Bouncing around with fitness balls

Those exercise balls meant to facilitate more efficient ab workouts might be fun to use, but are they sensible options for those looking to achieve weight loss while getting in shape?

A product called the Benderball is actually a system that includes instructional videos as well as the exercise ball we've all become familiar with at some point in our lives.

The pricing seems reasonable, but the company claims that exercising with this product will produce 408 percent more benefits than doing standard crunches and sit-ups. I wonder where they pulled such an odd number like that from?

Part of a complete weight loss plan

No matter what product you choose to use to supplement your diet and fitness plan, it alone cannot miraculously lose 20 pounds for you, no matter how consistently you take the supplement.

A complete and sensible weight loss plan should include a healthy overall diet, some regular exercise and some form of supplementation. The supplement, of course, should consist of natural ingredients like Hoodia and Advantra-Z, etc.

That's why a product called the ApplePatchDiet might not be the best choice for dieters serious about their weight loss goals: The company doesn't seem to stress the importance of eating a well-balanced diet and exercising to realize your goals.

Companies that don't come through with promises

In today's competitive market, a weight loss product that is not backed by guarantees and bonuses might not cut it. Some of the leading dietary supplements offer money-back offers, free trials, discounts on bulk orders, auto-ship programs and more.

A supplement called Akavar might be marketed as a popular and desirable weight loss formula for both men and women, but there might not really be anything that spectacular about it. The formula does not appear to consist of any leading weight loss agents, and consumer bonuses may be few.

Many testimonials suggest that the money-back offer advertised by the company may be misleading: It is likely to be harder to get your money back than you might have thought, due to a long-winded and complicated process.

Getting down to the Hoodia-heavy formulas

As great as Hoodia Gordonii Extract might be for weight management support, the bottom line is that most of the products on the market might not contain enough of this ingredient to make a real difference. Other issues include the question of whether the companies' sources are authentic.

A supplement called HoodiaP57 is on the market as a 100 percent Hoodia formula for those who need support controlling their hunger and curbing their appetites. There's nothing that can topple a weight loss program like cheating on your diet and giving up because of the moment of weakness.

According to many reviews and consumer testimonials, it looks like this particular supplement is received favorably, with few issues brought up by the users, if any. It's always important to read up on what actual users have to say about their experiences before pulling the trigger.

What's the fuss over Hoodia all about?

So you've most certainly heard of a weight loss agent called Hoodia, deemed by proponents as the "next big thing" in weight management supplementation and also heralded as a miracle by some. But what's the big hoopla all about?

A trip to MiracleBurn com reveals that the formula contains high-quality forms of Hoodia Gordonii Extract, native to certain regions of southern Africa. The locals there have supposedly used this herbal extract in its natural form for generations to curb their appetite.

Hoodia is said to derive its potency from P57, which supposedly signals to the brain when the body is feeling full (even if little or nothing has actually been eaten). The MiracleBurn formula, though, may also contain Advantra-Z, a fat burner, for those seeking thermogenics.

The strength of a patented fat burner

Despite all the claims made by companies about how effective their thermogenics, or fat burners, are for both male and female dieters, the fact is that not too many of these will actually come through as advertised in the long run.

You can find reviews of Anorex, a dietary supplement, online, and you'll see that some of the most common complaints from users is that the formula does not contain a patented fat burner like Advantra-Z.

Advantra-Z is the only known patented form of Citrus Aurantium, also known as Bitter Orange EXtract, on the market today. It is regarded as one of the superior thermogenics, meaning the body's temperature is raised to stimulate its fat-burning properties.

The dual-action weight loss formula for the ages

Okay. So, we've seen countless products come and go as the next big thing for weight management support. Some have been deemed dangerous and have been banned in the U.S. (like Ephedra) while others have just faded from the public arena.

But, I can't help but get excited about a capsule-based supplement found at www.nuphedrine.com. It is said to contain two prominent weight loss agents in the appetite suppressant Hoodia Gordonii and the patented fat burner Advantra-Z.

You can see for yourself at the Web site, but the consumer testimonials there have won me over. It's not every day that you come across a dietary supplement that has unanimous support in favor of its effectiveness.

Electric Muscle Stimulation: What is it?

You can visit www.theflexbelt.com to find out more about an intriguing product that says you can achieve a slimmer waist and get rid of that excess belly fat, just by wearing a simple belt for a few days a week.

The belt supposedly uses technology called Electric Muscle Stimulation (EMS), which basically works out the abdominal muscles to simulate what you might do during a sit-up or crunch exercise.

I'm generally not sold on products until I see concrete evidence, but the prospect of losing weight while watching TV, working at the office, or going for a walk is too much to ignore. I'd like to try it.

To feel healthier and more energized...

A company that markets a detoxification product at www.cleansepatch.com claims that the patch may promote more energy and overall health after just one use -- or just one night with the patch.

It is meant to be applied to the soles of the feet overnight, after which you can find in the morning all the metals, toxins and other impurities that were extracted from the body.

It actually looks disgusting, what appears in the patch after one night of use. But I'm wondering if this is a reliable option for anyone trying to start a new weight loss plan (since detoxifying the body can prepare you for a change of pace).

Worthwhile topical weight loss creams

I'm generally very skeptical of weight loss products these days, because there may be many more ineffective and even potentially harmful products out there than actual quality ones.

But I'm intrigued by a topical solution found at MiracleBurnCream.com that seems to be promising for fat loss and more attractive-looking skin. The product is advertised as containing all-natural components.

Some of the ingredients may include Lecithin, Aloe Vera, Safflower Nut Oil and Organic Caffeine, which some say may act as both a thermogenic and an energy booster.

Can you stomach the side effects?

One of the more popular dietary supplements to come to market in recent years is Alli, which is advertised towards men and women who would like to block up to 25 percent of the fat consumed.

Consumer testimonials, though, show mixed impressions of the product, so these may not really help inform a prospective buyer teetering on the fine line between making an impulse buy and avoiding it altogether.

But check out what some of the reported side effects of using this supplement are: anal leakage, explosive diarrhea and oily stools. Woah! If that's not enough to turn your stomach, then nothing is.

Come on! Work those abs!

You've just got to have toned, sexy, cut abs today or you're behind the times, right? How many ab-centric exercise machines are out there, all of which are marketed as better than the competition? Too many to count.

Ab Rail is just one in a long line of ab machines advertised towards men and women with hopes of washboard abs in as little as 10 or 15 minutes per day. Of course, the reality is that you can work your abs without the aid of such machines, through crunches and sit-ups, but the companies don't want to tell you that.

Instead, they want you to scoop up this machine, which will set you back hundreds of dollars. Make sure to swing by the many online forums for this product before you pull the trigger, though: The comments ridiculing the product might make you think twice.

Why lose weight in seven days when you can do it in two?

Everyone wants results yesterday, especially when it comes to weight management and the stress that comes with knowing that any realistic weight loss goal will require hard work and time. This includes a healthy diet, exercise and some supplementation.

A product called 2 day slim down is marketed by the parent company as a shortcut for dieters who are pressed for time and need to shed some pounds immediately. The company offers specific figures of up to 12 pounds of weight loss in as little as two days.

Wow! That sounds remarkable, but the question is, does it really work? It might actually work to some extent, but the results might be deceiving. The product is actually more of a laxative and a diuretic than a dietary supplement, so you might just be shedding excess water weight...

Targeting high-quality Hoodia formulas

Every nutritional products company now wants to jump on the Hoodia Gordonii bandwagon, what with its immeasurable success here ever since hitting U.S. shores several years ago.

But with competition for a product comes scarcity, and with scarcity comes companies that are willing to compromise to get a Hoodia-based product on the market. The result is watered-down formulas with low-quality Hoodia and cheap “fillers.”

On the other hand, a look at Web sites like www.hoodiap57.com restores hope that there are, in fact, high-quality Hoodia-based supplements on the market. You shouldn’t have to compromise yourself on the quality of Hoodia you use, because you always have options.

Do you believe in miracles?

OK, so what shall we make of all those weight loss supplements advertised as miracles, or God's gift to mankind, etc., etc.? I'm sure most of you have scoffed at the notion that a simple pill could magically make all our weight problems vanish.

So when I came across a product at www miracleburn, a Web site, I was skeptical. But then I found out that the formula contains Hoodia and Advantra-Z, two dietary agents that have gained ground in recent years as reliable options for long-term results.

I was also pleased to see that the company offers a free trial, which will appease the consumers who are afraid of purchasing a product that they will regret. Through this offer, they are not obligated to continue using the product and are able to save their hard-earned money.

Laxatives for weight loss?

Many companies market products that they claim act as weight loss formulas, when in fact all they could be doing is acting as laxatives, ridding the body of water weight (which eventually comes back).

A product like Evercleanse is advertised as a reliable method of detoxifying the body of impurities and toxic build-up, but this may not have been proven. It seems to be just one of many products for dieters hoping to lose a lot of weight overnight.

A more sensible approach might include a healthy diet, some regular exercise, and some form of all-natural supplementation, with an appetite suppressant like Hoodia and a fat burner like Advantra-Z, for example.

Vitamins and Green Tea

Some of the most common ingredients to be found in weight loss formulas are vitamins and Green Tea Extract. This can be confirmed by randomly selecting a bunch of supplements on the market today and checking the supplement facts panels.

Vitamins may be included to promote overall health and wellness, as well as to have a balancing effect, considering many dieters may be depriving their bodies of proper nutrition by moderating their caloric intake.

Green Tea, on the other hand, is purported to be a powerful fat burner and metabolism booster, probably due to its Caffeine content, but this may not have been substantiated at this time. Cylaris contains these ingredients, but there may be more worthwhile alternatives.

Are liquid supplements better than solid?

Manufacturers of liquid-based supplements come up with all kinds of claims to convince the dieter that their form of supplementation is more effective than their capsule- and tablet-based counterparts. But is there any substance to this?

For instance, the company that markets Calorad, a liquid dietary supplement, claims it may be superior to the competition because of its purported ability to be absorbed into the body more quickly and efficiently.

While liquid may, to a certain extent, be absorbed more readily into the bloodstream, this does not necessarily mean it is superior to capsule-based supplements -- especially if the formula contains sub-par ingredients. And lo and behold, this particular product may not really contain eye-catching ingredients like Hoodia and Advantra-Z.

Can one ingredient burn fat and curb appetite?

There's an ingredient on the market called Appemine, which is supposedly produced by a company called Right Size Health and Nutrition, that is purported to act as both a fat burner and an appetite suppressant.

According to claims, this ingredient can supposedly enable men and women to curb their hunger and resist their cravings, which can reduce caloric intake, and improve metabolic rate, which may improve the body's ability to burn fat.

Unfortunately, reports are in that products based on this ingredient have scored low on consumer feedback, including the testimonials posted online to forums, message boards, etc.

The difference between fat burners

There are many weight loss products to choose from in today's market, including those that contain appetite suppressants, metabolism boosters and fat burners. But fat burners may show the greatest discrepancy.

There are those ingredients that companies claim to be fat burners, such as Caffeine and Green Tea Extract, and then there are those that have been proven to be effective as fat burners -- especially in the long-term picture.

Advantra Z is the only known patented form of Bitter Orange Extract, or Citrus Aurantium, at this time. It is said to promote more efficient fat burning as well as boost the metabolism.

Products backed by free trials

With so many options for weight management support, the smarter companies will offer unique incentives and perks to sweeten the pot: free trials, for example.

A supplement called Advocare appears to contain some intriguing ingredients and may be purchased online for reasonable rates, but a free trial is not available.

Without such an offer, the consumer could be left with a product on their hands that doesn't work as they had hoped. With free trials, there are no strings attached, so the buyer is not held back by an ineffective product.

Detoxifying before starting a weight loss plan

You can go on all the fad diets you want, but unless your body is in the right shape to go in a new direction with a diet plan, all the efforts may have been put in in vain.

There are the supplements on the market that claim to be capable of detoxifying, and then there are the home-grown formulas, like those beverages based on lemon juice and who knows what other ingredients.

Then there's cleansepatch.com, where you find a patch that's meant to be applied to the soles of your feet and, supposedly, overnight your body is cleansed of toxins and impurities. How easy is that?! Count me in..

Toning your abs in your sleep... OK, maybe not in your sleep

Don't all those ab belts on the market look gimmicky? I mean, how can you get that cut six-pack you've always wanted without breaking a sweat?

These belts supposedly stimulate your muscles without requiring you to raise a finger, let alone do a single crunch or sit-up. Many of these you can wear through the day at work or while lounging around at home, watching TV.

But not all of these products have been well-received. Many may be flimsily built, while others complain of poor customer support. A belt called FlexBelt, on the other hand, seems to have many favorable reviews and success stories on its side.

I'm curious about a week-by-week breakdown of a user's progress. If anyone could supply their testimonial, I'd appreciate it.

Ephedrine: a distant memory

It wasn't long ago that the biggest thing in weight management support was Ephedra, with the wonder-stimulant Ephedrine. Of course, we all know how that story ended, with unpleasant side effects that even included some reported fatalities.

Enter today, where many companies are putting Ephedra-alternatives on the market, claiming to have the next big thing in weight loss supplementation. Many of these alternatives, however, are either jacked up with Caffeine or pumped with other stimulants.

Then there's a supplement found at Nuphedrine.com, which offers a product that contains an all-natural stimulant called Advantra-Z and an appetite suppressant known as Hoodia. This particular supplement seems to be backed by many success stories, which is always a good sign.

Reported side effects? None so far. Of course, those looking for a miracle product to do it all for them are mistaken: Supplementation in and of itself may not be as effective as when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise. There are no easy roads to lasting weight loss.

Two-way attack: cream and supplement

While many weight loss products may be potent in and of themselves for most dietary goals, some additional supplementation couldn't hurt, right? That at least seems to be the case with a topical product found ad www.miracleburncream.com.

Some consumers might already be familiar with its capsule-based counterpart, which a friend has been using for the past two months with pretty nice results. He said he had been considering using the cream as well, but the pill was working fine for him.

I have yet to try either, but I plan to use both sometime in the near future. Consider me your neighborhood friendly guinea pig, at your service. Be on the lookout for that update soon.

Taking advantage of free trial offers

When considering a weight loss product, there are many factors to take into consideration. For instance, does the product contain high-quality ingredients? Does the company offer exceptional customer service? Also, are desirable incentives and perks offered by the company?

One of the more exciting offers to come around is a free trial offer, which is offered by some of the more reputable, successful companies. Such offers enable the consumer to test the product risk-free before making a purchase.

Unfortunately, many companies do not offer free trials at this time. A product like CaloGel is one that may not be available for a free test run, but hopefully these companies catch on sooner rather than later.

The pros and cons of Caffeine

We’ve all heard of the weight loss products that contain Caffeine as a main ingredient. These companies seem to regard the natural stimulant more highly than they ought to.

Caffeine is said to be useful for boosting energy levels and promoting a heightened sense of alertness. However, a product like AppuLoss is marketed as capable of boosting the metabolism and, as a result, burning fat.

However, too much Caffeine may lead to restlessness, sleeplessness and even insomnia if taken regular too late in the day; furthermore, it may also be quite addictive.

Pricing issues for weight loss products

While you can’t put a price on a quality weight loss product, you do not necessarily have to fork over all your hard-earned dough to have access to an effective dietary product. It makes sense to compare products to see which of these fit your criteria.

For example, two products may have near-identical ingredients, but product “A” may be nearly twice as expensive as product “B.” This may be especially worrisome for those who intend on using their supplement over the long run. A product like Amaze RX might be appealing but some say it costs too much.

Even some of the highest-quality dietary products, including those that contain both the appetite suppressant Hoodia and the fat burner Advantra-Z, may be purchased for around $50 or less at this time. You may not have to spend any more to see results you want.

Products that “eliminate water retention”

Many dieters may be drawn to products that claim to eliminate excess water in the body, or reduce water retention, which may chop off some weight immediately. However, what they likely do not know is that this may be a misleading way to shoot for weight loss.

Products such as Adicor, which is advertised as capable of eliminating excess water weight as well as boosting energy levels, may contain some natural ingredients. However, losing water weight is not a big deal for most people; losing body fat may be the more desirable function.

As such, supplements that contain a potent fat burner such as Advantra-Z may be more worthwhile; some of these products may also contain a powerful appetite suppressant such as Hoodia Gordonii.

The keys to a well-balanced weight-loss plan

We all want to lose some weight, either for a special occasion, a specific goal or to improve our overall health in general. While companies might promote their own agendas for a product or diet plan, there are a few keys shared by all successful weight loss programs.

The first is a health diet: You cannot get rid of the fat in your body if you are not watching what you eat on a regular basis. Secondly, some exercise would be helpful for burning off body fat and getting in shape. Lastly, some supplementation may assist us in meeting our goals.

One of the major obstacles of watching what we eat is (obviously) our appetite. No matter how hard we try to moderate our diet, sometimes our craving may overpower us; this is why a supplement like Hoodia P57 may be helpful. It contains Hoodia, which has been shown to suppress the appetite without causing any serious side effects.