![]() Products Claiming Guaranteed Weight Loss: Can You Believe Them?Today’s consumers are likely to come across various products offering a guaranteed weight loss. But to what extent can we rely on this claim? Does guaranteed weight loss exist?
The Sales ClaimCompanies that manufacture or distribute diet supplements or that develop and promote particular weight loss diets often guarantee the weight loss. (In the small print, it stipulates that you must follow their instructions to the letter). There are two reasons for offering this guarantee. First, it is made because a great many individuals who have attempted to lose weight have ended up discouraged and disappointed with the results of their efforts. They are no longer prepared to put themselves through the rigors of a weight loss regime, or to shell out for yet another product unless they are sure it will be worth the effort. There is a second reason why the guarantee is offered. Today’s somewhat spoiled consumer expects to get what he or she desires. They want black and white promises or guarantees that something will work exactly as they hope. They like to be told that “customer is king” and that they can have what they want. Therefore, as stated earlier, manufacturers and others give the customer what he wants – the assurance that the weight loss is guaranteed. This may turn out not to be the case. Offering a Money Back GuaranteeDepending on where you live in the world, you are probably allocated certain consumer rights by law. A business may offer you something extra in addition to your legislated rights. They may, for example, offer to refund your money within a specified period of time after you make the initial purchase. It is commonplace to see a money back guarantee stating that your money will be returned to you if you do not lose weight by following the instructions. The companies do not make this guarantee because they are so convinced in their heart of hearts that the weight loss will happen as specified. They make the guarantee because it is financially astute to make it. Even if they end up refunding money to a certain number of customers, they will still make more than they would have made without the guarantee. Guaranteed Weight Loss: The RealityWith the possible exception of surgical intervention, no diet, supplement, pill or product can produce guaranteed results in 100% of the people who use it. Obesity is a complex condition. There are those who state it is a simple matter of eating less and exercising more. At the most basic level, that is likely to be true. A certain percentage of people will be able to manage their weight by simply reducing their food intake and getting more exercise. However, if it were really that simple, the obesity epidemic would not exist. First, many overweight people eat for emotional reasons. With some, overeating is a compulsion and an addiction. These people can no more control their food intake by will power than the drug addict can simply decide to stop using her drug. True, they can often lose a substantial amount of weight by one strategy or another, but in time, the weight returns. Secondly, we live in a culture where food, especially food high in fat and starch, is readily available, economically priced, and advertised broadly. Furthermore, food is a major aspect of many social occasions. Given these complexities, there is no such thing as a pill, supplement, diet book or exercise tool that is going to permanently solve all weight related challenges. Permanent weight loss can only happen through radical and permanent life-style change. Although there is no such thing as guaranteed weight loss by using a particular product, the person who struggles with excess weight can certainly find the sort of help that will contribute to achieving their weight goals. A successful weight loss plan will be tailored to the individual’s needs. It will take into account their physical, cognitive and emotional makeup. This may involve group support, counseling, accurate nutritional information, a realistic exercise routine and other helpful approaches. Many are finding that alternative therapies like NLP, hypnosis and energy psychology are useful tools in weight management. ================================================ Note to Webmasters You are welcome to publish this article in your electronic or print publications provided you include my signature as shown at the bottom of the article. When publishing online, thank you for making a live do-follow link to this web site. ![]() |