Overheard at Work

[infogoon]

Hahaha! I am currently reading from the company iPad. Executive within my department is an Ifreak and upgrades every time a new Idevice comes out. Two IPads ago, I received the old one. It is really nice, but it isn't nearly as good as my ancient laptop I have had since college. Spreadsheets being a big one. I think a lot of people would agree on this board.

iPads are terrible for creating content, in general. They're really designed more for consumption.

I'm heavily involved with the mobility program for my employer; there are a lot of specific use cases that tablets are great for, but they're just awful for general office productivity.

[rocksinmyhead]

I think I have a pretty good one.

When I started my job I was given a company iPad. I think an older one - it is four years old now. I never use it, because I know I am going to retire in the next couple of years and I didn't want to get attached/break it. My coworker uses his all the time and something stopped working. He asked our supervisor for a new one. This caused us all to get brand new iPad Airs. I even said I didn't want one, and that my current one was fine. Nope, still have a brand new iPad Air. Not even sure exactly what they are doing with the old ones.

I confess we're hooked on our iPad-- it has 3G and we use it a lot while traveling.  That said, my husband does not have a cell phone and I only have a work one-- so the iPad is our primary lifeline to the world when we travel, at $20/month (which we can turn off and on as needed).  That also said, it's about four years old, still works great, and (knock on wood) there's no reason to fix what isn't broken.

Hahaha! I am currently reading from the company iPad. Executive within my department is an Ifreak and upgrades every time a new Idevice comes out. Two IPads ago, I received the old one. It is really nice, but it isn't nearly as good as my ancient laptop I have had since college. Spreadsheets being a big one. I think a lot of people would agree on this board.

yeah, I have not really understood the appeal of an iPad. if I'm out and about, my phone is fine, I don't need a huge screen. if I'm sitting down somewhere, I'd rather just have a fully functional laptop (or even a Surface or similar... not that I would ever spend that much money, but my dad has one and it's pretty sweet). I guess I can see it as a good kid entertainment device, as much as I hate that idea :)

Hahaha! I am currently reading from the company iPad. Executive within my department is an Ifreak and upgrades every time a new Idevice comes out. Two IPads ago, I received the old one. It is really nice, but it isn't nearly as good as my ancient laptop I have had since college. Spreadsheets being a big one. I think a lot of people would agree on this board.

iPads are terrible for creating content, in general. They're really designed more for consumption.

yeah, that makes sense to me!

[Daleth]

Point of order:
There's consumerist sucka, and then there's functional shit that takes a beating and still delivers. I got tired of struggling with cheap hand-me-down vaccums and spent ~$300 on a refurb Dyson, which still sucks like a pro after 4 years. The dog hair it's processed could clothe an army. Thus, I consider this no more wasteful than my commercial-grade mop bucket, or my DeWalt tools, all of which are like new (functionally) after at least that long. If any of them broke, I'd fix them - because they're quality tools built to last, which makes them worth fixing. Not so much with the things I used to have.
In your CW's case, the merits of fixing vs. replacing would depend on the original equipment. If they actually got something better that will require less maintenance in the long run, and for only $63, then bravo. Now all they need to do is figure out a way to cash out any remaining value in that old one....

Can't agree more. We have a refurbished dyson (bought from Woot) and I think I'm going to get a Mielhe next time...

A third vote for that! I got a discontinued floor-model Miele for half price on eBay, and a friend got one used on Craigslist. FANTASTIC vacuum cleaners. If at some distant point in the future it breaks, I can get parts cheap on eBay too.

[pancakes]

I overheard a co-worker who is always complaining about CC debt (but unwilling to take any serious steps to pay it back quickly) chatting this week about how a sibling returned a car they had been borrowing.

I chimed in to ask if this was a second car and the answer was yes. I suggested selling one of the cars to pay back some of the debt and it was explained to me that this was a terrible idea because:

1. the car is worth $1000-$1500 and this is "not enough to make it worth selling"
and
2. a second car is needed to transport pets around so that pet hair doesn't get in the primary car.

Apparently everyone else in the office agrees that the above are valid points.

[Pooperman]

I overheard a co-worker who is always complaining about CC debt (but unwilling to take any serious steps to pay it back quickly) chatting this week about how a sibling returned a car they had been borrowing.

I chimed in to ask if this was a second car and the answer was yes. I suggested selling one of the cars to pay back some of the debt and it was explained to me that this was a terrible idea because:

1. the car is worth $1000-$1500 and this is "not enough to make it worth selling"
and
2. a second car is needed to transport pets around so that pet hair doesn't get in the primary car.

Apparently everyone else in the office agrees that the above are valid points.

But if the car is only worth $1500, who cares about dog hair? Plastic bags are cheaper than a new car anyways...

[zolotiyeruki]

I overheard a co-worker who is always complaining about CC debt (but unwilling to take any serious steps to pay it back quickly) chatting this week about how a sibling returned a car they had been borrowing.

I chimed in to ask if this was a second car and the answer was yes. I suggested selling one of the cars to pay back some of the debt and it was explained to me that this was a terrible idea because:

1. the car is worth $1000-$1500 and this is "not enough to make it worth selling"
and
2. a second car is needed to transport pets around so that pet hair doesn't get in the primary car.

Apparently everyone else in the office agrees that the above are valid points.

But if the car is only worth $1500, who cares about dog hair? Plastic bags are cheaper than a new car anyways...

I think the point they were making is "we'll use the old, junky car for hauling around the pets, and keep the nicer (primary) car pet-free".

It.....kinda makes sense, I guess.  But only if you consider the cost of that second vehicle (gas, insurance, registration, maintenance, etc) to be part of the cost of owning pets.

[Pooperman]

I overheard a co-worker who is always complaining about CC debt (but unwilling to take any serious steps to pay it back quickly) chatting this week about how a sibling returned a car they had been borrowing.

I chimed in to ask if this was a second car and the answer was yes. I suggested selling one of the cars to pay back some of the debt and it was explained to me that this was a terrible idea because:

1. the car is worth $1000-$1500 and this is "not enough to make it worth selling"
and
2. a second car is needed to transport pets around so that pet hair doesn't get in the primary car.

Apparently everyone else in the office agrees that the above are valid points.

But if the car is only worth $1500, who cares about dog hair? Plastic bags are cheaper than a new car anyways...

I think the point they were making is "we'll use the old, junky car for hauling around the pets, and keep the nicer (primary) car pet-free".

It.....kinda makes sense, I guess.  But only if you consider the cost of that second vehicle (gas, insurance, registration, maintenance, etc) to be part of the cost of owning pets.

I guess I'm too mustachian and it makes no sense to me :D.

[theadvicist]

I guess I'm too mustachian and it makes no sense to me :D.

Nor I. So your dog is too dirty to go in your car, but you let it live in your house? Huh?

[mtn]

I overheard a co-worker who is always complaining about CC debt (but unwilling to take any serious steps to pay it back quickly) chatting this week about how a sibling returned a car they had been borrowing.

I chimed in to ask if this was a second car and the answer was yes. I suggested selling one of the cars to pay back some of the debt and it was explained to me that this was a terrible idea because:

1. the car is worth $1000-$1500 and this is "not enough to make it worth selling"
and
2. a second car is needed to transport pets around so that pet hair doesn't get in the primary car.

Apparently everyone else in the office agrees that the above are valid points.

But if the car is only worth $1500, who cares about dog hair? Plastic bags are cheaper than a new car anyways...

I think the point they were making is "we'll use the old, junky car for hauling around the pets, and keep the nicer (primary) car pet-free".

It.....kinda makes sense, I guess.  But only if you consider the cost of that second vehicle (gas, insurance, registration, maintenance, etc) to be part of the cost of owning pets.

Makes perfect sense to me, after I just spent 10 minutes at the office with a lint roller getting my dogs hair off of me--and that was after 15 minutes in the car with a vacuum and a lint roller getting it off of the seats.

But I don't have credit card debt, or any debt for that matter.

[Megma]

I overheard a co-worker who is always complaining about CC debt (but unwilling to take any serious steps to pay it back quickly) chatting this week about how a sibling returned a car they had been borrowing.

I chimed in to ask if this was a second car and the answer was yes. I suggested selling one of the cars to pay back some of the debt and it was explained to me that this was a terrible idea because:

1. the car is worth $1000-$1500 and this is "not enough to make it worth selling"
and
2. a second car is needed to transport pets around so that pet hair doesn't get in the primary car.

Apparently everyone else in the office agrees that the above are valid points.

If the old car isn't worth enough to make it worth selling, they should sell the main/fancy car and pay off the debt and drive around the old one! They can also buy a 3-pack of lint rollers for ~$5 to take care of the pet hair issue.

 Honestly it's not like they won't have pet hair on them all the time anyway just because the pets don't go in their main car, so they would need the lint rollers in addition to the 2 cars.

[zephyr911]

I think the point they were making is "we'll use the old, junky car for hauling around the pets, and keep the nicer (primary) car pet-free".

It.....kinda makes sense, I guess.  But only if you consider the cost of that second vehicle (gas, insurance, registration, maintenance, etc) to be part of the cost of owning pets.

You know for $5 they could get a blanket and cover the seats. Eejits.
I literally still have traces of new car smell (3yo/35k miles) and it works with two stinky dogs. I haul their furry asses all over town like that.

[Sibley]

I overheard a co-worker who is always complaining about CC debt (but unwilling to take any serious steps to pay it back quickly) chatting this week about how a sibling returned a car they had been borrowing.

I chimed in to ask if this was a second car and the answer was yes. I suggested selling one of the cars to pay back some of the debt and it was explained to me that this was a terrible idea because:

1. the car is worth $1000-$1500 and this is "not enough to make it worth selling"
and
2. a second car is needed to transport pets around so that pet hair doesn't get in the primary car.

Apparently everyone else in the office agrees that the above are valid points.

If the old car isn't worth enough to make it worth selling, they should sell the main/fancy car and pay off the debt and drive around the old one! They can also buy a 3-pack of lint rollers for ~$5 to take care of the pet hair issue.

 Honestly it's not like they won't have pet hair on them all the time anyway just because the pets don't go in their main car, so they would need the lint rollers in addition to the 2 cars.

Oh god, yes. Pet hair is everywhere, you can never get rid of it completely.

[frugalnacho]

"I just hired a financial manager, to manage my finances.  Only $750 a year."  Yeesh.

Sounds a lot better than someone charging a percentage when you have a lot of money.  Like my boss paying an adviser 1% to manage his finances.   He has a heck of a lot more than $75k being manage, meaning he pays a heck of a lot more than $750/yr.

[ysette9]

I am definitely not a dog person so I probably just don't get it. I wouldn't want dog fur all over the inside of my car. Then again, I don't want dog fur all over the inside of my house!

Seems like if you sign up to love and care for these beasts, dog fur comes as part of the package. If you don't want dog fur in your nice car, either your car is too nice or you shouldn't have pets.....?

[MgoSam]

I am definitely not a dog person so I probably just don't get it. I wouldn't want dog fur all over the inside of my car. Then again, I don't want dog fur all over the inside of my house!

Seems like if you sign up to love and care for these beasts, dog fur comes as part of the package. If you don't want dog fur in your nice car, either your car is too nice or you shouldn't have pets.....?

Or you could do as my parents did and get a non-shedding dog. Of course there is still some cleanup to be done but there isn't a ton of hair all over the place. I would love to get a dog some day but I want to first ensure that I am capable of giving the dog the attention and love they will deserve and require, and am in a place where I am ok with the inevitable damage they may cause (chewing, urinating, damage to other things, ect).

[zephyr911]

Or you could do as my parents did and get a non-shedding dog. Of course there is still some cleanup to be done but there isn't a ton of hair all over the place. I would love to get a dog some day but I want to first ensure that I am capable of giving the dog the attention and love they will deserve and require, and am in a place where I am ok with the inevitable damage they may cause (chewing, urinating, damage to other things, ect).

Much respect for that. It's a shame how many people don't think about these things before getting one.
I went the first decade of my adulthood loving the idea but knowing my lifestyle wouldn't support it. Once I made the jump, I never looked back, but I'm glad I waited.
Now they're such a part of my life that I can't imagine being without them. :D <3

[mtn]

Or you could do as my parents did and get a non-shedding dog. Of course there is still some cleanup to be done but there isn't a ton of hair all over the place. I would love to get a dog some day but I want to first ensure that I am capable of giving the dog the attention and love they will deserve and require, and am in a place where I am ok with the inevitable damage they may cause (chewing, urinating, damage to other things, ect).

Much respect for that. It's a shame how many people don't think about these things before getting one.
I went the first decade of my adulthood loving the idea but knowing my lifestyle wouldn't support it. Once I made the jump, I never looked back, but I'm glad I waited.
Now they're such a part of my life that I can't imagine being without them. :D <3

Agree completely. Fiance and I want a dog badly (the dog referenced above is actually my parents; I'm living with them until Fiance gets a job where I am), but we're not home enough to be fair to the dog. Especially when you consider the amount of love and joy they give to you.

Heck, I feel bad that my parents dog is alone for 7-8 hours a day, even though I know he just sleeps all day (old dog, wasn't always alone all day)

[EricL]

There are a lot of uses for cat and dog hair varying from silly to ingenius.  I'd post links but there are so many it would be gratuitous. Search.

[LennStar]

I literally still have traces of new car smell (3yo/35k miles)

Argh, I hate that stink. And there are people buying spray for their car so that the stink continues. brrrrrr

[boyerbt]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

[iamlindoro]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

Heh, fun fact, my good friend won BL a few years ago.  The real money is in all the endorsements and after the fact corporate attention.

[boyerbt]

Same CW who told me earlier that $250k wasn’t that much money now just reminded me about the “great deal” that a local grocery delivery service is currently offering…

Spend $30 (plus delivery fee) and get a free bag of baby carrots which costs $0.99 at most stores.

I don’t think that she understands that carrots really aren’t free and that the service is costing you more money than the time it is saving by not going to the store…I’ve never understood the allure of these services.

[MgoSam]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

Heh, fun fact, my good friend won BL a few years ago.  The real money is in all the endorsements and after the fact corporate attention.

Congrats to your friend! Yeah, the prize money is likely great by itself but I imagine the additional perks are nice. Plus I'm sure that they will want to bring you back in from time to time. Has your friend managed to keep off the weight and are they happy with the changes?

[iamlindoro]

Congrats to your friend! Yeah, the prize money is likely great by itself but I imagine the additional perks are nice. Plus I'm sure that they will want to bring you back in from time to time. Has your friend managed to keep off the weight and are they happy with the changes?

Yeah, you're spot on- they bring her back all the time both for the show and for events at all their related businesses (the weight loss resorts, etc).  She's kept the weight off and looks great.  Her whole life is about fitness now, so it seems like she is sought after as a spokesperson and she just generally seems very happy (we live across the country from one another now, so my updates are all through Facebook).  She's definitely on the "loves it, wouldn't change a thing" end of the BL contestant spectrum.  It's always funny to be in line at the supermarket and see your friend on one of those trashy celeb/lifestyle magazines :D (She's not trashy, though, she's just a normal person who ended up a small/medium reality star)

[MgoSam]

Congrats to your friend! Yeah, the prize money is likely great by itself but I imagine the additional perks are nice. Plus I'm sure that they will want to bring you back in from time to time. Has your friend managed to keep off the weight and are they happy with the changes?

Yeah, you're spot on- they bring her back all the time both for the show and for events at all their related businesses (the weight loss resorts, etc).  She's kept the weight off and looks great.  Her whole life is about fitness now, so it seems like she is sought after as a spokesperson and she just generally seems very happy (we live across the country from one another now, so my updates are all through Facebook).  She's definitely on the "loves it, wouldn't change a thing" end of the BL contestant spectrum.  It's always funny to be in line at the supermarket and see your friend on one of those trashy celeb/lifestyle magazines :D (She's not trashy, though, she's just a normal person who ended up a small/medium reality star)

That's awesome. I imagine it could be easier to be fitness-oriented when it also becomes your livelihood :-).

[greenmimama]

Congrats to your friend! Yeah, the prize money is likely great by itself but I imagine the additional perks are nice. Plus I'm sure that they will want to bring you back in from time to time. Has your friend managed to keep off the weight and are they happy with the changes?

Yeah, you're spot on- they bring her back all the time both for the show and for events at all their related businesses (the weight loss resorts, etc).  She's kept the weight off and looks great.  Her whole life is about fitness now, so it seems like she is sought after as a spokesperson and she just generally seems very happy (we live across the country from one another now, so my updates are all through Facebook).  She's definitely on the "loves it, wouldn't change a thing" end of the BL contestant spectrum.  It's always funny to be in line at the supermarket and see your friend on one of those trashy celeb/lifestyle magazines :D (She's not trashy, though, she's just a normal person who ended up a small/medium reality star)

Good for her! I used t be a big fan of the show, I probably remember her. That has got to be such a weird transition to have the pseudo fame and have people judging and commenting on your weight all the time, at least now it's because she looks good!

[zephyr911]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

I'd have happily pointed out that such a windfall would not only double my net worth but multiply my free cash numerous times over and create massive opportunities I wouldn't otherwise have for years to come. Who are these people?

[dragoncar]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

I mean it isn't enough to do "anything"-- I wouldn't risk my health or life to win 250k.  I've never watched the show but I'm guessing you basically have to lose weight at an unhealthy rate to win (Maybe it's ok if a doctor is supplementing)

[dsmexpat]

I think it mostly comes down to the general desire to diminish anything you don't have as not worth having.

[Hedge_87]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

I mean it isn't enough to do "anything"-- I wouldn't risk my health or life to win 250k.  I've never watched the show but I'm guessing you basically have to lose weight at an unhealthy rate to win (Maybe it's ok if a doctor is supplementing)

While I agree it's probably not healthy  to drop that much weight that quickly. However the argument could be made that being 2x or more over what your bodyweight should be is just as bad if not worse . I used to really enjoy the show atleast the actual weight loss part and watching them progress. Most of the contestants had a very long list of medical problems onset by being overweight and having a horrible diet.

[dragoncar]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

I mean it isn't enough to do "anything"-- I wouldn't risk my health or life to win 250k.  I've never watched the show but I'm guessing you basically have to lose weight at an unhealthy rate to win (Maybe it's ok if a doctor is supplementing)

While I agree it's probably not healthy  to drop that much weight that quickly. However the argument could be made that being 2x or more over what your bodyweight should be is just as bad if not worse . I used to really enjoy the show atleast the actual weight loss part and watching them progress. Most of the contestants had a very long list of medical problems onset by being overweight and having a horrible diet.

It's bad to stay obese, but if you can lose weight quickly you can lose weight slowly.  If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

[Melody]

$1000 suitcase...
WTF?

[Tallgirl1204]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

I mean it isn't enough to do "anything"-- I wouldn't risk my health or life to win 250k.  I've never watched the show but I'm guessing you basically have to lose weight at an unhealthy rate to win (Maybe it's ok if a doctor is supplementing)

While I agree it's probably not healthy  to drop that much weight that quickly. However the argument could be made that being 2x or more over what your bodyweight should be is just as bad if not worse . I used to really enjoy the show atleast the actual weight loss part and watching them progress. Most of the contestants had a very long list of medical problems onset by being overweight and having a horrible diet.

It's bad to stay obese, but if you can lose weight quickly you can lose weight slowly.  If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

I don't know if I agree with your statement that "if you can lose weight quickly you can lose weight slowly."  Maybe it's true in theory, but to live at a "camp" where you have personal training every day, regular consultations with doctors and nutritionists-- along with the competition and camaraderie of others in a similar situation' PLUS the knowledge that the whole world is watching... Those are some remarkably powerful drivers that are not available to someone trying to do it slowly...

Maybe there's a metaphor here with the kind of saving and frugality -- I.e. Money diet-- that many of us on this board are on? 

[gimp]

There's a pretty good metaphor, but pointing it out on this forum just gets butthurt fatties telling you you're wrong. We've been down this road, it's pretty sad; apparently excess expenditure is bad but excess eating (which, by the way, costs a lot of money) is "not their fault." To their credit, probably half the folks here agree with you, though, so hooray, 50%.

[Tallgirl1204]

There's a pretty good metaphor, but pointing it out on this forum just gets butthurt fatties telling you you're wrong. We've been down this road, it's pretty sad; apparently excess expenditure is bad but excess eating (which, by the way, costs a lot of money) is "not their fault." To their credit, probably half the folks here agree with you, though, so hooray, 50%.

I need to point out here that I don't want to be associated with calling anyone a "fattie."  This is the kind of language that would get my hackles up if I was struggling with my weight, and I don't want to start another flame fest about it. 

I think I was trying to say that losing weight in a dedicated and intense effort, as opposed to slowly, is related to what some of us are doing here in terms of saving money at an accelerated rate relative to the general population.  For some people, looking at a slow weight loss over a very long period is so intimidating that they never start-- treating it like a "hair on fire" emergency is going to be more successful.

This was in response to the person who said that slower weight loss was probably physically more healthy than faster weight loss-- which may be true, but there is a psychological factor regarding making deep sacrifices for a shorter period vs. marginal sacrifices for a very long time, that I think Mustachians can appreciate.

[Cassie]

I actually have lost 27 lbs over the past 8 months. When you are older if you lose weight too fast your skin sags & does not snap back. Also I wanted to make it my new lifestyle so I did something that I can maintain.  Whatever works for people is fine. I feel much better now & have the energy to exercise daily. My back no longer hurts, etc. My BP is down, bloodwork all good, etc.

[merula]

I actually have lost 27 lbs over the past 8 months. When you are older if you lose weight too fast your skin sags & does not snap back. Also I wanted to make it my new lifestyle so I did something that I can maintain.  Whatever works for people is fine. I feel much better now & have the energy to exercise daily. My back no longer hurts, etc. My BP is down, bloodwork all good, etc.

Nice job! 2lbs/week is still an impressive pace, and 8 months is a long time to be keeping that up.

[Cassie]

Thanks! I also did something that i was told to do by a healthcare professional. She told me not to eat less then 1600 calories/day 6 days a week. Then on one day eat what I want. Not only does it keep me motivated but the day after I eat what I want I normally see a loss. It is because it keeps my body confused so it does not think I am starving & lower my metabolism. 

[Otsog]

Is body confusion actually a thing? Sounds a bit like "muscle confusion"....

[boyerbt]

Discussing a TV show competition (Biggest Loser) with a cash payout:

Me: With a prize of $250k on the line, I would pretty much do anything to guarantee the win and the cash.
CW1: $250k really isn't that much
CW2: Yeah, $250k is basically only a house - I wouldn’t go that crazy.
Me: “blank stare…”

I mean it isn't enough to do "anything"-- I wouldn't risk my health or life to win 250k.  I've never watched the show but I'm guessing you basically have to lose weight at an unhealthy rate to win (Maybe it's ok if a doctor is supplementing)

I was exaggerating a bit but I did say "pretty much anything" so I think that limits it a bit.

I cannot say for certain how unhealthy or healthy it is to lose the large amounts of weight that most contestants do on the BL show as I do not have any technical degrees regarding the subjects. However, my best guess is that most of the contestants prior to the show were living moderately to extremely sedentary lifestyle while simultaneously consuming much more calories that is typically recommended. Once a person is on the show his/her life is changed 180°. Each persons' diet is closely monitored and the contestants are now working our several times a day. I can only imagine that because of the drastic changes that the excess weight begins to "fall" off in a fairly healthy manner.

My $0.02.

[zephyr911]

If you can dodge a wrench, you can dodge a ball.

When you can balance a tack hammer on your head, you will head off your foes with a balanced attack.

[mtn]

On the "It is unhealthy to lose weight that fast" line of thought:

I am 5'10", 210. I need to lose about 15-30 pounds. It would be unhealthy for me to lose that over a month or two, three is pushing the limit on the healthy weight loss thing.

The people on this show are morbidly obese. They can lose probably 2x-3x as much as I can in a shorter amount of time and still be healthy. They have a lot more fat to burn, they have a lot more calories to cut, and they have a lot more moving to do to catch up to where I am not even exercising. So, yes, it is unhealthy to lose weight fast. But they're really not losing weight that fast, especially when you look at it on a percentage basis.

Source: picked up from years of living with nurses, dietitians, and fitness professionals.

[slugline]

However, my best guess is that most of the contestants prior to the show were living moderately to extremely sedentary lifestyle while simultaneously consuming much more calories that is typically recommended. Once a person is on the show his/her life is changed 180°. Each persons' diet is closely monitored and the contestants are now working our several times a day. I can only imagine that because of the drastic changes that the excess weight begins to "fall" off in a fairly healthy manner.

Casual observation from watching a couple early TBL seasons: The contestants are basically changing careers temporarily -- a "mini-retirement" if you will. They leave their normal job and family life for many weeks to basically live the life of a focused pro athlete with prescribed eating,  training, and lack of distraction. I consider it a wonderful potential  benefit of FI/RE. Once you control your own schedule, you can take whatever time you need to focus on living a healthy lifestyle.

[QuirkyNurse]

So, we're discussing tax returns during our down time, and one of the recently graduated nurses wondered aloud what she should do with her hefty tax return. I immediately quipped that she should put it towards her student loans or towards credit card debt if she had no loans, and she just looked at me blankly like I'm some kind of idiot. Her response? "I'll have my student loans the rest of my life so there's no use putting extra towards them. And even if I did pay off a credit card, I have another one maxed out so it just ends up being a waste."

I attempted to explain snow-balling payments and how she would be freeing up a lot more money in her budget, and she laughed, said she found budgets annoying, and was probably going to buy a coach purse or something because she "deserves it". I put all $3000 of my returns towards my loans. Sorry for the overwhelming air of superiority I have - I don't mean to be snooty, but gee whiz! The solution is right in front of her and she refuses to acknowledge it!

[dsmexpat]

So, we're discussing tax returns during our down time, and one of the recently graduated nurses wondered aloud what she should do with her hefty tax return. I immediately quipped that she should put it towards her student loans or towards credit card debt if she had no loans, and she just looked at me blankly like I'm some kind of idiot. Her response? "I'll have my student loans the rest of my life so there's no use putting extra towards them. And even if I did pay off a credit card, I have another one maxed out so it just ends up being a waste."

I attempted to explain snow-balling payments and how she would be freeing up a lot more money in her budget, and she laughed, said she found budgets annoying, and was probably going to buy a coach purse or something because she "deserves it". I put all $3000 of my returns towards my loans. Sorry for the overwhelming air of superiority I have - I don't mean to be snooty, but gee whiz! The solution is right in front of her and she refuses to acknowledge it!

Blessed are those that only make minimum payments so that we may reap the 3% cashback rewards.

[zephyr911]

So, we're discussing tax returns during our down time, and one of the recently graduated nurses wondered aloud what she should do with her hefty tax return. I immediately quipped that she should put it towards her student loans or towards credit card debt if she had no loans, and she just looked at me blankly like I'm some kind of idiot. Her response? "I'll have my student loans the rest of my life so there's no use putting extra towards them. And even if I did pay off a credit card, I have another one maxed out so it just ends up being a waste."

I attempted to explain snow-balling payments and how she would be freeing up a lot more money in her budget, and she laughed, said she found budgets annoying, and was probably going to buy a coach purse or something because she "deserves it". I put all $3000 of my returns towards my loans. Sorry for the overwhelming air of superiority I have - I don't mean to be snooty, but gee whiz! The solution is right in front of her and she refuses to acknowledge it!

I have never understood the idea of not doing what you can, just because you can't do everything immediately. Learned helplessness?

[Otsog]

I don't mean to be snooty, but gee whiz!

The phrase 'gee whiz' automatically cancels out any snootiness in a post. See also: gee wilikers, aw shucks and goodness gracious.

[Kris]

So, we're discussing tax returns during our down time, and one of the recently graduated nurses wondered aloud what she should do with her hefty tax return. I immediately quipped that she should put it towards her student loans or towards credit card debt if she had no loans, and she just looked at me blankly like I'm some kind of idiot. Her response? "I'll have my student loans the rest of my life so there's no use putting extra towards them. And even if I did pay off a credit card, I have another one maxed out so it just ends up being a waste."

I attempted to explain snow-balling payments and how she would be freeing up a lot more money in her budget, and she laughed, said she found budgets annoying, and was probably going to buy a coach purse or something because she "deserves it". I put all $3000 of my returns towards my loans. Sorry for the overwhelming air of superiority I have - I don't mean to be snooty, but gee whiz! The solution is right in front of her and she refuses to acknowledge it!

Wow.  I think this is one of the worst stories on here. Holy crap.

[LennStar]

on fast weight loss, too:
Just remember that 2kg of fat contain the energy for a whole week! Of course you can up that usage with sports etc. but then you cant do that without eating or you will simply drop "dread" on day 3. Also sports tend to lower your blood suger extremely which makes you crave sweets which have always more calories then you have burnt by sports.

Its better to do it slowly, like 1lb per week or even less. (of course its different for the people in the show, these are extreme cases).
First step is to learn to stop eating shortly before you are feeling full, not after that. And not eating sweets, thats often all a normal person needs to at least not get more weight.

@QuirkyNurse: Have you tried to show them the numbers? She must pay a lot of interest.

[zephyr911]

@QuirkyNurse: Have you tried to show them the numbers? She must pay a lot of interest.

People who think they deserve a thousand-dollar purse more than they deserve to be debt-free, and people who are swayed by numbers, as illustrated by Venn diagram:
     
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