Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Shape Up With Toning Shoes? You Be The Judge!

I read an article online regarding those workout shoes with rounded soles like a rocking chair -- are marketed by manufacturers like Skechers, Reebok, AVIA and New Balance with claims that they promote healthy weight loss, improve posture, fight cellulite, reduce knee joint stress and improve the shape of wearers' thighs and buttocks. The customer base for the shoes is 90 percent women, and they sell for $100 to $250.


I know the pricing is correct, because a year or so ago I decided to purchased a pair of those Skechers Women's Toning Shoes for my wife Kathy.  Not an inexpensive shoe by any means, but I felt the benefits out weighed the costs; and hey were pink, looked like something she might like, so I bought them.  

She was excited to try them and loved the color. Sadly, she only tried them maybe two or three times, complaining of how they hurt her feet and didn't feel the difference in her daily three mile walk.

Turns out doctors are starting to warn that the shoes destabilize how people walk, and wearing them can strain people's Achilles tendons. The shoes can also be a special threat to older people who have more difficulty keeping their balance. Their built-in instability makes a wearer work harder to maintain balance, giving more of a workout, according to companies that make them, and while there are some elements of truth to the ads, doctors question their safety and want more independent studies of the shoes instead of industry-financed research. 

The fancy toning shoes have patiently been sitting in Kathy's closet waiting for the day she decides to give them another chance. From what I've been reading, I don't think they have much benefit, but then again, that's my opinion.


If I knew back when I purchased the shoes, that these were more of a gimmick than not, I wouldn't have wasted the money.

For more information read CNN Health's:

Shoes' toning claims draw experts' doubts

Thursday, July 1, 2010

Blondes do really have more fun. They just don't know it!


There are times when if you knew better, you probably wouldn't do some of the stupid things we do.

I have to share this: I'm watching and kind of listening to Kathy, as she is making her "New Diet" lunch. "Flat Belly Diet" FYI, this is the 7th diet in so many months.

Anyway, I hear her mumbling, "What is wrong with this knife? It won't cut!" I (of course) have to look up to see what's the problem; and NOT to my surprise, there she is trying to cut cherry tomatoes with a garnish carving knife.


I told her that won't work, so she quickly goes in and picks out her next experimental cutting tool. Same thing but this time *with a look of surprise*, "this one does cut EITHER!"

NOPE! There's no mystery here, because now she's trying to cut with an oyster shucker.


I guess it's time for an intervention. Trying not to piss her off too much. I make a suggestion, "Let's go to where there are knives." I went into the "KNIFE DRAWER"


I know who would have thunk? Eureka blondie finally cuts her up some tomatoes. Success!!!!!

She knew where this mysterious drawer was.  But at the time didn't remember. NOW she knows...