97% of the time… it works every time
Hi friends! So glad you liked Mara’s guest post. She has a knack for creating recipes I would LOVE- can’t wait to make the sweet potatoes!!
Holler from the ATL 😀
I landed a little while ago, did some airport cardio (walked/explored some terminals) and then grabbed some dinner. On our last flight, I also experienced some of the highest-quality birth control ever: 3 hr 45 min next to a SHRIEKING child. I felt bad for the kiddo (and parents), but it was painful. That experience did a great job of promptly squashing any desire to procreate, for myself and everyone sitting around us. Pain.
Thank goodness for excellent reading material:
(Finished the Pioneer Woman’s book –adored it so much- and started “You Know When the Men Are Gone”)
and a meditation podcast on the iPhone 😉
Dinner was Moe’s!
Personal trainer salad: lettuce, black beans, guac, lots of jalapenos, pico and olives.
Something sweet:
I got a question on my last post about toning shoes, and since quite a few of ya’ll have asked me about them, thought we could talk about them tonight.
Do toning shoes work?
The short answer is yes.
The more detailed answer is that toning shoes throw off your balance, by being a little higher, curved soles, and more difficult to walk in. Since you have to work a little harder to stabilize, you’re engaging different muscles in your legs, which is what they’re intended to do, so technically they *work*. From using the shoes, your legs may see a tiny bit of new definition but nothing drastic (sorry). Also with the off-balance of the shoes, you have a much higher chance of injuring yourself from twisting your ankle, or eating cement from trying to walk around.
Some toning shoes look super cute:
(my nana rocks Fit Flops and they look awesome- she loves them)
and other styles are not so pretty 😉
Definitely use caution with your toning shoes if you decide to wear them, but I have to say that lifting weights will give better results.
Have you worn toning shoes before? Would you?
See ya in Valdosta- I cant wait to see Jeni and her new baby 😀
xoxo
Gina
Something to do: Don’t forget to send me your Luon for a Cause donation deets and pics if you’d like to participate 🙂 The bidding party will begin next Thursday!
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I always wondered about toning shoes — so thanks for the info! Not sure I’d ever invest in a pair though…
When you read your Kindle, do you feel like you’re staring at a screen? Or does it more reminiscent of an actual book? My husband and I are thinking about getting one, but both of us are on the computer all day for work. I like to unwind with paper. =)
Also, I’d love if you (or any Fitnessista readers could check out my blog. I just did a post about DIY glitter shoes. =)
its not shiny like a screen… i didn’t know if i would like it, but i’m obsessed. i think you’ll love it
My DroidX has a Kindle app, as well as a Google Reader and a Nook. The Google Reader is actually my favorite! I’ve been enjoying working my way through the free classics I read as a kid. I’m not sure if you have a smart phone or have thought about investing in one, but it might be worth thinking about putting the cost of the Kindle towards that. My Droid also has an awesome GPS, 8.0mpx camera, radio, high-quality web browser, then of course the texting/phoning/email capabilities, all rolled into one tiny piece of technology. Def recommend 🙂
YAY glad you made it safely!!
I have a pair of the sketchers shape ups, and they make me feel like i’m going to fall over, which I do on my own enough!
Haha, I love how you listened to a meditation podcast…next to a screaming child. Gotta find some zen in those moments, fo sho 😉
it helped keep me from joining the screaming party 😉
Ohhh the joy of flying! Being around misbehaving kids/babies on a plane or in public period is enough birth control for me to last a life time!!!
I’ve never worn toning shoes – just not my thing!
I have the Reebok Run Tone shoes and while I don’t run in them anymore (they kill my feet when I do) I think they are great workout shoes. I wore them all through my ninety days of P90X and I think it made the exercises more challenging, especially the kickboxing video. I’ve been running so much lately that I haven’t been able to put the little suckers back on, but I do love them. I think I’ll try the New Balance ones next for walking the dog, etc.
interesting about the shoes…. I just ordered a pair. I got them on sale for a really price, so I won’t feel too bad if I don’t like them.
Have a good trip 🙂
i have a pair of reebok easytones that i got on clearance (LOOOOVE clearance shoes) and i really like them. i dont wear them all the time, but theyre surprisingly comfortable. i probably wouldnt pay full price, but im always a sucker for clearance.
glad i’m not the only kindle lover! 🙂
I haven’t purchased any toning shoes yet, but I do kind of like the design of some of them, like the Reebok Easytones. I’ve considered buying a pair, but lately I feel like all I’ve been wearing are boots and heels for work, so they haven’t really been high on my list of priorities. Maybe for spring! 🙂 Safe travels Gina!
I’m glad you mentioned that they make injury more likely. I think a lot of people jump on these things trying to get toned and not realizing that they can hurt themselves. My mom was curious about whether or not these things were a good idea so she brought it up with my orthopedic surgeon. He told her that not only were they a waste of money because they were unlikely to have any significant effect but that they could do serious damage to your Achilles tendon.
Also, very few of them are cute — the ones you showed here being an exception.
I had a pair of the original easy tones. I loved them! I was so sad when I wore a hole right in one of the “balance balls” and had to throw them out because water got sucked up inside and made a TON of annoying noises.
100% in agreement…if you’re going to spend $80 to “tone up” just join a gym and hit the weights — heavy squats, heavy deadlifts, heavy leg presses and heavy calf raises and you’ll get MUCH better results with less risk of injury.
I am TOTALLY sympathetic to your flight 🙁 We got caught next to a screaming child for our cross-country flight…I never knew it could be so awful O_O I also kind of thought the poor kid would’ve worn himself out after an hour!! He lasted THREE. Incredible endurance!!
I have never tried toning shoes, but I have always wanted to just to see how they feel. I am a magazine junkie too, love ’em! 🙂
ive seen all the commercials, but never thought it was really worth it. thanks for the headsup. i doubt ill go out and buy any, ill stick to the gym!
Valdosta, sounds weird you going there! but have a great time, i love babies 🙂
I have worn toning shoes before. I felt my calves working at first, but not much long after I couldn’t feel a whole difference in that. I really like them b/c of the extra cushion(so much I actually have a bounce when I walk) but I don’t think I would buy another pair. Too expensive and I’m not so sure I like the “going to the moon” look.
I have the Sketchers shape-ups! They are the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn! Just got them at the end of January, and don’t wear them every day! Mine still look new! I also got mine online at a really great price! I expected them to be harder to walk in than they are! You get used to them in no time! I love mine!!
I agree with the toning shoes! Most things that seem to good to be true, are. Walking in and of itself is good cardio, and you might as well be stable when you do it! I’m not fitness guru, but I’m sure a few sets of lunges down 2-3x a week, combined with regular shoed cardio would have better toning results.
I am sympathetic about the screaming child.I sat next to a screaming child on an 8 hour flight to England once. Oy vey. I thought the child would give up at some point, but it NEVER did. My mom has had her own daycare for over 20 years and she always says that a visit to the daycare for a day would be the perfect birth control for anyone considering parenthood.
I wear FitFlops, but not for the “toning” part. Working in retail for 4 years messed up my feet. I’m fine in closed toe shoes, but when it comes to flipflops, I need extra support. The FitFlops provide that, and the 2 pair I have are super cute. I have these: piperlime.gap.com/browse/product.do?pid=841114002&tid=plpg1r&kwid=1&ap=14
And these: shopping.yahoo.com/773922556-pietra-sandal-bronze-9-m/;_ylt=AltISFtje4bU619OxSRj5qQbFt0A
I have fit flops…but I mainly just wear them because they’re comfortable!
I have fit flops, but I don’t wear them for the toning thing. They are the most comfy shoes I own. I wore them at Disneyland for 12 hours and my feet didn’t hurt.
I am a night shift manager at a nursing home. My lower back kills me with all the walking and weird lifting and I gotta say my Fila Fit shoes have made all the difference in the world. So much better! Definitely harder to stabilize for lifting patients off the floor but better for me overall.
I like the toning shoes. I don’t think of them as a workout though…I just appreciate the fact that I can be on my feet all day and not have sore feet when I get home. The toning shoes that I have feel like I’m walking on clouds.
Toning shoes? No I have never worn them specifically but I am no stranger to extremely high heels and can vouch for heels toning up your legs!
A 4 hour flight with a screaming baby…oh boy. I used to be so annoyed and bothered by that, thinking somehow the parents were doing something “wrong” or not “doing enough”…until I had a baby. And traveled on airplanes. There is NOTHING WORSE that being confined in a seat with a baby. Babies inherently like motion and moving, bouncing and wiggling up and down, and it’s soooo hard to comfort a baby in an airplane seat. And the poor things ears may have hurt and then the parents were probably frazzled and the baby could probably just sense that intuitively making it even worse. I truly feel for the parents! And the baby!
And of course, all the passengers 🙂 I have been “that parent” with the screaming child…god, it’s such a helpless AND humbling experience!
Enjoy Jenny’s baby and V-town!
I’m glad you made it safe and sound!!!
Too bad about the flight — I usually feel worse for the baby/child — I know I get irritated when my ears pop, I can’t imagine being 2 years old and going through that too!
I would definitely wipe out if I wore those toning shoes — the New balance ones look ok, but the skechers ones are kind of crazy 🙁
I have that same kindle cover. Freaking love it!
I probably wouldn’t wear the toning shoes… I have enough problems with injuries and don’t want to invite another one to the party.
I would wear toning shoes, but the only time I wear gym shoes is to the gym!!
I’ve never tried that salad from moes before, i’ll have to try it when I’m back in the states!
Good ole walking shoes tone too 🙂
amen girl 🙂
Gosh, those shoes— they look so weird– and just another excuse not to workout!
I actually bought a pair of toning sandals and didn’t know it until someone asked me if they were the toning sandals. I had no clue what they were talking about (because I came out of my rock just long enough to make it to work on time). I bought them because I thought they were super comfy and wore them all last summer with no visible results of tonage in my stems. 🙂 But I will say they are sooooo comfy!
Ugh I’ve never experienced a child shrieking for that long. I’m sorry. I love the fit flops but I don’t think I would shell out the $ for toning shoes.
I have bad knees and those toning shoes make me a little nervous.
On a separate note I am SO jealous you are in ATL. You should go to The Vortex for some tastey veggie burgers (and tons of regular burgers) and the BEST crinkle (awesome!) sweet tater fries ever!
i would totally try toning shoes! i just don’t know if i would love them, so don’t know if i want to spend the mulah 😉
Thanks for an honest post about toning shoes. They’re totally a pet peeve of mine! I feel that they’re just taking advantage of people wanting an edge on fitness and ppl could get hurt. Not to mention, could they be doing longer term damage if you walk in them all day!
I was actually at Nordies’ shoe department. While I was browsing shoes, the sales person next to me was trying to convince a woman that the toning shoes she was eying looked fashionable & were a great buy. They might have been the ugliest things I had ever seen, but that was a few years ago. She then complimented me on the shoes I was trying on, so I promptly put down the shoes and walked out of the store. 🙂 I think the style has (relatively) approved though.
I didn’t want to spend $100+ when they frist got popular so I saw avon had sandal ones from last seasons for $30 which I liked the colors better then the current ones at the time. what I did notice is when I normally walk my back kills me after, due to a car accident when I was 19, well with these my back felt great after. The problem was due to the way the straps were they gave me blisters even with double socks, so I plan on buying some sneaker ones soon. I love new balance so maybe I’ll get theres at the outlet store near me 🙂
I have those exact fitflop sandals that you pictured, except mine are in black! I only got them because they were cute sandals though. To be honest, they have not made my legs/butt more toned at all (even when I wear them a ton in the summer). No difference whatsoever. But honestly, I didn’t expect them to do anything. Meh. I will stick with running/yoga/weights for toning. 🙂
I laugh every time I see people wearing toning shoes at the gym. They look ridiculous. They probably laugh at me in my five fingers, but my feet and body are doing the work not the shoe. 🙂 I feel you pain, I hate flying. My husband gets on a plane twice a week. I don’t know how he does it.
From all of my barefoot + vibram 5 finger research, “toning shoes” are about the worst thing you could ever put on your feet! 🙂 It seems like they would definitely cause more trouble than not because of how it will change your walking stride and contact with the ground. Also, because the soles are so thick, they’ll cut off all muscle use in your feet, which will continue to weaken your feet and make you more prone to foot injuries. Sorry to go off on a rant, haha, but I have a major pet peeve w/these shoes. 🙂 — I always have those “wake up” calls with kids. Usually it just takes a trip to Target, haha!
I’ve tried ’em and loved them!!
Ugh! Never any fun when there are screaming kiddos on a plane!
I don’t have a pair and I have read studies that show they are harmful to your lower back!! Scary.. But i have a good friend who has a chronic case of dislocating her knee– she swears the shoes keep her knee in place..
I’ve never worn toning shoes and I don’t think I’ll try them. I’d much rather wear my normal shoes and just work my legs at the gym!
i dont believe in toning shoes..they are marketed as a quick fix, and we all know that they simply dont exist (unfortunately)
I’m also a frequent flier and screaming kids are the worst! Everyone is miserable. I’m going to dl a meditation podcast for my next flight; what a great idea!
The fit flops are cute but the I am not so sure about the rest of the toning shoes…I cringe when I see people RUNNING in them. Seems like an injury waiting to happen! I do have a few friends who are nurses who wear them during their shifts and swear by them!
PS love your lulu bag! I want to get a similar one for travel…it seems like the perfect bag!
I opt for a workout over toning shoes. Those flip flops are cute, but most of the shoes are so bulky! No thanks.
I have the New Balance Toning shoes-I really like them. I don’t wear them to run or workout in, just more as an everyday casual shoe-I’ve become so accustomed to them that now my gym shoes feel awkard when I put them on.
I was early on the toning shoe trend – bought the Reebox when they first came out and used them on long walks. They were expensive but worth the splurge. Yep, you certainly do feel it a little differently. I’d have to say my calves felt it and my arse. I also wear them if I’m running a lot of errands – every little bit helps, right? Let me be the first to wish you a Happy St. Patty’s Day – from your irish friend Mo.
Seems like we have similar tastes in books, so I’ll have to look back on some of the stuff you’ve read recently. I read PW’s story when she had it up on her website and “When the Men are Gone” is on my list too! 🙂
I order Moe’s the exact same way. I love those spicy jalepenos.