You're not going to believe this-I barely believe it. But Skechers claims to have created a shoe that, by simply wearing it instead of other shoes, will help you lose weight.

I'm having some trouble posting photos to my blog, but here is a link to the Shape-Ups Web site that explicitly explains how this ugly little shoe can make all your dreams come true (yea, right).

http://www.skechers.com/info/shape_ups

I guess I can kind of see where they were going with the almost astronaut-like design, and how they could convince avid weight loss-seekers that the rounded heel could actually cause the person to work harder while they walk.

On top of losing weight, these shoes also claim to help your posture, your back, firm your buttocks and more.

And the little video they have on the Web site might be able to convince you of all this.

But as for me, I'm not buying it.

What do you think? Can the design of a shoe actually help you lose weight?

It takes a lot to get me excited about a television show.

Wait, actually, I take that back, judging by the fact that I've been excited by some of the most terrible television shows to make it to primetime.

But I am EXTREMELY excited about a new show on Oxygen called Dance Your Ass Off.

The Oxygen Network is a buried little secret amongst the big, bad tv channels, but if you watch it at the right time, you may just find a treasure like this show. Essentially, it is Dancing with the Stars with a group of overweight contestants.

In the first episode, you were able to meet all the contestants, who come from assorted backgrounds and ages. There are both men and women and each "fat person" gets a professional dance instructor/partner to dance with on the show. All of the contestants live together in their own lofts and meet with personal trainers, nutritionists and doctors. At the end of each episode, the contestant performs for a live audience and judges. The judges then give them a score, before they are weighed. The percentage of weight lost that week, coupled with their dance score provides them an overall score, of which the lowest scoring contestant is eliminated each week.

The majority of the contestants weigh in the 200-lb. range, though a couple of them weight a little bit less. Karla weighs less than me and Angela weighs pretty close to what I weigh, which makes me even more interested in watching their progess and keeping them as role models for my own weight loss journey.

I was telling my friend about the show and she didn't see it the way I did. She thought it was more of a "mean joke" than an interesting concept for weight loss.

In my opinion, and I think I have a fairly outgoing personality, I don't know that I would be able to go on national television with my belly out and "shake what my mama gave me," as one contestant said. I find it admireable.

What do you think?

P.S. The show is on Oxygen, Monday nights at 10 p.m.