Monday - Double MM & ? about shoes

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

We had guests over the weekend so I didn't workout or even stretch on Sat/Sun. I paid for it with a tight body, though! Also, food was not the greatest due to having stuff around like summer time salads w/ mayo! Fortunately, everything was homemade, and I think that does reduce the mayo/fat content - and I don't eat a ton of this stuff in general b/c too much mayo/fat upsets my stomach, but I did eat more of it than I normally would, iced desserts, smoothies, too since it has been so warm here. Oh well - 'tis another week and another chance to start fresh on the healthy eating plan.

So....today I did two Montenegro Method workouts back to back. So I'm now "caught" up in my rotation for this week!I did MM Strength # 3 - which is for the core - although it does hit the entire body. In this one, Marta does a lot of squats, lunges, planks with rotational moves. Her pace is slow and controlled so I feel that this is safe for my back. If I were to do these moves quickly and without her control, I'm sure I'd mess myself up - but the way she presents these is perfect for me. And, after I was done, my back and everything else was feeling much looser.

Second workout was MM Endurance # 2 - my last time for Endurance # 2 - I move on to # 3 next time! Did pretty well on this in spite of being a little fatigued from the strength workout.

I also warmed up and cooled-down on my own by stretching, range of motion exercises and a 1 mile walk on the TM - 1/2 mile before, 1/2 mile after. During my cool down walk I watched the first circuit from Endurance # 3 - it doesn't look too bad. Since she repeats each circuit 3X - but varies each exercise slightly - I at least have a small idea of what is coming up for me when Endurance is on schedule again! Oh - I also did the standing portion of Classical Stretch - Express Workouts Standing & Floor workout - for some extra back stretches.

Ok - now for my question. I was shopping for sneakers for DD - suddenly she outgrew all her sneakers! And, I tried on a pair of one of those rounded bottom fitness shoes - like Sketchers, MBT, etc. The pair I tried on was Dr. Scholl's which Sears carries for a reasonable price - I have always been a bit curious about how these shoes would feel! I don't necessarily believe the "toning" claims they make, but I can sort of see how having a "negative" heel can be good for your foot, posture, back etc. Anyway, I tried them on and walked around the store in them for about 10 minutes and I have to admit, my legs felt great in them. So, what do you think, gimmick? Helpful? Individual thing? I"m wondering since wearing high heels totally messes up my back if wearing shoes like these would actually help it since it does force you to stretch through your calf/achilles when walking and does have a heel that

is lower than the forefoot. I have also learned/experienced how a tight calf/achilles can contribute to back pain - so I wonder if these would be good for me? I hate to spend the $, but my 10 min in them felt good!! The Dr. Scholl's also makes a mary jane type shoe which I may be able to get away w/ wearing to work!

Take care,

Donna