20 WORST WEIGHT LOSS PRODUCTS OF ALL TIME

By Dana Leigh Smith

Save your money, guys. These popular weight loss products will do little more than rob you of your hard-earned cash.

Humans are among the most impatient creatures in the world. We want our dinner on the table in minutes—not an hour—and we'll do anything to cut down the amount of time it takes to commute to work.

And when we're trying to lose weight, it's no different. We don't want to trudge along and watch as the pounds slowly drop off over a series of weeks. (You know—how you're supposed to lose weight.) We want to go from flab to fab overnight without breaking a sweat or giving up the food we love—and we're willing to do just about anything to make it happen. Uncomfortable corsets that promise a trimmer waistline? We've got 'em. Zero calorie chocolate syrup. It exists. And these are some of the more tame, gimmicky weight loss products on the market.

Though not all of them cause physical harm, snail oil-esque slim down products can still do psychological harm, mostly because they're not effective, cautions registered dietitian nutritionist Marisa Moore. "Using products that don't work can feed feelings of failure and helplessness. The US weight loss industry totaled $64 billion dollars in 2014, yet two out of three adults are still considered overweight or obese. Something doesn't add up."

Curious if any of your go-tos are among the worst of the lot or which ones you should steer clear of? Read on to find out. And once you've tossed your wonky products out the window, accelerate your weight loss wins with the help of these 44 Ways to Lose 4 Inches of Body Fat!

1

OBALON
BALLOON PILL

What it is: A pill with an inflatable balloon inside. Yes, that's right, a balloon! After patients swallow the pill (which is attached to a thin tube) and it makes its way down to the stomach, doctors use the tube to inflate the balloon. The tube is then removed and the balloon stays down in the belly. It can stay in there for up to three months, after which a doctor deflates the balloon and pulls it out through the mouth. Ouch.

The claim: The Obalon balloon is said to aid weight by helping patients feel full sooner, which in turn helps them eat less.

The truth: While it's likely true that the balloon makes you feel full, there's a small possibility that the balloon could get lodged in the stomach, which could cause anything from vomiting to death. If that wasn't terrifying enough, you also run the risk of the balloon stretching the stomach or the esophagus. This would likely cause inflammation which could result in an ulcer, internal bleeding, or infection. Thankfully, this product is not yet available for sale in the U.S.—and we're hoping it stays this way. If you're in search of a better way to drop the pounds, check out these 50 Ways to Lose 10 Pounds—Fast. No balloon-eating required.

2

WAIST
TRAINERS

What it is: A modern take on a sixteenth-century corset, made popular by Amber Rose and the curvaceous Kardashian clan. It compresses women's figures into an hourglass shape.

The claim: Waist trainers are said to help wearers lose up to seven inches from, you guessed it, their waist. Makers of the product also claim that the product can metabolize fat, release toxins, compress the core, and reduce food intake.

The truth: "Of course you won't want to eat when you have trouble breathing and your stomach is being pushed into your spine," says Sarah Koszyk, MA, RDN, a dietitian specializing in weight management and sports nutrition. "Waist trainers and corsets are very restricting and not comfortable. And, unfortunately, there is no way to spot-reduce fat. So, while you are eating less because you're so restricted, it doesn't mean you'll be losing fat in just your waist and belly area. While you wear the corset, you will most likely lose weight due to lack of eating. However, once you take that trainer off, you'll go back to your old eating habits and quickly gain the weight back." The bottom line: "Waist trainers are not a good long-term weight loss solution," says Koszyk. Looking for a better way to trim the fat? Avoid these 50 Little Things Making You Fatter and Fatter!

3

1 DAY
DIET CLEANSE

What it is: A Chinese diet pill

The claim: The pill is said to absorb the oil from food and discharge it from the body. The company behind the product also claims that it wards off fat accumulation and toxins—all in one day.

The truth: An FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that "1 Day Diet" contains sibutramine, a banned substance that substantially increases blood pressure. For patients with a history of heart disease and stroke, the drug may present a significant risk. This product may also interact, in life-threatening ways, with other medications. Eek! The FDA advises that consumers "stop using this product immediately and throw it away." Looking for a one day refresh that's actually safe? Check out this Ultimate Day Detox Plan!

4

SMALL
BITE

What it is: An intraoral device, fitted by an orthodontist, that prevents dieters from opening their mouths beyond 0.47 inches. As a result, wearers are forced to take smaller bites. It's removed once a patient is conditioned to eat differently, which is typically after one year.

The claim: According to the company's LinkedIn page: "During a meal, satiety is typically reached only after a minimum of 20 minutes, regardless of the speed of eating or amount of caloric intake. If you eat with smaller bites, at a slower rate, your body will reach this point of satiety with less food [and] fewer calories. The device, therefore, results in weight loss. You will eat a healthy portion size without hunger or frustration."

The truth: While the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classifies Small Bite as a "non-significant-risk device," you don't need a medical degree to be able to tell that this product is super weird. Anything that impacts your ability to eat, speak, or yawn shouldn't be a weight loss solution. (Even though the company denies any major issues with these everyday activities, we have our doubts.) For weight loss hacks that actually work, check out these 20 Weight Loss Tricks You Haven't Tried!

5

COOLSCULPTING

What it is: An FDA-cleared non-invasive, non-surgical fat-freezing procedure.
A gel pad delivers "controlled cooling to freeze away the targeted fat." Despite the steep price tag, it's been growing in popularity and you may have even spotted it on flash deal sites like Groupon and Gilt City.

The claim: The company says Coolsculpting can "eliminate stubborn fat that resists all efforts through diet and exercise. The results are proven, noticeable, and lasting." The brand's website says that after you freeze fat cells, they die, and over time, the "body naturally processes the fat and eliminates these dead cells, leaving a more sculpted you."

The truth: "Coolsculpting shouldn't be used as weight loss method since it's unlikely to result in significant weight loss,' says Torrey Armul, a registered dietitian and spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. "Some people find they get results with Coolsculpting, and others don't notice a difference. Either way, it's expensive and can be painful..."

6

ALLI

What it is: An over-the-counter medication used to help people lose weight by preventing the intestines from absorbing about a quarter of the fat consumed through diet

The claim: Marketing materials on the Alli website states that "for every two pounds you lose through diet and exercise, Alli can help you lose one more." It's major differentiator in the weight loss supplement aisle is that it's not absorbed into the bloodstream, so there's less risk of negative cardiovascular side effects.

The truth: The drug's fat-blocking properties also make it more difficult for your body to absorb important fat-soluble vitamins. And since the pill blocks the absorption of fat, if you surpass the recommended fat intake, it's likely you'll experience oily spotting, loose stools, and more frequent stools that may be hard to control. Simply delightful, right? "I wouldn't recommend this product," says registered dietitian Isabel Smith. "I always prefer to guide my weight loss clients through more traditional lifestyle changes like diet, exercise, and mindful eating."

7

CELSIUS CALORIE-BURNING
DRINK

What it is: A "negative calorie drink" backed by hip-hop mogul turned entrepreneur Russell Simmons

The claim: According to the company website, "drinking Celsius before exercise has been proven to help burn up to 93 percent more body fat." The brand also claims that their drink can boost metabolism. They consider it to be a "negative calorie drink" because "each serving of Celsius contains 10 calories, but studies have shown that Celsius helps you burn 100 calories... per serving."

The truth: This is just another potentially dangerous weight loss product backed by the Kardashians. (Khloé has gone on record saying she's a fan.) "My key concern about energy drinks is that they typically contain large amounts of caffeine—and this one is no different. This drink uses guarana seed extract as a source," cautions Moore. "Caffeine has varying effects on people and for anyone with underlying conditions like high blood pressure or certain heart conditions, energy drinks can increase blood pressure and heart rate." If you need a bit of caffeine to fuel your workouts, stick with coffee. A University of Illinois study found that consuming 16-ounces before high-intensity exercise can reduce perceived muscle pain. Translation: It can help you push yourself harder, which can give you better results. Inexpensive, safe and efficient—without scary side effects. Pretty impressive for a humble java bean.