Login | Info & advice > Tonewalker >Martine's Diary |
 |
 |
Martine's Diary
Diary of an Tonewalker Wearer I’m so excited to see if they actually do work. I hate to admit it but I do tend to be a sucker for these kinds of things… For the first time in my life I have decided to keep a diary so that I can monitor any progress (hopefully). 17th July Today my Tonewalker health shoes arrived. The booklet that comes with the shoes advises to not wear the shoes too much initially, to just get used to them and build up endurance gradually. The shoes are like nothing I have ever worn before and I can definitely understand why they come with a Caution sign with them, these shoes are seriously powerful!!! I wore them for just ten minutes walking around the house and was absolutely shattered, I felt like I had been really exercising, well I guess I have with these shoes! I have absolutely no balance, can’t even do the Pivot balance which is depressing as I was sure I was fitter! The back of my legs (calf area) started seriously aching after just a few minutes, which initially concerned me but having read the booklet it states it’s the ‘deep vein pumping action’ that the shoes create and nothing to worry about, I hope that this will get better – I know they are an exercise shoe but I am starting to worry about my fitness levels… 18th July I have decided that I must just get used to the shoes, the testimonials from all the other wearers are all so encouraging so they must work. My problem is that I like to see results straight away and again today I struggled to walk in the shoes for longer than 10 minutes at a time so I focused upon just walking in them until it got too much and then allowed my legs to rest by giving them a good stretch, standing with my heels down. I’m not really at a stage where can even contemplate doing much more although I would love to! Altogether I managed to wear my shoes for half an hour today. I am now starting to really understand how they work because I can literally feel all of my muscles working as I walk about in them. Still no noticeable difference but I’m starting to get used to them… 19th July Just walking around in them all day gives me a total workout and is actually making me feel happier… I feel so much more active. I’m starting to build resistance and my balance is certainly improving in them but I can’t do the pivot balance for long, I tried standing in the pivot balance for 4 minutes today and could feel my muscles trembling. Starting to feel slight change around my stomach area, feels tighter at sides, which is certainly spurring me on! 20th July Just 4 days of wearing these shoes and my posture is feeling so much better. I’m so much more conscious of how Im standing after wearing my Tonewalkers. These shoes force you stand correctly and in the past I have felt really bad lower back pain because I guess I must be standing badly. This is something I have noticed is easing off. Standing properly is also making me feel so much better, I feel much more confident and my body looks a totally different 21st July I’m absolutely loving my Tonewalkers. I am getting such a good nights sleep with them. Sounds insane but because I am getting such a good workout with them I can literally drop off the minute I get to bed whereas before I started on my fitness regime I found it hard to drop off at night, my mind was overactive and my legs also felt very restless. My legs are not aching in bed at night and I truly feel healthier. My healthy feeling is now making me want to make other changes to my life such as my eating habit sand from tomorrow I have decided to start eating 3 balanced meals and cut out the second love of my life – junk food. 22nd July I can do a pivot balance without shaking after 2 minutes! I am so happy with how fast my fitness is improving, I can hardly believe that just a few days ago I could not wear these shoes for longer than 10 minutes and now I am wearing them throughout the day. Scarier still, I live in Birkenstocks in the summer and have always sworn by what I regard as being the comfiest shoe ever. Not any more… These magic foam shoes that look so bizarre have spoilt me and ruined my loving relationship with my trusty Birkenstocks. When I put my Birkenstocks on they actually ache my feet and feel alien on. I can’t explain but my Tonewalkers feel so comfortable and I am starting to get the feeling that this is only the tip of the iceberg. 23rd July Luckily I only had a 10-minute walk. Any further and I would of been hitch hiking a lift home. I set myself up for an exercise session that is sadly just too intense for me. I forget that I haven’t done any regular sport since leaving school 8 years ago so its hardly surprising. Still, it’s something to work towards… My calf muscles have never ever been worked as much as they were today. I have often wondered how to develop this area as I don’t seem to have any sign of muscle in this part of my leg… The shoes are totally addictive because I can feel a huge difference already. Not only are they the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn they are starting to tone me, not massively but I do feel tightening around tummy and thighs. 24th July Although I have really felt my muscles working with the shoes I have to say that I haven’t pulled or strained ANYTHING which is amazing considering that I’ve possibly gone a bit OTT with my mission for the perfect bikini body. I’ve really taken wearing my shoes to the extreme! Actually tried doing a bit of a workout today in front of MTV. Realised that I can do a stepping/climbing movement similar to using a treadmill so gave myself a good workout. Starting to think that I’m losing my fatty areas now… Particularly around my tummy and sides – my love handles seem to be getting smaller! 25th July I’m totally convinced that my body is changing shape; my husband does not believe that the shoes would of made such a difference to me after just 9 days but Im positive they have… I now wear then all day in the office, changing into other shoes to get home and then back into my Tonewalkers once Im back at home. I wear them whilst cooking, cleaning, washing – you name it - they do not leave my feet! My balance is SIGNIFICANTLY better and I am actually loving the whole experience! 26th July I am 100% convinced that the shoes are doing me good – still had NO back pains, NO restless legs and even heard someone commenting on my posture today – this made my day and its all down to my Tonewalkers! 27th July I’m totally positive that I have lost weight… My clothes are feeling looser and my jeans actually fit me much better. Cant put my finger on it, I DO feel a bit firmer particularly on my thighs but they are not quite the supermodel legs I yearn for. I’m not giving up and every chance I have do my little stepping workout with the shoes in front of the television! I haven’t so much as dared to leave the office/house in the shoes since the 23 rd when I was petrified I had gone OTT in my quest for fitness. Considering how tiring the whole experience was and the fact that I was scared I had overworked my muscles I never felt so much as an ache with the shoes- they really are magic! 28th July My abdominal muscles are really starting to develop and I feel generally straighter without my shoes, am also starting to notice I am walking differently – I get the feeling that my feet are changing shape… I have flat feet but they don’t look as flat as they have done over the years. 29th July I didn’t take my shoes off all day! I can’t believe how much my fitness has improved since wearing the shoes. I still have a long way to go but if I had not of seen results as quickly as this then I doubt I would still be bothering. I have noticed that my feet actually hurt me whenI am not wearing my Tonewalkers, I need to place my feet down differently which actually explains yesterdays discovery when I was totally convinced that my feet were not looking as flat – it’s true – I have an arch in my feet where once there was not one! I’m just loving these changes and even my husband can now see the results. 30th July Wore my shoes all day. Found myself in an extreme situation though… Went to town to a rally and wasn’t expecting to have to walk very far. As it happens my husband parked 2 miles from the rally and I of course was in my Tonewalkers, which meant a real intense bout of exercise. Still really ached the back of my legs, I was hoping that I might be a bit fitter by now and that they wouldn’t hurt – wishful thinking, I had to cheat and try to walk as normally as possible in them – I just would not of made the journey otherwise. Whilst at the rally I took the opportunity to do as much stretching as possible in them, preparing myself for the long journey home. The pain was well worth it though because when I studied myself in the mirror I was for once quite pleased! I can honestly say I haven’t been in such good shape for a very, very long time and its showing. My thighs are much, much firmer than they have ever been. My cellulite is actually decreasing, I am not as dimply at the top of my thighs and my legs are starting to change shape. My legs still have a way to go but so far the results have astounded me. Toned thigh, cellulite improved, tummy toned, flat feet gone… If I have had these amazing results after such a short period of time I cant wait to see what happens in the next few weeks. I know that it’s all about perseverance and these changes have certainly given me what I need in order to persevere. 31st July 1st August 2nd August Side stomach muscles developing and really toning up! Been measuring myself and seen that I have lost inches ALL over. Went to the supermarket in the shoes, had lots of looks but I don’t really care because I’ve never felt healthier! 3rd August I’m now wearing my shoes every day from the minute I get up I slip them on and remove them literally just before I go to bed. I seem to be burning more fat, which is amazing really considering since I have started wearing them I have developed a HUGE appetite. Kept them on ALL day today, had them on from the minute I got up till literally the minute I got to bed and felt great. Going to bed earlier than I have ever done before, am thinking that with all this fat burning it is really wearing me out which is good because every day I am losing fat and toning! 4th August I am now able to balance on my pivot for 10 minutes at a time. Wearing the shoes all day long and still feeling fat loss and toning up significantly at the back of my calves. 5th August Went out to the market today in my shoes. They certainly attracted a lot of inquisitive looks, maybe because I do walk differently in them but my posture is great and the benefits are certainly worth it. Arches are starting to develop further in my feet. Am feeling myself standing differently, not putting as much pressure on my feet – weight feels as though it’s more evenly balanced. Shoes ache at back of my legs I have noticed when I first put them on but it goes away. I presume that this is just the blood starting to pump? Still sleeping well and generally feeling healthier! 6th August Had a wonderful workout today. Used the shoes in a stepping motion whilst watching the television. Thrilled that my thighs are reducing, my trousers are getting much baggier on me even though I am actually eating more with the shoes on. Went to bed feeling totally shattered! 7th August Hardly wore my shoes today, was wanting to see how I would sleep without having worn them and had a terrible nights sleep, just couldn’t nod off and was not as exhausted as I have been in previous days. Legs also felt quite achy at night. 8th August Felt totally shattered after a bad nights sleep. Wore the shoes all day but struggled as I felt quite weak. Going up and down the staors was a challenge but have noticed that my knees are not as painful since wearing the shoes. Can see new muscles starting to develop in my legs now. 15th August There isn't anywhere that I don't go to in my Tonewalkers now, they are incredibly addictive, I've noticed how the shoes fit me perfectly now, my foot shape has been moulded into the shoe now.
It seems second nature to me wearing the shoes that I am actually contemplating getting another pair in a size smaller so my foot really hangs over the back so I can intensify my workout – that's it, I am officially addicted!!
Results are obvious, my thighs are not so round any more, I feel them taking on a different shape and I've got definition at the back of my legs now, I have never had much calf muscle and don't want to look like a wrestler but they certainly are getting defined!
18th August
Since the arches in my feet re- appeared I have noticed how I stand differently on them and it's become more natural to me, initially it felt odd but now I guess that my feet are strengthening so regardless as to what shoes I wear I am now in the habit of positioning my feet properly.
20th August
I've figured out a wonderful workout, there are literally thousands of ways of working out in these shoes, I find myself doing all sorts of non obvious workouts in them everywhere I go, if I am in a queue somewhere I raise myself up and down or work my thigh muscles by doing tiny lifts, I dance around the house in them – I LIVE in these shoes, they truly are unbelievable – love affair is certainly not over. Stomach muscles are also just getting more and more defined, I generally feel so much more toned all over and I'm even getting comments on my shape!
24th August
Today I decided to count my steps using a freebie pedometer, I believe we are meant to do 4,000 steps a day so I decided to see just how many I do on an average day and of course went a bit OTT trying to do extra steps (aware how badly I was doing!)And managed at the end of the day a measly 2,892 steps which is worrying as I would have sworn I was more active than that, I'm always running around but I guess I'm obviously not as active as I thought which is rather alarming...
However… If we take into account that Tonewalker's are 5 times more powerful than normal tennis shoes then I have done 14,460 steps today which certainly sounds a lot more impressive and makes me feel a lot better than a poultry 2,892!
31st August
What I love about these shoes is that even without them I now stand up straight, I have had poor posture for years and often feel weighed down, now I feel I carry myself better and am getting worried as it's the last day of the Summer, how will I cope throughout the winter in my beloved Shoes!? Maybe a switch to the Clogs is on the cards…
Results wise I just feel better and better – long way to go till perfection but generally I am delighted with the shoes and the results although it has to be said I do get funny looks when I am out in them but to be honest I really don't care and actually find it all rather amusing because when people do ask me what the shoes are for and I tell them they are very impressed.
7th September
Some days I put the shoes on and don't feel so much as an ache which is why I am really thinking about buying a pair in a smaller size just to get that intensity back, although if I had a walking partner I guess I would feel it that way! I'm ok shopping and doing pretty much everything in them but my mission is to go power walking in them…
My thighs are less dimply than they have been in recent years which is wonderful, even my Husband has commented – what a happy Lady I am!!
10th September
Went to a wedding today - didn't wear my Tonewalker's but after weeks of wearing them I really felt the benefit!! I wore a long loosely fitted dress and for once was not shy about my chunky thighs or stomach - I didn't wear support tights as I would of done once upon a time and enjoyed feeling posturally correct and dare I say rather toned around my thighs, tummy and bottom.
I felt a lot more graceful with my towering high heels on, I dont lurch forward in them as I used to prior to wearing OHS and can again only presume that this is all down to the strengthening of my gait.
13th September
I got them today!! My new shoes that is, got my Tonewalker's a size down from my others. They feel really snug on and my feet overhang slightly, am assured that this gives an even more intense workout.
Not had any aches but they do feel snugger on which I like, I guess I will know more once my feet mould into them, I'm not sure they feel more intense but then again I am used to them but if you are ok with them not being a perfect feet I well recommend going a size down in the sandals.
|
