Just How Effective Are Supplements For Fat Loss?
We hear this question a lot: quick weight loss supplements, do they really work, or what? The fact is that they SHOULD work, but that not all of them do. Now, not to name names, but some supplements are little more than a placebo, something to make you think that you're burning fat when, in fact, they're not doing much for you.
If you're looking for fat burning supplements, they should contain one of the following ingredients.
Diet Fiber
Dietary fiber actually does nothing for you, and that's the point. It contains no real nutrients or anything, so it helps you feel full without having to eat as much. This means that you feel like you have more energy, so you can hit the gym longer and harder than before. Plus, it helps to keep you regular, it keeps you "clean" more or less, so you have less unnecessary weight when you hit the scale.
Electrolytes And Water
Electrolytes are great for keeping you energized. They help your body get the water in there and hydrate well. This means that, as with fiber, you can hit the gym for longer hours without getting tired. Most energy and sports drinks have some electrolytes in them. They're best for restoring yourself after a hard workout, so keep some handy. When you get winded, you can grab a little of your drink and be ready to go again for a full hour extra, or longer. Of course, even so, water is still the best sports drink in existence.
B Vitamins
B Vitamins are what it's all about if you want energy. In fact, if you switch from coffee or energy drinks to pure vitamin B, you may well find yourself a little less grumpy in the morning. If you start taking vitamin B, the level of energy you experience will greatly improve. This is really your best friend if you find yourself getting tired easily.
Creatine And Protein And So Forth
Protein and creatine based supplements are great for building muscle, but if your primary goal is to lose weight, you may want to hold off on these until you're ready to start hitting the weights. Still, if you want a full fitness program, this muscle building stuff can be incredibly helpful. Just remember that if you use these and you weight train, that it will offset your progress in losing weight, as muscle weighs much more than fat.
The truth about supplements comes down to this: They work, but they don't work FOR you, they work WITH you. They don't do the work for you. If you want to lose weight, they only help you. If you're looking for a magic treatment, if you want a quick fix, look elsewhere. Supplements help, they don't do the whole job alone, so don't think that you can drink a health smoothie in the morning and just sit on your butt watching TV and seeing pounds fall off one after another. Work out, hit the gym hard, eat healthy, and drink plenty of water, and supplements will help you see results.
Not to say that they aren't a big help when working toward fat loss, because in fact, they are, but they're not what you're looking for if all you want are miracle weight loss tips that allow you to maintain an unhealthy lifestyle with a healthy body.
Published August 4th, 2010
Filed in Health