Everything She Wants

I work out and watch what I eat.  But I still need all the help I can get to stay in shape and own several fitness shoes that promise to tone your legs, boost your booty, and stimulate weight loss -- including Skechers Shape-Ups , Fit-Flop knockoffs, and Earth Shoes . So when Payless sent me a pair of their Champion Stride Fitness Athletic sneakers , I was eager to give them a test drive. Payless Stride image from Payless The Stride looks similar to Reebok EasyTone sneakers and boasts similar benefits.  Two curved pods that transfer air between the heel and forefoot encourage muscle toning and provide cushion with every step.  The shoes are made with breathable mesh and durable rubber. I've worn my Stride sneakers for two weeks. I can't tell if they've made my calves or glutes tauter, but they're cuter than the clunky Skechers Shape-Ups and extremely comfortable.  For $29.99, they're a much better deal than Reebok EasyTone sneakers, which retail for $100...

During my time writing Hot Mama Daily , my post on Skechers Shape-Ups was the most popular by a landslide.  Fans of these fitness "weight loss" shoes are extremely passionate about their benefits. The comments to my post were overwhelmingly positive and readers used it as a forum to share their opinion whether Skechers Shape-Ups really work ? Admittedly, the Mary Jane-style I received from Skechers took a little getting used to. One reader accused me of being a snobby New Yorker for writing that because of their orthopedic shoe-meets-club-kid-look I wouldn't recommend them for long walks in a busy, fashionable city like the Big Apple.   Okay, maybe I was being a bit snobby . But as the Skechers trend gained momentum, I wore the shoes more often in public and I've seen other city gals doing the same.  Now the main drawback for me isn't their fashion statement; it's a question of their safety ( do they offer enough support or cause injuries? ) and real-worl...