The arrival of the Christmas period evokes excitement for many; the thrill of presents, decorations, carols and of course where would we be without the excessive eating? From advent calendar choccies to gingerbread houses, Christmas is undoubtedly the time for extravagant and abundant feasting. With this in mind, some people are already beginning their slim down routines in preparation for the New Year. So when looking for ways to shed the pounds, why wouldn’t you choose the quickest and supposedly most effective option that you can find? For many, this comes in the form of diet pills.
It is indisputably tempting, the idea that by taking a daily pill you could lose that excess weight sounds close to perfection. Diet pills prey on that temptation, promising rapid weight loss without starving yourself or excessive exercise. However, the ways they achieve their results are usually unhealthy and unsustainable. Different pills work in a variety of different ways with varying levels of success. The product ‘Alli’, for instance, reduces the absorption of dietary fat. Bitter orange works by increasing calories burned, while chromium decreases appetite and builds muscle. Other options claim to increase metabolism or enhance the feeling of fullness.
I know what you’re thinking, ‘my goodness, this sounds ideal, why haven’t I tried it before?’ but alas the fairytale ending of achieving that perfect figure is unlikely to last very long. Even if you experience initial weight loss from these so-called miracle pills, the results are not likely to stick. You will either have to continuously take the diet pills (which can have drastic implications) or reduce your calorie intake (aka dieting). Once you stop taking the supplement the weight is likely to creep back on. There are also the side-effects that come hand in hand with these types of substance: the rise in blood pressure, dehydration and the serious problem of damage to the digestive system, all of which are severe issues and don’t seem worth it.
I recently read the story of a middle-aged woman who, like most, wanted to drop a few pounds but as a result of the diet pill ‘Ephedrine’ is now faced with a life expectancy of just ten years. After acquiring this supplement, which promised to speed up her metabolism and assist her with weight loss, she became reliant and utterly dependant on the pill. Due to her four year dependence, the poor woman is now faced with a severe heart condition. Shockingly, this deadly pill is legal in the UK and is available without prescription, which just shows how careful people have to be when considering this weight loss option.
With the knowledge of these dangerous effects, I am at a loss as to why people would resort to such drastic measures. Yes, at first they seem like God’s gift, but delving deeper into the world of diet pills reveals far too many horror stories to encourage anyone to use them. My advice, as clichéd as it sounds, is that healthy eating and exercise are the best ways to achieve a healthy trim physique. Here at Her Campus we only aim to please, so follow these links for a few top tips and get ready to see the results!
Eating Your Way To Your Dream Bod
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