Page 22 - The Essential Guide to Sports Nutrition and Bodybuilding (Sample)

2. Unrealistic Expectations
Many of us have unwillingly been brainwashed by magazines and gimmicky weight loss products promising results that are either virtually impossible to achieve or downright misleading.
Does any of the following sound familiar?
“Miracle Fat Loss Pill” that has doctors world-wide Truly Baffled!!! Start taking
“Product X” today and lose 10 pounds in 1 week.
“Breakthrough Powder that has revolutionised the fitness industry! Ever since taking “Muscle Grow Rapid Y,” Andy has packed on 30% pure muscle in just 2 months!”
“Dr. XYZ’s newest weight loss drink “Fat-
Off!” has been scientifically proven to remove that annoying, stubborn belly fat once and for all.”
Why Conventional Dieting Doesn’t Work
“Six-Pack Revealer XXXX” has enabled Amy to drop five dress sizes in just 7 Days!!!”
Well, I’m sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but building muscle and burning fat is a slow
process that can take many months to achieve. You may well notice results after a few weeks, but these ‘get-ripped quick’ diet and exercise programmes will only bring about frustration and disappointment in the long term.
“But Jon, I took Product X and lost 10 pounds in 7 days!”
Well, I wasn’t going to say anything yet, but since you’ve brought it up, if all you want to do is to lose weight very quickly, it’s certainly possible. In fact, that’s exactly how many of these marketers get you to buy the product in the first place.
Many dieters, however, confuse water weight with fat. Don’t worry; it’s an easy mistake to make. Unfortunately, it can be hard to tell the two apart from each other.
I’ve personally known people who have lost 5 pounds in 3 days. I know that sounds incredible, but the majority of that weight was water (some of which was likely coming from the muscle/lean tissue, and that isn’t necessarily a good thing). Needless to say, the results didn’t last very long, and the weight came back with a vengeance two weeks later.
!5