I am writing to highlight the relevance of an Opinion letter published on December 18, titled Much hype on social media over weight loss products.
The writer, Hopeful, made several valid points about health products and supplements advertised on social media that claim to aid weight loss.
As someone who struggled with obesity during my teenage years, I can personally relate to the writer’s concerns. I was constantly searching for shortcuts to shed the extra weight and tried various diet pills and supplements. While some products initially seemed to work, they came with significant side effects.
For example, I often felt energetic and restless after taking these products, but once their effects wore off, I became lethargic, moody, and even gained back the weight I had lost – plus a few extra kilos.
This cycle left me in a depressed state until a close friend, who is a personal trainer, offered to help me. With his guidance, I began cutting out junk food and switched to low-carb meals. I replaced sugary drinks with plain water – a challenging adjustment given my strong cravings for carbonated beverages. I also made it a habit to visit the gym more frequently and trained under my friend’s supervision.
After just three months of this lifestyle change, I achieved my weight goal and felt fitter, healthier, and happier than ever.
Based on my personal experience, there is no shortcut to losing weight. The so-called “miraculous” weight loss products often promoted on social media are not the answer.
While supplements may have their place, they are ineffective without a proper diet and consistent exercise. With strong willpower and strict self-discipline, Insya Allah, you can achieve sustainable weight loss and better health with me as the living proof of this approach.
Obese no more
