Do I need to take fat burners to lose weight?

Fat burners have become a popular phenomenon in the fitness industry. It is hard to escape hearing about them. With everyone looking for a quick fix to achieve their dream body, no wonder every time you open your ‘Explore’ page, you’re seeing ‘fat burners’ advertised as a miracle weight-loss option.

Over-the-counter fat burners appeal to people who want a way to magically melt away unwanted fat, and believe that the benefits outweigh the risks. However, fat burner supplements may be neither safe nor effective, as the Food and Drug Administration does not evaluate and test all fat burners on the market. This means a lot of the ingredients used in fat burners are not regulated.

With many fat burners on the market claiming to be ‘all natural’, it is important to be aware that ‘natural’ does not always mean safe.

Along with unknown ingredients, fat burners have also been linked to some pretty serious side effects, such as liver damage, heart risks, insomnia, dehydration, stomach problems, increased blood pressure and diarrhoea, to name a few.

So are they really the best option for weight loss, or are you being sold a dream?

The term ‘fat burner’ is used to describe nutrition supplements that claim to burn fat.

These supplements promise to block fat or carbohydrate absorption, curb your appetite, or speed up your metabolism. They allegedly work by elevating your blood pressure, increasing your overall energy expenditure, which could potentially eventually lead to weight loss over time. But the effectiveness of fat burner supplements are still in question; although they promise rapid weight loss, there’s not a lot of evidence that they work at burning fat.

LIFESTYLE

A lot of the companies promoting fat-burning tablets or pills usually claim to be effective in rapid weight loss without you having to make any lifestyle changes, such as improving your diet, or increasing your physical activity.

But that is not the case – you still need to exercise and have a healthy, balanced diet to be able to lose weight healthily and keep it off. No one ever lost weight by taking a few pills, then following it up with a cheeseburger and a Diet Coke.

Instead of opening up your body to potential harm, all in the name of weight loss, it is healthier, safer and more important to take it slow by maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Stop believing in a quick fix to weight loss. As long as you follow a healthy lifestyle, diet, exercise, and remain consistent, your weight will never be a problem again. It may take some time, but it is healthier, safer and smarter.

Follow this week’s workout below to start your exercise journey with The Gleaner.

To view the full workout, visit our Instagram page @JamaicaGleaner.

Stay active with us

(30 seconds per exercise for three rounds)

Lunges

Inch Worm

Bicycle crunches