wordpress decided to erase my entry so here is the rough draft. ugh. 100 words less than what I’d intended:

Skechers Women’s Shape Ups-Metabolize Fitness Walking Shoe Week 3
Before I give a review, the following must be noted:
*I have a bad case of scoliosis (curvature of the spine). I should probably have worn a back brace when I was 10. I haven’t been to a doctor so I don’t know if it can be corrected at this point in my life.
*I have flat feet and/or just a very low arch (finally confirmed).
*I have debilitating foot pain when I walk more than 2 miles.
*I haven’t worn them every day for 3 weeks. I have probably worn them for about 7 days but that includes walking around in New York which adds 1,000 days.

I wore them today to walk around Walmart after not wearing them for 5 days. And it was sort of like starting over. I almost lost my balance more than once but I quickly adjusted. Unfortunately my ankle started hurting almost immediately. That may have been because I haven’t worn them in a week and I was walking like I would walk with normal shoes. That is a “no-no” in Shape-Up land.

The shoes are very comfortable. Many say they don’t take them off when they get home. I don’t wear shoes unless I’m going somewhere but I could wear these around the house. I don’t because not wearing shoes at home is a habit.

Normally I could run up 3 flights of stairs easily. Not with Shape-ups. It is a work out. I have to walk slowly up the stairs and sometimes stop to catch my breath. I’m also used to walking very fast. It is hard to walk fast with these shoes. So I just gave up and now I walk at a normal pace.

Since I have other physical problems, I’m really not the person to look to for a recommendation (unless you have the same issues). But I did notice that my posture is much better while wearing the Shape-Ups. Also, it does work out your legs, butt etc. You will feel it and know.

With my issues, I’m starting to think I should wear these shoes more often. I got on a machine that measures arches and it confirmed that my arch is low and something about not being able to put weight on the arch. I guess that leads to the pain but I also think scoliosis plays a big part too. I’m not wearing tennis shoes every day. I love to dress up at least twice a week. I would get the dressier Shape-Ups so I could wear them every day. Then I would get used to them. However, that is another $100. And I’m not spending that much on shoes. Not right now.

I would recommend these to people who walk for exercise. You will love them. Try them on for 5 minutes in the store and you will fall in love with how soft they feel. Definitely follow the directions and wear them for 20 minutes a day for a while. It takes time to get used to them. I didn’t do that because I needed them for vacation. At least give it 3 weeks of regular walking before you return them.

I’m definitely glad I brought mine. I just wish they were more comfortable while being still. (I didn’t follow the directions so…) On the second day, I was fidgeting so much at work. And all I was doing was sitting at my desk! I still have a hard time sitting/standing still while wearing them. Standing on that concrete floor in H&M was hell on my feet. But Skechers’ foot pros say these shoes are made for that. Huh? Is it my feet or the shoes? I think it is my feet/back because I don’t see this complaint much. At this point I would not wear these shoes if I had to stand ANYWHERE for longer than 30 minutes. I have to keep moving.