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.

Weight loss, what's it worth to you?

So often I hear that people aren't willing to work out or change their eating habits because it is too much of a sacrifice.

What is the long term cost of being overweight?

In order for me to afford some of my wants I have to be willing to sacrifice in other areas.  I clip coupons and stalk grocery store circulars for deals on my favorite products.  I complete the surveys that restaurants print out on their bills/receipts so that I can qualify for discounts or deals later.  I rarely shop at major departments stores or retailers because I have to make every dollar count. Why??? Because I choose to drive a car that requires staggered tires and premium gas.  Because of my current vehicle choice, I have to be mindful in other areas of spending. I have a girlfriend that is Michael Kors crazy.  Purses, wallets,cell phone accessories and shoes. She has it all.  BUT she doesn't throw caution to the wind when she decides to splurge.  These are calculated purchases.  No one is trying to wind up in the poor house because they enjoy nice things.

So....why aren't we willing to sacrifice in order to be healthy? Eating recklessly and being inactive will 'cost' you in the long run.  It seems that many of us are willing to DEPLETE our health 'savings' with no regard to the long term effect.  Often times it is too late to start making deposits or investments on our health.  If you really like beef burgers, why not buy lean ground beef? If you don't want to give up pizza or an occasional piece of fried chicken shouldn't you be willing to offset calories in other areas?   Do you have a major sweet tooth?  Stop by your local bakery and get a 'slice' of cake or a cupcake versus bringing an entire cake home.  Instead of a half gallon of ice cream, buy the individual serving size cups.  The same way a person is willing to cut coupons or shop at a second hand store to be able to 'afford' their wants.  You should be willing to do the same when it comes to dieting and trying to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Check out this Documentary Soul Food Junkies by Byron Hurt.

Filmmaker Byron Hurt looks at the past and future of soul food - from its roots in Western Africa, to its incarnation in the American South, to its contribution to modern health crises in communities of color. Soul Food Junkies also looks at the socioeconomics of the modern American diet, and how the food industry profits from making calories cheap, but healthy options expensive and hard to find.

TASTE YOUR FOOD.....

When is the last time that you actually took a moment to 'taste' your food?  I'll be honest, up until recently I practically inhaled my meals and rarely took the time to savor all of the flavors.

Being a Southern girl I can readily identify with meals that were smothered, covered in gravy or barbecue sauce.  Don't get me wrong I enjoy a good gravy.  But then again, gravy is primarily pan drippings, fat and flour.  Who doesn't like something that you can 'sop' up with a biscuit or a piece of Wonder bread?  It tastes great; but not necessarily good for you.  I think it's time to revamp our menus and lighten up some of our classic comfort foods.  If you think it would be irreverent to fool with your grandmother's meatloaf recipe.  Fine, don't.  Just save it for few and far in between special occasions.  In the meantime, try creating your own recipes that are high in flavor and low in calories.

Since I've been trying to eat healthier I've taken a step back from condiments, miscellaneous dressings, sauces and dips.  On more than one occasion I've had the refrigerator door shelf literally collapse.  Why?  Because I was addicted to condiments.  Yellow, Honey and Brown Deli Mustards, Grey Poupon...Ketchup...Duck Sauce, Italian, Catalina, Ranch, Bleu Cheese Dressings...Strawberry Jelly, Grape Jelly, Horseradish, Olives....Caramel Sundae Topping, Butterscotch Sauce...Miracle Whip, Mayonnaise, Sandwich Spread, Barbecue Sauce.... you get the point!  I had bottles and jars of just about anything you could ask for. I was ALWAYS putting 'something' on my food.  I never learned to enjoy food in it's purest form.  Because of this I was constantly adding unnecessary calories from sugar, fat and sodium laden condiments.

Marinated Jerk Chicken w/pineapple, mango, avocado salsa, Steamed Broccoli, Baked Sweet Potato  w/ginger & cinnamon

(This meal was very easy.  The broccoli was Birds Eye Steam Fresh Broccoli Florets .  Five minutes in the microwave, you're done.  I baked the sweet potatoes while I was doing my work out.  All I had to do was wash them, pat them dry and then bake.  No prep work required.  The chicken breast was marinated with jerk marinade right before I left for work this morning.  I baked them on a baking sheet while I was in the shower.  (I'm all about multi tasking)!  The most effort was used in preparing the salsa.  I chopped avocado, red onion and cilantro.  The Mango and Pineapple are Dole Chef Ready cuts - Diced Pineapple & Mango.  I probably spent 15-20 minutes max on this amazing meal.  Sometimes less is more.  Enjoying your food as close as you can to it's natural state is where the change comes in.

 Some of the simplest enhancers are cheap and can be used interchangeably in most of your dishes.

Here are a few of my favorite 'non-condiment' food enhancers:
Garlic
Fresh Lemon Juice
Thyme Fresh
Parsley
Basil
Rosemary
Cilantro
Fresh Ground Black Pepper
Olive Oil
Cinnamon/Ginger/Nutmeg
Bell Peppers
Onions/Red Onion
Shallots

Marinating your food also gives BIG flavor. You don't have to depend on sugar, sauces and fats when you become creative with spice and herb blends.  Applying spice rubs to meat also provides a wonderful amount of flavor.

Take a moment to step back from breadings, sauces, cheeses and butter when you prepare your food.  Go back to the basics.  You'll be surprised how satisfied you are when you take a moment to TASTE YOUR FOOD.