MAGIC SHOES

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Magic shoes

Ok, so was I the only person that thought those Skecher Shape Ups and Reebok EasyTone shoes were a complete joke?

When I first saw the commercials and ads for these 'toning' shoes I immediately thought of Forrest Gump.

Forrest Gump: Mama says they was magic shoes. They could take me anywhere. 

Was it realistic to believe one could achieve a lifted derriere, firm thighs and toned legs by simply wearing a pair of 'Magic Shoes'? You mean you only have to wear this abominable footwear and have legs that would rival Tina Turner's? So you're saying there's no need to work out or change my calorie intake? Not even a little? Who'd ever think that a pair of shoes could engage the muscles more than, say..... lunges or squats? The Reebok sneakers were more aesthetically pleasing than the Skecher brand IMHO but still, why do we always try to take the easy way out? Plenty of people that needed to lose weight LONG before these shoes ever hit the market never bothered to lace up their perfectly functional athletic shoes. As soon as we read a claim that you will get something from doing practically nothing, we're all over it. The bottom line is in today's society we are programmed to expect much from doing little. Now, if purchasing these ridiculous shoes actually motivated you to become active that is a plus. I'd say something positive did manifest from the deceptive marketing practices of these shoe manufacturers. However, studies determined that these 'Magic Shoes' did no more for your glutes and hammies then your dusty, barely broken in sneakers could do.  You know THOSE sneakers that you store under your bed for 11 out of 12 months a year? (I say 11 months because we ALL know that in January, New Year's Resolutions mean we'll actually 'try' for a little while at least and the shoes come out of hibernation).

Check out this except from this Huffington Post article 

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In 2010, ACE commissioned a study with exercise scientists from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse to evaluate the effectiveness of Shape-Ups, as well as MBT: Masai Barefoot Technology shoes and Reebok EasyTone sneakers. In two trials, the researchers tested exercise responses to walking and muscle activation in both the toning shoes and plain-old athletic sneakers. The difference? None.

"Across the board, none of the toning shoes showed statistically significant increases in either exercise response or muscle activation during any of the treadmill trials," the researchers wrote in their report. "There is simply no evidence to support the claims that these shoes will help wearers exercise more intensely, burn more calories or improve muscle strength and tone."

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Unfortunately, you have to do the work. Although the beauty of this is, you are able to design and sculpt your own work of art based on your own level of effort. No shoe can do for your body or self esteem what determination and commitment will.  So put away all of your 'Magic': shoes, belts, corsets, pills, etc and apply yourself.  I'm not saying that none of these things work, but they are NOT magical.  If you think you have to do absolutely nothing to achieve results you are sadly mistaken.  

Reebok Federal Trade Commission Settlement

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Reebok to Pay $25 Million in Customer Refunds To Settle FTC Charges of Deceptive Advertising of EasyTone and RunTone Shoes

Settlement Order Prohibits Reebok from Making Unsupported Claims that ‘Toning Shoes’ Strengthen, Tone Muscles

Skechers Federal Trade Commission Settlement

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Skechers Will Pay $40 Million to Settle FTC Charges That It Deceived Consumers with Ads for "Toning Shoes"

Consumers Who Bought Shape-ups, Other Toning Shoes Will Be Eligible for Refunds

The Federal Trade Commission announced that Skechers USA, Inc. has agreed to pay $40 million to settle charges that the company deceived consumers by making unfounded claims that Shape-ups would help people lose weight, and strengthen and tone their buttocks, legs and abdominal muscles

Think twice before you fall for too good to be true claims.  Lace up your sneakers, eat moderately/monitor your food and beverage intake and be patient with yourself.  The weight will come off, no gimmicks needed.