There is a fun to watch debate happening right now in the medical literature as to the benefits of reality show exercise programs and…well, reality.

Developers of reality weight loss programs, including some medical doctors, suggest everyone should exercise as these contestants do: an average of 3.7 hours a day.  It was even suggested at a recent press conference of the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists that this vigorous exercise of this nature should be first line in the treatment of diabetes.

Medical skeptics are, of course, quick to point out the logistics of this are not obtainable.  Support for this type of exercise-centric program takes a multi-disciplinary group of practitioners, allied health professionals, and a payer source.  I might add it also helps if you don’t have a job or family to care for to be a part of such a program.  Besides obtainability and money, the debate raises issues of performance, particularly long term success in extremes of exercise vs. medication used to treat lifestyle diseases, weight loss surgery and its risks and benefits, and a plethora of other arguments that are valid.

Like most arguments however, the winner is only decided by whose side you began.  Nothing works for everyone, and some things work for no one; unless of course there is a pot of gold at the end of the journey.  Maybe that’s the ticket: Maybe health should be a personal responsibility and if you don’t take care of it, you don’t get a pot of gold. I wish the brainiac’s would add that to their debates.

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