10 Weight Loss Clinic Red Flags That Made Experts Say “Run Away Now”

With the rise of weight loss clinics promising miracle results, even medical experts are raising alarm bells. Dr. Christopher McGowan, a triple Board-Certified expert in Internal Medicine, Gastroenterology, and Obesity Medicine, is speaking out about dangerous practices he's witnessing in the industry. "When you see these red flags, run," he warns. Here are the warning signs that make weight loss experts say it's time to find a different clinic.

Beware of Non-Medical Staff Posing as Experts

"Just saying you're a weight loss clinic isn't sufficient," warns Dr. McGowan. Many clinics operate without proper medical oversight or qualified obesity specialists. This dangerous practice puts patients at risk and often leads to ineffective treatments. A legitimate weight loss center must be staffed by physicians with specific training in obesity medicine.

Watch for Aggressive Product Sales Tactics

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Experts see red flags when supplements and meal replacements take center stage. "Avoid hype, promise, and upsells," Dr. McGowan stresses. Quality clinics focus on medical care and sustainable solutions, not pushing products. If your consultation feels more like a sales pitch, that's your cue to leave.

Flee from HCG Treatments

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"It's a scam. Run from any clinic that offers it," Dr. McGowan states emphatically about HCG treatments. "HCG and injections do nothing for your weight. In fact, that's been shown in numerous clinical studies." He also warns about compounded semaglutide, another red flag treatment that should make patients cautious.

Avoid 'Miracle' Fat Burners

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"Fat burners—they don't burn fat and they don't help you lose weight; avoid them," Dr. McGowan warns. These products often come with bold claims but zero scientific backing. Legitimate clinics won't push these ineffective and potentially dangerous supplements.

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Run from Quick-Fix Crash Diets

"These are very low-calorie diets, which means 800 calories or less per day. Sure, you'll lose weight, but then you'll regain it and more. That's almost a guarantee," Dr. McGowan explains. Programs pushing extreme dieting over sustainable changes are setting patients up for failure.

Question Easy Prescription Access

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"If you can obtain a prescription for a weight loss medication without meeting with a medical provider, providing your health history, or even seeing a human being, that's a prescription mill," Dr. McGowan cautions. These dangerous practices bypass crucial medical safeguards and can put your health at risk.

Reject Programs Without Nutrition Support

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"Nutrition support is key," Dr. McGowan emphasizes. Any program lacking registered dietitian support is incomplete at best and dangerous at worst. Proper weight management requires professional nutrition guidance—no exceptions.

Be Suspicious of Exercise-Only Solutions

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"Exercise alone does very little to help you lose weight," Dr. McGowan reveals. "Sure, it's great for your health, but it won't do that much to move the scale by itself." Be wary of programs that promise results through exercise while ignoring other crucial aspects of weight management.

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Avoid Cosmetic Quick-Fixes

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"Liposuction—it's not a weight loss procedure," Dr. McGowan states firmly. "If your goal is to lose weight and to improve your health, don't do it." Experts warn against clinics that promote cosmetic procedures as weight loss solutions, as they often ignore the underlying health issues.

Walk Away from Unrealistic Promises

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The biggest red flag? Unrealistic promises. Quality programs are "honest and transparent about expectations," says Dr. McGowan. If a clinic guarantees dramatic results or seems too good to be true, trust your instincts—and the experts—and walk away.

The good news is that legitimate weight loss care exists. Dr. McGowan recommends seeking programs with "ongoing support from registered dieticians" and those "staffed by obesity-trained and credentialed providers." Look for comprehensive care based on medical evidence, not quick fixes or trendy solutions. Your health is too important to trust anything less than qualified, ethical medical professionals. And if you enjoyed this article, take advantage of these 15 Quick Ways to Lose Body Fat Percentage in a Week.

Are you trying to lose weight but aren’t really getting anywhere? According to experts, you might be going about your weight loss journey the wrong way. In fact, even some of the top diet and fitness experts have made weight loss mistakes themselves. Body Network spoke to a few trainers and nutritionists and asked them about the biggest missteps they took on their fitness journeys.

1. Going Overboard with Calorie Counting

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While it is good to keep tabs on your food consumption, Risa Sheppard, Master Pilates trainer, creator of The Sheppard Method, advises not to go overboard. “Counting every calorie of every piece of food,” is one of the mistakes she made. “It became time consuming and frustrating.”

Related: I Lost Belly Fat & 17 Pounds With These 6 Simple Hacks

2. Starving Your Body of Carbs

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Mr. America Jason Kozma, a personal trainer in Los Angeles, reveals the biggest mistake he made while preparing for a bodybuilding competition. “I had gotten too heavy bulking up to add more muscle mass,” he explains. He spent four months dieting for a spring show “and still didn’t get in shape.” After a short break he reset his goal to a fall show and dove headlong into his diet. “I was using an extremely low carb approach as I felt I had too much fat yet to burn. What I actually did was I starved my muscles of carbohydrates for so long that at the end my body couldn’t assimilate carbohydrates and I couldn’t ‘pump u’ for the show,” he continues. “My body fat measured lower than ever for this show but I didn’t look as good as I had a year and a half prior at a higher body fat level. The net result was that I lost muscle using this approach: I was actually smaller and lighter than I was before the ‘bulk up.’” Note: He still won the show!

3. Doing Too Much Cardio

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Diet and fitness expert Adita Yrizarry-Lang, ISCA, NASM, ACE, AFAA, reveals that one of the biggest mistakes she made was doing too much cardio. “When I first started in fitness, this was the prescription…do a lot of cardio. The reality is that you burn more calories when you have muscle on your body, combining weights with cardio is the right way to do it,” she says.

4. Not Looking at Serving Size on Packages

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Yrizarry-Lang claims that another mistake is only looking at calories on a package, and not the serving size. “We were mesmerized by the lo-cal labeling on a package,” she says. “Unfortunately, we never looked at the serving size and then came to realize we were ingesting too many calories at a time.”

5. Falling Victim to Low Fat, Highly Processed Foods

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Just because something is low-fat doesn’t make it healthy. Yrizarry-Lang says that some people consume “too many processed carbs, because they are low fat.” While this might be okay for runners, going for 10 to 20 mile runs, “those carbs convert to fat,” for most of us.

Related: Alexia Clark Flaunts Chiseled Midsection and Reveals 3 Ab Mistakes You Are Making

6. Daily Weigh-Ins

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Weighing oneself every single day is another mistake, says Sheppard. “It can be discouraging,” she explains. “Try to weigh yourself less and pay more attention to how your clothes are fitting. Remember muscle weighs more fat so if you are on an intense exercise regime the muscle you gain will trim in less but may not show on the scale.”

7. Crash Diets

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If a diet seems too good to be true, it probably is. “The all-time worst” mistake people make is going on crash diets. Why? You might “lose weight at the moment” but you will “gain it back with a few extra pounds,” says Yrizarry-Lang. “This slows down the metabolism and makes it even harder to lose weight at a later date.”

8. Focusing on Exercise for Weight Loss

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One of the biggest mistakes people make is “thinking more exercise will cause them to lose weight,” says Sheppard. “80 percent is dieting and 20 percent is exercise,” she reminds.

9. Falling Victim to “Get Thin Fast” Scams

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Sheppard strongly advises against any products or diet that claim to help with rapid weight loss. “Do not succumb to quick weight loss scams or dangerous pills. Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither is weight loss,” she says.

Related: 15 Foods That Fight Fat

10. Comparing Yourself to Others

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Remember that your fitness journey is your own and “comparing yourself to other people” will “only add to your stress and discouragement,” says Sheppard. “We are all built differently with different bone structure and hereditary genes. Love who you are inside and it will reflect on your outside.”

💪🔥Body Booster: Beware of low-fat, processed foods. Unless you run for 20 miles a day, you should probably pass on a highly processed energy bar – those carbs might convert to fat unless you are working them off.

Are you struggling to lose weight? Make this year your weight loss success story by avoiding some diet and fitness strategies that may be backfiring. Tameika Gentles is a fitness coach and weight loss warrior who dropped a whopping 100 pounds sustainably. In a new post, she reveals a few of the things she avoided doing that enabled her to lose a lot of weight. “5 controversial things I DO NOT recommend if you’re trying to lose 50 pounds or more (and I’ve lost 100 lbs…),” she writes across the Instagram video.

She’s Lost 100 Pounds and Kept It Off After Failing Over and Over Again

“I’ve been there—tried it all and failed HARD. But after losing 100 lbs and keeping it off, here’s what I’ve learned,” she continues in the post. “And what I’m sharing isn’t about what’s good or bad—it’s about what’s NOT necessary for long-term success.”

You “Don’t Need to Do” These 5 Things to Lose Weight

“No shame to those who choose these methods—do what works for YOU! This message is for the people who feel like they have to follow these trends to succeed. I’m here to tell you: you don’t. If you’re kicking off your weight loss journey in 2025, here are five things you don’t need to do,” she says.

RELATED: Nutritionist Lost 80 Pounds With These 5 Daily Habits

1. Fasting

Fasting is the first thing you don’t need to do in order to lose weight. “Fasting can work for some, but it’s not a must for results. Skipping meals often leads to overeating later, slows your metabolism, and can mess with your hormones. Sustainable weight loss is about finding balance, not extremes,” she writes.

2. Low Carb Diet

The second thing you don’t need to do? Go on low-carb diets. “Cutting carbs might lead to quick results, but is it realistic for life? Carbs fuel your body and mind—they’re not the enemy. You don’t need to cut out entire food groups to see progress,” she says.

3. Excessive Exercise

The third thing you don’t need to do? Excessive exercise. “More isn’t always better. It’s about consistency. 30 minutes of daily movement for a year beats an intense 3-week overhaul that leads to burnout and months of inactivity,” she writes.

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4. Detoxes

Number four? Detoxes. “Save your money. Your liver and kidneys are built-in detox powerhouses. Most detoxes are unnecessary (and some are even harmful). Focus on real, nourishing food instead,” she says.

5. Weight Loss Pills/Supplements

Weight loss pills and supplements are also not needed. “They’re often unregulated, unsustainable, and don’t address the behaviors that lead to lasting change. I lost 100 lbs without them, and my clients succeed without them, too. You don’t need them,” she says.

RELATED: Top Nutrition MD Reveals 5 Signs You're Eating Too Much Protein

Instead, Focus on Balance, Consistency, and What Works for You

“The key to sustainable weight loss isn’t doing what’s trendy—it’s finding what works for YOU. Starting your 2025 journey? Remember, you don’t need to follow extreme trends to see real, lasting progress. Focus on balance, consistency, and what fits your life,” she concludes. And if you enjoyed this article, don't missI’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.

Struggling to lose weight after 40? You're not alone. Many women find that strategies that worked in their younger years become less effective as they age. Weight loss expertLouise Digby, Dr. Anthony Balduzzi, founder of The Fit Mother Project and mindset coachDy Ann Parham, share insights on avoiding common mistakes. Here are ten weight loss errors you might be making and how to fix them.

Following Fad Diets

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Fad diets like keto or very low-calorie plans promise quick results but aren't sustainable. Digby explains in her video, "When you cut out whole food groups, you're not giving your body all the nutrients it needs." She adds, "Carbs aren't all bad. Your body needs them for energy, brain function, and keeping your metabolism healthy."

Extreme Calorie Restriction

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Drastically cutting calories can backfire. Digby warns, "When you don't eat enough, your body slows down to save energy." This makes it harder to lose weight later on. "When you start eating normally again, your body stores extra calories as fat, so you often gain the weight back," she says.

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Relying on Detoxes and Cleanses

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Detoxes and cleanses might sound appealing, but they can do more harm than good. Digby explains, "These programs often promise quick results, making you feel lighter and more energized. But they usually just make you lose water and muscle, not fat." These plans often cut out important foods and don't give your body enough calories, slowing down your metabolism.

Over-Exercising

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Many women think more exercise is always better, but Digby disagrees: "When you exercise too hard, your body makes more stress hormones. This can make you gain weight, especially around your belly." Dr. Balduzzi adds, "Women in their forties, fifties, and sixties need to lift weights. It is perhaps the single most effective kind of exercise."

Ignoring Age-Related Body Changes

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Our bodies change significantly after 40. Digby points out, "Hormones that control our metabolism start to drop. This can make it harder to burn fat and easier to gain weight, especially around the middle." Dr. Balduzzi adds, "When we're in our forties, fifties, and sixties, we typically burn around 200 to 350 less calories per day than when we did when we were in our twenties."

Neglecting the Impact of Stress

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Stress plays a crucial role in weight gain. Digby notes, "Our stress levels often go up as we get older, with work and family responsibilities. More stress can lead to more belly fat." Managing stress is crucial for successful weight loss after 40.

Overlooking the Emotional Aspects of Eating

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Digby emphasizes the importance of understanding emotional eating. "Food isn't just fuel. It's tied to our feelings," she explains. "If we don't deal with the emotional side of eating, we'll keep regaining weight no matter what diet we try." Becoming aware of why you eat and finding healthier ways to cope with emotions is crucial.

RELATED: 3 Truths I Tell My Patients About 16:8 Fasting as a Medical Professional

Pursuing Unsustainable Weight Loss Methods

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Both Digby and Dr. Balduzzi stress the importance of sustainable approaches. Digby states, "If you can't see yourself doing something forever, it won't lead to long-term results." Dr. Balduzzi echoes this: "We don't just want to lose 10 pounds and regain it all back."

Ignoring the Importance of Sleep

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Dr. Balduzzi emphasizes the critical role of sleep in weight loss: "Sleep is like the master clock that controls all of our main weight loss hormones, controls cortisol, controls insulin, controls thyroid hormone. When we're not getting enough sleep, we're basically shooting ourselves in the foot when it comes to our weight loss efforts."

Overcomplicating Weight Loss Strategies

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Dy Ann Parham advocates for simplicity in weight loss approaches. She says, "Forget about all the nonsense that you're hearing on the internet and just make it simple, fast long, feast well, train smart. You'll be absolutely amazed at how simple this lifestyle can be." Focus on whole, nutritious foods and consistent, enjoyable physical activity rather than complex diet plans.

RELATED: I Achieve My Ideal Body With These 16 Simple Steps Anyone Can Follow

Work With Your Body

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Avoiding these common mistakes can help women over 40 achieve lasting weight loss. It's about working with your body's changes, not against them. As Digby concludes, "When you eat and move in ways that suit your body, especially as you age, losing weight becomes much easier." And if you enjoyed this article, don't miss I’m a Nutritionist and Here Are 25 Weight Loss Truths You Need to Hear.