THIS BABY NEEDS A NEW PAIR OF WALKING SHOES!

I know that we all were made in His likeness as the Bible states in Genesis, but have you ever noticed how differently each human being was actually made? I am not trying to be funny here, now! I am serious! Look at our feet! Have you ever taken the time to notice how different even our feet are? Each one of us may have feet, but each foot has it’s own shape and size. Some people have short “little pig’s,” as my grand children call them, and others have long thin toes! There’s fat toes, crooked toes and even crooked and knotty feet! But then of course there are those who were blessed with beautiful feet! Thank God, all His children who carry the gospel have beautiful feet! That’s right! That’s what the word of God says. And I am glad that the Lord thinks so, because I’ve seen some men and women of God who have some pretty ugly feet! OK! I’m teasing now! I have NO room to speak! I have some pretty unsightly “peds” myself!

On top of it all I have a problem with my feet swelling and lots of pain every day. I am also a diabetic so I have to be careful about purchasing just the right shoes for my feet. The same goes especially for my walking shoes. Not all walking shoes are the same just as not all feet are the same. That is why I will not make specific shoe recommendations, because everyone's foot is different and people have different walking styles. But there are a few basics for selecting a good pair of walking shoes that will be good to our poor feet:

1) I always look for a low, supportive heel that rounds in, so that your foot will roll forward as you stroll along. A thick heel or one that flairs out will cause your foot to slap down rather than roll. This slows down forward momentum and seems to puts more pressure on my knees!

2) A walker's foot hits heel first and then rolls forward from heel-to-toe. So, the more flexibility in the shoe the better it is to walk in! These shoes are for walking not running so look for shoes with more flexibility in the sole. You should be able to twist and bend the toe area also.

3) Next, look for a shoe that is light weight and breathable. Like the ones you will see that has mesh on the sides. Let your feet breathe! The last thing you want is that clunky heavy leather walking shoe.

4) The most important thing of course is a shoe that will fit properly, so make sure that it is well made and it gives your foot enough room in the toe area so that your feet won‘t feel pinched! There should be a thumbs width between your toes and the end of the shoe. The shoe should be wide enough so that your toes can move freely but your heel should not slip. Your shoe should never pinch or bind, especially across the arch or ball of your foot.

5) When your feet swell as mine do, you’d be surprised at how the size of your feet are effected! So go shoe shopping at the end of the day or after your walk when your feet may be slightly swollen. Also be sure to wear the same socks you will be wearing during your walks. If you don’t want to wear them, take them with you anyway so that you can slip them on when you are trying on your walking shoes. This can make a huge difference in how the shoe fits. Try on both shoes! My left foot is slightly larger than my right because of the swelling over the years. But even if your feet don’t swell, your feet may not be the same size (really!).

6) Do not shop when you are in a hurry. Be sure to walk around the store in the shoes for a few minutes on a hard surface to try and get the feel of the shoes. If the store has an problem with this, then find another store! It’s worth the effort to find the right shoe for your feet and although it always makes me cringe when I pay for them, it is worth spending a few extra dollars for good shoes that will feel great as I‘m out doing my morning walk.

7) Break those new shoes in before you head out on your first walk in them! Wear your shoes around the house for a few days to try them out. Make sure the shoes are going to work for you. You will soon know if the new shoes are going to work for you and if they don’t work, do not hesitate to take them back and exchange them. Please don’t wait and just continue to wear them until you have scuffed them up on the outside! That’s just not ethical guys!

8) Remember that journal we mentioned in an earlier blog? Well write down how many miles you have put on your walking shoes, and replace them every 300 to 600 miles. If you are wearing very light weight shoes, are overweight, or you are hard on your shoes stay toward the low end on mileage. One doctor told me once that I should always change my shoes at least every three to six months. “Well, Ok, doc! Easy for you to do! I live on a budget, myself!” But seriously it is not a good idea to be too frugal and continue to wear a worn out old shoe with the tongue hanging out! To extend the life of your shoes be sure to only wear them only for your walks. The best idea is to have two pair of walking shoes so that you may rotate between each pair of shoes. This will give them time to "bounce back" between your daily walks.

Well, as soon as Pastor Kirby comes in from work, he and I are going shopping for me a new pair of walking shoes! Keep these items in mind when you go shopping for your next walking shoes too. Let’s watch what we eat, strive to be healthy and drop those excess pounds. Your feet and legs are gonna LOVE you for it and reward you with many more years of brisk morning walks on the beach, down country roads (lined with pecan trees) and hikes in the beautiful mountains!
Remember to walk smart and be safe!
Your sis-in-Christ,
Colene