise quick and easy weight loss are bogus. To lose weight, you have to lower your intake of calories and increase your physical activity.
• The faster you lose weight the more likely you are to gain it back. Experts recommend a goal of about a pound a week.
• There are no miracle weight-loss products. Be skeptical of products and programs that claim they can keep weight off permanently. Be skeptical about exaggerated claims.

 5. Over Promise, Under Deliver – The FDA investigated 300 weight-loss ads from the radio, television, the Internet, magazines, newspapers, e-mail and direct mail. The FDA report concluded that some ads promised significant results without surgery, diet or exercise. Other companies claimed that taking their product would be enough for a quick weight loss. There was no need to eat less or diet. Just take these “magic” pills. No such pill exists.

The main frauds: Manufacturers promise that their pills will deliver spectacular results without any effort or exercise, and this no effort and no exercise claim resonated with the consumer’s emotions. As tempting as this may be – avoid these products at all costs.

6. Fad Diets, Fat Chance - Many promoters of dietary schemes would have you believe that a special substance or combination of foods will automatically result in weight reduction. That’s simply not true. To lose weight, you must eat less, exercise more or do both.

There are about 3,500 calories in a pound of body weight. To lose one pound a week, you must consume about 500 fewer calories per day than you metabolize. Most fad diets, if followed closely, will result in weight loss as a result of caloric restriction. But they are invariably too monotonous and are sometimes too dangerous for long-term use. Moreover, dieters who fail to adopt better exercise and eating habits will regain the lost weight — and possibly more due to extreme shifts in their metabolism. Fad diets like these are marketed as the “next big thing”, as the ultimate solution.

The ONLY real ultimate solution is a lifestyle of proper eating habits and consistent exercise. And – although the real deal can’t promise you 10 pounds in 10 days – I can promise you lifetime results (if you stick to it).

So there you have it. The truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth about the “dark” side of the health club and diet industries.

But as the saying goes: “every cloud has a silver lining.” While there are plenty of false promises and misleading fitness solutions to go around, there are also plenty of dedicated fitness experts ready and available to help you get in the best shape of your life. To discover how you can get started, call me today at: (925) 457-4587

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