I always get a kick out of those fitness product infomercials. My favorite part is the commercial within the commercial; you know, when the infomercial cuts to a "commercial" for the product already being hawked. In it, maladroit exercisers are shown struggling to perform their workout, only to then give up and shake their head in disgust.

During these pseudo-commercials, the voice-over announcer typically asks questions like "Are you tired of doing hundreds of crunches each day?" and "Are you looking for an easy way to burn fat and slim your waistline?" It's at this point where the product is then flashed on the screen, followed by several cut-aways of various happy customers, all of whom are tremendously fit.

Did they really get that fit using that product? Unless it's a total body system, it's highly unlikely. I find it amazing when the allusion is made that an ab exercise gizmo, for example, can also slim and tone your arms, firm and shape your shoulders, and basically turn your entire body into a form modeled after Greek gods. Quite frankly, an ab gizmo can't even get your abs into that kind of shape. To effectuate a full body change of this kind -- or even just tighten your midsection -- it is going to take far more than a piece of plastic and some springs. Don't make other people rich by wasting your hard earned money on their garbage. Save it for a gym membership, a new pair of kicks, or a trip to Whole Foods -- also known as the real way to make a change for the fitter.