I felt too FAT to have sex: As actress Kirstie Alley says her libido shrunk when she put on weight, a once-plump woman admits how she felt the same

Five years ago, I weighed nearly 15 stone. I was in my late 30s and severely depressed about my weight. I kept on saying I wasn't, but I was lying. Every mirror I walked past told me something I didn't want to admit: I was fat.

My face was like a bouncy ball. My breasts were almost impossible to contain. My capacious bottom strained every skirt or pair of jeans I possessed. My thighs wobbled like jellies. I looked disgusting.

And above all, my libido withered in inverse proportion to my girth.

How I sympathise with Kirstie Alley, who said last week — after losing seven stone — she couldn't bear to have sex when she was fat. A shocking admission? Not in my experience. Call me a sizeist snob if you must, but I don't think anyone who feels fat can truly enjoy having sex.

It's so awful looking down at the rolls of flesh wobbling around on your stomach (and elsewhere). I remember lying in my bed, trying to kid myself that maybe I looked Rubenesque, while trying to respond with a scintilla of enthusiasm to my husband's advances.

I didn't look sexy and voluptuous. I looked like a beached whale. My breasts were huge and white. My stomach (after four children) had no muscles or tone at all. My white pillowy thighs were dimpled and ugly.

How had I — a formerly thin person — turned in to such a lardy cake? How had I abused my body so much that, not only did I not like the way I looked, but I had made myself so feeble and weak? For this is what happens when you get severely overweight. Your body starts being unable to cope so you become increasingly less physically active.

Having sex, of course, could help that — a bit of rolling around possibly burning up a few of those un-needed calories. But do you feel like having sex when you're a human beach ball? Of course you don't! The thought of it made me shiver with nerves. For the truth about being that big is that it's not remotely sexy, no matter what Dawn French or the ‘fat can be fabulous' brigade tell you.

Yes, I do realise there are some men out there who love a larger lady (we've all seen documentaries about them). But they are a minority. And besides, this isn't about what turns a man on. It's about what turns you on. The minute I caught sight of myself in that mirror, any ounce of sexual confidence I ever had went out of my bedroom window.

How had it come to this? For years I had been in denial. Essentially, I avoided seeing myself naked. If I went in to shops to try on clothes I'd do some sort of extreme contortionist's dance in the changing room so that I didn't have to see the spare rolls of flesh protruding above my bra strap.

The reality of my size was only brought home to me when one day, while in the bath and pretending I wasn't causing a tsunami every time I got in, my middle son said, ‘mummy, why have you got boobs on your back?'

It made me ache for the confidence I had BC — Before Childrearing.
Before I had my first child 15 years ago, I could eat anything I wanted. I was a regular size 12 and it didn't seem to matter what I scoffed as my shape never changed.

I looked and felt sexy, and when I'd meet a man, it never occurred to me it might be embarrassing to take my clothes off. I always liked what I saw in the mirror.

Then I had four children and, in all honesty, I let myself go. I couldn't see the point in losing weight in between pregnancies when I knew I was about to put it all back on again. What I hadn't realised — until it was too late — is quite how fat I had become. And when I did, it was my libido that paid the price.

I couldn't imagine anyone would want to have sex with me because I didn't feel remotely sexy myself.

I still wanted to look fabulous. I still wanted to wiggle around in a suspender belt and bra under a superslim, fitted dress. Instead, I was wobbling about in a pair of oversized granny knickers.

And while I was very fortunate that my husband didn't seem to mind my bloated body (or, if he did, he didn't let on), I did mind it. I minded very much. I didn't want him to desire me, because I didn't feel worthy of desire.
The result? Instead of wanting to have sex with this kind and gentle man, I rejected him.

I did try to look sexy sometimes. I'd go into M&S to get underwear and stare at all the little pretty bras with their rosebud bows and the racier lines with balcony bras and lacy G-strings. How I desperately I wanted to be able to put on those suspender belts and flashy bras and look at myself in the mirror and see something seductive looking back.

I'd sometimes even dare to try the bras and knickers on. They would never fit. The knickers would barely go past my thighs. My breasts would spill out of the bras in a hideously unattractive fashion.
I hated myself.

Then, as I knew they had to, things changed. Once I hit nearly 15 stone, I went to Weight Watchers. I was absolutely determined to lose weight and I did.

Within a year, I'd got down to 11 and a half stone. That felt amazing, it really truly did. My breasts reduced down from G to an F, then an E. My waist started to reappear. My thighs became less fatty. The loss of weight made me feel so much healthier. I had a desire to exercise and so I began to walk. I marched up and down hills at high speed for at least an hour a day. I got a bike. I took up yoga. Everyone started commenting on my weight loss.

‘Wow,' they'd say every time I went to the pub or a party, ‘you've lost so much weight. You look amazing!' Their comments began to work. I started to feel amazing. I felt lighter, fitter, more attractive and without doubt, sexier.

Sometimes, when we went out and I'd have on a tight dress and high heels, I'd catch my husband beaming with pride.

Despite the fact that he always said he loved me as I was, he definitely preferred this version of me.

It's amazing how much sexier you feel once you are fitter. The walking and bicycling gave me renewed energy for life. If I felt like eating, I'd go out on my bike instead. I would be toning up and getting fitter while losing weight — that was my theory anyway.

Did losing weight change my sex life? Of course it did! As I began to head towards 11 stone — I have now stayed there for a year or more — I started to be able to fit in to the types of clothes I wanted to wear. I invested in a new wardrobe of pencil skirts, fitted shirts and high heels.

I had a lesson on how to put on make-up properly. I had my hair cut and dyed.

I have re-emerged, four years down the line, a new version of me — a glossier, silkier, smarter, more sophisticated and much slimmer, more confident woman.

When I see myself naked, I like what I see. I think I look good, fit and healthy. I don't wobble now. I don't droop. It's not possible to get lost in my thighs.

The Rubenesque has gone. It has been replaced by something half that size; something with energy and seductive allure — something sexy.

Forget high heels, opt for cool and comfy kicks

A walk to class should never cramp your style. And as even the most dedicated high-heel wearers will concede, it should never cramp your feet, either. So try these enticing shoe picks that have something to prove: Form, function, practicality and style can coexist.

These J.Crew "rainy day flats" ($58) are as sensible as they are adorable. Without losing the charm of an everyday flat, this water-friendly pair offers the perfect alternative to heavy rain boots for that drizzly walk to class.
When you start to feel the inevitable autumn chill, look no further than these sleek Hunter wedge rain boots from Lord & Taylor ($175). And if you must brave the rain in heels, a wedge heel is the more practical choice for your trek.
While the urge to wear heels can be tough to resist, you could probably do without the sharp sting that always comes with slapping on those fancy stilettos. With these unique two-and-a-half-inch platforms from Free People ($198), you'll get a lift and get a break from throbbing heels.
If you want a similar look with less height (and for under $50), you may want to opt for these Steve Madden Oxfords. Not only are there nine colors and patterns to choose from, these cute kicks also provide a nice, subtle heel.
If you're looking to add height with a more open shoe style, check out these platform sandals from Nordstrom ($134.95). The ankle strap will provide extra support as you walk, and in four vibrant neon colors, they are perfect for brightening a gloomy fall day.

How to cure a high-heel hangover

We’ve all been there - you’ve spent the previous day tottering around in towering heels and you wake up with aching calves and feet that feel as if they’ve gone five rounds with boxer Mike Tyson. We call it the high-heel hangover.

Harley Street podiatrist, Mr Stephen Strain, has some top tips on how to sidestep that painful morning after a night out in your Louboutins.

Why the hangover?

The less frequently you wear heels, and the higher they are, the more painful the hangover. Your calf muscle contracts when lifting the leg to walk but, in high-heels, your ankle is a few inches off the ground before taking a step, so the calf has to work much harder, contracting tighter. If your muscle isn’t used to it, like going to the gym for a work out it will stiffen up the next day.

Hair of the dog

It’s better to wear heels frequently and get your muscles used to working in that high-intensity range than occasionally throw on the odd skyscraper. Sporadic use of high-heels (binge wearing) is disruptive for your calves. Ideally, you should wear a mid-to-low heel most days, then an occasional high one. This way, your body gets used to it and accepts it.

Wear and tear

It’s important your heels fit properly. Your toes should have space to move. If your shoes have a point, the point must come after the toes so as not to squish them together, resulting in hammer toe - this is a particularly unsightly affliction where your toes are deformed and permanently bent. Thin silicone pads which go underneath the ball of your foot inside the shoe are good for absorbing impact. A wedged heel is less demanding on leg muscles, as it has a larger surface area, so is more stable. The thinner the heel, the more impact on your foot.

Stretchercise!

Stretching out your legs and feet the morning after lengthens the muscles and gets the blood flowing again. Yoga is great for this. Downward-facing dog (when your hands are on the floor a small distance in front of your feet and your bottom is stretched up to the ceiling, forming a triangle shape with the floor), is a particularly effective position. Or, in bare feet, bend down and try to touch your toes. Your legs should be straight and you are using your body weight as leverage. Slowly bend over and hold for five or ten seconds. Repeat three times. Another trick is to sit down, lifting a foot up from the floor and (stretching the leg up off the floor), point your toes and try to trace the alphabet in the air.

Soak yourself silly

A hot bath helps ease tired muscles. Try adding Epsom salts, which are loaded with natural minerals including magnesium and sulphate. The skin absorbs the magnesium, which helps the body to build and repair tissues.

Pamper your feet

Having a pedicure can be a welcome relief if you can spare the time and money. It’ll soothe tired, achy feet and sort out improperly cut or ingrown toenails, which can be painful inside tight shoes. But you can also pamper your feet yourself. Cut toenails carefully and moisturise. If allowed to become too dry, your feet can develop rough areas on pressure points, which can crack and become painful. The most common areas for dryness are the ball of the foot, as it takes the most impact in high-heels, and the back of the heel. Use a moisturiser, which is dedicated to feet, as the sole is thicker than other parts of the body. Apply after a bath, when your pores are open, for maximum penetration.

Doctor, doctor

If you notice clumps of hard skin on your feet, it may be wise to visit the podiatrist. Calluses (their proper name) will inhibit flexibility leading to tension lines and problems. You’ll know if you have them because of a slight discolouration and the skin won’t flex and give as you push it, moving as one hard lump instead. They can make walking in heels even more painful and lead to foot problems later in life. Your podiatrist will have no trouble getting rid of them.

Take a heel holiday

After a particularly big heel binge, it’s a good idea to give your feet a chance to relax. Walking around barefoot is ideal but also impractical, so a flat-soled trainer is the next best thing.

If all else fails

Like alcohol-induced hangovers, taking ibuprofen can make you feel a lot better. It’s an anti-inflammatory, so will take the inflammation out of the foot and ease the agony. Voltarol and arnica tablets also work well, but beware of taking any tablets if you have been drinking alcohol.

Lady Gaga Attends Obama Fundraising Event

Lady Gaga was among the guests at a $35,800 per couple Obama fundraiser tonight at the home of Facebook’s Chief Operating Officer Cheryl Sandberg and David Goldberg in Atherton, Calif.
At the event, which took place under a tent in Sandberg’s yard, Gaga reportedly wore a black dress scalloped high plunge back and high heels. Her blond hair was upswept, with black flowers and black veil sweeping down back of hair.
Gaga’s attendance at the fundraising event comes after the singer tweeted that she would be meeting the President, and intended to discuss youth bullying in relation to the suicide of Jamey Rodemeyer, the 14-year-old student who took his own life last week after years of bullying.
“I am meeting with our President. I will not stop fighting. This must end. Our generation has the power to end it. Trend it #MakeALawForJamey,” the singer posted to twitter.
Gaga dedicated the song “Hair” to Rodemeyer at the iHeartRadio Festival this weekend in Las Vegas. The performance included a video tribute to Rodemeyer.
Earlier this week the pop singer, who Rodemeyer idolized, spoke out about the situation via twitter: “The past days I’ve spent reflecting, crying, and yelling. I have so much anger. It is hard to feel love when cruelty takes someones life.”
She added, “Bullying must become illegal. It is a hate crime.”
Rodemeyer took his life on September 18. In his final Twitter message he referenced Lady Gaga, writing “thank you for all you have done.”
It is unclear whether Gaga and Obama were able to meet at the event.

Miss Missouri defies stereotypes

Looking at the 5-foot-10 blonde in high heels, a tiara and sparkly banner Thursday, Carl Junction High School sophomore Julia Doubledee figured Miss Missouri Sydney Friar fit a stereotype.

“I thought she would be this perfect, pretty girl who was kind of ditzy and not very real,” Doubledee said.

Her male classmates were seemingly uninterested when Friar began her presentation in the choir room, yawning and slumping in their chairs.

For some 20 minutes, Friar shared with the students her views on how they could lead a life of purpose.

PERSEVERE

“We all desire to make a difference, to make an impact; we hope our existence is about more than taking up space,” she told the group, encouraging them to find their passion, pursue it, surround themselves with people who will keep them on the right path, and to persevere when challenged.

Friar, it turns out, competed for the title of Miss Missouri five times before winning.

But the turning point for a connection came when she decided to share her talent — singing — with the group.

She stood and belted out an a cappella version of Aerosmith’s “Dream On,” earning a round of applause.

Friar also will sing that selection as her talent in the Miss America competition in January, and plans to wear all leather.

“They’re either going to love it or hate it; either way, be yourself,” she told the youths, earning smiles and an uptick in enthusiasm.

CHASED BY SQUIRRELS

Freshman Tristan Bailey dared to raise his hand. “Have you ever been chased by squirrels?” he asked.

Someone else who had heard Friar speak apparently had tipped Bailey off.

Friar giggled, and acknowledged it was true.

“They’re my biggest fear,” she said with a smile. “You know, you laugh, but it’s not as funny when it happens to you.”

“It was terrifying, and I’m working every day to get over it,” she continued with mock seriousness. “They may not ever have been chasing me, they may have just been headed in the same direction.”

Her sudden shift from poised and motivational to somewhat shtick-like with a touch of goofiness resonated with the teens.

“Do you have a boyfriend?” a student asked.

“Yes,” Friar replied, “he’s the lead singer and guitar player in Offset Sunset.”

“Oh, my gosh, he signed my shoes!” exclaimed Doubledee.

Friar opened up to the group, sharing secrets that included having few, if any, boyfriends in high school, to hunching over to hide her height as a youth, to being able to yodel.

With another impromptu song, she demonstrated that ability, earning more laughter and applause from the group.

“Why don’t you do that as your talent?” asked a boy in the back of the room.

“I don’t know if it’s as widely appreciated as it is here in Missouri,” said Friar with a smile.

She revealed that, at age 22, she lives with her mother.

“You still live with your mom?” a student asked.

“Don’t judge me,” Friar laughed. She explained that while it might seem weird to teens that yearn for independence, she does it because she spends most of her time on the road traveling to speaking events and other engagements as Miss Missouri.

“It’s not a paid job,” Friar explained of her title that she’ll hold until next June — or January, were she to win the title of Miss America. “It’s the most practical thing, and it’s nice to spend time with my parents because I know it’s probably the last opportunity I’ll have to do so.”

LITTLE OF EVERYTHING

Active in high school as a cheerleader, Friar told the students that she defied stereotypes and tried a little of everything: She was a football manager, a tuba and trumpet player, and relished playing the role of villains in school plays.

“I was eccentric as a kid, but I’ve had a lot of fun. Be weird.”

At the end of the session, male and female students alike jumped up from their seats and surrounded Friar to ask for autographs. Doubledee requested Friar autograph her purple Converse-like sneakers, just as Friar’s boyfriend had on another pair. Bailey, the freshman, asked for a signature on one of his Air Jordans.

“Her boyfriend is going to be so jealous,” Bailey cracked.

Junior Kelli Fletcher, meanwhile, took lots and lots of pictures.

“This was actually really fun,” she said. “I wasn’t sure about her in the beginning, but I have a new role model now.”

Climbing the Ladder of Success in High Heels-Without Stepping on Your Values

Climbing the Ladder of Success in High Heels -Without Stepping on your Values is the first solo offering of Cookie Tuminello and launches September 21, 2011. This book has been hailed as “the business-savvy woman’s guidebook for today’s changing marketplace”.
In this wisdom and wit-filled book, Cookie shares with the reader the right strategies, the right tools, and the right mindset to become more confident, productive and profitable, create more realistic expectations for yourself, and eliminate unnecessary second-guessing and fear that can keep you stuck.
Entrepreneur, Cookie Tuminello is walking, talking proof that “good things come in small packages”. As founder and CEO of Success Source LLC, she operates one of the top coaching and consulting firms in the South. A dynamo in heels, Cookie is an accomplished author, mega motivational speaker, and stellar leadership and team development coach. Her clients include CEOs, managers, business owners, and organizational leaders who want to get results now. Cookie provides the spark that fuels the fire to achieving greatness.

Playboy keeps resurfacing in media

Standing on the Playboy Mansion grounds, John Salley seemed out of place.
He wasn't, he said. "Man, I feel like I've always lived here."
Visually, that didn't click. He's 47, black, 6-foot-11, athletic; many of the people on the mansion grounds were young, white and slender, negotiating the cobblestone in short dresses and high heels.
But for a guy who grew up in Brooklyn and spent six pro-basketball years Detroit, this fits a broader image. "When we visited (California), I told my mother, 'I'm going to live here someday,' " Salley said.
Maybe that explains - a little bit - why Playboy keeps resurfacing in media, including an NBC series.
It has been 58 years since Playboy magazine began, decades since its American clubs closed. "I'm happy to say that the film that was made (in 1985) out of the expose I did lasted longer than the clubs it was exposing," Gloria Steinem said.
Still, Playboy keeps resurfacing, including NBC's "The Playboy Club," which is set in 1961 and focuses on the women working as "bunnies."
They weren't victimized, argued Amber Heard, who stars. "It's a ... puritanical way we look at things, that we consider if it involves sexuality, the women must be compromised."
People will argue about that after seeing the opener, in which her character needs a macho man to rescue her from a mobster. Still, the show is part of a Playboy comeback via:
• A reality-TV surge on cable. "The Girls Next Door" led to spin-offs "Kendra" and "Holly's World."
• The Playboy Channel, which has added "TV For Two" shows aimed at couples.

New looks to knock their socks off

What do you think about wearing ankle socks with high heels and a floaty tea dress? I've seen this in more than one fashion magazine lately and think it's pretty cute. - S.R.
I think it's pretty cute, too - if you're 14. Okay, maybe if you're under the age of 28 and have coltish legs. Otherwise I think you look as silly as Minnie Mouse. But I do love that pretty dresses are having their fashion moment and that some of them even have sleeves. Someone's been listening to us older gals.
If you don't want to wear opaque stockings with them - always a safe choice when it's cold out - you can do like Kate and wear sheer pantyhose. According to one British newspaper, the Duchess of Cambridge is single-handedly responsible for a huge increase in sales of nude hosiery in the United Kingdom, and the trend is catching on here.
Or you can put some bronzer on your legs and leave them bare. Bare legs were really popular with the fashion pack in Paris and New York over the past few winters, although one imagines most of them have never experienced the sort of cold that can hit anywhere in Canada.
Finally, if you don't want colour on your legs but can't bear the thought of going bare, you could also try nude fishnets.
Every Sunday at church I see at least two men in my congregation wearing socks with sandals. Am I being un-Christian by getting upset at this? - M.T.
I'm afraid the answer is yes. Your question brought to mind the bumper sticker that asks, "What Would Jesus Do?" And I hope the answer is Jesus wouldn't get upset by what anyone wears to church. He's just happy you're there. Jesus himself probably wore socks with his sandals; the ancient Greeks did, and by the fifth century AD, holy people were wearing socks to symbolize purity (no matter that they were made from matted animal skin; socks as we know them weren't invented until many, many years later).
Yes, I know, we don't live in biblical times and styles evolve. And I do agree with you that this is one of those odd male sartorial practices - right up there with wearing shorts that are too short, square-toed shoes, and cellphone clips - that give one pause.
But another reason we should not throw stones is because your fellow congregants were responsible for one of this summer's biggest trends. The lookbooks of Burberry, Elizabeth and James, J. Crew, and Club Monaco all featured this nerdy affectation, which on the right person can look quite charming. Not to mention it allows you to wear your sandals well into fall. And it isn't just for comely girls; check out Dior Homme's cheeky Gladiator Sandals, which featured a removable cotton sock. The next time you see someone wearing something completely wrong, take note: You just might be witnessing the beginning of a new fashion trend.

High-heel fashion success with hand-painted shoes

The inspiration for Mallory Musante's hand-painted shoe business came straight out of the movies. Musante's “wheels started turning” her sophomore year at Bryant University when she watched Hilary Swank's character take a shoemaking class in the chick flick “P.S. I Love You.”

Over the next couple years, Musante enrolled in a similar course, refined the idea from hand-making shoes to hand-painting them and put together a business plan with help from advisers at Bryant. She launched her business, Mallory Musante Shoes, last year, a few months after graduating with a degree in marketing.

“I originally went to Bryant thinking I'd get a corporate job, but once I saw that movie everything changed,” she said. “It's a great combination of my passions. I get to be creative through the design part, but also get to use the business side of me.”

Musante, who grew up in Mystic, Conn., and now lives in Providence, paints each shoe freehand. The process involves removing the paint from shoes she purchases from an overseas manufacturer, applying her design, then adding a protective top coat.

Her shoes come in two styles: A 4-inch platform pump with rounded toe and a 2 3/4-inch kitten heel with pointed toe.

Designs range from bold (you can't miss the large mustard-yellow tribal-inspired triangle pattern on the Maya shoe) to understated (you have to look closely to see the intricate gold and white marbled paint on the Sydney design). Colorful, geometric shapes are a recurring theme in her limited-edition designs.

“I try to make them unique enough that you're not going to find them anywhere else,” Musante said. “But I also want you to be able to wear my shoes for multiple occasions. I want them to translate very easily from the office, to a date or a night out with girlfriends.”

Musante also does custom work, most commonly for weddings. Popular designs include a lace pattern to match a gown and blue shoes for a bride's “something blue.”

She recently opened a pop-up shop —a store open for a limited time, such as a few weeks or months—on Federal Hill to test the feasibility of a permanent storefront and interact face-to-face with customers. Musante also sells online (mallorymusanteshoes.com), in a few local boutiques (including Modern Love in Providence) and at fashion events such as trunk shows and StyleWeek Providence.

“This [the pop-up shop] is a good way to test whether Providence is the right place for me to open a shop or if I should go somewhere else,” she said. “I thought Federal Hill would be the perfect spot because a lot of people here are super trendy. I see women wearing heels all the time up here.”

Even though Musante is no longer enrolled at Bryant, she says she still has a large support network at the school. Several professors wear her shoes and she continues to meet regularly with her former instructor and adviser Sandra Potter, whom students have nicknamed “the start-up coach.”

Potter says Musante has been “very astute at the way she's put together her business.” As part of an independent study her senior year, she thoroughly researched the shoe market and tested the business's viability.

One of the reasons Musante decided to launch the brand is because women, particularly younger women, like to “express themselves through the way they dress and use fashion.” Another thing that was on her side? Start-up costs were relatively low compared with other types of businesses, such as those that are technology based, Potter said.

“We want our students to be aware that they can make an impact right out of the box,” Potter said. “You don't have to wait until you're 50. With the right idea and the right research, they can help the economy grow now. I think Mallory is a great example of that.”

Mallory Musante Shoes pop-up shop is open daily through Sept. 25 at 372 Atwells Ave., Providence. Shoes range in price from $165 to $250.

High heels bad for health says Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan believes that wearing high heels can cause injuries.

The 38-year-old Conan the Barbarian star wears towering stilettos frequently. After traipsing around New York City from show to show during this month's Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, McGowan is beginning to think that her pumps may be doing some damage to her "baby toe".

"I believe I now have a hairline fracture in my baby toe," McGowan told People magazine prior to designer Chris Benz's runway show.

"Heels. I collapsed after three days, about 14 to 15 hours of heels per day."

A mere hairline fracture in her small toe will not deter McGowan from partaking in the splendour of New York Fashion Week. She used a rustic remedy to treat her beauty injury.

"All I did was bind my toes together with extra Band-Aids and a quarter of a popsicle stick," McGowan explained.

Even after all the pain her shoes have caused her, McGowan will not swap her stilettos with any other pair. When suggested that she choose a more flat style for the rest of her fashion week appearances, she sniffed at the thought.

"Yeah that's not going to happen," she laughed.

Autism high heel hike not limited to stilettos

Don't let the name of the shoes keep you from walking in the High Heel Hike for Autism on Saturday.

Any kind of shoes will do. Participants will wear everything from high heels and tennis shoes to flip-flops. The point is to have fun while raising funds for a worthy cause. 

"Most people will wear high heels but I usually don't," said Valicia Leary, executive director for Children's Therapy Clinic. "My team will wear flip-flops. We're going with a Jimmy Buffett theme."

So far, 16 teams in a wide variety of attire will take part in the event to raise funds for the autism socialization program at Children's Therapy Clinic.

Registration begins 9 a.m. Saturday at Haddad Riverfront Park with the hike beginning at 10:30 a.m. Participants will walk from there and continues along Capitol Street to Taylor Books. Then they will return to Haddad Riverfront Park.

The jaunt is rather short but rich in fun attire for those who wish to watch the parade.

"My team will wear flowered shirts, leis and flip-flops," Leary said. "The Simply Irresistible Team will wear short black dresses and heels."

Team names hint of even more creative walkers. Among teams will be Divas 101, High Tops on the Hill, Social Workers in Stilettos and Team Totally Awesome. Prizes will be awarded for best costumes.

"It will be fun just for people to come and see the event," she said.

So far, the teams include about 140 people who have raised $15,660.

The event is part of a national nonprofit movement to raise money for autism awareness. It was launched in Tampa, Fla., in 2004 by Jules Burt, who will be in Charleston for the local event. Money raised in Charleston goes to the Children's Therapy Clinic. This marks the first time the walk has been held here.

Lady Gaga goes head over heels for a hot dog

Lady Gaga came a cropper as she combined the health hazards of high heels and fast food during a photo-shoot in New York.

The singer, who was posing in a gold dress and skyscraping shoes for celebrity photographer Annie Leibovitz, lost her balance as she reached for a snack from a hotdog stand.
The 25-year-old's pride was bruised as she fell to the ground but she was otherwise unhurt. The hotdog also emerged unscathed.

Are our towering heels to blame for back troubles?

Known for tottering around in sky-high heels while heavily pregnant, it came as no surprise to some that Victoria Beckham developed a bad back.

The 37-year-old Spice Girl-turned-fashion designer wore gravity-defying Christian Louboutin heels to the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton when she was six months pregnant.

So when her subsequent slipped disc was announced, which reportedly prevented her from picking up new babe Harper Seven, there was predictable speculation over whether this was caused by such inappropriate footwear.

Stiletto aficionados need not fear, however. This common problem, affecting an enormous one in five people in the UK over the duration of their lives, is unlikely to have been caused by wearing heels.

Her condition, instead, could have been linked to her pregnancy, or a number of other factors.

Brian Hammond, chairman of the charity BackCare, says: ‘There's evidence to show that wearing high shoes can give you backache, but not a slipped disc.

‘Heels can aggravate some back problems, but not always, and in some cases, wearing them actually relieves pain.'

He points out the hormone relaxin is released during pregnancy, and this can make women more prone to back problems, because as well as relaxing the joints in the pelvis, it can lead to abnormal motion in other joints, causing inflammation and pain.

The discs of the spine lie between the vertebrae and have a tough, fibrous case containing a softer, gel-like substance. A slipped disc (also called a herniated or prolapsed disc) occurs when a disc is ruptured and the gel inside leaks out.

The bulging gel can put pressure on the whole spinal cord and connected nerves, thus causing pain both in the back and throughout the body. Such problems include sciatica and brachialgia, which cause pain in the legs and arms respectively.

‘People generally get slipped discs when the spine has been abused or over-used,' says Hammond, who points out that around half of 50-year-olds have slipped discs, although some may have no symptoms.

Anything from heavy lifting and twisting, to sitting for long periods without getting up can trigger the problem. Poor seating positions can also predispose people to becoming susceptible.

Hammond, who is a chiropractor and osteopath, says slipped discs can develop suddenly or over a long period.

‘A lot of people ignore their symptoms until they interfere with their life, meaning they can't go to work or play sport.

‘The quicker you deal with it, the better the outcome,' he stresses.

Sciatica is one of the common results of a slipped disc, occurring when the disc protrudes and aggravates the sciatic nerve which runs down the leg. Symptoms include pain in the leg, buttock and foot, and pins and needles.

If the protruding disc is in the neck, patients can suffer from brachialgia, where there's pain and numbness in the arms.

Another rarer possibility is cauda equina syndrome (CES), which causes numbness around the anus and occurs when the protruding disc presses on all the nerves at the bottom of the spine. This condition is a medical emergency that can lead to permanent bowel and bladder problems, and even paralysis from the waist down.

There are a number of ways to treat a slipped disc, depending on its position and severity. They include physical therapies, anti-inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxants and even surgery - although this is only used for around one in every 200 cases.

While bed rest used to be advised for people with slipped discs, these days it's not recommended.

‘The long-term consequences of bed rest actually leave you worse off in the end,” explains Hammond. “The best thing to do is to potter around within the realms of the pain.'

People who've had a slipped disc should do specific exercises to increase core stability, and will benefit from general exercise such as swimming and pilates.

HOT or NOT: Dawgs sent packing, high heel woes

Dawgs sent packing
This Saturday, UGA's football team left Atlanta with their tails between their legs after being defeated by Boise State 35-21. The defeat is even more poignant due to the fact that, despite the game being held at a “neutral” location, the game was held in the Georgia Dome, just two hours from UGA's home turf. This will hopefully be the first of two times UGA is sent packing from Atlanta.
Employee's paradise
The country might still be reeling from the recent recession, but things are picking up for Tech students looking at entering the workforce. This year's career fair is scheduled to bring over 400 companies to campus, which can only spell good things for Tech students. More attendees means more chances at employment, which bodes well for both Tech grads and Tech itself.
Short shoes
A new rule at this year's career fair has some women at Tech scurrying to get their hands on some new footwear. In order to prevent the floor from being scuffed, career fair attendees are now banned from wearing high heeled shoes while at the fair. While some students are simply annoyed by not having the perceived bearing that heels create, others are upset about having to purchase dress flats.
Illegible numbers
Tech's football team displayed a new set of home-game uniforms last Thursday, featuring gold text on a gold background. The uniforms look good individually, but on the field, the names and numbers are nearly illegible, making it difficult to identify who is doing what during the game. The Athletic Association is looking into replacing the uniforms with ones that are legible.

Kim Kardashian flashes psoriasis as she forgets to 'airbrush' back of legs

KIM Kardashian is perfect in our eyes.

With a volumptuous figure, silky dark hair and eyes that pop, it’s fair to say we’ve prayed for a bit of a Freaky Friday-style life swap after enjoying marathon episodes of Keeping Up With The Kardashians from time to time.

But while we’re beating ourselves up about not being Kim Kardashian, the newlywed has made a move that makes us feel the tiniest bit better about our unfortunate conundrum.

After recently discovering she suffers from psoriasis, the model admitted she was distraught and thought her career was pretty much over.

But the 30-year-old took a brave step - in dangerously high Christian Louboutin heels - as she stepped out to appear on the David Letterman show  with Kourtney and Khloe yesterday.

Despite having access to numerous wonder products to help disguise the skin condition, Kim flashed her red blotches like it was nobody’s business in not one but TWO flesh-baring ensembles.

On her arrival the star paired a high-waisted skirt and black lacy top with tie neck, accessorising the outfit with a peppermint Chanel handbag.

Kim left the New York venue in a thigh-skimming leopard print Kardashian Kollection dress, flashing her pins while giving photographers a cheeky wave.

Yesterday the beauty raved that Sally Hansen Airbrush Spray was her cover up savour as she posted before and after snaps on her website.

Ooops, looks like someone forgot to pay attention to the calf area.

How High Is Too High—For Your Heels?

We all have our limits when it comes to the height of our heels. I'm prone to wearing more extreme shoes, I suppose, because I've been short since forever. I stopped growing when I was 13—my mom blames it on me becoming vegetarian at that age—and in order to not seem too midget-y, I took to wearing heels early on. I'm only five feet tall without shoes on, so my feet have adapted to wearing unreasonably high heels over time, even though they often make my friends cringe. My highest pair of heels maxes out at around five inches and they're perfectly comfortable, because I've learned that it's often not the heel height that makes shoes suck, but the slope of the arch that creates the most pain. Too extreme an arch and your foot will constantly be sliding forward into the toe of your shoe. That's why I love a shoe with a small platform on it—it helps soften the slope and makes the shoe infinitely more wearable. But everybody's different. I have friends who can't bear to walk in anything but flats. Others that wouldn't be caught dead without their stilettos on. So tell us: What's your take on high heels? How high is too high and what's just right for your feet?

Kelly Brook goes cycling in high heels...and doesn't fall on the floor

KELLY Brook has clearly mastered how to ride a bicycle in high heel shoes, if these latest snaps are anything to go by
When we're out riding a bike, we tend to look...well a lot less glamorous than Kelly Brook does in these pictures of her during a Sky Ride cycling event in London

Kelly appeared in purple high heels, cropped trousers and a red bow blouse before popping on a bicycle and riding around, looking pretty comfortable.

The event, which was organised by TFL, Sky and British Cycling, was held to promote the fun of using a bike and involved around over 80,000 cyclists over a 7.2 mile route.

We reckon a pair of trainers might have been a more sensible choice!

Is fashion bad for your health?

From foot-binding to neck rings, women have undergone a lot in the name of fashion for centuries. The modern woman, too, has her fair share of sacrifices. Cash and comfort have been given up for the latest trend. But should we trade in our health, too?
We’re all for passion for fashion, but we believe that the stylish Filipina deserves to look and feel beautiful. We’ve compiled a list of [painful fashion finds, and what you can do for a healthy compromise between comfort and style.
Shady shades
The eyes are the windows to the soul—and for harmful ultraviolet rays. Thankfully, the need for eye protection has produced one of fashion’s favorite accessories: sunglasses.
As we experiment with different tints and frames, we have to remember that utility comes first. We ask, does higher price equal better quality? Do cheap sunglasses harm instead of protect?
When it comes to eyewear, branded is not always better. Dr. Dennis Robertson, emeritus ophthalmologist at the Mayo Clinic, says that it’s the amount of ultraviolet (UV) radiation protection that matters.
Allaboutvision.com elaborates on UV rays. UVC rays have the highest energy and potential to harm, but most of it is blocked by the ozone layer. UVB rays have less energy, but escape the ozone and cause skin cancer in high doses. They also cause unsightly eye lesions called pingueculae and pterygia—painless, benign yellow or white growths on the sclera (the opaque, white part of the eye), which can later obstruct vision. UVA rays have the lowest energy and pass unfiltered through the lens straight to the retina. They are associated with cataracts (clouding of the lens) and macular degeneration (damaged central vision).
High-energy visible (HEV) radiation also causes significant damage. They penetrate deeply into the eye, damaging the retina directly.
For shades that shield, choose those that block 90-100 percent of UV rays. If UV-protection details are not available, bring your sunnies to your optician for proper assessment. HEV protection is easier to assess—amber, bronze, or copper tints provide good coverage. Opt for large lenses or wraparound styles to protect the delicate skin around the eyes. Wide-brimmed hats supplement eye protection by up to 50 percent.
Love your lobes
Heavy ear baubles are a mainstay in fashion, from long, dangling chains to large, sexy loops.
Excessive use, though, can make your earlobe tissue expand and your piercing enlarge to freaky disproportions. Worse, the weight of earrings can actually tear the lobe. Before your ears sag to your shoulders, it’s best to save those savvy earrings for special occasions. Choose lightweight jewelry for daily use instead. Also remember to remove earrings before bed to give your lobes a rest.
Not all that glitters
Jewelry is a girl’s best friend—that is, until it starts causing irritation and unsightly rashes.
Nickel allergy is a trinket-lover’s nightmare. According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD), it is fairly common, and occurs upon contact with nickel, a naturally occurring silver-white metal. Its ubiquity makes it hard to avoid; clasps, buttons, watchbands, clips, pins, and most jewelry contain some.
The exposed area develops eczema, an itchy or burning inflammatory reaction. Small blisters called vesicles appear, followed by swelling and redness, then crusting. Chronic cases evolve into an ugly leather-like thickening of the skin called lichenification.
The bad news is, it can strike anyone at anytime and stay with the victim for life. The only cure is complete avoidance of nickel. Does this mean—gasp!—life without jewelry?
Not at all. One just has to be choosier—the AOCD recommends hypoallergenic, stainless steel, polycarbonate plastic, pure sterling silver, or gold of at least 12 carats. Protective plastic for earring studs can be used in unavoidable circumstances; otherwise, a coat of clear polish or platinum plating will do.
Itching for fashion
Another unwanted fashion glitch is the itch. Some fabrics send unlucky individuals on embarrassing scratching sprees when sweat and sebum (natural body oils) release free formaldehyde, producing irritation.
Formaldehyde? Isn’t that for laboratory specimens? According to the New Zealand Dermatological Society, the chemical is more ubiquitous than we think. Many fabrics contain it in some quantity. Anti-cling, anti-static, wrinkle-free, and pre-shrunk clothes are treated with it, and so are chlorine-resistant and waterproof finishes as well as suede and chamois.
Cotton, polyester, nylon, and acrylic are best bets for the sensitive individual, as they contain almost no formaldehyde. As a precaution, soak all new clothing in hot, soapy water before use to get rid of excess formalin.
Too tight for comfort
Very tight clothes do not only cause lumps and bumps in all the wrong places, they also affect key body systems, as Dr. Kristie Leong of healthmad.com explains. It’s like subjecting your body to a vise-like grip; blockage is bound to ensue.
Nerve impingement from way too skinny jeans causes uncomfortable tingling, numbness, or even pain across the thighs, lower legs, and back.  Constricting blood vessels disrupts the delivery of oxygen, causing lightheadedness, blurred vision, fainting, and constipation. Corsets and tight bras limit lung expansion, causing shortness of breath and decreased blood oxygen.
As for the skin, aside from chafing, moist areas with minimal breathing room are yeast’s favorite playgrounds. Particularly common in the pubic area, yeast infections cause vaginal irritation and pain.
Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), has also been reported. Pants a size or two too small tend to squeeze the stomach, forcing acid back up the throat in a painful reflux.
The cure? Be real. Know your body. Wear the right size of clothing and prioritize comfort. Change undergarments regularly and try them on for size every time you buy; fluctuations are normal. Choose high riding jeans. Better yet, take advantage of the Philippines’ eternal summers and sizzle in flowing skirts and airy dresses.
Resale retail
Style need not be expensive. Many one-of-a-kind outfits are from lowly secondhand ukay-ukay stores. But does it cost us more in the long run?
Secondhand goods do carry a few health risks, according to South Australian Health. Infestations from mites, lice, and fungi are some problems inherited with ukay finds. These critters can survive away from a human host for two to four days; tinea or ringworms remain contagious longer.
Experts say the risk is minimal, and it’s okay to ukay as long as you take precautions. Examine items carefully for general cleanliness. Wash each item thoroughly in hot water (at least 60ºC) and detergent before use.
Heel hell
There’s nothing sexier than a pair of sky-high stilettos. The benefits are many—that bum lift, added height, leg lengthening, and calf muscle shaping—but so are the health risks.
High-heeled shoes force body weight onto the toes, severely altering normal pressure distribution on the feet. It’s easy to see how foot deformities and pain top the list of hellish heel problems. Tight, new shoes present the same problems, owing to constrictive forces over unyielding bones and joints.
The American Podiatric Medical Association (APMA) identifies several deformities from poor footwear. A hammertoe is a contracture or abnormal bending, usually of the lesser toe (second to fifth) joints. Unaddressed, it can become a permanent deformity. A bunion is an enlargement of the joint at the base of the big toe, which forces it to bend over the other toes and painfully bear more weight than usual. It is often inherited, but always aggravated by wrong footwear. Blisters, corns, and calluses are caused by chronic friction.
Additionally, being constantly on your toes can shorten the Achilles tendon, which runs from the heel to the posterior leg. This causes irritation and pain when stretched, so that it becomes difficult to walk barefoot.
Pain over the calf and arch of the foot are also obvious signals that it’s time to step down from those platforms. But while we cannot completely give up on shoes, we can take some advice from APMA to minimize the damage.
When shopping for footwear, have feet measured while standing and buy for the larger foot. Tip: do your shopping in the afternoon to accommodate the natural swelling that comes with walking. Check dimensions. Make sure that the width of the shoe matches the widest part of your foot. The toe box should be roomy enough for all toes to spread evenly, but snug enough so the foot doesn’t slide forward too much. Lower or thicker heels are gentler on the foot; so are gradual slopes.
Use silicone cushions, blister pads, and other mechanical buffers as needed. Open-toed and sling back designs minimize blister and callus formation. Avoid “breaking in” shoes—if they aren’t comfortable in the store, don’t buy them.
Remember, the worst fashion faux pas is a fake smile. Clothes are second skin, and being comfortable in them is more fashion forward than the most stylish discomfort.
LOOK Magazine is available in leading newsstands and bookstores nationwide.

Fashion: Great with child

“I’ve never stepped foot in a maternity shop,” declares the almost-due Ashleigh Dempster. “It’s not happening. I’ve made it this far.”

Her best friend and business partner, Amanda Blakley, lagging slightly behind at 8-1/2 months pregnant (they’re due within two weeks of each other and insist it’s all a huge cosmic coincidence), admits to once wandering into a Pea in a Pod store in Miami. “I had to walk out because it was unbearable. Everything was drapery and unflattering. I would never wear that if I wasn’t pregnant, so why would I wear that now?”

“We didn’t change or alter our style just because we are pregnant,” she adds. “We didn’t all of a sudden change our style to hippie Earth mother.”

The fearlessly fashionable twosome are the founders of The Society, a culture club that hosts events that bring together the arts — from fashion to architecture to literature for their young urbane members. (Example: Just after Labour Day, The Society is having a Vintage Lawn Party, an excuse to dress up, drink gin and play croquet, badminton and bocce ball on a University of Toronto lawn.) The two have spent a fair bit of time during their pregnancies hopscotching among their outposts in Miami and New York.

When your business involves bringing together cool people and hip brands for ultra-stylish parties and events, finding fashionable maternity wear is an ordeal. It would be easier finding a dress for a pig.

Which is why the two glowing first-time mothers-to-be have thrown out the rule book regarding what to expect when you’re expecting.

“One of the best pieces of advice I got was to buy things from Zara, H&M and Forever 21 — cheap little cotton stretchy things — because when your pregnancy is finished, you’ll never want to look at those things or wear them again,” says Blakley.

Even now, so close to the end, the two can still be found in high heels, miniskirts and skinny jeans that show off their impossibly still-slim legs. Their swollen tummies, meanwhile, are wrapped with form-fitting dresses or tops (giving new meaning to the term confinement!) that blatantly bare their baby bumps.

“You only have the bump for about five months of the pregnancy so why not embrace it?” observes Blakley.

It was not so long ago that pregnant women did their best to hide their growing bellies with tent-like dresses with infantile Peter Pan collars and polka dots. We can thank Demi Moore for busting that immaculate-conception image of pregnancy when she posed nude, her belly bulging, on that iconic cover of Vanity Fair in 1991. Other celebrities — notably Cindy Crawford and Britney Spears — have since followed suit, proudly photographed showing off their bump. This past weekend, Beyonce chose the very edgy VMAs to announce she is expecting, posing on the red carpet, hugging her early bump.

The sight of an exposed protuberant belly is still a discomfiting sight for some, though. The opening-night party for the J. Crew store in Yorkdale Shopping Centre was attended by Blakley and Dempster in their standard pregnancy attire, prompting one guest to take to Twitter to sound off about whether Dempster’s miniskirt and white shirt, which exposed her lower belly, was appropriate for an evening party in a mall store.

She is unfazed: “I wear a lot of what people think is a major no-no. Since I started showing five months on, I’ve been wearing cropped tops — it’s comfortable and cute because you’re pregnant and you have a little belly.”

Plus, they chime in together, “It works for us!”

Another style signature they refused to give up during pregnancy were their fantastic shoes.

“I’ll be wearing heels on the delivery bed because they are saving us through this entire pregnancy!” says Dempster. “Whatever you’re wearing, if you put on a great pair of heels for two hours — they are not comfortable for much longer! — they make everything look better, and you feel better.”

Blakley agrees. “Heels give you confidence.”

And they have that in spades. Heels high, tops cropped, bellies out, the two are striding toward motherhood, poised and self-assured.

BABIES, BODIES AND BEAUTY

Looking great during pregnancy doesn’t just apply to clothing. What you put on your skin is also part of looking and feeling your best. Ashleigh Dempster and Amanda Blakley, founders of The Society, share their beauty and fitness tips.

Ashleigh Dempster

Face: Since becoming pregnant, I have switched to the Tata Harper line for face wash, face cream, replenishing oil and eye cream. At Gee Beauty; Tataharperskincare.com

Body: Alaffia Shea Butter Baby Balm from Whole Foods to help avoid stretch marks. I slather it on day and night.

Nails: I found a great non-toxic polish line, Karma Organics. At 889 Yonge Street.

Sunscreen: I have yet to find an all-natural sunscreen but did switch to Skinceuticals SPF 50 when I became pregnant, as your skin becomes more sensitive to sun. At Gee Beauty

Naturopathic Medicine: In addition to my workouts, I have regular visits to the Dempster Clinic — my brother is naturopathic doctor John Dempster. He also got me on the juicing train, which I have been doing through my pregnancy to make sure I get those extra veggies in my diet.