We sat down with Sharon Seagrave, two time Olympic athlete, to talk about MBT shoes. We were curious to know how to incorporate MBT shoes into our lives and wanted some simple and easy fitness tips.

Miss Bliss: What fitness tips do you have for beginners (I love that you’re an athlete, but what about the Jane Doe? How should she get started?)

Sharon: Develop a LIFESTYLE of health first (consistent effort over a long period of time pertaining to exercise and nutrition) And when you really start to enjoy being fit, the process will lead to performing – whether it’s in your everyday responsibilities of taking care of yourself and family or participating in a local walking /running event.

Focus on what you can do to add to the effort it will take to reach your goal. So, that means have your workout clothes accessible, even if you have to keep a bag in your car. If you have to work out early in the morning, the first step is literally jumping out of the bed running to the bathroom and turning the light on. Since the light is on, put your workout clothes on. Since you have your clothes on, put on your shoes. Well, since your shoes are on, walk to the door open it and go out. Walk in one direction for 30 minutes, turn around and walk back home. Do that 3 times a week for a month and then add to it. One step at a time….

Miss Bliss: How do you turn everyday activities into exercises with MBT shoes?

Sharon: Write a list of the activities you do on a daily basis on a sheet of paper. Then think about what muscles you use when you are performing these tasks – vacuuming or simply standing at the counter making dinner (calf raises anyone?)

Whatever exercises you decide to do, make sure you are contracting the muscles quickly and returning slowly to beginning position. Try to do 3 sets of each movement. If you are picking up toys, this is a perfect time to do squats or lunges (multidirectional of course—front, side, and backwards lunges). If you are doing laundry, first fold it and then put it in the basket, proceed by doing biceps curls and then over head presses-3 times 12.

Miss Bliss: How do you make exercise fun?

Sharon: Have a goal that really matters to you. A goal that does not have a number associated with it but one that will make you feel healthy and full of love for yourself and others. And by the way, a little music and friends to do it with are always a big plus.

Miss Bliss: How do you get moving in your MBT shoes?

Sharon: I am typing this slowly…I want you to read this slowly….Ready? First put them on….Second, lace them properly… and third, STAND UP! MBT shoes are so amazing that whether walking or simply standing still your muscles are WORKING…almost 20% more when walking and nearly 40% more while standing. It is automatic! (Was I too hard on you? OH Well you asked for it!)

Miss Bliss: Why do MBT shoes benefit people with joint pain/back problems/etc?

Sharon: As a two time Olympic jumper and hurdler, I can tell you that relieving the pain in my joints—knee, hip and lower back was my number one reason for trying MBT shoes. And boy, am I glad I did. You see, when I would train everyday my coach would command us, after beating up our body, to do activities that would allow our bodies to regenerate and subsequently prevent future injuries. We would run barefoot on soft grass or on the sandy long jump pit. By training the supporting musculature that acts as “shock absorbers” to our joints, tendons, and ligaments we are able to protect our joints all over our entire body. MBT shoes benefit people with these types of issues by giving positive feedback in the form of increased muscles activity, improved posture, increased blood flow for healing, and an extraordinarily comfortable walking experience. People who wear MBT shoes are able to escape the repeated shock and compression that occurs when walking or standing on hard flat surfaces wearing conventional footwear. MBT shoes provide protection and activation with every step, every day.

Miss Bliss: Which muscles are most benefited by wearing MBT shoes/how to engage your muscles in your MBT shoes?

Sharon: For me, I have seen improvement in the muscles in my lower extremities and core. These include the buttocks, hamstrings, quadriceps, calves, and, of course, the over 29 muscles of the feet. I have also seen a tightening of my core muscles in the abdominal area. My personal findings match what they have concluded in numerous clinical trials. MBT shoes provide 19% increased muscle activity when walking and 38% when standing. Yeah!!!!

the billow by FitFlop

I hereby declare January 30th as FitFlop Billow goes on sale day! (wonder if we can get a day off out of this one!)

The Billow by FitFlop was $125 and is now marked down to $99.95 + shipping (unless you have a free shipping code kickin around!)

The Fit Flop’s uniquely built multi-density midsole activates muscles midstep to help tone your thighs, your calves and your glutes. In fact, Fit Flops are biomechanically engineered to absorb shock and lessen joint strain – but with a powerful new built-in micro-wobbleboard workout-enhancing effect.

FITFACT: Fit Flops work your butt muscles more: A SIGNIFICANTLY longer stimulation of the gluteus maximus muscle was measured in Fit Flop wearer trial testing!

I normally wear orthotics. Can I wear the Fit Flop?
The Fit Flop has been designed with a regularly shaped footbed, however, the multi-density midsole creates a micro-wobbleboard action that challenges the muscles of the foot and arch, and therefore might not be suitable for everyone who needs orthotics. We recommend that you err on the side of caution and consult your podiatrist prior to wearing Fit Flops if you currently rely on orthotic support.

Can I wear Fit Flops if I am pregnant?
Again, we’d recommend that pregnant women check with their obstetrician or GP first, before engaging in a fitness routine based around, or a lot of walking in the Fit Flop. Because a pregnant woman’s tendons can be more susceptible to stretching, minor variances in gait and foot flexion caused by use of the Fit Flop might lead to muscle soreness or hyperextension. Note: Walking in Fit Flops is an excellent way to get back in shape post-partum.

Are they suitable for a wide fit?
Yes, Fit Flops are suitable for a wide foot. Because the Fit Flop’s footbed is slightly wider than average, they fit pretty much every foot in width. If you have an extremely high instep, you may have to go up a size initially, or spend a few days wearing in the midsole, which custom moulds and compresses to fit your instep height after a couple of days of intensive use.

Happy Weekend!
Bliss Kisses
<3 Karen

The ‘blissing’ link

“Why another beauty blog?” you ask. There are plenty of beauty blogs, but no ‘spa-thority’ voice on the internet. Bliss is a spa and skincare company. We use our products in our treatments, so we know they work because we use them on hundreds of lovelies like you every day. When you buy a Bliss product you’re bringing home a piece of our spa (sans the expert technician).

‘Bliss’ and Tell

We believe that secrets don’t make friends. We want to ‘bliss’ and tell so you can look ‘spa’-velous everyday from the inside out.

What to expect when the ‘spa-thorities’ get on the soapbox

We’d love to update this blog daily Mon-Fri. If we go ‘bliss’-ing in action, don’t be alarmed-we’re just working on updating our expert ‘spa’-mmentary so you get the full beauty brief. Without further ado, I would love to tell you a little about myself…..

Meet the Author

Thanks for stopping by! My name is Karen Glidden and I’m the web content coordinator for Bliss. I will be the primary author of Bliss n Tell. For all your beautification needs, please refer to blissworld.com

My background is not beauty related at all. I graduated from Boston University and worked at Starbucks for many years climbing their corporate ladder. Pre-Bliss, my idea of a milky cleanser was the residue left on my face after making cappuccinos all day. I’ve been with Bliss for just over a year now and have been converted into a product worshipper. I’m the MacGyver of skincare. I love inventing new uses to beauty products. You’ll find me putting toner on my legs to help with dry skin, wearing my glamour gloves on the subway to smooth my hands, and using skincare in my hair to tame flyaways. Oh, did I mention that I’m totally frugal. Yes, this little Bliss girl is a ‘recessionista’ for sure.

My skin type is normal. I’m not particularly breakout prone unless it’s stress related or hormonal. I’m not too oily, but sometimes dry all over depending on the weather. I’ve got an even skin tone and not too many fine lines, wrinkles, or hyperpigmentation. I have some sun damage from years of sun-worshipping sans SPF, my greatest skincare regret in life. My biggest skin concern are fine lines/wrinkles around my eyes and laugh lines around my mouth. Oh, and some uh….cellulite on my bum/thighs. Yes, I am human (you can stop pointing and laughing now, thanks!).

My Favorite Bliss Product: I can’t choose just one. It’s a tie between Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask and A Tan For All Seasons

Triple Oxygen Instant Energizing Mask is my five minute beauty fix for just about everything (breakouts, dull/tired skin, dryness). A Tan For All Seasons is my best friend. It’s a stink-free tan in a can. I cannot live without a sun-kissed glow all year (without the UV damage, of course!)

Spreading the bliss

Please feel free to post questions and comments on this blog. We look forward to hearing from you! Oh, and don’t forget to subscribe to Bliss Beaut-e-mail for special offers on products and spa treatments! See you soon!