Hydroxy-SMUT!!!!

Walking into any health store, the most common form of advertisement consists of portraits of men and women that have been transformed through the wonders of the newest fad- the diet pill. The supplement industry makes millions of dollars by false advertising the effects of their products. Consumers are easily attracted by the idea that they will have the same favorable results seen on the "before and after" pictures.

At first, I was easily duped by supplement companies' ploys to gain more profit, but after researching the ingredients used in these diet products, I found that these supplements would not have any helpful benefits for weight loss. So basically, the results seen on the bottle are not genuine results. According to the documentary, "Bigger Faster Stronger," most of the before and after pictures seen on advertisements, like the one shown above, are taken on the same day. It is unfair for these companies to put false hope in the minds of their consumers, but according to Christian Boeving, a fitness model who often graces the pictures on the advertisements, people should be smart enough to know that the models on these advertisements are using other supplements such as steroids. But is it fair for the consumers who don't know this kind of information?

Millions of people grasp on the tiny sliver of hope that these supplement companies give them, believing that they can finally get rid of their ugly flesh suit. They spend thousands of dollars on pills that have similar effects as drinking a cup of coffee, only to be met with a bitter disappointment in the end. I believe that these companies are promoting this epidemic of obesity by making their consumers believe that they can eat fattening foods without consequence and just take their diet pills to get rid of any weight they will gain in that process. So the next time you look at a before and after picture, you should really consider whether or not the image shows the truth or the lies of supplement companies.

Family Guys say "Giggity"

People may be shy to turn on the television when it comes to late night Sunday comedy, but after watching the sitcom "Family Guy," many people will experience a new feeling of weird and random comedy. Most people believe that the comedy portrayed in "Family Guy" is both vulgar and unnecessary, as seen in commonsensemedia.org's review claiming that people should not "...expect consistent content from this show." However, I feel that the people criticizing this show have a one-track mind and do not appreciate the quirkiness and spontaneity of slapstick comedy.

The sitcom "Family Guy" features the wild adventures of the Griffin family, which include Peter, Lois, Meg, Chris, a talking dog named Brian, and a sadistic baby named Stewie. "Family Guy" deals with the typical issues involved in everyday American family life to make the point that all families are not perfect. Each episode deals with the family trying to overcome the many, odd situations that they come across. This continuing storyline does not hinder their ability to remain interesting and entertaining because they often incorporate random scenes that relate to the analogies that the characters often use in their punch lines. My own experience with "Family Guy" yields a point that it strays away from the typical reoccurring plots and antics of other similar shows. What I take away from my own experience with this comedic sitcom is that the interactions between the characters on this show bring joy and laughter into the dullness of a day. In some ways, the situations that occur on the show are just an updated, funnier version of what happens to us in everyday life.

Therefore, to get away from the ordinary and to experience a new way of looking at the boring life, learn from the optimistic outlooks of the Griffin family. The more you watch the show, the better you will be able to find and create humor to spice up your own experiences.

The American Dream with Health and Fitness.

The 21st century's American dream is defined differently among many different cultures and generations. The problem with all these different views of the dream is that health and fitness has been censored out of their horizon. With more than half of America's population being overweight and with about a fourth being obese, according to America Sports Data (http://www.americansportsdata.com/obesitystats.asp) , health and fitness should without a doubt be engraved into the mindset of the 21st century American.

First of all, people need to become healthier by changing their daily lifestyle choices. Many Americans assume that being healthy is unattainable to them but, on the contrary, with some minor modifications to diet and exercise, it can be accomplished. Some of the easiest changes include exercising for 20 minutes a day, eating white meat instead of red meat, and drinking water instead of the typical corn syrup-filled juice or soda. With just these small modifications, an individual could create a calorie deficit in their everyday diet, and if this deficit continues for the proper amount of time, weight loss will be successful.

Although many people may argue that exercising is considered very dull, it can actually be fun and vivid. Exercise is not just limited to running on a treadmill. In fact, exercise can be considered as any activity that can get someone's heart pumping. Examples of this can include anything from basketball to chasing a son or daughter around the backyard.

Another popular point of view for Americans is separating myth from facts. Everyday, people converse a lot of nonsense about losing weight when, in reality, many of the things people hear are based on phony studies or marketing schemes. A common mistake, for example, is believing in diet pills marketed on television. Most of the companies that manufacture and sell diet pills on the market today are just after the consumer's money. Many of them claim, to have "secret" ingredients that other diet products do not have. In fact, most of them are just filled with stimulants like caffeine and have the same effects that a cup of coffee does to the body. The only solution is for Americans to think harder about what they read, hear, and see when it comes to losing weight.

All in all, people of all cultures have their own perspective on the American dream, but what they really need to take into account is their own health. Good health is essential for maintaining a long and happy lifestyle. Most importantly, people need to realize that without health and fitness in their mind, their life may not live up to their American Dream.