The Shake Weight and Other Fitness Fads I Bought Into

I think it's pretty safe to say we've all heard of the newest As-Seen-On-TV fitness device, called The Shake Weight. You know - its that 10-pound, hand-held, battery-controlled contraption that, when in use, looks just like a lonely monkey at the zoo. Or my husband. (kidding baby, just kidding.)

Whenever I see those commercials for The Shake Weight, I have to laugh of course, but it also gets me thinking of the many fitness fads that I bought into over the years. No, I haven't actually purchased a Shake Weight. Yet.

But, I did buy what may be the best-selling body-slimming device of all time - The Thigh Master. Oh yeah, everyone wanted the super-toned thighs of Suzanne Somers during the 90's, and I was no different. I probably squeezed that piece of plastic crap enough to churn butter, yet my legs never looked like hers. But, I was a sucker for marketing, and they had me at "squeeze, squeeze your way to shapely hips and thighs."

Another fitness fad that I jumped into head first - Tae Bo and its grand poobah, Billy Blanks. For thousands of people this was their introduction to cardio kickboxing. I am pretty sure it was mine too. And ever since, I've loved kickboxing. While it may not have the soaring following like today's Zumba, it's hung proud as a favorite in gyms across the country.

And while we're talking about fitness celebrities, I can't forget Susan Powter, and her insane enthusiasm! "Stop the insanity!" I didn't choose to ride her boat to better health, but I always loved watching her on TV. What a crazy lady!

And speaking of a tiny bit touched...Richard Simmons! Come on now, you know you've probably done your share of sweating to the oldies. I have. There, I said it.

And when I wasn't watching a VHS tape of my favorite fitness instructors, I was sliding back and forth on an incredibly cheap plastic mat, with blue booties over my sneakers. For the life of me I cannot remember what this Infomercial piece of crap was called (but I bet it came with a set of Ginsu knives). The idea was to slide back and forth on it, and I suppose work the core and legs due to the balance you had to have to maneuver it without falling down.

And can I mention the miles I put on a Nordic Track! Or the oceans I crossed rowing. And I am ashamed to admit to the dozens of leotards I owned with matching leg warmers. There's a Goodwill store somewhere in Allentown waiting for Jane Fonda to call.

I can giggle now about most of these iconic measures at weight loss. I invested my hard-earned money and hope that in some small way, I was better for it. I shaped my thighs. I learned the round-house kick. I skated like an olympian. And sweated to the oldies.

The only thing left to do is jump on the Shake Weight bandwagon. What do you suppose I will get out of that? Stronger biceps...defined pecs...a hand-shake even monkeys would envy. One can only hope!