RE: Hydroxycut
I have not used hydroxycut, but have used other ephedra based products in the past. Like others have said, I did experience some weight loss at first, but it all came back when I took a break from the stuff to give my body a rest. I also could never tolerate a full dose. Got palpitations, jitters, anxiety, YUK!
If you look at the diet and exercise schedule of one of Hydroxycut's biggest spokesperson's, Brandy Hall Flores, you will realize that her success was mostly due to a very rigorous training program and a relatively low calorie diet. Her daily routine was outlined as part of a M&F Hers article a few issues back (not related to a hydroxycut ad) and I distinctly remember thinking, "Well NO WONDER she lost all that weight!!!"
Many of the spokesmodels are former or current fitness stars who have been laid up with an injury, had a baby, etc... They have trained for many years prior to their weight gain, so they have that "muscle memory" you hear about and are accustomed to devoting large portions of their day to diet and exercise. They are being paid by the supplement company to regain their former shape and are given a rigid program to follow in order to meet their goals, plus the professional support to back it up in the form of trainers and dieticians. In other words, it is literally their JOB to lose weight and look good. Total focus, no outside distractions. To put them out there as everyday folks whose progress can compare to the average person is really false advertising, so if you look closely you will find small print located somewhere in the corner of the ad that reads, "results not typical". Buyer beware!
That being said, I understand the position that Oxygen, M&F Hers, and other mags are facing. Although this board is full of fitness enthusiasts the reality is that we make up a very small portion of the population, so the market for these mags is not very big. In order to stay in business and provide some otherwise good quality information they need sponsors to pick up the slack where a mag like Cosmo, for example, will make it's profits from a huge sales base (this is NOT to imply that all ads in Cosmo are responsible and/or factual, but hopefully you get the point). When I get my copy of Oxygen in the mail, I skip over those "Special Reports" as if they didn't exist and turn to something that might actually help me achieve my goals.
Hmmm, I guess I have some feelings about this, don't I? Bottom line is that in order to achieve a healthy, fit body you do not need ephedra. Good nutrition and smart training will get you the results you want without the risks. It just takes time.
FitnessRN
) Those products can be very dangerous if you aren't careful. There's just no substitute for a clean diet and a good exercise program!
