The quest to develop a stunningly fit, lean and attractive body is a long, slow journey. It's not something you achieve overnight by popping a few pills or strapping an electric gizmo to your belly.

By the time the FTC finally blew the whistle on the electronic ab belt scam, the makers of those "ab zappers" had swindled more than $100 million from unsuspecting consumers. Fortunately, some of those companies had to pay it back, and then some! The FTC charged three companies -- Fast Abs, Ab Tronic and Ab Energizer -- with false advertising and deceptive warranty practices for these "ABSurd" gimmicks.

But I digress. Back to the journey to a better body...

Last week I looked out my window, and where there was once nothing but a dirt-filled, empty lot, there stood a sprawling, six-story brick condo complex. If someone looked at this massive completed structure for the first time, they might not be impressed. However, since I observed the entire construction process unfold from my living room window, I was impressed - amazed, even -- at what goes into erecting this kind of structure.

I remember watching the crew humming around diligently every day like busy bees, laying one brick after another. From one day to the next, it didn't seem like much changed. But slowly, over a period of a year and a half, I watched the building gradually morph into the finished product.