Don’t be misled by fictitious ads promising quick and painless weight loss.

The Federal Trade Commission released a report Tuesday that describes seven claims sometimes made in advertisements that just aren’t true. The idea behind the education campaign was to help people in the media recognize bad advertisements. And while preemptive policing of the media is a government no-no, the report contains useful information for everyone who’s a little thick around the middle and trying not to be.

According to the report, the bogus claims of products – ranging from creams and wraps to dietary supplements and patches – include:

• Causes weight loss of 2 pounds or more a week for a month or longer without dieting or exercise.

• Causes substantial weight loss, no matter what or how much a person eats.

• Causes permanent weight loss, even if you stop using the product.

• Blocks absorption of fat or calories to enable substantial weight loss.

• Safely enables people to lose more than 3 pounds a week for more than four weeks.

• Causes substantial weight loss for all users.

• Causes substantial weight loss by wearing a product on the body or rubbing it into the skin.

Maine has a weight problem. So does most of the country. Collectively, we spend more than $37 billion a year on weight loss products. But there are no quick and easy ways to drop extra pounds. It takes willpower, commitment and, worst of all, a proper diet and exercise.

Don’t waste your time or money on products that promise results that are too good to be true.


Not Nomar

Say it ain’t so, Boston Red Sox.

We’ve got nothing against Alex Rodriguez. He might be the best all-around baseball player in the game. And while Manny Ramirez is a great hitter, trading him for Rodriguez would be a smart baseball move.

Rodriguez is more marketable than Ramirez, more media friendly, a better total-package player. But the problem is, A-Rod plays shortstop. That’s Nomar’s position.

The Ramirez-for-Rodriguez deal isn’t a sure thing. But if it happens, fan-favorite Nomar Garciaparra – there are streets named after him, for goodness sake – would likely be traded.

Nomar says he doesn’t want to leave. The fans, most of us anyway, don’t want him to leave. And the owners of the Red Sox don’t seem to have a problem spending money, made in part from Nomar merchandise and ever-increasing ticket prices, to get big-name players in their battle to unseat the New York Yankees. There’s got to be a way to keep Nomar in a Sox uniform.

With the departure of second baseman Todd Walker, isn’t there room in the infield somewhere? Or how about third base? Other players have changed positions. Aren’t two superstars better than just one?

Do you think the Yankees would trade their shortstop, Derek Jeter?


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