Beware of diet supplements

Want a body like a super model? Or to shred some pounds without lifting a finger?  We’ve all heard these claims. The goal; to sell you a quick ticket to your skinny jeans but honestly if it were the truth, why wouldn't we all be a size 2?

Dr. Kristi Esses with Medi Weight Loss Clinic in Daphne says there is no miracle drug and over the counter diet supplements promising to melt the weight off are heavy on the hype but often fall short on results.

"The FDA does not regulate the supplement industry and there’s minimal research done on these products. You don’t know what you are getting and some of those may be dangerous," said Esses.

Esses is talking serious problems that could affect your whole body especially your heart. In some cases, these OTC drugs have sent users into the emergency room.

"It’s up to the consumer to be educated about the products they are buying," said Esses.

So how do you shred those pesky pounds?

"It’s a combination of things you have to do to loose the weight and keep it off,” said Esses.

We all wish we could get instant results but Esses says that’s not the case. It's a lifestyle change of watching what we eat and breaking a sweat.

"People need to be moving they need to be exercising not just to loose weight but to keep it off,” said Esses.

Here’s some tips to get started:

• Start a journal and record everything you eat and your daily activities.
• Go online and check out your body mass index. That will show you what your healthy weight should be and give you a goal.
• Calculate your basal metabolic rate. This will show you how many calories you body needs to reach that goal .

Once you know this info its up to your hard work. Esses says be ready for the long haul but it will get easier.

"Once you have changed you’re lifestyle over and have become that healthier person that has a healthier diet and exercise on a regular basis that takes in plenty of water throughout the day you feel so much better that yes it is easier. You couldn’t imagine not living like that,” said Esses.