Originally I had planned this series out quite differently. ( This was going to be about my 5th blog versus the 2nd in the series). But I am not one to do things in a conventional manner nor do I ultimately care about doing things systematically if it can be helped. Of course there’s a time and place for it but adverting your path because you feel like it tends to be something I take great pride in. Because well why not? With that said lets dive right in.
Fat Burners
I just love this term. I have no idea how this term was coined as the winner of the weight loss supplement corner in every supplement shop or website in today’s day and age. But with that said 9/10 people I will encounter use this terminology to find either the quickest or easiest way to burn fat. Sometimes it is out of desperation, sometimes it is out of questionable nature, sometimes it is out of worry that they have stalled in fat loss, and or sometimes it is out of not wanting to put in the work required to lose weight. Now none of these statements are wrong by any means. I want to congratulate you for trying to find your stepping stone in the direction you wish to a go in life. Whether that is to lose 2lbs or that is to lose 200lbs. But I need to stress to you NONE of these supplements are what you think they are. Period. They will not be the ultimate factor in which you lose that 2lb ( maybe if it is water weight but that is a different story) and it definitely will not be the reason you lose 200lbs. Before a few of you that have used fat burners call me a liar. I will be sure to go through why some people actually lose significant weight with a fat burner. But I am telling you now. There is a chance you would of lost the weight regardless. Especially If you continued with the current mindset you have whilst taking the supplement. With that said let me break down what a fat burner really is.
Fat Burning Ingredients
If you take anything from this blog post please always look at the ingredient label if you do so choose a fat burner. Reason being and in all honesty I just want you to make the right decisions for you. Anything that is labeled on the front of a supplement is either a load off crap or basic marketing to help you choose their product. Once you understand what is in it. Then you can actually understand what it will do for you. Granted yes the company isn’t always trying to lie to you and will state basic facts about the supplement on the front of the label. But here is a fun fact. You can’t lie on the back of the nutrition label without the FDA getting involved. Now mind you some companies have gotten away with this but once adverse reactions happen among the community you would be very surprised how fast the FDA steps in and tests the quality of the ingredients.
Here is the kicker though. None of your fat burning supplements have enough science backed evidence. They can’t actually state that this ingredient or ingredients does wonders for reducing fat lipid size in the body. Re read that last sentence. Because in a research article I can state x amount of weight was lost but that has nothing to do with first off actual fat mass, muscle mass or water weight. That also doesn’t have much to state about the diet the individuals were taking, what regiment or cardio protocol the individuals were doing or whether these were untrained or trained individuals. Even better some of the testing methods are not the best. They can massively skew the results and interpretation of the research. But also generalize their interpretation as something that is black and white because it is easier that way. Now not all companies go about this is in such fashion. Some have a true kind heart intent but just don’t manage to pull it off properly. Which is just human error.
But for the ingredients that do so come up as proper evidence. It tends to be very minimal in what you might be thinking the benefit is. Which I won’t delve into since I don’t know the actual facts to how much a specific ingredient would help you according to you and your needs. But for what most fat burning supplements can do. Is that they help suppress appetite and force a caloric restriction from your normal everyday life creating weight loss.
The best thing I can leave you with is the solid fact if there is a supplement that helps you lose weight it needs to be one that raises caloric expenditure on a daily. Raising caloric expenditure is the main way we lose weight and or fat. Caffeine does this on a small degree but it is rather minimal than you would think. But my biggest worry giving you that information is the fact if you manage to find that supplement. Don’t you think once you stop taking it the weight will come back? Your habits will have stayed the same and your current calorie expenditure and intake has not changed therefore you will have a greater chance regaining everything afterwards.
But I have lost so much weight using a fat burner and kept it off!!
*Stretches and Cracks Fingers*
Alright now to the juicy part of this blog. For everyone out there that claims this header as them. Understand first off the placebo affect is amazing. As stated in my previous blog the placebo affect takes place when your current belief matches reality and the body finds a way to work in your favor. Now not always will that mean it was the supplement pulling off a different chemical reaction in the body to elicit fat loss but, sometimes the psychological affect of making a decision becoming certain and going gung ho in your fat loss journey is the real reason you lose weight. This is where I have done this and have witness others do this. We make a voluntary action because we are sick and tired of how we look or feel. So you go out and buy $100 worth of supplements. Get home, you can’t even wait until the morning, take the first batch and we are good to go! T minus 3 months to go, I have got my supply, I don’t have any outward stress and I’m ready!! *Starts meal prepping, hitting the gym like never before, starts a habitual routine every morning and….. * Wait couldn’t I have done this without the supplements? Congrats you just spent $100 dollars to make a decision and created an action for yourself that got you to start a habitual pattern for yourself to live a healthier lifestyle. Which as we all know losing weight or living a healthy life style is just a bunch of habitual patterns done on a daily.. oh… sorry it’s too late to get a refund but at least you’re committed!
But for those of you that have tried old school fat burners with either pro hormones or banned supplements. You don’t count because those specific ingredients are banned for a reason due to health concerns. Not because they work. Kind of like the old school Hydroxy cut anyone? DMAA and Ephedra resemble crack so yes you will lose weight on them. Point blank obvious please don’t take them. At least for the new people going on this journey. If you’ve been doing this for 10 plus years by all means go right ahead just know your health is at hand. Maybe not now but continuous use could lead you down a different path. For everyone that had taken it no you aren’t going to die in the future but minimizing the chances of heart problems and liver problems should be somewhat of a necessity for any person looking to stay alive longer than 60. I’ll leave this one here with that being said.
Gotta Have My Detox Skinylious Teas To Lose Weight!!
Please no. Just no.
Why was this even created??!?!? WHYY?!
Nothing on a biological, biochemical or even physiological level does a detox do anything to promote fat loss.
Here is a fun fact. Most of your detox teas include Senna Leaf and Dandelion Root. Senna is a natural laxative and Dandelion is a natural diuretic. Meaning yes you might lose weight in the sense of fecal matter expelling from your intestines ( which if you’re backed up there is use in this) or expel excess water from the body. Which once you drink water you will gain it all right back. All while never doing anything for fat loss. End of story.
Now mind you as much I’m being blunt here this isn’t how I will inform you in person. Most of the time that is. But within writing I would much rather get to the point, have you understand something on an emotional level, rather than creating a boring blog post that again is systematic and bland.
Actual Supplements to Take
Nothing. Deciding to create a better life for yourself is free. The supplement industry as a whole is newer than you might think. People could accomplish fat loss and muscle gain with or with out supplements.
Granted if you are looking to supplicate your lifestyle or need an approach better than what you are already doing. Try a mulitvitamin, maybe some fish oils or probiotics or creatine. These sound like core supplements for health (minus the creatine) but what they are; are just what they are. They are not necessary but they are some of the better studied supplements to reap benefit for health in general. Nothing for fat loss. Absolutely nothing though.
As much as it seems I’m bashing the supplement industry really I am bashing the individual to think for themselves. We are the reason why companies do what they do. Because we as individuals believe and think a certain way. Of course I too was one of these people who have tried everything under the sun. At the end of the day you only have control of yourself. We all want that quick fix rather than the grit of the unknown whether we can get there or not. Whether how long it takes should not be our concern but the learning process in which we go through it as. Nothing will beat what you learn today for what you can actually achieve only by tomorrow. The moment our needs can shift from wanting something tangible. To wanting to learn what the process is for me or what I can learn from it. Only then can we say it may not be our fault at the end of the day. Which I will leave it here. Hope you guys enjoyed the read! Peace.
Steven Personius 