When I attended the Back on My Feet (BOMF) orientation in early March, Vic Acosta, Executive Director for BOMF, told the group that if we joined and got to know the residents, we’d have our hearts broken by them in one of two ways:
- They’d stop running with BOMF because they fell back into their old ways.
- They’d stop running with BOMF because they got themselves back on their feet with a new job, place to live, etc.
Vic guaranteed that this would happen at some point in our journey with BOMF. Well, this morning, as cheesy as it sounds, I felt my heart break a little bitĀ when two different BOMF residents said āĖhello’ to the group, but didn’t join us to run. It turns out both of them had jobs to get to this morning. Of course, I was happy for them, but I definitely missed them on our run today.
When I got home, this face greeted me at the door.
Thank God for pugs!
Breakfast
I forgot to take water with me this morning, so, as soon I walked in the door, I made myself an iced coffee with soy milk.
To eat, I whipped up a quick bowl of Good Food Made Simpleoatmeal with banana slices and peanut butter on top. Delish!
National Wine Day
Happy National Wine Day! I hope you decide to celebrate later today!
Bondi Band Deal
In honor of National Wine Day, OpenSky is offering a sweet dealĀ on Bondi Bands! Make sure you’re following me to get the deal!
Feel Great Weight
In the wake of the toning-shoe craze, all sorts of companies are now selling workout clothing that they claim makes muscles work harder so you burn more calories. The fabric in the clothing adds a built-in resistance that forces your body to work harder and improve your performance, they say.
I’m always wary of these types of ātoo-good-to-be-trueāĀ claims, so when IntelliSkin contacted me to try one of its shirts for free, I was game. I wanted to see for myself what this trend was all about. See what I had to say: Can Toning Clothing Really Help You Lose Weight?
Question of the Day
Have you ever tried toning clothing/shoes? Do you think they work?
73 Comments
I think toning clothes/shoes might give people the motivation to workout more (thinking that they will tone you), but in reality it is the exercise that is helping you, not the clothes! I know when I get new shoes or workout clothes I tend to workout a little harder, only because I feel good in the new clothes.
It is the same with diet pills. They say on the box “use in conjunction with diet and exercise” — well, how do you know when the pills are doing the work or when you are doing the work? I just don’t buy into that stuff.
My mom has tried toning shoes before, but didn’t really care for them. I agree with Holly, that they probably give more motivation than actual toning, which could benefit someone in the long run!
National wine day?! Sounds like my kind of holiday! Have a good one:-)
Oh, if only National Wine Day were a major holiday where I got the day off! Then I’d really know how to celebrate! š
No, I’ve haven’t tried them. I can’t see how they would really help that much. I think they make give you a false since of what you are actually doing when you have them on. I can’t see how that would be a healthy way to look at getting in shape.
Love the Murph pic!
I’ve never tried the toning clothes or shoes. I figure if they really do work, someone would have A) thought of it years ago B) be a lot more expensive than what they cost. If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
I think toning clothing might give you an added boost if you are already fit, but it’s not going to work miracles on someone who doesn’t exercise and eat right.
I’m glad to know it’s National Wine Day! It’s kind of National Wine Day at my house every day, but it’s nice to have an extra reason to celebrate today! š
I think they give a person motivation but don’t actually produce direct results! I own a pair of Ft Flops (for comfort reasons) but I’d like to think that any toning that I have achieved is down to the amount of hours I put into exercise!
I had no idea it was national wine day. I will most certainly be celebrating!
Happy National Wine Day to you too Tina!!
I haven’t tried out any toning clothing yet, but like Melissa said above, I don’t think it would help much if a person wasn’t already active and following a healthy eating plan.
It’s my birthday today, so I’ll definitely be celebrating National Wine Day! š
If the toning shirt is so form-fitting, is it hard to get off and on?
I get really frustrated after a tough upper-body weightlifting session because my arms are too sore to pull off my tight sports bras!
Interesting, I’d never heard of toning clothing before… sounds like some kind of fitness corset lol.
oh gosh…..is it horrible that i kind of giggle when I see people in those tone/ kim kardashian shoes??
I need to see some REAL before and after shots/ proof that they work before I jump on that bandwagon!
Great post! It’s so great to hear that BOMF really helps people. That’s so great.
By common sense, toning shirts are just a fancy, athletic-looking 21st century corset. So far, I’ve seen a total of zero people running around with one on, zero blog posts on the subject, and zero commenters here who buy the claims. So I think the “hype” is much less than the companies want you to think.
I will definitely be celebrating national wine day – just because you said so! š
I’m not buying the toning shirt/shoes claims. If it motivates people to work out more then that’s great, but thinking you’ll see major results just from a pair of shoes and clothing alone? I don’t think so.
That little puppy face is too much! How adorable :]
Toning shoes actually DO work! I am wearing a body bugg (the thing people wear on the biggest loser to measure calories burnt per day), and if I wear my skechers shape-ups all (!) day (and not just for a walk) I do burn 10% more calories per day. So, that can be 200 kcal. Needless to day I wear them a lot.
I think toning shoes DO NOT work, and they can actually be dangerous if you do anything other than walk in them. I know several people who ended up with stress fractures from running in toners. Yes, they should have had proper running shoes, but they all thought they were “athletic shoes” and they felt great, so they could run in them. NO GOOD!
Never tried the toning stuff. I think I’ll stick to the traditional ways of getting ripped. I was completely angered when I say the Kim Kardashian ad for Shape-Ups claiming she was ending it with her personal trainer. BS! You know she still has like 5 trainers, personal chefs, assistants etc.
@Krissie J: say = saw, coffee hasn’t kicked in yet. š
I view toning shoes like fad diets. People look for a quick/easy fix that never really comes (or sticks). And the shoes look ridiculous.
Happy National Wine Day! š I’ve never tried any of those shaping or toning type of products. I’m skeptical if they even actually work. My friend at work wears the easy tones and she hasn’t really mentioned if they work or not. I just don’t see how it would be possible.
My sister once bought a pair of Sketchers Tone-Up’s and I couldn’t look at her without laughing. Personally I think they look a bit silly. If I thought they really worked I’d be wearing them to bed. I haven’t heard anything about actual clothing, but my philosophy is you don’t get something for nothing. Being healthy and staying in shape is going to take more than a shirt with resistance bands in it. On a lazy note, let me know how the shirt works out…any extra support I can get on the toning end is a major score.
Thanks for the heads up about National Wine Day…I’ll be sure to enjoy a glass (or two) š
Happy Wine day!!
I do have a pair of shape up toning shoes but i use them because they help me be able to stand for hours on my feet. My having my weight be more centered, my back does not hurt as much. I have not noticed any extra “toning” benefits from wearing them. But for people that have to stand for long hours they do great.
I think every day should be National Wine day š
I don’t necessarily think that toning clothes (or even shoes) help you lose weight – but if they are going to make you go out and sweat they can definitely MOTIVATE you and also make you feel good about yourself. And who doesn’t need a little bit of that in their life? (as long as they are being realistic about what the product is offering, of course!)
Toning shoes are dangerous and can cause stress fractures. The simplest way to tone up is to just exercise. Squats and lunges for 10 minutes a day will even help.
I’ve never given in to those toning shoes and whatnot. I’m good with just good ol’ fashion exercise and eating right. Losing weight is not as easy as these companies make it out to be. That’s why it took me 3 years to get to where I am! š
hmm I’ve never fallen for these types of things. Seems expensive and like a waste of money to me!
I have never tried toning clothing or shoes before but I’ve always been a little interested. However, at the same time I have a feeling it’s just another way to make money and grab attention. Oh well, can’t knock it ’til I try it!
PS: I love your pictures of Murph in your blog, so so cute š
I have a pair of the sketchers shape-ups and love them. While I’m not sure if they tone my legs (as I do a lot of other forms of exercise), they are fantastic for recovery. Since I live in Boston and don’t have a car, I walk everywhere. The shape-ups really make a difference in my muscle fatigue at the end of a long day. Still, they are a bit clunky so I wouldn’t recommend them for anything other than walking.
I’ve never tried toning clothing or anything, but I think I’d much rather spend my money on a nice pair of nike lunar glides than get something like the skecher shape ups
Honestly, I have never even heard of them! What do you think?
National wine day?! Sign me up… haha sounds like my kind of day!!!
I am not a fan of toning clothing and shoes… I personally feel that going for a walk in any shoes will help you tone!!!
I’ve wondered about the new toning clothing. It does seem too-good-to-be-true but I really liked your honest review of the shirt you tried on Health.com. It’s cool that it helped your posture and made your core feel more engaged. I’d be willing to try it if it weren’t so expensive! š
And happy National Wine Day! It’s also World MS Day!
It just had to be a gimmick/scam, right???
Toning clothing? honestly I am seriously wearing some workout clothes from 1999 some days. So no toning clothing for me. I just wear what I have and train hard. I don’t need any special clothes….just hard work š
I just can’t imagine these things really work all that well. I’ve never tried them so I can’t say for sure. It just seems like an “easy fix” to me that doesn’t work in the long run.
Seriously into these “Will Run For Wine” items… thinking that the person who created them reads my mind…
Never tried toning clothes/ shoes, but seriously considered them. Always felt like I’d look kind of silly though.
omg love. that. Murphy photo! And I think toning clothing, shoes, flip flops, etc are hooey. Like the 21st century version of those silly belts you’d strap onto your abs that would somehow magically give you a six pack, it’s all about selling things to people where results can be achieved with as little actual lifestyle change as humanly possible.
Interesting question “Have you ever tried toning clothing/shoes? Do you think they work?” and reading the comments, which have varied thoughts, it may be worth some further consideration.
It’s wine day! What? How did I not know. Thanks for alerting me!
Never tried toning clothes — I think it would be more a mental thing, but who knows…
my godmother tried giving me those toning shoes once. they were kinda ugly so i refused.
I have some of the Skechers shapeup flip flops. I wear flip flops most of the time and I bought them because they were comfortable. I haven’t had any “results” as far as toning, weight loss etc and I wasn’t expecting any. They are more comfortable for extended wear then some other flip flops I have had.
I have never tried toning clothing/shoes personally, but I have some clients who have had the Reebok toning shoes and they have really liked them, so I can say that I haven’t heard anything bad about them. š
Your article on this is great. I just think it’s silly though when people buy into these things and wear them around instead of working out in them. The shoes scare me though. I cringe when people wear them in classes like Zumba. I know I would break my neck or ankle wearing those things!
I have some toning shoes, and they are fun to wear! Not necessarily for weight loss, but just because it makes me engage more muscles when walking.
I want oatmeal for b-fast now too. HA!
I love that photo of Murphy!! I can just hear the sniffy snorty pug noises that go along with it š
I’ve never tried any of the toning shoes or clothes, but I remember trying to train a woman wearing some of those shoes once and she could hardly do anything with good form because of them. They were definitely made for walking only, lol.