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4 Health and Fitness Scams You Shouldn’t Invest In

A woman wearing a waist trimmer.

We all look for quick fixes that solve our problems. We want to lose weight, reduce cellulite, get clear skin, and reduce bloat. Consequently, marketers target you with their products. They want to convince you that their solution is the quick fix that you’ve been searching for. They probably charge a pretty penny too, or not—but either way, you’re throwing your cash into a bottomless pit of money-sucking scams. There are many, but I’ve listed some major, verified fitness scams below. Please don’t fall for them!

Scam alert sign. Don't fall for fitness scam.
There is No Such Thing As a Maintainable, Quick Fix Unless You Want To Pay a Plastic Surgeon. (Photo credit: Pixabay)

And, as a health coach, I’m obligated to say it: There is no such thing as a maintainable, quick fix unless you want to pay a plastic surgeon.

Juicing for Weight loss

The fact that juicing is still a thing for fat loss is ridiculous. The whole concept behind juicing is that by not putting anything solid into our bodies, we can drop weight like crazy. A few things I’d like to clarify here:

  1. This “method” does NOT add servings of fruit to your diet. Fruits are meant to be eaten in full—fiber and all. When you juice them, we get rid of the fiber that our body needs to function properly (aka stay regular, which helps reduce bloat), and to absorb the vitamins that are in the actual fruit. Juicing also spikes your blood sugar levels due to the lack of fiber. When you spike your insulin levels, you are actually putting your body into fat “storage” mode, which is the opposite of what you’re trying to do.
  2. Juice cleanses get rid of the protein and fats your body actually needs to function properly. They are called macronutrients because they are VITAL for your body to survive. Don’t take these away. 
  3. You drop water weight; you don’t actually drop fat. And the minute you stop the cleanse (which you will—because if you don’t, you’ll literally ruin your body), you’ll put that weight back on.

If you were considering doing a juice fast to lose weight, this fitness scam isn’t the way to go. The best, healthiest way to lose weight is to make small changes that you’ll be able to maintain for the rest of your life.

Cellulite Cream

If fixing cellulite was as easy as buying a $60 cream at Ulta, cellulite would no longer be a thing. The reason why cellulite creams get ‘good’ reviews is because they are usually infused with caffeine, which is known for being a diuretic which temporarily reduces the appearance of cellulite. It doesn’t actually get rid of it, and a lot of companies like to market their product as a fix-all cream that “vanishes” cellulite. It is a temporary, partial fix to a (quite literally) deep-rooted problem. It’s still there, friends; the only way to get rid of it is by 1. paying your surgeon, or 2. reducing body fat (which is much cheaper and healthier). Work on the healthier option, and try to follow some tips for clear skin, too.

Waist Trimmer Belts

Why is it that we always come back to “waist trimmer” belts? It’s like that bad habit we know isn’t good for us but we feed it anyways. I would like to make this very clear: WAIST TRIMMER BELTS DO NOT WORK. You’re just losing water weight because the belt keeps your body temp high during exercise, and you sweat like nobody’s business.  But the minute you step out of the gym, take that sucker off and refuel your body with the water it needs, you put that water weight right back on. Don’t do it. Don’t buy another waist trainer fitness scam.

Insta-Celeb Diet/Fitness/Booty Plans

As a health coach, this type of thing has to be on my list because it is my biggest pet peeve of all pet peeves. Do me a huge favor: do your research. If your fav insta-celeb has a big booty but no legs built whatsoever, it’s a scam. She went to her plastic surgeon for a fat transfer. You can’t have a natural big booty without legs- the physiology of the human body just doesn’t work that way.

So before you go to buy her booty builder program, make sure you study her up and confirm that she’s legit and not trying to scam you by making you think you can get the booty she got from her plastic surgeon in the gym. And I’m not trying to bash women who choose to go to their plastic surgeon to alter their bodies. What I have a problem with is false advertising—and when insta-celebs take advantage of women.

Instant celebrity due to false advertisement.
Make Sure You Invest In Plans That Come From Educated And Experienced Individuals (Photo credit: Pixabay)

Next, if your favorite insta-celeb is writing up nutrition plans for her followers—but doesn’t have a degree, isn’t certified, and doesn’t have any other credentials other than a huge number next to her name, do not buy it. Don’t waste your time. Find someone who is certified to give you and your body exactly what it needs. You’ll get much faster results, and it’ll probably be maintainable because it was designed for your body. (You probably won’t be as hungry either.) Make sure you invest in plans that come from educated and experienced individuals.

Avoid Fitness Scams and Invest in Your Long Term Health

Don’t fall for these quick fixes. They don’t work. Instead, put time into improving your health for the long term.