the verdict

there's been a lot of hype over fitflops. but a good friend told me all the claims were for real. that's why i bought myself a pair. after using them for over a week now, i can really say that they work. without a doubt.

i measured myself today and i was amazed, i lost an inch around my hips, and 1/2 inch on each of my thighs. in just one week. my bum feels tighter, and my calves are more shapely. and i haven't been serious about my diet at all. at least, not in the past two weeks.

but the best thing about them is they are supremely comfortable. i was on my feet for 5 straight hours and my feet didn't hurt at all. (just my bum and the back of my thighs though) i don't ever want to take them off!

the fasciitis thing

update:
my plantar fasciitis seems to be going away. and it's all because of this pair of shoes. not the running shoes i recently bought, but this old pair of nike ballerina-style walking shoes. or are they dancing shoes? i don't really know. =)

but they're so comfy and they kinda force me to walk properly, i don't know why. and really, i don't much care as long as it works! =) too bad it's not weather-proof, so i can only wear them when it's sunny.

but i love that they go well with casual skirts, capris, and even regular jeans.

oh my aching heel

my right heel has been aching quite a bit the past few weeks. it's becoming too painful to walk, which is a bummer since that's the best exercise i can ever get. and it's not like i have a choice not to, because otherwise, how will my son get to school? dang.

anyway, i researched my symptoms and found out that i have plantar fasciitis.

from webmd:

What is plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis (say "PLAN-ter fash-ee-EYE-tus") is the most common cause of heel pain. The plantar fascia is the flat band of tissue (ligament) that connects your heel bone to your toes. It supports the arch of your foot. If you strain your plantar fascia, it gets weak, swollen, and irritated (inflamed). Then your heel or the bottom of your foot hurts when you stand or walk.

Plantar fasciitis is common in middle-aged people. It also occurs in younger people who are on their feet a lot, like athletes or soldiers. It can happen in one foot or both feet.

What causes plantar fasciitis?

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports your arch. Repeated strain can cause tiny tears in the ligament. These can lead to pain and swelling. This is more likely to happen if:

• Your feet roll inward too much when you walk (excessive pronation). err, what?
  
• You have high arches or flat feet. - i do have high arches
  
• You walk, stand, or run for long periods of time, especially on hard surfaces. - as i said, unavoidable.
  
• You are overweight.- ouch, that too. although when i was 200 lbs i didn't get this. so why would i develop plantar fasciitis now that i'm 160 lbs? doesn't make sense.
  
• You wear shoes that don't fit well or are worn out. - all my shoes fit well, they're just not too comfortable. but i can go walking at the mall for hours in them and my feet don't hurt! it's only when i walk fast.
  
• You have tight Achilles tendons or calf muscles. - i have no idea if i do.
  

What are the symptoms?

Most people with plantar fasciitis have pain when they take their first steps after they get out of bed or sit for a long time. true You may have less stiffness and pain after you take a few steps, but your foot may hurt more as the day goes on. also true It may hurt the most when you climb stairs or after you stand for a long time.

How is it treated?

No single treatment works best for everyone with plantar fasciitis. But there are many things you can try to help your foot get better:

• Give your feet a rest. Cut back on activities that make your foot hurt. Try not to walk or run on hard surfaces. uh, yeah right. i live in the city not the countryside, and there's no way i can cut back on walking.
  
• To reduce pain and swelling, try putting ice on your heel. tried it, didn't work Or take an over-the-counter pain reliever like ibuprofen (such as Advil or Motrin), naproxen (such as Aleve), or aspirin.
• Do calf stretches and towel stretches several times a day, especially when you first get up in the morning. this one actually works
  
• Get a new pair of shoes. wow! i love this treatment! Pick shoes with good arch support and a cushioned sole. Or try heel cups or shoe inserts (orthotics). Use them in both shoes, even if only one foot hurts.