Reblogged from Don Massenzio…the first part of his continuing story…part 9 out now…

This week’s story comes from my own struggle to maintain my weight and get fit. Everyone is wearing Fit Bits, Apple Watches or other devices that track their steps, heart rate, and give gentle reminders to move. Apple has announced a next generation device that can actually track blood sugar levels.

I started thinking, what if a device became available that took things one step further. That’s where I started this story. It’s going to be a two-parter, so please enjoy the first part of No Pain, No Gain

No Pain, No Gain

Joyce couldn’t wait to get her stylish new personal fitness device. She had saved up for the latest Buff Cuff. It was not cheap, but the girls in the office all had them. Most had received them as gifts from their boyfriends or husbands. Joyce didn’t have either of these, so she had to buy one for herself, but that was okay. If it worked as advertised, she would have a boyfriend or husband soon.

Joyce had tried everything to lose weight. Diets, exercise and pills had not worked. She looked into bariatric surgery and was not a candidate. She was about 35-40 pounds overweight which was below the threshold for which insurance would pay for the surgery. She even considered gaining enough weight to qualify for the surgery, but that seemed self-destructive, especially with her borderline hypertension and diabetes.

Her doctor had sent her to a nutritionist, but nothing seemed to help. Then she saw an infomercial for the Buff Cuff. Its technology was cutting edge and the spots featured numerous testimonials, some from women just like Joyce, touting the product and its life-changing benefits.

When Joyce saw the price, about what she made in a month, she hesitated. These infomercials could be biased and misleading and, when weighing the priority of rent, her POS car and utilities, the Buff Cuff seemed like a reckless purchase. Then her coworkers started raving about the ones they received and started showing results.

Marcy, who was pregnant more often than not, had received one as a present from her husband. After she started using hers, her baby weight began to drop off almost instantly. She was thinner and more fit than anyone in the office had ever seen her. Her energy level improved as did the quality of her work.

Then Jennifer, the leading office donut and cake consumer, started noticeably trimming down when her husband gave her a Buff Cuff for her birthday. Her eating habits changed and she started working out at the gym at the end of each day.

Continue reading: Saturday Short Story – No Pain, No Gain | Author Don Massenzio