Debunking diet or exercise scams

We all see lots of "diets" and exercise routines out there that claim wondrous benefits. Some people even post on here to "ask" about them.

PT Barnum said it best: "There's a sucker born every minute!"

DON'T BE THAT SUCKER! Here are a few tips from a web expert on finding real facts and discerning true plans from those that are just scams for money.

1) Testimonials are useless. Testimonials by definition are anecdotal. They provide no true data and you should completely ignore them. If a "diet" site has lots of testimonials, GIANT red flags should go off in your head, one or two is fine, it's good marketing, but if they list testimonials as their main "proof" then click the back button immediately until you are away from that site!

2) Selling something. If the site immediately blasts products for sale right up front, be skeptical. It's fine to sell a product on-line, but many scammers will hit you with the product and the "benefits" like a deluge so that you are weary. Feel good stories and positive results can lul the unweary consumer and desperate person into a false sense of security.

3) Lack of independent clinical trials. Even products or "diets" not needing FDA approval should have clinical trials done, the best and most respectable ones have INDEPENDENT research done, and post those results or links to them for all to see.

4) Lack of "expert" credentials. Many sites will offer up some doctor as a proponent or originator of the idea, concept, diet, or supplement to lend credibility to the item in question. Check for credentials before going forward. If the "expert" doesn't put his credentials right up front, and they aren't valid, and relational to the product. Step back, and think about who's trying to sell you what.

5) Outrageous claims and half truths. Many routines and plans will state half truths and partial facts to back up their claims, don't just take the site on it's word, if a product sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do your research, check the claims, and confirm that something is at least probable before you spend your cash!

The moral of this post is. Check your facts. There are lots of snake oil salesmen on the internet, be VERY wary of what people tell you!


In the spirit of this post, I'll give you my credentials. And as always, I can provide you with any further info you request if you send me a PM (don't really feel like posting my full resume on here for the world to see guys!)

I am currently the Network Manager for a Managed Services platform. What is that? It means I run a customer facing Web infrastructure that services fortune 500 companies. I.E. I run a website that gives big companies info about their network, and I run all the (75) servers behind the scenes including web servers, applications servers, sql servers, routers, switches, and all the other networking gear.

I have 15 years experience in IT and have been everything from a Help desk support employee to an IT engineering consultant. I have dealt with LOTS of web stuff, including viruses, scams, trojans, web servers, hacking, internal security, email servers...etc. You name it, I've fixed it, installed it, or upgraded it.

Best wishes all!

-Banks