Big fat fraud

It’s amusing to read about various gizmos, creams, gels, masks, clothes created to cater to the desire for instant weight loss. Dr Shikha Sharma tells some funny ones...

It’s amusing to read about the various gizmos, creams, gels, masks, clothes and so on that are created to cater to the desire for instant weight loss. I’m told that victims of weight loss frauds are those who don’t want to make an effort.

HT Image

But in my opinion, the people who fall for these fraudulent weight loss methods are actually willing to make an effort to lose weight, but lack the patience to accept that it takes time to achieve results through healthy means. Our levels of patience are rapidly diminishing. Which is why I think that outrageously funny weight loss tricks are here to stay. Here are some funny (not to mention fraudulent) ones.

Weight loss jeans: Supposed to contain special polymers that release a weight loss substance into your butt and thighs which makes them slim.

Face masks: Made of a ‘miracle’ rubber, you are supposed to wear them at night. Over a long time, they make your double chin disappear. Now I know why the Phantom wore a mask!

Weight loss blubber (sorry, rubber) belt: This belt has cut-outs that affect lymphatic drainage. Weight loss electronic belt: It delivers electric currents that range from pinpricks to vibrations. I am still struggling to understand how an electric current can get the fat off of the body. Though it shows no results, this is widely used. This could be because it is a fancy looking gadget.

Slimming creams: Magic creams, lotions and potions have come into the realm of the common man as glamorous products. Creams for the hips and thighs that make you slim in few weeks, body lotions that melt the fat away...

Weight loss soaps: Supposed to wash the fat away as you bathe. Some of these products are interestingly packaged with pseudo medical words, so you can be easily duped.