checking in
raciNg weight
Should You Supplement for Weight Loss?
I
If any of the dozens of different kinds
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triathlete.com | November 2010
Calcium Calcium plays a role in regulating a hormone that influences body fat storage. Studies have shown that inadequate calcium intake increases the risk of being overweight and
Matt Fitzgerald: Nils NilseN; products: johN segesta
bY matt fitzgeraLd
of weight-loss supplements on the market worked—I mean really worked—then two-thirds of American adults would not be overweight or obese. It’s that simple. When any type of supplement lives up to its promises, it does not remain a secret or a marginal product that consumers cycle on and off as wave after wave of suckers fall for the testimonials, fake science and celebrity endorsements, discover it doesn’t do anything and move on. That’s why every weightlifter takes creatine. It works and everyone knows it. But as much as you hope you might discover some supplement out there that makes weight management easy, there is no creatine equivalent in the weightloss market. In fact, the more you look
to or rely on supplements for weight loss, the less likely it is that you will succeed in losing weight, not only because every product you try will fail to meet your expectations, but also because your “magic bullet” mentality will distract you from the measures that really work: eating healthy, training consistently, avoiding overeating and so forth. That said, I do believe there are a few supplements that triathletes seeking weight loss should consider taking. It’s a short list, but some products can slightly enhance the results you get from the measures mentioned above in certain circumstances. These supplements are not magic bullets, nor are they necessary for the achievement of one’s ideal racing weight; however, each is worth considering.