Hi! That would be me. I'm an infomercial junkie.
Yes, I'm a sucker for a good infomercial and will most likely be sold on anything if it has the right elements: positive testimonials, reviews, and of course, the celebrity endorsements. And I'll watch the same infomercial again and again sometimes.
My addiction to infomercials originated with workout videos - I still have a VHS tape of Billy Blanks' Tae Bo; the participants in the workout are sporting Pat Benatar hairdos, colorful spandex pants with graphic sports bras and matching headbands. I loved this video and probably used it 3-4 times per week..,. back in the 90s. I wanted to help film his next video (I, too, had a Pat Benatar haircut and flashy headbands - I would have be perfect!)
My addiction to infomercials originated with workout videos - I still have a VHS tape of Billy Blanks' Tae Bo; the participants in the workout are sporting Pat Benatar hairdos, colorful spandex pants with graphic sports bras and matching headbands. I loved this video and probably used it 3-4 times per week..,. back in the 90s. I wanted to help film his next video (I, too, had a Pat Benatar haircut and flashy headbands - I would have be perfect!)
I've been working out since I was about 12 years old. I thank my dad for giving me such a warped sense of body image but I guess it has helped me continue to live a pretty active lifestyle as an adult. But because I do tend to bored with the same routine, I like to mix up my workouts. I also like having the option of working out at home when the weather isn't ideal for exercising outside. So I've since added to my "home gym" collection to keep ol' Billy Blanks company.
These are just a few I've purchased:
Power90 - This is the original P90X; it's only Tony Horton (before all the botched Botox) and two other people in a small room and the only "equipment" is some tape to make an X on the floor. The workout was quite boring and let's be honest, I never made it to Day 90.
Great Stretch/Thighs/Legs - These are also still on VHS and I've held onto them because they're actually pretty good workouts which target one area at a time and they're only 20 minutes long. Funny enough, Tony Horton is one of the participants in some of them, pre-P90X fame.
Power90 - This is the original P90X; it's only Tony Horton (before all the botched Botox) and two other people in a small room and the only "equipment" is some tape to make an X on the floor. The workout was quite boring and let's be honest, I never made it to Day 90.
Great Stretch/Thighs/Legs - These are also still on VHS and I've held onto them because they're actually pretty good workouts which target one area at a time and they're only 20 minutes long. Funny enough, Tony Horton is one of the participants in some of them, pre-P90X fame.
TheFirm - this one is pretty funny. Its instructors are this group of 20-something Southern belles with whom you'd rather enjoy tea than exercise. But the package included a set of great hand weights which all came in a cute purple box. The music is horrible, the workouts are mediocre but it's a great "I'm tired but still want to workout" workout. And you can't help but laugh at these cheesy girls who don't even break a sweat.
Yoga Booty Ballet - I've actually really enjoyed this series as it incorporates yoga poses, ballet moves and dance. The instructors are fun, it's a good workout for your bum and they keep it fun and versatile. Although, I think the camera man had a crush on one of the participants and keeps going back to her too frequently throughout the workouts.
Brazilian Butt Lift - This one won in a toss up with the Zumba DVD. I was really excited about this but it hasn't lived up to the hype. One, throughout the workout, it flashes between an indoor studio and then a scene in Brazil with these gorgeous Brazilian girls doing the same workout beachfront. There's about a nanosecond delay and the count and music is off sometimes. Not overly annoying, but annoying enough to make me not want to do it (yeah, THAT'S the reason I don't use it!) It's not a bad workout but it's also not a very entertaining and fun workout... I should have gone with Zumba.
(Most of these are Beach Body Workouts - what I should do is invest in that company instead!)
Leg Magic - Ok, this one I'm actually embarrassed to admit buying. I have no clue what possessed me to purchase this one but in my defense, it must have been one damn good infomercial. This was an actual machine that would "easily fold up to store under your bed..." More like, folded up and shoved in the corner to collect dust. I used this maybe two or three times and I remember the gal in the video was awful and probably one of the most un-motivating trainers I've ever seen. For months, Julian would badger me about getting rid of it. It finally went to Goodwill heaven the last time I moved.
Kettleworx - I didn't purchase this one myself but borrowed it from a friend. The host is this good-looking Canadian who, hmmm, how should I put this.... wore shorts that were perhaps too fitted, enough to distract you from keeping count of your reps. But it's a full-body workout and actually pretty decent.
(This is the first time I've written out all my purchases and I'm quite embarrassed with myself.) But like I said, my infomercial obsession expands beyond the workout genre.
I have also given in to:
Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty - Come on...who doesn't want to look like Cindy Crawford? I've been using this for several years and have been pretty satisfied with it and it's great because the product automatically shows up at my door every six months. What's funny is that I still watch the infomercial every now and then when it is televised on early Saturday mornings.
Turbo Cooker - This was purchased shortly after I moved in with Darin and it was going to help me "want" to cook more often... well, at least the motivation was there. I can't recall the science behind this thing but I do remember you could put a frozen chicken breast in there and it would cook within 20 minutes. And it came with a cool tray that you could cook other things in it simultaneously. I remember cooking everything from pasta, chicken, veggies to even a cheesecake in this thing! It was pretty amazing! Looking back, the pan itself probably released so many harmful toxins during use, I'm sure it activated some cancerous cells in my body. This too took a trip to Goodwill.
Moreover, my obsession isn't limited to the 30-minute fancy infomercial (by the way, I always get suckered into the "if you call in the next 12 minutes...") as I also love anything you typically can't buy in stores. My favorites right now are the NeatDesk and the stuff you can use to clean the grime off your car headlights.
Needless to say, I have a problem. Luckily, I haven't purchased anything in the last year or so but I'm sure one early morning, I'll see the latest craze and will get suckered into it sooner or later!
(Most of these are Beach Body Workouts - what I should do is invest in that company instead!)
Kettleworx - I didn't purchase this one myself but borrowed it from a friend. The host is this good-looking Canadian who, hmmm, how should I put this.... wore shorts that were perhaps too fitted, enough to distract you from keeping count of your reps. But it's a full-body workout and actually pretty decent.
(This is the first time I've written out all my purchases and I'm quite embarrassed with myself.) But like I said, my infomercial obsession expands beyond the workout genre.
I have also given in to:
Cindy Crawford's Meaningful Beauty - Come on...who doesn't want to look like Cindy Crawford? I've been using this for several years and have been pretty satisfied with it and it's great because the product automatically shows up at my door every six months. What's funny is that I still watch the infomercial every now and then when it is televised on early Saturday mornings.
Moreover, my obsession isn't limited to the 30-minute fancy infomercial (by the way, I always get suckered into the "if you call in the next 12 minutes...") as I also love anything you typically can't buy in stores. My favorites right now are the NeatDesk and the stuff you can use to clean the grime off your car headlights.
Needless to say, I have a problem. Luckily, I haven't purchased anything in the last year or so but I'm sure one early morning, I'll see the latest craze and will get suckered into it sooner or later!
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