Infomercials

What is it about the human psyche that allows a person to get sucked into the infomercial (oh come on, you know you've done it!)?

Yesterday at about 5:30 p.m. after my daycare kids left and dinner was in the oven, I decided to sit down for about a half hour and catch up on the local news. As I clicked on the T.V., there it was staring me right in the face - "Tony Little's Balance Board!"

I was instantly mesmerized by this small contraption that you had to stand on, balance yourself and rock side to side. Or of course, you could do squats while you balance, use hand weights to intensify the workout while you balance, dance to some groovy music while you balance, pretend you're street skating while you balance, etc., etc.. Oh, and you do realize that you can just stand on it while you talk on your cell phone and get a great workout because all of your core muscles are engaged simply by balancing (really, I know this because a lady demonstrated it for me).

I couldn't help myself! It just slipped out...

"Honey...I want one of these!"

"Carrie, you have a gym membership!"

"Oh yeah, BUT it's only $54.95! And get this...you can do two flex payments of only $27.50!!"

"Carrie, don't be ridiculous, just get on the floor and do some damn crunches!"

"I know, but it looks like so much fun!"

Infomercials (and I say that in the exact same manner in which Seinfeld used to say "Newman")!Books, make-up, jewelery, shoes, face cream, even an ugly polyester tunic shirt looks inviting on an infomercial...

"But honey, look how beautifully it falls."

I'm willing to bet that a perfectly intelligent, well educated person, at just the right moment, could get sucked into the infomercial.

I don't know, maybe I'll have to consult my cousin the psychiatrist on this one, but in the meantime, don't be surprised if the next time you walk into my house you're greeted by a Tony Little Balance Board (only $54.95)!

xo,
Carrie