If you are like most women, you are sick or down right confused about all of the conflicting weight loss and fitness advice you get from TV shows like Dr. Oz,  various news segments or even so-called fitness magazines.

And it’s really no surprise when you see headlines like:

“Lose 30 Pounds in 30 Days!”

“Lose Weight While You Sleep”

“Lose 10 Pounds in a Weekend”

The only thing worse is when Big Pharma comes out with some new pill promising to be a “breakthrough to fight against obesity”.

Just recently I was watching a show about the devastating effects that Fen-phen had on people in the 1990’s.  As you may recall, Fen-phen was all  the rage and was promoted as the new miracle drug for weight loss.

People lost weight, but one of the side effects was that it damaged a valve in the heart.  But, hey, we all know those aren’t important, right?

The way these people died was horrific.  Doctors said it was “like a slow drowning”.  And no one knew until it was too late.

Well, it’s been a while since that fiasco and people have moved on.  It is not at the front of mind of most people anymore.

But now, according to the Associated Press, the FDA just approved a new anti-obesity pill called Belviq.

This drug was denied by the FDA in 2010 because the animals that used the drug developed….

TUMORS!!!

The company resubmitted the drug with “new information” and now it is approved.

WHAT???

If you would like to feel better about this, the FDA said that Belviq “does not appear to activate” a receptor that was linked to the heart problems seen in Fen-phen.

Well that’s good (if it’s true and as long as you don’t mind possible tumors).

Belviq is one of three experimental weight loss drugs whose developers have been trying for a second time to get approval.  The FDA shot all of them down in 2010 and early 2011 because of potential side effects.  Belviq was recently approved but the others are still pending.

But wait – would you like to know about the potential weight loss for this risk and what are the other side effects?

Great question!  The answer – about 5% of your total body weight  per year.

So if you are a 155 lb pound woman, you could hope to lose about 7.75 lbs. over a 12-month time frame.  (I wonder if that includes the  weight of the possible tumor.)

Maybe tumors don’t scare you off – so let’s look at the other possible side effects:  depression, migraines and memory lapses!

I know it’s tough to navigate through this maze of hard to decipher and sometimes dangerous information and weight loss options.

With the right exercise & nutrition plan, you can lose  up to 8 lbs. per month (not per year like Belviq promises.)

If you need some help, sign up for my free video e-course

(to sign up, enter your name & email into sign up box on the upper right hand corner of this blog post)

In it, I give you 5 of my top 10 strategies for lasting weight loss.  Your first lesson will be delivered to your inbox instantly, then you’ll get 4 more over the next couple of days.

It’s science-based nutrition coaching and it’s absolutely FREE.  Plus, it won’t cause tumors, depression, migraines or memory lapses!

Have a great week and…

Be unstoppable!

John