I have to start this post by sharing some very interesting news that I read today. The FTC announced this morning that Reebok has to pay a $25 million dollar settlement over their toning shoes.
“The FTC wants national advertisers to understand that they must exercise some responsibility and ensure that their claims for fitness gear are supported by sound science.” – source
(source)
On behalf of active consumers and fitness professionals everywhere, I would like to applaud the FTC. Clearly, these shoes are a gimmick. Toning your butt and thighs requires a little more work than wearing magical shoes. Reebok is offering a refund to any consumers who purchased this shoe. Get your money back and then go do some squats and lunges!
What is your opinion of fitness gimmicks like this? Has anyone actually tried the Easy Tone shoes?
This morning I took and taught yoga. It was my first Wednesday teaching the 9:15 a.m. class and I think it went pretty well. The yogis that attend this class have very high expectations and liked to be pushed hard! I think that I managed to give them what they were looking for and then some. We did a drill of 10 chaturanga repeaters (jumping back straight into chaturanga) and I think everyone’s triceps were screaming for mercy! Mission accomplished! 😉
Lunch after class was a sandwich with mashed avocado, a thin spread of ranch, spinach, tempeh and colby jack cheese. I don’t usually put tempeh on my sandwiches but our fridge was pretty sad and it was my only protein option. I actually really liked the combo.
I spent the afternoon working on my blog (Trying to respond to all of the comments on my career change post. I appreciate each and every one!), prepping for a speaking event tomorrow (more on that later) and running. Given that I spent 3 hours in a hot yoga studio this morning, it was necessary to hydrate before my run. Brandon and I picked up these fun coconut waters when we were at the Dekalb Farmers Market in Atlanta. They are so good! Sullie was very interested too!
I ran seven miles with Caitlin in the hot sun. It was in the mid 80s today and probably not our smartest decision to run at the height of the afternoon heat. I am ready for those crisp (not cold!) fall runs. Weather aside, the run felt great and nothing hurt so success!
Refueled with a large bowl of plain Greek yogurt with banana, apple, honey, granola, dried cranberries and peanut butter. Then I was still hungry and ate half a peanut butter and honey sandwich. I think I’m still hungry.
I am sweaty and smelly. Must go clean up and head to the studio. It’s vino + vinyasa night. Off to teach and then wine with friends!
Check out my guest post on The More I Run! The topic is “The Finish Line!”
Hi Jen! Is there a granola that you recommend? Your granola always looks so good but I never find any that wow me!
Thanks!!
hi diane! the granola that i have been eating is from the dekalb farmers market in atlanta and it is soooo good! it’s their own house brand so you can only get it there.
when i buy granola at the grocery store, i usually buy the bear naked brand.
Thank you! I hope you have a wonderful weekend!!
My Mom is a believer in those Easy-Tone shoes, and you know how it is – nothing anyone says can convince her that walking to the office in Easy-Tone shoes is no different to walking in normal shoes!
I’m looking forward to the weather getting a little cooler, running in the heat just isn’t as enjoyable.
you should send her the link to that article!
i do enjoy hot weather running but i’m pretty over it for the season!
I actually love tempeh on sandwiches 🙂
i am a convert!
SULLIE. Seriously, she is so cute!
I never bought those shoes. I did read somewhere that researchers found on average a person wearing those shoes ALL DAY only burned 100 calories more than someone not wearing them. So basically if you just don’t eat that cookie for dessert every night you would be fine without the shoes!
that is interesting holly!
for some reason, that extra 30 minutes of hot vinyasa just sounds way too intimidating to me (maybe its the 10 chaturanga repeaters…)!!
kate – you would totally rock it! it’s really the same class just a longer warm up, more time on the floor and a slightly longer sequence. more time to play!
Thanks so much for posting this. I actually have a pair of these shoes. I bought them last March for $100. The first time I wore them, I definitely felt some tightness in my legs; but I also hadn’t worked out for like two months. After that I never felt anything, and I was disappointed and annoyed I spent so much money on them. The refund is only for half of what I spent, but oh well.
So many different shoe companies make these now, I wonder if Sketcher and New Balance will do something similar.
thanks for sharing your experience heather. i think you should apply for the refund. half is better than none!
total gimmick! people are always looking for an easy way out. it’s not easy! hard work always pays off!
yay for 7 miles pain-free!
You should have heard me screaming at the TV while I was watching the news last night. Of course, walking or running in a pair of shoes will tone your legs. Why? Because you are walking or running. Just wearing a pair of shoes around isn’t going to do anything.
Love the picture of Sullie!
haha! glad i’m not alone on my views about these shoes. love your point about moving around!
I’m so glad that Reebok is giving refunds for those shoes. When those first came out I thought it was a joke. 🙂
i did too! seriously!
I’m pleased with the FTC’s call too. I wonder if the shoes did at least have some sort of placebo effect or something since I have heard positive reviews of those. I don’t know from experience, they aren’t exactly my thing!
hmm…interesting point about the placebo effect. i definitely wouldn’t wear them not only because of the ridiculous claim but they also aren’t the most attractive footwear!
I actually think the sandwich looks pretty good 🙂 I love what you said about the shoes! It’s funny because we have this culture where we tell people things like, “oh just take the stairs and you’ll lose all this weight.” In reality, you have to really WORK for it! One of my favorite sayings that I repeat to myself all the time is “You have to earn it.” Putting on a pair of shoes is not gonna get you your dream body!
people are just always looking for the easy way out of things…including weight loss but the truth is that it really does take work. commitment to healthy eating AND exercise!
love your saying!
Crazy question regarding your avocado’s, it always looks so green. How do you store leftover avocado and avoid it turning brown?
i just put them in a plastic baggie with the pit and they do turn a little brown on the outsides but i can usually slice it off. hope that helps!
You summed it up in your title; It takes work, not shoes. I find it humorous that people are actually truly upset that these shoes didn’t get them in shape. Are you kidding me?! They’re shoes!!!
I am a designer for a footwear company that does work with Reebok and New Balance, etc. These shoes are crap! And they are ugly. I cannot understand why people would ever wear these things! Unfortunately we live in a “quick fix” society so if there’s something claiming to give people results with less work it will sell.
And girl, why are you not a fitness model?? Your body is awesome!
um career change? Did i already miss that?! eek!! Going to read now!