Have you every heard of a fat burner? Seen a magic pill advert to help you lost weight fast? Felt tempted to use one? Have used one?
Let's have a look today at how they work. Because INFORMED CHOICE, we're all for the informed choices.
The majority of fat burners work via stimulants. Caffeine, adrenaline and noradrenaline (or epinephrine/norepinephrine in the US). These chuck us into our 'fight or flight' response (if we aren't already due to our lifestyles!) and suppress appetite temporarily. These hormones are also released naturally when we exercise etc.
So, what do these do in our bodies? These stimulants release fatty acids (from our fat stores) into the bloodstream for energy - so that we can run away from that tiger. Cool right?
Not cool if we don't actually run away from the tiger. If we have released those fatty acids to be used for energy, but then we don't actually use that energy, then it just gets bundled out of the bloodstream back to where it came from - and leaving us less energetic and hungrier than before.
Mmmm, so what if you worked out? Well, maybe you have or you haven't explored the magical effects that coffee has on a workout? Combining a mild stimulant with exercise means those fatty acids in the bloodstream can be used, and that energy is used to move. (Hold your horses - remember - most stimulants are banned from athletic competition!!)
If you are caffeine sensitive, you may experience anxiety, jitteriness, tremors, nausea, diarrhea and irritability with 'fat burners'.
Other diet pills (not 'fat burners') bind to dietary fat. They stop fat being broken down in the GI tract, so that it passes as waste into your poo. Yum. Other effects include loose, oily stools, flatulence, frequent bowel movements that are hard to control, and others. It may also contribute to deficiency in fat-soluble vitamins, such as vitamins K, A, D, and E.
Also, have a think about what happens once we stop taking the diet pill...
Some questions to consider:
Have we transformed our habits?
Have we changed our mindset?
Have we transformed that amount of energy we have long term?
Have we learnt new tools and skills to help manage our emotions, balance our plates of food, and how to move our bodies?
Have we improved our relationship to food?
Have we deepened the connection to our body and learnt how honour and respect it?
Have we tapped into joy, creativity and connection through this process? With ourselves and others?
Do we know how to love and care for ourselves a little bit more now?
You know what I say?
You don't NEED them.
Drink coffee or green tea (or not) if you like the effects of caffeine.
Do the deep work.
Figure out WHY you want to change.
Because true transformation isn't easy, remarkable, overnight or magical.
It's the result of small actions, taken consistently, and that change your MIND, and BODY and SPIRIT over time.
It's worth it. Don't you think?
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