Archive for the ‘Walking’ Category
Sandals and Flip-Flop season.
Spring being here and summer right around the corner, many people enjoy wearing sandals and flip-flap and finding a pair that will accommodate your needs and fit you properly is a must. I know that either ones are available at chain store at a lesser price but if you are going to wear them on a regular basis or for a more specific function, i would suggest to venture to your local shoe store and see what new styles and technical improvement are available.
Like any other shoes flip-flap and sandals should provide you with comfort, cushion and support. Sandals are much more technical today then they ware a few years back, they are design to conform to specific needs, whether you use them as an everyday shoes as a fashion statement, boating or simply around water or even hiking. Flip-flop should have a built-in multi- density midsole for better confort, the thin sole types are not recommended as an every day wear. The multi-density midsole Flip-flop ware engineered to improve core muscle strength and absorb shock on the back and knees and should encourage proper posture, while the thin sole types are only protecting the bottom of your feet without any support whatsoever. They may cost a lot less but in the long run could create some physical problems.
One thing that separates local shoe stores from chain stores they have the knowledge and when shopping in a smaller store they are able to suggest new products based on your needs and the information you provide them. Properly fitting shoes are important even with flip-flop and sandals,if they don’t they can lead to problems. When it comes to sandals, being specific about what you are mostly going to use them for is a must due to the different types available and a knowledgeable sales person will point you to the right ones. To your health and have fun!!!
Athlete’s Foot
Toenail fungus and athlete’s foot are caused by the same fungus, very often one will experience athlete’s foot first and then the fungus migrates to the toenails. It is therefore very important to treat athlete’s foot rapidly and aggressively with over the counter antifungal cream, and check with your doctor for the proper treatment. Fungus loves a warm and moist environment and if you have sweaty feet it is the perfect condition for the fungus to multiply, that is why if you are prone to sweat easily, a podiatrist can advise you on different treatments to help the fungus growth from spreading . Changing your socks more often and alternate shoes as not to wear the same pair every day, thus allowing them to dry. Ounce you have fungus growing in your shoes it is important to treat them as well as your feet. Don’t hide those ugly looking toenails , instead take care of them and remember in our golden years we need to maintain every part of our body.
The right fit!!!!
As we get older our feet become wider, not necessarily due to our weight but simply that they are as old as we are and the arches are less pronounced therefore changing their overall shape.
Size will depend on the brand or make and the style, don’t insist you wear a specific size if the next size or half size up or down feels better , remember that size is only a suggested number and changes with brand and European measurement does not always convert to the right American number. Have both feet measured properly by the sale person and always buy shoes for the biggest foot. Only you can tell if shoes fit,the heel should fit snugly and the instep should not gape open, take your time and try more then one style, walk around ,wiggle your toes to make sure you have enough room in the toe box and that you are not jamming them against the front (especially when buying hiking, running and walking shoes ).Proper tension in the lacing is crucial . Your forefoot should not be wider then your shoe, don’t plan on shoes stretching with wear. The wrong shoes will cause or aggravate foot ailments and always remember, HAPPY FEET, HAPPY PERSON.Wearing the right shoes is vital not only to foot health but to overall health.
An easy way to check for the right size is by standing on paper and tracing around your bare foot and then compare the outline of your foot with the sole of the shoe and if your shoe appears to narrow you may encounter some foot problems .
In short , being in our golden years comfort is a must and if the shoes are comfortable, buy them and if they don’t–don’t buy them!!!!!
Buying shoes
Today i want to share with you something that happened to me a week ago while i was spending a few days in Sedona Arizona.
It was a beautiful day and i decided it would be a great opportunity to go for a run among the red rocks of this beautiful area, but unfortunately in my rush of getting there i forgot to pack my running shoes. I went around the town looking for a shoe store and finally i came across this little store in west Sedona in the Bashas shopping center by the name of Cabana shoes, as i walk in the store i was gritted by this small dog and then a voice came from within the back ” good morning how are you today” and a young women appeared and ask me if there was something in particular that i was looking for, she introduced herself as Karne and i explained her my dilemma, after asking me my shoe size, she went into the back room and after a few minutes came back out with 6 different styles of boxes and kneed down in front of me and started to accommodate my feet with one style of shoes and checking and rechecking and lacing them and asking me how they felt well explaining the pros and cons of each pair well i was walking around the store to evaluate the fit. After one hour and many more pairs tried i had the perfect fit.
The moral of this story is, when was The last time i had experience such a service and personal attention given to me when buying a pair of shoes,well i simply could not remember. Being in my golden years and having such devotion given to me for a pair of shoes truly made my day and i will try to go back to that store whenever i am in need of new shoes. Thank’s to Karne!!!
No longer you find this type of service and i truly was impressed.
Why do we exercise ?
We choose to exercise usually for different reasons : for recreation , for competition, for work, for health or for looks or appearance. The amount of exercise you perform depends on your reasons for exercising and how quickly you want to achieve your goals. To put good intentions into action you need a goal. The type of exercise you choose depends on your abilities and preferences, on your schedule , on the season, on where you reside and on the facilities available.
Exercise is the best kept secret in preventive and maintaining health, and despite all of our excuses we all need to do it, and we don’t need to be a professional athlete to get all the health benefits you need from moderate exercise even those that don’t make you huff and puff as long as it adds up to enough regular activity.
As we reach our golden years it is easy to maintain an active life by doing what it takes to get these benefits by simply adding a few more steps in our daily activities : Walk the dog, use the stairs and the key is to do enough and to do it often enough.
Exercise Tips
If you have health problems – such as heart trouble, high blood pressure, diabetes or obesity, or if you are age 40 or older check with your doctor before you begin a regular exercise program.
According to the Surgeon General, the optimal goal is at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most day of the week, preferably daily.
When starting an exercise routine or program, listen to your body, you may experience some muscle soreness, not to worry they will gradually disappear, and the worst you can do is stop your routine.
Always take time to warm-up and cool-down properly before and after any exercise and also apply the proper stretching techniques, it will help eliminates the sore muscles.
The benefit of walking
Get your health back on track with a simple and easy exercise, something that everyone can accomplish on a daily basis : Walk your way to a healthy life.
Whether you want to loose wait or simply get in shape, forget the gym membership, pull up your socks and start walking.Yes walking is a great way to spend time outdoor whether in your neighborhood park, around the block on the beach or in the mountain, take your dog along and go for it.
Set goals for yourself and program a time whether daily or weekly to walk your way to health. Learn the proper warm up and cool down procedure and start enjoying the benefit of walking. Baby boomers fitness is crucial in order for you to stay healthy.
Yes i know your excuses, no time , i hate exercise, well think of it that way, what could be more enjoyable then a walk in the park.Walking fitness is for all ages and does not require any special ability or talent, just a few hours a week and you will feel like a new you.