AS we approach the holiday season, many of us confront some pretty “weighty” questions. They include how to enjoy ourselves at holiday parties and dinners without adding extra pounds. Or, how to get into shape for the new year. Valerie MacLean, Better Business Bureau (BBB) spokesman, advises waist watchers not to fall victim cto new diet or bealth fads and gimmicks during the holiday season. “The only thing you'll lighten will be your wallet,” says MacLean. Many weight-loss promo- - tions promise consumers the . loss of several pounds in a week or overnight without the dicters' shunning their favourite. foods or having to exercise. : Some’ dicters "peg their “hopes on. pills and capsules -that “promise. to “burn,” “block,” “flush,” or otherwise eliminate fat from their sys- tem. Some consumers pur- chase gels or balms thar promise to “fiquefy™ excess fat. And other dieters inno- cently commit to expensive, ineffective diet plans that have hidden costs, MacLean says. She says medical science has yet to come up with a magic pill, potion or food tor weight loss, At the very best, before committing ro any weight loss product or pro- motion, consumers should check with their physician, a qualified nutritionist or a reg- istered dictician: Advertised offers — that promise “breakthrough,” “secret,” “exclusive,” or “miraculous” weight loss are particularly misleading, ‘These words, which often appear in promotions for fraudulent. products, are not scientific words, The BBB advises con- sumers to check on the relia- bility of a business that makes such claims by contacting the DR. DEBRA ROVINELU DR. BART McROBERTS DR. CORINNE KNIGHT DR. NANCY HARDIN -. 1069 24th Street Ath & Haywood) HEALTH BBB or their family doctor. {t also cautions consumers to be particularly skeprical of self-proclaimed health advi- sors who sell their products by using high-pressure sales tac- tics and one-time-only offers. Consumers should also refrain from being tempted by vaguely worded testimonials that ‘cannot be verified. According tc the BBB, testi- monials should never serve as a substitute for scientific proof of a product's efficacy. The BBB regularly hears from consumers who suc- cumb to enticing claims about weight foss programs and products. The most egregious chims of recent months have been found in e-mail, infomercial and back-of-the- book magazine promotions. MacLean said it’s not unusual to find miraculous dict pitches shoved under your windshield wiper when you're parked in a public place or tacked to a telephone pole near a busy intersection. With many Canadians on diets each , secret fix for holiday pa year, there’s a ready audience for these pitches, she says. Recent dict-weight loss claims reported to North American Better Business Bureaus include: o00 Claim: “Lose weight while you sleep.” Fact: Losing weight requires significant changes affecting whar kind of food and how much you eat. Claims for diet products and programs that promise weight loss without sacrifice or effort are bogus. 909 Claim: “Immediate, per- manent fat-loss.” Fact: Weight loss mainte- nance requires permanent changes in how you cat and how much you exercise. Claims that you'll keep weight off permanently or for a long time usually are baloney. ; g0g Claim: “John Doe lost 84 pounds in six weeks.” Fact: Someone clse’s claim of weight loss success may 3 Deason ar ...40 be Christmas, in spite of our best intentions is often a stressful time, as family expectations and pressure are at an all rime high. Countellors of the North Shore Counsclling Centre are experienced - in working with all of these i issues. (f you would like to make an appointment, plese call an an ineake counsellor in your area. 926- North Shore ~ Ext. 27 Downtown — Ext. 22 Fee Scale 5496" Burnaby ~ Ext 20 South Van - Ext. 29 Sunday, December 19, 1999 — Northi Shore News - 21 junds have little or no relevance to your own chances of success. Don’: be mislead. 1637 Lonsdale Ave.. N. Van. 984-6700 0730 Marine Dove, W_ Van, 926-7710 Two people can dramatically improve the quality of your life... You and your Bogie’s Fitmess personal trainer.