Monday Miscellany: Shoes, And A Dietary Reset

Ballet flats: the "Day Glove" from Everlane. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

The kind folks at Everlane sent me a pair of their newest shoes to try out, the “Day Glove” flats.  They’re available starting today, and in several colors. I like the look of ballet flats but often don’t find them comfortable or secure on my feet. These are both. There’s a surprising amount of padding in the sole, and the leather really is glove-soft. I think they have a very Audrey-esque vibe. While these flats wouldn’t be supportive enough for for me for travel shoes, they are great for a day of walking dogs and running errands. They run true to size. They’re a true black; the leather is smooth and a little glossy.

Detail: Everlane Editor slingback flats. Details at une femme d'un certain age.

I’ve also been eyeing these Editor Slingback Flats, which have a polished look sans heels. Slingbacks are a nice alternative to mules: still a more open look but with the added stability of a back strap. These would look great with pants or skirts.

A Dietary Reset…

I’ve been feeling constantly “nosh-y” lately and have fallen into some bad snacking habits. So I’m putting myself back on a low-carb regime, which usually seems to curb the worst of it. I’ve always had a tendency to gain weight easily, and carbs just seem to make me hungrier. I’ve been up a couple of pounds over my preferred range for the last year or so, and would love to get back in my comfort zone.

One thing I have come to terms with is that I will never be angular and willowy, no matter how much weight I lose. So I’ve quit setting unrealistic goals for myself. I aim to maintain my weight in a range that’s healthy and achievable without draconian measures. I want to be able to enjoy life, and that includes good food.

So that’s how I’m kicking off my week…how about you?

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37 Comments

  1. Those Everlanes are beautiful! I also do better on a low-carb diet – the best I’ve done was wheat-free, but that was easier to maintain during the period of time when my husband was living out here in Baltimore and I was still in the midwest closing out our house and finishing the school year. Much easier to stick to a diet when there’s no one else to offer you temptation!

  2. Having just eaten 38 croissants in Paris (over our 5weeks there) I will be joining you in limiting carbs! Perhaps time for “the whole30” again! Thank goodness for all the walking in Paris.

  3. This is a timely post as I’ve been looking online for black ballet flats with arch support. Also, I went gluten free about 2 years ago (okay, about 95% gluten free) and lost a significant amount of weight. I feel much, much better!

  4. Gluten free does not equal carb free. What most people mean to say when they announce they are going carb free is ‘starch free’ ie breads potatoes, pasta, rice. Many people who describe losing weight by going ‘gluten free’ have simply removed breads, pasta from their diet. You can easily gain a lot of weight by eating gluten free products which often contain high amounts of sugar. Many of my patients have told me “I have been eating gluten free but no weight loss.” They thought gluten free would reduce their carb intake. It does not! Unless you remove the usual weight gain suspects…cookies, breads, and replace with vegetables and mind the fruit intake too….carb. Take away is gluten free is wheat free but not free of carbohydrates.
    Up your body movement, lower portion sizes. Unless you are a celiac or have dermatitis herpetiformis no need for gluten free anything. Save your money and enjoy your food!!

    1. Yes, for me it’s about reducing sugars and starches overall, not gluten, per se. However our son was diagnosed as being “gluten intolerant” by a GI specialist and has been doing SO much better on a gluten-free diet (not weight issues for him but digestive upsets and behavioral problems).

  5. I’m ready for a reset as well, and the change of season might be conducive. . . .fruits and vegetables are always more enticing in the spring, I think. . . Travel will be the challenge, though–you’re smart to get started now and get some good habits back in place before you go.

  6. Hi Susan! Love the flats! About three years ago I read a book, Why We Get Fat and What To Do About It, by Gary Taubes and I began to adopt a low carb lifestyle. The first thing I noticed was diminished food cravings and more energy, significant since I am a woman in my 50s. Over the last three years, my body has transformed. I have slowly lost about 30 pounds and the higher energy has continued. I wish you luck on your better eating journey!

  7. Those shoes are beautiful. Unfortunately I just can’t wear ballet flats. My arches are too high so I’m much more comfortable in something with a wedge or small heel. I totally get it with the diet thing. Since menopause 13 years ago I’ve gained 20 pounds. Terrible! No matter what I wear I never really feel I look good I was an aerobics instructor and worked out 6 days a week. One day, after i had stopped teaching, I pulled into my gym parking lot waited 5 min and pulled out and never went back. That was 11 years ago. I long for that body again but now feel so self conscious about the way I look I fear going back. So silly, I know. I will never look like my 50 year old self but would love to just drop some weight. My problem is stress eating. Any hints to control that would be much appreciated.

  8. I always enjoy getting your posts in my inbox; you have a great sense of style! Today’s post struck a chord with me because I’m in the same boat, I’ve hit that age where weight comes on all to easily and hangs on for dear life when you are trying to get rid of it. I heard a speaker at a seminar on self care recently and I’ve just started her eating strategy, seems reasonable, so it might even work for an avid non-dieter like myself. Here’s the link to her site, if you’re interested. http://wholehealthstrategy.com/healthy-living/nutrition/

    Keep up the lovely blog…it’s a healthy indulgence!

  9. Oh, I’m so with you. First I’m giving up sweets. Then one more thing also starting to exercise. I need good arches in shoes for then to be comfortable. Let us know how you do on the low carb. Didn’t know there was a test for allergy to gluten.

    1. I don’t think it’s a test, so much as a process of elimination. But the proof is in the pudding, as they say, and he’s definitely doing better without the gluten.

  10. Good for you on the reset. I eliminated white flour and all processed foods a couple of years ago and lost 30 pounds – that and (almost) daily exercise are what has kept the weight off. I do have bread but only one serving a day (if any), and that is whole wheat. The key for me is finding what foods make me feel good and then sticking to them it sounds like that is your philosophy, too.

    And there is chocolate – at least one (usually two) pieces of dark chocolate a day.

    The shoes! I did see the Everlane shoes but they’re not me – I love their slimmer styles, like the loafers and oxfords (I have four pairs in different colors) and the street shoes. And I do love their clothes – I have many pieces and they are my wardrobe mainstays. One issue I have had lately, though, is that they are cutting more boxy and short pieces which are not flattering for my tall/thin frame. I’m hoping that they’ll cut more elongated styles for the fall!

    Looking forward to reading about your trip! I always love your packing lists and typically use them as a guide when I pack for travel. I am heading to France right after you so this spring’s list will be particularly useful.

  11. Have you heard of Whole Life Challenge? It’s a six-week challenge where you improve your eating (there are three different nutrition levels to follow, from fairly loose to very strict), and every day you exercise for at least 10 minutes (you define what exercise is), stretch for 10 minutes, drink so many ounces of water a day (depending on your weight), get enough sleep (you set how much sleep you think you need), follow a well being practice (they set that for you every week), and at the end of each day write a reflection. I am not affiliated with this in any way other than as someone who has signed up for it. It’s $50 to join. You could do it without officially joining, but I find I like being accountable for the food and all the other habits.

    I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism about 5 years ago and since I went on the meds my weight shot up. That plus my age have me struggling, but I do the best I can. I did Whole 30 and lost a lot of weight, but I thought about food too much and became almost obsessive about it, which I found more alarming than a few extra pounds. But I did learn a few things on that diet about foods that work for me and foods that don’t do me any favors, so it was a worthwhile experiment in the end.

  12. Love the ballet slippers. Low carb diet — I have been on a lot carb since February, and while not keto, I have lost about 13 pounds. I was feeling very fluffy, and my clothes were starting to get tight. We do eat a ton of veggies in all sorts of ways. I encourage you to get in that new kitchen and get creative!!

  13. But my darling girl, you DO look small boned, feminine, petite and lovely! I have seen successful models in person. willowy and tall tbey are. Their challenges are androgyny, slightly alien appearance (otherworldly) and unrelatability. Of course these big generalizations hurt all of us no matter what our appearace may be.

  14. I love the Day Glove flat! And, I agree, they do look Audrey-esque. I welcome comments from readers with narrow feet. Are these narrow enough? I also want to comment on the low carb diet. It does work and I always feel better on it. I follow Jorge Cruise’s eating plan. Some people think that low carb means replacing all breads, potatoes, and rice with substitute foods made from cauliflower, etc. This is not necessary. Just limit those items. Its more a matter of learning a different way to eat.

    1. Hi, Rondi, this is pretty late to the game, but those shoes were out of stock & mine just came. I have narrowish feet & they are too narrow for me! Also quite shallow, so alas, they are going back. They are beautiful, so I’m disappointed!

  15. So happy to have found you ! Your blog is so on point. I feel like I have just found a wonderful number of friends I am an out of condition soon to be 78 and I am going to (bucket list 0)to Paris this October. Thanks to you and your lovely followers i feel confidant and happy about my trip and so much more

  16. Love the flats! Prefer a harder sole and those are perfect and the higher vamp keep them up to date. Just got back from a Punta Cana all you can eat resort and that I did. Time to get back on Weight Watchers.

  17. I struggled with ballet flats for the same reasons. This transitional season i have developed a love of oxfords. Just bought a tan pair which I’m thrilled with. The most effective weight loss eating regime I ever used was the Montignac method. I was getting so down & at the time I resorted to sending off for a book advertised in a TV guide! Sceptical as I was, it really worked for me. It’s basis is eating food on the low end of the glycemic index. I have also found that a few carbs helps with my metabolism & prevents the starvation syndrome kicking in. The biggest culprits for weight gain seem to be white carbs which is when we fall off the wagon (inevitably whilst on holiday).

  18. Love the flats. Having taken off and kept off 16kg 5 years ago I can attest to the fact that you have to eat less. A lot less. Consistently. Estimate what you think is a small portion then cut out even more. Using your hand as a guide to portion sizes aka weight watchers really helps. Willowy? At 153cm I have to settle for looking diminutive and healthy. Works for me.

  19. I am in Paris right now and took a class today in how to make Croissants and Breakfast pastries…the class was great with only 8 students and we made so many wonderful pastries. So, my week is starting out loaded with carbs, I will have to cut back when I get home!!

  20. About two years ago, a doctor told me to cut out all sugar and grains. I lost 10 pounds in three weeks, and my cholesterol came down 100 points. Triglycerides and other tests were amazingly good, too. But, alas, I could not keep up that regimen, and I am back to my old ways and my old flab. Discipline is not my long suit.
    Tant pis!

  21. Have just bought three pairs of new shoes, two are intended to be travel shoes for my upcoming trip. All are Cole Haan, but I got them at the Saks Outlet. Two are loafers, one is their Zero extremely light weight oxford/sneaker. Hoping it’s supportive enough for travel. The ballet flats pictured look comfy, but the style doesn’t do much for me.

    Totally relate to the dietary issue. Also had to buy a new pair of jeans, because I gained several pounds (about 12) since last fall and have only lost half of it. Can wear the slightly tight jeans here, but not on a two week trip to England! I’ll chime in as a longtime Weight Watcher fan. The great thing about that program, IMO, is that *nothing* is off limits. However, if you follow the program, you will naturally eat low carb and low sugar. In fact, the last revision of the program penalized sugar even more! But I like that I can have sugar and bread and wine if I want, just not a lot and not all the time.

  22. I like to think that a rose bush at sunrise on a dewy morning is just as beautiful as a willow dancing in a spring breeze.

  23. Didn’t mean to be cryptic. I just meant to emphasize that both are healthy. I just feel that my need to improve my health should be the main reason i find to encourage me to eat healthier and exercise. Not what size I am.

  24. I don’t blacklist any food group (and all agree with me), but strive for balance and portion control. And, in order to stay average weight, I have had to learn the difference between “I could eat something” and “I’m hungry”. Like materfamilias, I find it easier to eat on the veg/fruit side in spring and summer.

    1. Hi Duchesse, I don’t “blacklist” anything either. What I’ve come to believe is that different people process and respond to macronutrients differently. There is some science to support that for *some* people, reducing refined carbs reduces hunger. Not emotional hunger, but physical hunger. All I can go by is my own experience. After a day or two of avoiding processed carbs, I start to feel *normal* again, rather than someone who is always hungry and always thinking about food. I still eat fruit, beans, and plenty of veggies. When we go to France I plan to enjoy everything in moderation…including the wonderful bread!