The price of body perfection.

For most people fitness is a journey. A journey of self-discovery which sees you push your body to limits you never thought possible. Unfortunately for some, fitness is a money-making goldmine and it is becoming more and more common for people to pray upon those most vulnerable by offering health services with minimal qualifications and understanding.

We come from a world of dissatisfied people and I am yet to meet a person 100% happy with their body. It is this constant dissatisfaction which leads many to seek advice in an attempt to gain body confidence.

Unfortunately with so many people offering different solutions, it is almost impossible for those without understanding to know where to turn.

Along with dodgy personal trainers and meal replacement shakes, my personal pet peeves also include weight loss classes like 'Slimming World' and 'Weight Watchers.' I am not disputing that through these programmes people do achieve results, however, there is very little understanding given about food's true nutritional value and foods which can be hugely beneficial to your health are often segregated as 'banned' foods.

As I've said before, another common trait seems to be our need for 'quick fix' solutions, something of which money-driven companies are all too aware of.

More and more people are trusting campaigns which appear to offer weight loss at a much quicker rate - diet pills, fat burners, meal replacement shakes - all claiming all the results with half the effort.

The idea we can 'trick' our body into bikini ready with a few pills is ludicrous, but with clever marketing tools, and money behind them, more and more companies are offering these solutions and sadly more and more vulnerable people are believing them.

The thing most people don't want to hear is: "it takes time."

Do you think the top stars of the fitness industry cheated their way there? of course not, they got to where they are through dedication, perseverance and effort.

Amazing bodies have to be earned and yes they do take time to craft, but the first step to change for the long-term would be to escape this mentality that it all comes easy.

Unfortunately, for as long as people remain impatient and lazy, businesses offering quick-fix weight loss solutions will always thrive. It's about changing universal mentality to what a good body signifies - it shows time, it shows commitment and above all is not something that can be bought and it's definitely not something that can be fast-forwarded by a few little pills.

Think of all the money you could save if you ditched the gimmicks and brought a gym membership and worked towards the body you deserved. If everyone realised that through hard work anything is possible, quick fix businesses wouldn't have a purpose, and at the end of it all what better feeling than knowing the body you have you have earned.

When all said and done, it's about writing a journey you can be proud of, not buying your shortcut to the finish line.