Monday 28 June 2010

My perfect buttocks (ho bloody ho)

I used to be SO good at exercising. I’d go to the gym, fling myself around aerobics classes, twine myself in knots at yoga. But in the last year I have, shall we say, lapsed. Apart from the odd frenzy on the squash court I haven’t done a bean. When I tried on a maxi dress and looked like a battleship opera singer I figured I ought to do something. But the scent of freshly-baked bread is nigh-on impossible to resist.

Then in popped the email, like a divine message from on high. Did I fancy trialling a pair of Reebok EasyTone trainers? These are the ones that have given hordes of women buttock envy – the ones that will supposedly firm up your legs and your backside just by walking around town or doing your daily whatever it is you do. In other words, the lazy woman’s workout. Sounded good from where I was sitting. Divine inspiration in fact – so it would have been a clear snub  to the Almighty not to give them a whirl.

I’ve been a FitFlop fan for several years so I wondered how these would measure up. Can a shoe really do the work you ought to be doing? Well, actually, to a point yes. You’re supposed to ease yourself into wearing the EasyTones but I never follow instructions and so ended up feeling as if I’d spent the day on the leg machines at the gym. The burn lasted for about three days and, after three weeks, I did notice a difference. My legs were definitely firmer (though sadly my bum didn’t experience the same epiphany). I find the trainers a little wide (but then I have seriously narrow feet) but the flipflops are heaven – less chunky and remedial looking than the FitFlops and extremely comfortable.  Also, sorry FitFlop, I think they do work those legs a bit harder.

At the weekend a bunch of us were invited up to London to give some feedback. We met up at the Chelsea Harbour Club and I had huge fun interviewing some of the other trialists on camera. They had nearly all started out highly sceptical. One confessed that she had only taken part as she needed a new pair of trainers. But the consensus was that they really are pretty fab.

As we sat outside, in the sun, glugging wine and laughing, it struck me again just how bloody nice the vast majority of bloggers are. We were a mixed bunch – varying ages and careers (a nurse, a student, a book-keeper etc); some with children, some without – but we all got on like a house on fire.

They’re all well worth getting to know so, without further ado, can I please introduce you to the lovely:

Carly - http://www.mummysshoes.com/ @MummysShoes

Carol - http://mummynew.blogspot.com/ @caroljs

Jill - (blog coming soon, she promises) @jillo1974

Jamilla - http://thesquarepegchronicles.blogspot.com/ @squarepegjam

Luschka - http://www.diaryofafirstchild.com/ @LvanO

Reebok have two new launches coming up - RunTone (a running shoe with much greater stability than the Easytone which still offers more toning than an average running shoe) and TrainTone (for gym workouts and aerobics). Some experts seem to think they’re a bit of a gimmick but the women at the Harbour Club were mad keen.  Even Mr Cynical himself, the Beer God, has been eyeing up the pictures and dropping big hints.

As for me, I’m waiting for them to bring out an all over body suit which will miraculously melt my flab as I sit at my desk. But then the image rose up of some kind of catsuit or neoprene wetsuit and the appeal swiftly paled.  Maybe the Easytone Burqa perhaps?



PS - If you fancy checking out what other people think of the trainers, see http://www.reetalk-toning.com/
PPS - Not looking bad for my age, am I???  Any resemblance to Kelly Brook is purely coincidental... ;)

23 comments:

Big Fashionista said...

Things like that never happen to me. Sigh, I've lost all enthusiasm for fitness. I'm going to get fatter and fatter until i end up in London Zoo in the water bit as the new walrus. ;)

Exmoorjane said...

I'll probably join you, BF.... seriously need that burqa!

Big Fashionista said...

If I can get one in pastel yellow, I'm in :-) think we can get a BOGOF?

Mopsa said...

Ho w do they measure up against MBTs? Any idea? (Oh, and the puppy is luscious).

Mrs Darling said...

Sounds like great results, I won some easytones recently can't wait to receive them and get going! I am a fit flop fan in summer and had earth shoe boots for winter. I hate to think how untoned I'd be if I dared to wear 'normal' shoes more often!

Exmoorjane said...

Big: LOL - BOGOF Burqas? I like it. I'll go for emerald green, I think!

Mopsa: I have only tried MBTs briefly and did like them. Trouble is, you can only get them from certain shops and we don't have anywhere with a good selection round here. Plus they are HUGELY expensive. I think MBTs come into their own if you're standing on your feet all day. Also they do have a huge range now (but Reebok say they have 'plans' :) )

Mummy V: suspect you'll like them...not a lot NOT to like really. We're all lobbying for a ballerina pump now!

Maggie Christie said...

The weekend sounds terrific fun and the EasyTones sound good too - I'm a big Fitflop fan - but I am quite interested in the RunTones - I wonder if they'd like me to test a pair?

Alison Cross said...

I've often wondered about these fitflop things, might give the Runtones a bit of a workout.

Or maybe..... I'll just sit on the sofa with a chunky lifestyle p0rn mag and pick my toes ;-)

Ali xxx

Chris Stovell said...

Mags and I will try out the running shoes if anyone needs volunteers! ohpleaseohpleaseohplease! We're doing Welsh hills so we need our firm buttocks!

Mrs Worthington said...

As a self confessed shoeaholic I maybe tempted to give them a try do they do a wedgey version?

A friend has had some for a while and suggests that they are not suitable for a clumsy arse like myself?!

Sam Fox said...

Laughed till it hurt!!!! I often wondered if those shoes worked! My flipflops probably should be called Fatflops.... its all gone a bit pear-shaped since I went and found lurve....!!!! But am back on the Zumba wagon every weekday so we will be able to compare our buns of steel soon.....!

Exmoorjane said...

PM: will ask the nice Reebok people...:) Or check out the website - they do giveaways every so often... (though do you really need another forum?!)

Ali: I think if they were pug ugly, I wouldn't bother - but I like the styling on the Reeboks (and Fitflops too) and they seem to help my back too. But I hear you, I hear you!!

Chris: as I said to Mags, check out the Reetalk site... :)

Mrs W: why not suitable? Intrigued. Need more info here!

Riv: Ah well, you have a Very Good Excuse Indeed! Envy you the Zumba too - think that would get my hazy ass in gear! (((HUGS))))

Being Me said...

Could you put me down for one of those Burqas too, please? I thought for a moment, in the opening paragraphs of this post, that you had somehow stolen the words right out of my self-deprecating brain ;) I used to be so fit before kids, it wasn't funny. And now... well, the state of my fitness is far from funny, actually!

DD's Diary said...

Grrr, my Reeboks never showed up so I am doomed to drag my bum along the floor forever ...tried fitflops but they hurt! Hopeless

Exmoorjane said...

Being: ah *sigh* - I'm with you, I really am. :( All that rubbish they spin about having children making you fit by running around etc (they don't mention the hoovering leftovers, or sharing chocolates, do they?)

DD: What? Oh no, no, no.... Did you email them?

Carly said...

aaaw fab piece :) I am just writing up a blog post about Saturday. I can't get over how lovely everyone was...bring on the next event! And I really must read your book too! x

Ladybird World Mother said...

Now the bit I would have liked was the sitting outside with wine bit... not sure about exercise... especially in Scary Shoes... I do my exercise hoovering... no need for shoe wear. Oh, burqa for me too. Leopard skin, I think.xx

Exmoorjane said...

Carly - *waves* - was SO great meeting you.... Yup, I think we need to test out the TrainTones in, hmmmm, LA or something?!

LWM: no excuse - you could wear EasyTones while you Hoover! Bit Bet Lynch, your burqa! Think I'll stick with the original black. :)

Rob-bear said...

Having fits, I understand, is bad for your health. Even physical fits, or fitness, or whatever. Apoplexy is not "in."

For shaping up, I'll just walk Her Ladyship. She doesn't have fits, which is fitting for her, and does not leave me fitful.

I'll be fit some day, even if it's fit to be tied.

Never heard of the things you mentioned, here on the west side of the pond. No experience whatsoever.

Catharine Withenay said...

I love the picture of you!!!! Now, if the trainers could make me look like that within a couple of weeks (whilst all I do is sit at the computer, writing etc.) I'd buy them too!

Posie said...

I loved the image of you trying out those trainers while sat down glugging wine with a great bunch of girls...good for you. Am very jealous as my running shoes are in complete tatters. Puppy looks sooo cute!!
Posie x

DD's Diary said...

You've been tagged - or is it memed? - over chez moi. Go on, I know you love these things really .....

Elizabeth Musgrave said...

Oh you might have persuaded me to have a go. Funnily enough, you could be my twin in that picture.