Here at That's Fit, we're always telling you to run far, far away from any sort of fad diet. You know, the ones that promise a quick fix but don't ultimately seem healthy or sustainable. But do some of them actually work? British Journalist Anna Richardson recently tried three quick fixes -- Hypnosis, the Maple Syrup Diet, and a Raw Foods regime. Here's what she has to say:

• On Hypnosis: "By the end of the [treatment,] I feel lighter, happier and, for the first time in years, in control of food. I want to eat healthily, and have no problem refusing fatty or sugary meals. And I've lost 3lb! ... [it] addressed my emotional relationship with food and made me realise I often eat when I am feeling emotionally vulnerable."

Source

Could the obesity epidemic be coming to an end soon? Perhaps. The so-called 'cure' for obesity is only a few years away, according to leading scientist in the UK. This 'cure' would be a drug, most likely administered in needle form, which could control the hormone responsible for hunger (called ghrelin) and put an end to overeating. And it's hoped this drug could totally wipe out the need for invasive gastric bypass surgery.

I think the term 'cure,' is a bit optimistic. After all, this surgery is supposed to do what gastric bypass surgery does -- eliminate hunger and reduce how much you can eat. And yet gastric bypass surgery often doesn't lead to long-term weight loss. And compulsive overeating often isn't based on hunger -- it's based on emotional factors like stress. And hunger control doesn't automatically lead to healthy habits.

If you ask me, teaching and preaching healthy habits is a much better option for treatment of obesity than a quick fix. What do you think?

Source

If you've been reading That's Fit for a while, you'll know that we're always telling you that healthy weight loss takes time and patience. Don't have time and running low on patience? Don't fret -- here are some things from AOL Body you can do right now to make a difference in a hurry, before that Christmas party!

• Try this concoction from Jillian Michaels -- it will help you drop water weight in a hurry
• Cut your meals in half. Seriously. Eat half of what your normally would and you're cutting out half the calories/ Simple, eh?
• Get more sleep
• Go off carbs. Don't panic -- it's only for a bit. But It really is a quick way to lose weight.
  
• Cut out alcohol before the big event. It's a bigger source of calories than you think.
  

Want more tips? Click here.

Source

When it comes to weight loss, many people are looking for a magic pill solution -- that is, they want a quick fix that is easy and painless, and doesn't force them to modify their life at all. Many would love to keep on eating unhealthy foods while taking off the pounds, but it is possible?

WebMD has a thorough article on weight-loss drugs; I suggest you read it when you have a moment. Currently, there are only a handful of drugs that have been proven to be effective, and the rest are just a waste of money. And for those of us who are only looking to lose a few pounds? Forget it -- prescription medications are typically only prescribed to obese people as a last resort. Keep in mind that these drugs can have serious side effect.

Having gone from someone with an unhealthy diet to someone with a love of healthy living, I would have no desire to take weight-loss drugs if I became overweight. Why? Losing weight the old fashioned way is hard, but eating healthy and exercising is so rewarding, and your healthy habits should last a lifetime. Don't you think?

Source

Would you ever turn to Liposuction for a quick fix to your unwanted pounds? My answer is a resounding 'no', based mostly on the fact that I am too practical to spend thousands on something I can do for free. But does it seem like a miracle fix to you? Keep this in mind:

Liposuction may get rid of the fat, but it doesn't improve your health. The high blood pressure, high cholesterol and blocked arteries are still going to be there, and you'll still be at risk for all those diseases that obesity is a risk factor for: Cancer, heart disease, etc.

So while you might be over weight, at least without liposuction, your weight can be an indicator of your health. Your weight can also inspire you to make changes that are good for you health -- lipo seems merely to be the lazy way out. What do you think?

Source

Ok, so the title of this post might be a bit misleading. I believe that losing those extra pounds is never a bad thing, but sometimes people start working out for the wrong reasons. Fit Sugar has weighed in on what they think are bad reasons to go on a diet, and I have to say I agree. They are:

-Because celebrities do it
-Because you want to look good for an ex
-Because you have to lose weight for an event ... that's in the next couple of days (Two words: ain't happening!)
-Because you've been taken in by promises from a fad diet or quick fix
-Because someone who is not an expert says you should

What bad reasons have you lost weight for?

Source

One of my pet peeves is people who say things like, 'I can't wait until I'm off this diet so I don't have to go to the gym anymore ... ' and 'when I'm done this diet, I'll eat an entire large pizza on my own ...'.I mean, kudos to them for sticking to their plan temporarily, but don't they realize that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is a life-long thing? It's not about vanity, about losing the pounds, about fitting in to those college jeans. At least it shouldn't be, anyway. It should be about your health -- because really, that's the most important thing.

Source

Zimulti, the drug we posted on last week because it was linked to suicidal tendencies, has been officially veto'd by the FDA because of said connection. Formerly known as Acomplia, a panel of experts voted against adding the drug to the market because they were concerned about the link between it and depression. However, the drug is currently available in several other countries. The drug can help obese people shed extra body weight, and also helps control glucose levels in diabetes patients.

Call me old fashioned but I don't approve of weight-loss drugs of any kind. If someone's obese, I believe they should have to improve their body through good old healthy living. Looking for a 'quick fix' isn't going to solve anything in the long-run. What do you think?

Source

When it comes to losing weight, using a quick-fix method like a diet pill seems almost too good to be true. Usually it is, but the weight loss supplement industry is worth millions, so there must be something to it, some sort of science behind the claims that these pills can help you lose the pounds for good .... at least I hope there is. Luckily eDiets is here to save the day -- they've busted common 'diet pill' mistakes in this article. Their final say? There's no such thing as a quick-fix -- weight loss involved hard work. Sorry folks, I know it's disappointing news.

What's your take on diet pills?

Source