Choosing Good Walking Shoes

When buying walking shoes it’s important to make sure that they are the right ones for your feet.  Not only does everyone wear a different size many people have wide feet or walk on the insides or outsides of their soles.  Some ways to make sure that you are choosing the right walking shoe includes:

•    Choose walking shoes that have supportive, rounded heels
•    A flexible sole is important in order to allow the toe area to bend properly
•    A breathable, light weight shoe can make walking easier than if wearing a heavy shoe
•    Make sure to maintain a half an inch from the tip of the shoe to the tip of your toe
•    The heel of your foot should stay steady and not slip up or down
•    Try walking shoes on with the socks that you will use while walking
•    Take the shoes for a trial walk around the store or mall

When you find a shoe that you really like it can sometimes be hard to let them go once they are worn out but it’s important not to use them for walking shoes after they have reached that point.  Most shoe stores suggest that you replace them after 300 miles if you are overweight or have very light weight shoes and to replace them after 600 miles if you have a higher end shoe that can take more mileage before breaking down.

When purchasing walking shoes make sure to consider the type of arch you have.  Arches have three basic categories:

High arches are when the arch of your foot curves high and this can put strain on the muscles of your feet because you are taking almost all of the stress of walking on the balls of your feet and your heels.  If you have high arches you should look for shoes that have extra padding in the arch area.

Low arches are also commonly known as flat feet and there is typically not enough arching in the foot.  Walking shoes for flat feet will have some built up within the arch area but not as much as other types of shoes.

Neutral arches are considered normal and have just the right amount of curvature in the arch area.  These shoes will not be built up or lowered; they will be a standard walking shoe.

Buying some shoes may be all about the look but when purchasing walking shoes you need to make sure that you are buying the correct ones for your body and feet.  Don’t forget that most sales associates are trained to help you find the best shoe available for you.

Walking – The Simple Way To Lose Weight!

If you are just starting out on an exercise routine to lose some weight,many doctors and trainers will tell you that a good way to begin is by walking. There are quite a few reasons why it’s a great way to start losing some pounds:

Weight Loss
This is usually the number one reason people begin walking as an exercise, and the other points below are what keep people walking.  It’s the ideal way to start an exercise routine, especially for those who are out of shape and are not quite sure of their fitness level, or are simply interested in enjoying some time outside while they improve it.

Energy
When you exercise your body releases endorphins that help to increase your energy levels and make you feel good.  Walking can also relieve stress which can give you an energized or peaceful feeling.

Sleep
Your body likes to exercise because it gets the blood flowing and helps the muscles to stretch out, and this in turn, helps to raise your metabolism   All of these things will also help you sleep better at night because the body is tired and needs to be replenished by sleep.

Takes Off Inches
You may be surprised to learn that walking not only helps you lose weight, but can also help you lose inches all over your body.  As your leg muscles develop you may notice that they appear trimmer and firmer, your waist and hips will begin to shrink also because of the slight twisting movement that is made while walking, and you may notice that your arms become slimmer and trimmer because of the back and forth motion that is used in faster walking.

Inexpensive
Walking is one of the most inexpensive ways that you can exercise to lose weight. The only thing that you really need to buy is a good pair of walking shoes. You really don’t want to skimp here, because having the right shoes can make all the difference. It’s not necessary to join a gym or purchase a treadmill, though you can if you like, so walking is a great choice for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money but still want to lose weight.

Even though walking is a great choice for beginners, it is also the preferred  option of exercise for many experienced walkers, because of the points mentioned above.  The main things to remember when walking for weight loss is to talk to your doctor first, eat healthy, stay hydrated, and make walking an enjoyable, daily experience.

If you need walking shoes, a good place to look is HERE

Weight Loss And Exercise

A lot of us live our lives like penned animals. Built to move, too often we put ourselves in a cage. We have bodies designed for racing across the savannas, but we live a lifestyle designed for migrating from the bed to the breakfast table; to the car seat; to the office chair; to the restaurant booth; to the living room couch and back to the bed.

It was not always this way. Not long ago in the United States, a man who worked on a farm did the equivalent of 15 miles of jogging every day; and his wife did the equivalent of 7 miles of jogging.

Today, our daily obligations of work and home keep us tied to our chairs, and if we want exercise, we have to seek it out.

In fact, health experts insist the obesity problem is probably caused at least as much by lack of physical activity as by eating too much. Hence, it is important that people need to move around.

However, that does not mean that a lap or two around the old high school track will offset a daily dose of donuts. Exercise alone is not very efficient, experts say. They contend that if you just exercise and do not change your diet, you may be able to prevent weight gain or even lose a few pounds for a while.

Nevertheless, it is not something that you are likely to sustain unless exercise is part of an overall program. The more regularly you exercise, the easier it is to maintain your weight. Here is what to do every day to make sure that you get the exercise you need.

1. Get quality Zzzs.

Make sure that you get adequate sleep. Good sleep habits are conducive to exercise, experts point out. If you feel worn out during the day, you are less likely to get much physical activity during the day.

In addition, there is evidence that people who are tired tend to eat more, using food as a substance for the rest they need.

2. Walk the walk.

It is probably the easiest exercise program of all. In fact, it may be all you ever have to do, according to some professional advices of some health experts.

Gradually build up to at least 30 minutes of brisk walking five times a week. Brisk walks themselves have health and psychological benefits that are well worth the while.

3. Walk the treadmill.

When the weather is bad, you might not feel like going outdoors. But if you have a treadmill in the television room, you can catch up on your favorite shows while you are doing your daily good turn for your weight-maintenance plan.

Most of us watch television anyway, and indoor exercise equipment enables anyone to turn a sedentary activity into a healthy walk.

4. Seize the time.

Excuses aside, lack of time is certainly a limiting factor in most lifestyles. That is why health experts suggest a basic guideline for incorporating exercise into your schedule.

Get as much exercise as you can that feels good without letting it interfere with your work or family life. If you need to, remind yourself that you are preventing many health problems when you prevent weight gain; and keeping your health is a gift to your family as well as yourself.

My Sunday Morning Walk (But Not This Week!)

A very good morning to everyone, I hope your Sunday has got off to a great start. We are having to change our plans, I’m afraid, or rather the weather has changed them for us.

Sunday morning usually means a long walk for us and Max, our springer spaniel. But not today, as wet and windy doesn’t really describe how wild it is outside at the moment. Not that it would stop Max, he would go out in any weather. No, it’s us oldies who want to stay in the warm. Our clocks were moved back an hour last night, signalling the end of summer time, and the weather seems to know this, too.

Walking has become popular again as a means of exercise and an aid to weight loss. Most people can enjoy walking as it is  a low impact exercise that has a number of health benefits.

Some Of  The Benefits Of Walking

• Manage your weight
• Lower your blood pressure
• Improve your mood
• Reduces your risk to, or manages type 2 diabetes
• Helps your good and bad cholesterol to maintain a good balance
• Stay fit and strong

Some Tips To Avoid Injury

Wear comfortable clothing and walking shoes or boots. Try and layer your clothing so that you start out well wrapped up but as your walk gets more energetic you can remove items so you keep at a comfortable temperature.

Spend a few minutes walking slowly or walking on the spot until you warm up.

Once you are warm, do some muscle stretches before you set off.

When you are coming to the end of your walk, let the intensity drop and walk slowly for the final 5-10 minutes. This helps to reduce the stress on your heart and muscles.

And finally, repeat your stretches.

Walking will help you to get fit and if done on a regular basis will aid weight loss as well. But if you haven’t walked any distance in a while, please don’t dive right in. Start off gently and build your pace and distance steadily, and you will soon be seeing the benefits, and the joys, of walking.

Unfortunately, I will not be walking anywhere today. Sit, Max.

Gordon.