Fitness made, not so simple anymore.
In a move stunning the fitness world, John Basedow is giving it all up. Basedow, made famous from his “Fitness Made Simple” (www.fitnessmadesimple.com) commercials, said he could no longer continue his strenuous fitness regimen. He said he was trading in his slogan “Anything is possible once you believe in yourself and have the knowledge and determination to accomplish your goals” for a new one: “Anything is possible, but ‘nothing’ is easier”.
Basedow said he was doing quite well, but the constant posing he had to do on his television commercials was detrimental to his health. He said his ribs constantly were in pain because the camera man always wanted him to twist at the waste to make him look bigger on the television. He also said he felt like the fitness world’s “Bob Villa”. He said he was tired of being a sellout.
Basedow said he is going to trade in his fitness training and selling of tapes and instead, he’s going to flip bugers at McDonald’s. When asked by one source, Basedow was quoted as saying “I was tired of raising the bar. It’s time to just be good enough to get by. It feels good not to have to worry anymore about being better than everyone else around me.”
It sounds like John Basedow is tired of having to deal with the rigors of self-improvement. It also sounds like he’s finally embracing mediocrity. Yay!
July 4th, 2005 at 9:15 pm
Let’s all hope he can overcome this terrible mediocrity and find solace in nihilism.
July 5th, 2005 at 5:20 pm
I don’t think that anyone here will disagree with you, or even bash you for not liking this dude. I don’t like him… I think he looks nasty. Does everyone remember what Governor Arnold of California used to look like? Like in his movies… Predator, or Terminator… ect… I think muscle like that is nasty! It looks fake, and what a waste in life to spend that much time in the gym, to look all buffed up and be that strong. It looks bad in my opinion, I don’t think that guys like that look good.
Does anyone here like that look? You can tell its hard to keep up. I saw a picture of Arnold in a speedo and now he doesn’t have abs, but a beer belly to replace it, and he looks like a normal person, and I think he looks sexier now, than he ever did. At least he looks normal. You know he has muscle, but he doesn’t have those distinct muscles that body builders have. Which is revolting.
July 5th, 2005 at 7:10 pm
good looking or not . . . I wouldn’t want to get in a fight with that dude.
July 6th, 2005 at 8:22 am
I would love to be ripped, but I dont have the genetics or the drive.
When guys look like this dude, they are dehydrated. When these guys hydrate themselves correctly they dont look as freakish. But that is what these guys do before competitions or photo shoots. I knew a body builder, and he would eat nothing but ricecakes before competitions.
July 6th, 2005 at 11:16 am
Thats really sad, to have to starve yourselves to look a certain way, that you think is sexy to the opposite sex. I’m sure there are plenty of women who would love to have a guy this built, but I’m not one of them, I think it looks horrible, and to be honest that its really not healthy if they are starving themselves. Then again, am I really healthy with all the fried foods, and junk I eat, instead of the fruits and veggies I could be eating in its stead?
Its all about personal opinion, and its fine that he and thousands of others choose to live their lives that way, but I can promise you this, I will never be, nor will I ever be with a person that obsessed with strength, and the way their body looks!
July 6th, 2005 at 11:18 am
Joey! What do you mean that you don’t have the genetics? I believe that genetics play a part in muscle and weight, but in the end, I think its the amount of time that a person puts in towards their goal.
My question is do you want to be ripped like this dude, or just be a little more muscular? I think your whole family looks good. Excercising is one thing, but obsessing over it and letting ot control your life is another.
July 6th, 2005 at 11:21 am
I don’t think that he would actually be that good in a fight! Of course he has muscle, but with being “dehydrated” and such, he wouldn’t last long in a fight, you’d have a good chance, if you were a little skilled with fighting.
For him, its all about looking strong, and dominate, and being able to look threatening but in reality, theirs probably a good chance that as I said, its just the look, and has nothing to with actual fighting strength.
July 6th, 2005 at 2:30 pm
I don’t think that he would actually be that good in a fight!
I’m not taking any chances
I enjoy my face and lake of broken bones waaay too much!
July 6th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
well… I am glad to hear that you prefer not to have damage to your body…
Not taking any chances is good, just try to stay away from the steroid useing man… who has no testicles, and a squeaky voice…hehe
BTW, I have no problems with people using steroids… it was just a joke.
July 6th, 2005 at 3:00 pm
I would always rather be in better shape.
Genetics play a major part in a person’s ability to lose weight and gain muscle. There is a portion that depends on how hard you are willing to work, but the experts know that there are a large portion of people who cannot look like Mr. Basedow here.
Steroids are bad for you and they are illegal.
The Testicle is actually a myth, but acne, hair loss and heart problems are not.
July 6th, 2005 at 3:48 pm
I knew that about the testicles… thats why it was a joke…hehe… But I really don’t have anything against anyone using steroids. I don’t believe that steroid use causes damage to the heart lungs, ect… only if oyu abuse the drug will it cause you that kind of damage. I saw a program that gave me insight on the matter.
July 6th, 2005 at 4:39 pm
Well, Real Sports on HBO did a program about it not effecting your heart. The Vast majority of what I have read says that it overworks the heart and destroys the kidneys. And they are illegal.
The Program stated that no one has ever died from steroid use, but that is because they count kidney failure and heart Attack as such. Just like no one really knows how many lung cancer patients come from smoking.
July 6th, 2005 at 4:54 pm
Thats is a good way to look at it. I have just as much against steroid use, as I do alcohol. Its something that a person takes at their own risk. Of course there are dangers of drinking but I’m sure you still have the occassional beer. Except their is a difference.
One guy is using steroids to look better, and the other guy is using alcohol to get drunk. Used in those terms, I’d say that that the illegal part should be switched.
July 6th, 2005 at 5:05 pm
here are symptoms of the illegal steroids for both sexes:
Both Sexes:
* Increased risk of mood disturbances including mania and depression
* Increased risk of psychosis
* Increased risk of aggressive acts which may injure self or others
* Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
* Increased risk of liver disease and cancer
* Increased risk of kidney disease and cancer
* Risk of HIV and Hepatitis B & C from contaminated needles
* Acne
* Decreased sex drive
* Baldness
* Water retention
* Muscle cramps
* Aching joints
* Increased risk of muscle tears
* Increased risk of tendon injuries
* Increased risk of nose bleeds
* Insomnia
* Decrease in immune system effectiveness
* Infertility
* Mental Addiction
Men:
* Increased risk of prostate enlargement and cancer
* Decreased testicular size
* Gynecomastia (growth of breasts)
Women:
* Increased risk of cervical and endometrial cancer
* Increased risk of osteoporosis
* Irreversible enlargement of the clitoris
* Irreversible hoarsening and deepening of the voice
* Irreversible increase in facial and body hair
* Decreased breast size
* Amenorrhea
* Uterine atrophy
Children:
* Short Stature
* Premature ephiphyseal closure
As you can see… men healthy adult men have the better outcome here.
http://www.gymaddiction.com/antisteroids.html
July 6th, 2005 at 5:10 pm
Here is the side effects of the legal alcohol use:
Difficulty walking
blurred vision
slurred speech
slowed reaction times
impaires memory
“We do know that heavy drinking may have extensive and far–reaching effects on the brain, ranging from simple “slipsâ€? in memory to permanent and debilitating conditions that require lifetime custodial care. And even moderate drinking leads to short–term impairment”
BLACKOUTS AND MEMORY LAPSES
“Women are more vulnerable than men to many of the medical consequences of alcohol use. For example, alcoholic women develop cirrhosis (5), alcohol–induced damage of the heart muscle (i.e., cardiomyopathy) (6), and nerve damage (i.e., peripheral neuropathy) (7) after fewer years of heavy drinking than do alcoholic men.”
BRAIN DAMAGE FROM OTHER CAUSES
Wernicke–Korsakoff Syndrome
LIVER DISEASE
“Drinking during pregnancy can lead to a range of physical, learning, and behavioral effects in the developing brain, the most serious of which is a collection of symptoms known as fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS). Children with FAS may have distinct facial features (see illustration). FAS infants also are markedly smaller than average. Their brains may have less volume (i.e., microencephaly). And they may have fewer numbers of brain cells (i.e., neurons) or fewer neurons that are able to function correctly, leading to long–term problems in learning and behavior.”
http://www.niaaa.nih.gov/publications/aa63/aa63.htm
July 6th, 2005 at 5:14 pm
“Alcoholics are not all alike. They experience different degrees of impairment, and the disease has different origins for different people. Consequently, researchers have not found conclusive evidence that any one variable is solely responsible for the brain deficits found in alcoholics.”
If this is true for alcoholics… could it not also be true for steroid users. We have laws saying that adults… 21 and over can drink… so why not regulate steroid use to just adults… who are informed about the risks of using the drug.
They don’t have children smoke or drink… and I undrstand that completely… why not give adults the informed decisions that they give us for smoking and drinking and apply the same laws or similar laws to steroid use?
July 7th, 2005 at 8:25 am
Why not allow adults who know the risks to use:
Marijuana, Cocaine, Acid, Meth. and many other illegal drugs that have devestating effect on families.
I guess the question is: Should we have the freedom to kill ourselves in manner?
July 7th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
They should make alcohol, cigarettes, and make over the counter medicine illegal… and use prescritions for it all.
July 7th, 2005 at 1:28 pm
So are you changing you opinion on the subject then?
July 7th, 2005 at 2:15 pm
No I’m not… I just said that due to your statement. I think that steroids are just as bad for you as anything else a person digests. That a person knows the risks when they take it, and that they are holding themselves responsible when they take that drug. If a person chooses to use it then thats their own business, and it only affects them. Of course the damages they cause to their families due to their addiction, or use, is thier own fault, and the person was weak in the first place to even start it.
However, I believe that steroids should be legal, and that their is not a single reason why other than hair loss, and acne as to why healthy adult men shouldn’t be allowed to take steroids. I see nothing wrong with them taking it. I also believe that a woman or child is stupid to take them with the problems that they show for them, but that in the end they know the risk, and still should have the right to choose.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:21 pm
I know that taking a simple drug like Asprin can cause this:
indigestion
Skin rashes
dramatic swelling of the face and mouth
difficulty breathing
Reye’s Syndrome-condition found in children
G6P-Deficiency-severe form of anaemia
http://www.medinfo.co.uk/drugs/aspirin.html
July 7th, 2005 at 2:22 pm
If I can take a single dose of asprin, and get these problems, then why should a single dose of steroids, that cause acne, and hair loss, be illegal?
July 7th, 2005 at 2:26 pm
“I guess the question is: Should we have the freedom to kill ourselves in manner?”
Their is no way to prevent someone from killing themselves… If you can’t find a drug to overdose on, or a weapon, then just think hard enough, and a person should be able to find something… afterall if you really want to kill yourself, a person will, so why prevent others the ability to do something good for themselves for people who plan to do bad things for themselves.
I’m not saying that their shouldn’t be laws against abuse of the product, but just that it shouldn’t be a pain to get something when your not doing bad with it.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:35 pm
ummm - Ditto, is this a sensitive issue with you?
July 7th, 2005 at 2:39 pm
But hair loss and acne are not the only side effects of steriods, which is why I asked
Should Marijuana, Cocaine, and other drugs be legal.
As a society sometimes you have to protect poeple from themselves.
Asprin actually helps most people deal with headaches, but they have to put those warnings out there because there are too many John Edwards out there ready to sue anyone and everyone.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:40 pm
Yes it is a sensative issue with me… I believe that steroids are fine and good to use… as long as you are a healthy adult male.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:43 pm
They put those waring signs on there because
“there are too many John Edwards out there ready to sue anyone and everyone.”
they put the warning signs on there, because during testing, people were suffereing from symptoms.
If what you say is true, then the warning signs they show for steroids are just to keep people from taking them, and sueing the company that makes them.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:45 pm
I believe that an adult should be able to take a drug, take a drink, or smoke a cigarette, as long as they are informed with detailed symptoms, and long term/short term case studies of continuous usage of the product.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:49 pm
what company llegally makes steriods for people without prescriptions?
None, because they are illegal in the first place except for cancer patients by prescription.
If someone illegally takes steriods, and gets sick, they can’t really sue the company that makes them.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:50 pm
I know the issues, problems, and symptoms of taking certain products.. so I don’t.
I have never tried a drug, nor have a tried a cigarette, and I rarely drink. When I say rarely drink, I mean maybe twice a year.
For proof of this ask Ramdac, or anyone else who I know.. they’ll tell you how I feel about it. I personally don’t agree with drugs and excessive drinking, I grew up with it around me, and I have choosen not to do it.
Just as I have choosen not to do it, others will too, its just a matter of personal opinion of it. A friend of mine knows the reasons of taking drugs, and drinking, yet he chooses to anyways, and thats his choice, I am still his friend, and I don’t rant on him for it.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:51 pm
I personally have my own addictive substance that I’ve been dealing with . . . chocolate!!
That stuff will clog your artories and kill you!
When I originally moved out of my parents house, I lost between 10-20 pounds. There was no huge change in my diet - I still ate the same basic foods but with only one difference - I couldn’t afford to buy chocolate
I recently moved back in with my parents temporarily - just until August 1. I’ve been there just about one month now and have, shockingly, gained it all back.
I certainly wish someone would make that stuff illegal. It is an addictive substance that is ruining my life! Several reasons:
1. It’s unhealthy.
2. The wrappers hidden in all corners of the room are gathering bugs. The bigs, in turn, attract spiders - which I detest.
3. No pretty girl wants to marry a fat guy - i.e. - I’m in danger of remaining single for a long, long, time (as no self-respecting guy wants to marry a fat girl).
In theory, chocolate should be outlawed. Why? Because I’m too much of a weenie to make a personal decision for myself and stop eating it. It’s addictive. It calls my name. I can’t resist!
In fact . . . I, uh, need to go check on something in the kitchen right now . . .
July 7th, 2005 at 2:51 pm
So any adult should be able to take any drug when ever he or she chooses?
Even if it rots the brain and slowly kills the body. Along with effecting the lives of people close to them.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:52 pm
“what company llegally makes steriods for people without prescriptions?”
I meant this as a hypathetical statement… Not that they do make them illegally, but if the companies made steroids legally, and could sell them without prescriptions… they could sell it over the counter, like asprin or other drugs.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:53 pm
Sugar is a very addictive product.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:56 pm
But the statement is true for asprin, and it doesnt work for steriods.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:57 pm
its that person’s choice if he wants to ruin his life, and his friends, and families… I mean the drug should be controlled like they do with alcohol, or whatever with test, and you can’t drive drunk ect… but whats done in your own home is your choice.
If the poeple close to you don’t want to be around it, then they should make a decision early on that they won’t date someone like that. If you are hurting oyur family by taking drugs, then the family can help if they want to, but int he end if the person wants to stop he will, if not then he won’t. If you really car about your family then you’d give it up to salvage a relationship with them.
July 7th, 2005 at 2:58 pm
Actually, I say all that to say this - alot of these things aren’t just a pill we pop in our mouth - not just something with some minimal side effects. Alot of this stuff is addictive and ruins lives.
I grew up in a house with a dad who drank alot of beer. It’s a tough habbit to break when you are addictied to the stuff. It’s a mind altering substance that can hurt and tear a family apart.
Years after his kids moved out the house, my dad finally broke the pattern of drinking in his life, started going to church, and made some serious changes in the way he lives his life. Unfortunately, alot of the scars are still there.
What I mean is this . . . even with all the warnings (his dad was an alcoholic also), people still make decisions that are detrimental to their lives - decisions that will injure themselves and others. Laws are in place to protect citizens . . . I’m still not sure whether I’m for the whole “protect them from themselves thing” . . . but if it gets into an area where it hurts other people, then steps need to be taken.
July 7th, 2005 at 3:00 pm
hmmmmm - I really don’t know a whole lot about the science of steriods. It’s also not a big “emotional” issue for me.
However, I do know several people who have taken steriods on a regular basis. All of them had obvious side effects from them that were harmful. A few of the people I am thinking of have their lives in shambles to this day, others have emotional troubles, and a few only seem to suffer from physical problems because of them.
Just through personal observation I have not seen them have many positive effects.
July 7th, 2005 at 3:07 pm
I agree…with that Josh, protect others…but in the end its up to the abuser to decide if they really care enough to not use it. If they aren’t causing harm to anyone then why stop… but if they are then laws should be in place because of it. I think that stricter laws should be in place for those that get caught hurting somone else due to drugs or alcohol… such as if you do… you can’t use the product anymore, and regular test are taken to prove that your not using it.
I grew up with an alcoholic mother… who was never there for me and my siblings. I have a lot of hate for her to be honest, and I to this day I still don’t have a good relationship with her, although, I try to be reasonable. She is still an alcoholic, and I’ve come to realize that she won’t change and that I can’t expect her to. But in the end, I wasn’t enough to make her want to stop, even though I’m the one who had to go through a lifetime of pain due to her.
even though I went through all of this, I still believe what I believe due to my own familie’s experience with these issues.
July 7th, 2005 at 3:09 pm
Ryan… I haven’t seen anyone with problems due to steroids… other than the fact that they were abusing the drug.
If your friends weren’t abusing then I change my mind.. but from the evidence that I’ve seen, I have to believe that non abusers are fine. As long as they are healthy adult men.
July 7th, 2005 at 3:13 pm
I tell ya what… it’s hard as HELL to look like that guy. I’ve been working out 3 to 4 times a week for the last 7 or 8 months. I’ve run hundreds of miles, thousands of situps/crunches/abs, and literally millions of pounds of weights. I don’t do it to look like that guy. And believe me… I don’t. I think Joey’s right. It has to do with genetics and fanatacism.
I don’t have huge muscles or totally ripped abs. My 6-pack is a few ounces short. But I look and feel better than I did before. I drink lots less coffee, have more energy for my daughter, and am enjoying life more in general.
With history of heart disease in my family, I just can’t take the risk of not being healthy.
July 7th, 2005 at 3:15 pm
But that is the problem ditto, alcohol and drugs and indirectly effect alot of people.
It is hard to determine what effects other people, BUt even you admit harbouring some feelings about your mother, so it obviously effected you. Some people might not deal with it as well as you.
July 7th, 2005 at 3:40 pm
This is a touchy subject I know… but its just how I feel.. I respect the way you feel too. However, in the end it, no matter what laws, or how much love you may or may not have for a person, in the end, its all a matter of self control, and if a person is trusted with the amounts of the product they use. In small amounts, its virtually impossable to cause harm to yourself. But if you take too much, then I take no pity ont he person, and laws should be inplace for those that abuse, not those that use it correctly.
July 7th, 2005 at 4:06 pm
Drugs eliminate self control. Addiction doesnt allow someone to have self control. The only self control is to not take it in the first place.
July 7th, 2005 at 4:07 pm
I am not telling you to believe the way I do. I am just telling you what I believe, and why I think you are wrong.
Drugs versus freedom is always a touchy subject.
July 7th, 2005 at 4:10 pm
yes it is
July 7th, 2005 at 5:08 pm
Life’s too short to try to spend so much of your time trying to look like that guy.
With my defective gene pool (a mother who had cancer and a father who had quadruple bypass, both at 48), I do work out, but all I have to show for it are broad shoulders……….no muscles, no six-pack abs.
But didn’t Arnold Schwarzenegger himself have heart surgery just a few years ago?
When my great-grandfather wasn’t busy being an alcoholic, he was smoking, and he lived to be 99-years-old, and was mentally sharp until the day he died (just like George Burns).
Everyone else in my family, however, those who abstained from both, made it to about 75, and one was senile the last 10 years of his life.
I suspect genetics play more of a factor than lifestyle.