"Enhancement" or "Cheating"? Your opinion.

I would think that "lipo" is cheating.

whereas I would view it as neither enhancement nor cheating for that person. I would view it as "cheating myself" if I did it, but to each person that could be different (see my above post). I certainly wouldn't consider it an enhacement though just because so many people revert back due to not learning the discipline required in weight loss. I consider it more of a short-cut that ends up being a "long-cut" (because in most, not all cases, people go back to where they were pre-surgery)

**EDIT - put "cheating myself" to clarify

There are rules that govern "sport." If you are involved in sport and break the rules you have cheated. If not then it doesn't really matter what it's called. But if you are willing to take an injection that has the potential to cause you harm then I don't call it cheating...I call it stupidity.

Steroids are a double-edged "enhancement" ... all of the examples you listed have no negative side effects. The golfer will benefit from Lasik in other areas of his life as well. The swimmer was smart enough to research and invest in a good swimsuit to suit his needs. The dieter knows that exercise is a fundamental part of weight loss, and hopefully inspired his dieting partner to participate as well.

Steroids have the potential to be extremely harmful when abused (i.e. not prescribed and administered under the watch of a professional), and can lead to heart attacks, cancer, and death, among many other symptoms...

I think this is the wrong way to look at it.

Ahhhhhh... you're a voice of reason on the forum, Ninerbuff

'Cept when we're talking strip clubs & porn, of course :P

Sure you don't want to see a nude pic of me?


Is this offer open to everyone or just her? lol

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I recommend watching the doc Bigger, Faster, Stronger. It is all about steroids and enhancement, and weighs on wether it is cheating or not. As long as you are going by the rules, it is not cheating. Example: There are ways to increase the amount of oxygen in your blood, but only 2 are legal in sports. Tiger Woods had lasik surgery and now his vision is BETTER than perfect.

There are a ton of diets and methods to losing weight, as long as one does not get lipo or cosmetic surgery, I don't think their little game would be cheating if one did a deficit or not.

I am in a clinical trial of an experimental bariatric device. It is making it much easier to loose weight because I don't feel the need to emotional eat. Is it cheating? Who am I cheating? I look at it as a tool to make this last better. I medically need to lose weight and haven't been overly successful all of my adult life. Now I'm in a 5 year trial. So I'm determined to lose and stick with it. I still have to follow a strict eating plan and I still have to exercise. The difference is, that it's a bit easier now. Enhancement for sure. Plus I feel you only cheat if you compete. That's why I hate the term "cheat days". You are only cheating yourself. This is a journey and it had better become a lifestyle. So if there is a way to make it to goal and stay there, I say go for the enhancement.

It seems to me there would have be set rules that were broken for any of those to be considered cheating. For example, if you joined a weight loss contest that specified weight loss through diet alone, and you added exercise then you'd be cheating. However, if you were execising when you joined and continued at the same level, I probably would not say that was cheating.

If a person was taking supplements to change physical attributes, then it wouldn't be cheating unless they'd agreed not to.

I'm thinking Enhancement

Which makes me think that eating at calorie deficit alone wont do quite the trick of losing weight that I want- plus the muscles I wont will not come from eating less. DANG IT! I have to workout tonight! I swear I only get tired when I know I'm going to have to workout.. bahah :laugh:

No cheating involved - unless of course the one is eating deficit and the other got a lap-band= cheating. :grumble:

I would think that "lipo" is cheating.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

I wouldn't consider cosmetic surgery "cheating" since people who choose to do it are doing it to essentially "enhance" their appearance. Liposuction isn't intended for people who are trying to lose weight, although in some cases, that is what the person is attempting to achieve. Any reputable surgeon will tell you you're not a candidate if you're not already in good enough health. At least that's IMO.