The Fit Fem Rant: Are Groupons Making You Fat

I may get some heat for this particular topic but I really don't care. I think daily discount sites are making us fat! It's promoting a society of gluttony, laziness, and an "I want it now" attitude. Just hear me out for a sec...

I know you have seen them! 50 Wings from Wing Zone for $5 or 3 Bootcamp Classes for $15…Groupon!  And they are more damaging than they are beneficial!  I'm not picking on you Groupon, it's just that you are like the Kleenex of tissues, you are the Xerox of all copy machines, you are the king of daily discount sites. Oh shit, now I pissed off Living Social. I'm not living this down am I?

Don't get me wrong, a girl loves a bargain, but when discounts on crap are being thrown out to the public constantly, there is a problem! 

Obesity is an epidemic in this country, so why make fattening foods dirt cheap for consumers? Yea fattening! Fine, really great restaurants offer Groupons but why should we as a society eat out more than we cook food at home. It's not a secret that we over indulge when we go out to eat. If most people see that they can eat a week's worth of tasty yet fattening foods (fattening foods doesn't necessarily mean fast food - I'm talking about restaurant prepared foods) for less than $10, they are going to indulge. Most of the deals on food are great discounts financially wise, but they are damaging to your health. Why? Because it encourages gluttony for a bargain. You are eating and eating and eating, and packing and packing and packing on fat. Don't tell me that you only order fish and veggies. I know you go straight to the bread and butter basket!

Now to the fitness groupons (ouch, I apologize in advance for my colleagues who use daily discount sites, please don't hate me) --many think that they are getting the bang for their buck, but the discounts on the chicken wings are a better deal. How efficient can three fitness classes for $15 be?  

Ok before I get into the ugly, I can see why my friends (fitness business owners) use daily discount sites to get more business. It's undoubtedly a great way to get new clients in the door. Hooray for that. Heck, I may use these sites to propel my business success - I, too, want new clients to get to know how great I am and get the quality training they really deserve.

HOWEVER, some fitness classes and training sessions get an overwhelmingly large Groupon turnout and they tend to be shitty quality, pardon my French.  These sessions are more than likely won't be an hour  (even though advertised as such) and the trainer won't work you out the way you should be (trust me!). And this is why - because Groupon consumers are usually Groupon whores (this is a BIG OUCH!!!) - you know who you are!! You just buy fitness Groupons for the sake of buying fitness Groupons - just to get a deal. What happened to going into a gym or studio and committing to that one place? What happened to becoming part of a fitness community and building such a strong relationship with that facility that you actually see results? Trust me, whoring around facilities just because you got the deal is basically a waste of YOUR money. Think of it this way, it's like buying a whole bunch of clothes on sale but they are all in your closet with the tags on them. You never wore them and you never got to enjoy them. You won't see a difference after three fitness classes, but you will see one after the millions of wings (scale goes up, pants won't zip, you know the deal).

OMG and don't get me started with all the cosmetic procedures offered on daily discount sites. Are you serious? Laser lipo, cool sculpting, face lift, boob jobs, for more than half the price? Some deals offer like 90% off?  What the....I thought cosmetic procedures were only for the rich and famous? Those who can afford to fix every crevice of their bodies? Now it's cheap! Oh great, fitness professionals might as well turn into cosmetic technicians. I mean the way this is all going, ya'll would rather pay for "perfect" bodies rather than work hard for it. Just sayin'! 

So before you purchase your next groupon ask yourself "Is this making me fat?"

Can I get a full price Whoop Whoop!

What do you think about groupons? Do you use them? Tell the Fit Fem!