Okay, so we are quite a few weeks into summer vacation, and we've noticed that we're filling out our bathing suits much more than we expected. Somehow, our plans for getting into better shape have fallen by the wayside. What's going on here? Well, though we are not ones to make excuses (yeah, who are we kidding?), we do have several explanations. The kids are home, so we're finding ourselves parked at fast food restaurants more often than not (hey, we're on vacation too). It's been hotter than...well, you know. And, if we're not suffering in the blistering heat, we're getting drenched in the rain and chased by a flock of mosquitoes. Who wants to exercise outside in that? Of course, the heat naturally brings on our cravings for the sweet stuff, so the kids are eating ice cream almost every day...we can't let them eat alone now, can we? Wouldn't it be nice if we had a way to get into shape without the extra effort?
We've been hearing a lot the new Skechers Shape Ups fitness shoes and decided to check them out at our local mall. Skechers have been promoting their new line as a way of toning muscles and promoting weight loss, without setting a foot in a gym. Getting fit while walking, working and shopping? Sneakers that improve posture, strengthen the back and reduce stress on knee and ankle joints? Seriously, folks...who could resist these claims?
Here's the deal...every day, we typically walk on hard surfaces, placing stress on our knee joints and lower back. Skechers Shape Ups fitness shoes turn hard surfaces into more comfortable ground with a dynamic rolling bottom, soft foam insert under the heal and a dual-density mid-sole...all designed within the framework of the sneaker itself. The three elements work together to give the feeling of walking on a softer, uneven surface, simulating muscles that aren't usually used when walking on hard ground with standard walking shoes. Added benefits are increased circulation, blood flow and reduced impact on joints and lower back.
Okay, Skechers Shape Ups fitness shoes sound like a dream come true, but do they really work? In a word...yes! We've been wearing ours every day for about a week now. We don't have the back and joint pain that we typically feel after a day of running around with the kids. Plus, we absolutely feel the difference in our calves, thighs, buttocks and stomachs when we walk in them...provided we are doing it correctly. Because of the natural instability, we have to concentrate a little more on our steps or our ankles automatically roll inward. We have taken to chanting "sink (heel), roll, push (toes)" as we walk. Interestingly, the brisker we walk, the easier it is to keep our movements smooth and fluid. We wouldn't recommend running in these babies, though.
Our Skechers Shape Ups are honestly one of the most comfortable pairs of shoes we now own, and we feel great walking in them. We love that they come in a variety of styles and are available for both men and women. Though we haven't found the men's style online, they are in our local Sketchers store. The boat-like sole makes them all look fairly clunky, but the lift certainly makes us feel and look taller...we can use all the help we can get in that area anyway. The bigger soles are supposedly right in fashion...well, maybe for teenagers, but they look pretty silly on us. That's okay, though. The benefits are worth being a source of endless amusement to our friends.
Skechers Shape Ups fitness shoes have certainly changed the way we walk, and are one of the "koolest" investments we've made this summer. They are so comfortable, the fitness benefits are just an added bonus. Check out their video for more information. Skechers Shape Ups just may be the answer to getting in shape by simply standing and walking. Now, if we could just lay off the ice cream...
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The Daily Kool's beloved pooch Pepper, has just turned 9 years old...wow, time is definitely flying by quickly. Though he still acts like a puppy much of the time, we have noticed that things are slowing down just a little bit for him. The vet has told us his hips are beginning to weaken, as is often common for a standard poodle of his age. Plus, we've seen the extra hesitation when he jumps in the car, on the couch, and especially on the bed...yep, it's definitely time to get Pepper a pet ramp.
Why a ramp and not stairs, you ask (yes, we heard you)? Though both stairs and ramps are great for reducing the impact and stress associated with jumping on or off higher surfaces, we feel that the smooth and virtually impact-free design of a ramp is a better option for most pets...well, at least for ours. Since Pepper is a larger dog (and admittedly quite clumsy at times), we want to make sure that we invest in a ramp that is sturdy enough to virtually guarantee he won't fall off of it. Plus, since the ramp will become a permanent fixture in our home, we'd like to have one that blends in nicely with our wood finished bedroom furniture. So, which pet ramp is the best? And safest?
Check out the Naterfish pet ramp at Best Pet Ramp.com. These have to be some of the most beautiful pet ramps we've seen on the market yet...and we've done our research! The company boasts the safest and strongest indoor pet ramps on the market...that's quite a claim. Custom hand-finished (not factory made) and able to accommodate weight in excess of 300lbs, these pet ramps certainly seem unlikely to slip, tip over or fall apart. Yet, they are light enough to easily move when necessary to clean or make the bed...if you're a stickler for that kind of thing. The quality of the Naterfish pet ramps at Best Pet Ramp.com certainly seems top of the line, and we love all of the customizable options they offer. Best Pet Ramp.com offers three different heights (3ft, 4ft and 5ft) as well as three different width options to accommodate pets of all sizes. With a choice of seven wood finishes, six carpet colors, this is one pet ramp that would be an attractive addition to any bedroom.
Some of the Naterfish pet ramps at Best Pet Ramp.com feature models that include a safety rail which helps prevent your dog or cat from accidentally stepping off the side of the bed ramp. We love, love love this idea, especially since the rail can be placed on either side of the ramp and changed anytime. The Daily Kool is very disappointed to note that the website is not offering the safety rail option at this time...hopefully, this is just temporary. We have to say that the safety rail was one of the biggest selling points for us, and what truly sets this company apart from the rest...at least in our humble opinions. We have to admit that we would never have missed the safety rail if Best Pet Ramp.com had taken the description off of its website when they stopped offering it. But now that the idea is permanently fixed in our minds, we just cannot let it go...we're strange like that.
Even without the safety rail, the Naterfish pet ramps at Best Pet Ramp.com are undoubtedly the "koolest" pet ramps that we have come across online. Like most pet owners, we want to make sure we keep our dog as healthy as possible...protecting his hips, joints and back from injuries is a major concern for us. Let's not forget how pet ramps benefit our own backs...hey, we're getting older too, and Pepper is not quite as easy lift as you might think! A Naterfish pet ramp at Best Pet Ramp.com is a great, worry-free solution to protecting Pepper and helping him retain mobility with age, and most definitely a "kool" idea.
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Our younger son is very afraid of the dark. In fact, his anxiety is so great, he insists on being carried into the house whenever we come home at night. The lack of street lighting in our neighborhood doesn't help...neither does the fact that our kid's going through another growth spurt and is definitely not a lightweight these days. We also tend to forget to turn on the outside light, especially when we leave the house earlier in the day when the sun is still shining. This is a particular sore point with our son, especially since the darkness makes it tough to see the keyhole on the front door and get us in the house quickly.
We came across a practical product on QVC yesterday that just might make our lives a bit easier, the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light. Gotta love the bunny...by the way, it's his 20th birthday this year. Anyway, the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light features a removable LED light stick, equipped with internal, rechargeable batteries. The light stick can function in its specific product, or is detachable to serve as an area light and/or flashlight. We love that the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light is weatherproof with a 15 foot sensor for convenient use indoors and out. This feature is a particular selling point with us...we can put it right by the front door outside.
Okay we admit it, we might just get a tiny bit nervous ourselves when we have to walk Pepper (our pooch) at night...did we mention that our neighborhood doesn't have enough street lights? Think about the dual convenience of a motion activated light at the front door, with a removable LED flashlight to keep our path illuminated during Pepper's nightly stroll. Plus, the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light is affordable enough for us to get an extra one (or three) for inside the house. The product boasts continual, emergency lighting whenever the power goes out with its rechargeable backup battery pack. Hey, hurricane season has just begun, and we've already lost electricity several times from thunderstorms this summer. As much as we appreciate the long, five-hour run time we'll get with the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light when it's fully charged, it's nice to know we have the option of using three AAA batteries to get a continuous 12 hours in case of emergency.
We're in agreement with QVC host Lisa Robertson on this one...we can't imagine anyone who couldn't benefit from the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light. Easy to install and energy efficient, this product is ideal for mounting anywhere you need some extra light. Perfect in a garage, closet, attic, stairway and yes, by the front door, Energizer is definitely on the right track with this modular lighting system. Seriously folks, there's no reason to come home at night to a dark door. We do confess that we wish function met a little more with fashion in this case...it's kind of an ugly looking unit. Regardless, we think the Energizer Light on Demand motion activated light is a "kool" and practical idea for every household...definitely worth checking out on your own.
Okay, so we are quite a few weeks into summer vacation, and we've noticed that we're filling out our bathing suits much more than we expected. Somehow, our plans for getting into better shape have fallen by the wayside. What's going on here? Well, though we are not ones to make excuses (yeah, who are we kidding?), we do have several explanations. The kids are home, so we're finding ourselves parked at fast food restaurants more often than not (hey, we're on vacation too). It's been hotter than...well, you know. And, if we're not suffering in the blistering heat, we're getting drenched in the rain and chased by a flock of mosquitoes. Who wants to exercise outside in that? Of course, the heat naturally brings on our cravings for the sweet stuff, so the kids are eating ice cream almost every day...we can't let them eat alone now, can we? Wouldn't it be nice if we had a way to get into shape without the extra effort?
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