walklively
THESE SHOES
ARE MADE FOR
WALKING
Ready to walk? Make
sure you’ve got the
right shoes
WALK, DON’ T RUN All athletic shoes
are not alike. Look for shoes
specifically made for walking versus
running, cross training, etc. With the
right support, flexibility, cushioning,
and insole, shoes made specifically
for walking work to stabilize your feet
and absorb shock.
There’s just no question that regular physical activity is an essential ingredient of a healthy lifestyle. A little exercise goes a
long way toward lowering your risk of
heart disease, diabetes, and even cancer.
It can also boost your energy and mood,
help manage your weight, and even
promote a better night’s sleep.
START WITH A FEW SIMPLE STEPS
1When you first begin walking, start out slowly to give yourself a chance to
warm up.
2Then, especially if you’re new to walking, go as far as you can as fast as
you can comfortably. Begin with just five-to ten-minutes a day.
3 To reap the benefits of regular exercise, make it your goal to work
up to 30 minutes of brisk walking at least
five times a week. If that seems like a
stretch, don’t worry. Research shows that
breaking up half-hour intervals into two
15-minute or three 10-minute increments
a day can be just as effective.
IF THE SHOE FITS, WEAR IT Proper fit
is key. When buying, look for walk-
ing shoes that feel comfortable
as soon as you put them on; no
pinching or rubbing; room to move
your toes easily in the toe box; snug
not tight; and wear socks that are
similar to those you’ll be wearing
when walking.
TAKE A WALK
There are a lot of ways to exercise. You
can take a dance class, go for a swim, or
join a yoga studio. But the simplest way is
to start walking. You can walk anywhere,
anytime, with anyone. All you need are
comfortable clothes and a good pair of
walking shoes.
Walking is a low-impact way to ease into
fitness, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Since it’s one of the body’s most natural
forms of exercise, walking is safe, simple,
and requires no practice. Walking supports
joints by toning muscles in the legs and abdomen. And, it’s a weight-bearing exercise
that builds stronger bones to help prevent
osteoporosis (low-bone density).
KEEP THE PACE
Staying motivated is half the battle when
you’re trying to establish and stick to an
exercise routine. Change things up by
taking different walking routes from
time to time. Invite a friend, partner,
or spouse along. If purpose is what keeps
you going, consider walking to do your
errands or park a little further away
from your destination.
NE W TECHNOLOGY TO MAKE THE MOS T
OF YOUR WALK One of the latest
walking shoes, Shape-ups from
Skechers, features a unique design
that’s been proven to optimize
walking and overall fitness. In a
clinical case study conducted by
members of the National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM),
participants who wore Shape-ups
daily for eight weeks lost more
weight and body fat, showed
more improvement in posture and
muscle strength, and experienced
less stress on knee and ankle joints
than members of a control group
who wore normal athletic shoes.
To learn more about this research
study and Shape-ups, go to
skechers.com.
