Anyone else watch The Biggest Loser?

I'm in favor of this. After all, 30 years ago when I was a kid, physical activity was defined as running, playing and producing sweat. Now, physical activity is walking. In another 30 years sitting on the couch will be a physical activity. Of course, we won't have trans fats thanks to the gov't so we'll all be healthy. No kidding Geek! By then we'll probably be in a Communist society, the government will give us our meals so they make sure we eat exactly right ... I practically lived outside as a kid. I rode my bike everywhere, too ...

No kidding Geek! By then we'll probably be in a Communist society, the government will give us our meals so they make sure we eat exactly right ... You guys are taking this too far. The government has an obligation to create and enforce laws that promote public safety. By your reasoning the government should not enact any environmental or sanitation standards either. Heck, it's my yard, if I want to dump my used motor oil into the sewer I should be allowed too, right? What about speed limits, or heck, traffic laws of any sort? Why can't I just drive however I want?

I think the government should ban all the bottled water that's supposedly keeping us hydrated. Once the bottle is empty, everyone keeps re-filling it despite the bacteria left inside. After a couple refills, it's like toilet water. This should be banned so we do not poison ourselves at swim practice. Then swim children would be safe too. Plus, then we can just skip all the recycling we're doing. I did read today that the FDA is attempting to step in to mandate more prominent labeling of NSAIDs. They want to make clear that if you drink too much and take NSAIDs because you're in pain from too much swimming, you will shut down your liver. Won't more "prominent" labeling work just as well for TFs? And what about those laws that won't let us purchase alcohol on Sundays? Isn't that a little Colonial era? Why do we only promote "public safety" on Sunday? Aren't we killing each other by drinking and driving on other days as well? I'm happy to round down my times too. Maybe I'd have a "major breakthrough" in a 50.

You guys are taking this too far. The government has an obligation to create and enforce laws that promote public safety. By your reasoning the government should not enact any environmental or sanitation standards either. Heck, it's my yard, if I want to dump my used motor oil into the sewer I should be allowed too, right? What about speed limits, or heck, traffic laws of any sort? Why can't I just drive however I want? Speed Limits are for sissys ... kidding ... First of all most of my posts are very sacrastic with that stuff. I fully understand that the government has a responsibility to keep us safe. I question at what point do they cross over the line and where is the line? I also think that it's somewhat of a crock, because people need to take responsibility for themselves to make smart choices. The government is playing mom and dad, here's what you can eat, here's what you can't. I'm actually all for getting rid of transfats, but have the companies do it, don't make it a law. Does anyone watch Boston Legal? They had an episode where some governor banned red meat because he feared a mad cow outbreak ...

Some of the biggest losers float like corks.

I'm actually all for getting rid of transfats, but have the companies do it, don't make it a law....Does anyone watch Boston Legal? They had an episode where some governor banned red meat because he feared a mad cow outbreak ... I think there are TFs on Boston Legal. There sure is a lot of cigar smoking and scotch sippin' going on. Maybe they'll be featuring TFs or NSAIDs next.

An RN friend of mine tells me that there is something related to the lymph system that is in the upper body, thoracic duct I think, which is stimulated by the motions of freestyle swimming and symphony orchestra conducting. Apparently they were looking for long lived professions and symphony orchestra conductor came up as one of the longest. After determining that lifestyle and lack of stress were not causal (lifestyle choices were not the greatest amongst these people I understand) it was found that the stimulation of this lymph system component was key in keeping these people healthy for long periods of time. The MD who was giving this speech at the hospital dinner said that swimming gave a very similar "massage" to this lymph component and would be a great choice for exercise. Any thoughts on this? Well, if we want our kids to live a long healthy life, we can rip them out of all existing activities and have them play violin and swim. As a side benefit, we won't have to argue endlessly about which sport deserves the most "respect." It'll be swimming if you value a long life. (I guess we could still argue about which sport is best if we want to live a short risk-filled life full of MonkeyLaLas and TFs.) Do you think guitar would work instead of violin? Are fiddling and swimming the only two activities that stimulate that particular lymph system?

Interesting point, George. But maybe Lindsay was just being forum-ish in her provocative comment and you've now called her on it. Very uncivil of you. So I guess Darwinism still applies to you and all the men here for sure. So what're you doing eating all that junk food and TFs down in Mexico? Exercising your basic right to eat? Are you doing any swimming to stay healthy? Trans fats are an essential part of the north American diet what could we possibly replace them with. We should all eat the three most important food groups, transfats, eggs, and red meat. Greens are not part of my diet and fruits are out of order.

And what about those laws that won't let us purchase alcohol on Sundays? Isn't that a little Colonial era? Definitely. I can't believe these blue laws are still on the books. So much for separation of church and state...

You guys are taking this too far. The government has an obligation to create and enforce laws that promote public safety. Stopping people from eating unhealthy food does not have anything to do with public safety. After all, a big lardo in an SUV that mows down a skinny, environmentally friendly tree-hugger mobile, is going to probably survive precisely because they are fat and can't squeeze into a Yaris or Prius. I would argue it's in the public safety interest to keep people plump and encourage over-consumption of TFs so that larger safer vehicles continue to be sold and utilized.