By walking, I mean walking for exercise. My nightly walk used to consist of me wearing a pair of backless Keds. They gave me no support, but I hate sneakers. Hate them, hate them, hate them. SO, Keds it was. UNTIL NOW!!! I love these FitFlops.

FitFlops are made for walking and comfort, while giving you the best benefits.

7 reasons why everybody is wearing FitFlops, from the FitFlop website:

1. FitFlop midsoles incorporate patent-pending micro-wobbleboard^TM technology, to give you a workout while you walk. Developed by Darren James and Dr David Cook at LSBU, the FitFlop’s unique safely -tapered midsole places varying densities of EVA under your feet each time you step, to challenge the support and balance muscles of the foot and leg.
2. They challenge hard to reach muscles more. FitFlops are engineered with a multi-density midsole that stimulates your muscles more while you’re wearing them. In independent University testing, FitFlops have been shown to trigger increase gluteal muscle response, increased hamstring response, increase rectus femoris (thigh) response and increased calf muscle response .
3. Every step you take in your FitFlops helps tone and trim your legs: Studies at Salford University by Dr. Philip Graham-Smith and Richard Jones have shown that the FitFlop midsole extends the amount of time that the slow twitch* muscles are engaged during each step (by approximately 10-12%). So just by wearing a pair of FitFlops you’ll get more exercise while doing just exactly what you’re normally doing. (*slow twitch muscles produce energy by converting fats into energy aerobically)
4. FitFlops work your bum muscles more. FitFlops have been proven to increase the amount of time that the gluteus maximus muscle is ‘activated’ during every single step.
5. FitFlops have been shown to have a significant effect on the toning muscles of your thighs: The rectus femoris muscle (one of the large muscles in the group of muscles in your thigh) is activated for a longer period of time while walking in FitFlops than while normally shod or barefoot .
6. Walking in FitFlops is like walking barefoot, but a little bit better. According to a study done at the University of Salford in Manchester, UK, the FitFlop wearer’s gait is very similar to that of a barefoot walker, but the added cushion provided by the EVA midsole helps reduce joint strain and absorb shock. In fact, several FitFlop wearers have already reported relief from back pain after a few days of wearing them.
7. FitFlops make it easier to stay in shape. Just throw them on while you’re running errands, walking to work, or working around your house. Most first-time FitFlop wearers report feeling their muscles working more, while ‘fitter’ wearers feedback has been more toward great comfort and cushion. One woman reported feeling like she’d had a ‘bum-blasting’ workout after a half an hour of FitFlop-shod walking.

I’ll say it again – my walking routine has not been the same. I love walking in my FitFlops. They are so comfortable while giving me the support needed. I swear that my walking seems effortless now, and I am actually walking faster and farther because of these innovative shoes.

I am wearing the FitFlop WalkStar model that retails for $49.99. You can find FitFlops online at Macy’s.com, BathandBodyWorks.com, Blissworld.com, VictoriasSecret.com amongst other specialty shoe retailers. You can locate a retailer right online through this retail locator.

Are there any FitFlop devotees out there?

image credit: FitFlops.com

Post from: Aging Fabulous

The first walk I take is in the morning, and that walk is just over 2 miles. It is a nice easy walk, with only one hill up in the beginning, and another one at the end – which is sometimes a killer, depending how I am balancing my time. This little over 2 mile walk is taking me just about 35 minutes, which is great time, if I say so myself. I have my iPod all geared up every morning, ready to go with the same 35 minutes of song, that lets me walk to the beat. And when I see people looking or sometimes staring at me, I just smile and say a warm, welcoming, “Good Morning!”. You see, it is early, the kids are off to school, and I need to get my day going – so as I am walking, I am belting out the tunes – oh yeah!

My second walk of the day is usually taken right after dinner. This walk is about 3 miles. I walk to the high school track, which is 1/2 mile away. I love the track. It was just built last year, and it is this really weird spongy/asphalt kind of material. It is almost rubbery – and so easy on the joints! I walk around the track 8 times, which someone told me is 2 miles then back home, which is another 1/2 mile. On this walk, I am bit more subdued, as there are a bunch of us walking on the track, and inevitably there is someone that joins in with me, and starts conversing with me. It is not so bad, but I don’t keep the pace like I do in the morning. But it is exercise nonetheless.

Do I have any more walking buddies out there? More importantly are there any more crazies out there that sing at the top of their lungs when they are walking to the beat of their own drummer? I can’t be the only one!

Post from: Aging Fabulous

And on the way back was a plaza that contained a Target, so as Britt needed hair conditioner, we decided on stopping there. And while we were in Target, of course we had to walk around just a little. And yes, we did pick up just a few things.

So, it seems that it’s not going to be a no shopping day after all. We even decided that we will go back out this afternoon. We found a nice little cafe where we can watch the birds and take in the scenery. Sure can’t do that at home. Not too many people are sitting out sipping coffee in February!

So, I think that we have our day all planned out. And all that extra walking means that I don’t have to go down to the gym!

*Cappuccino Cocktails & Coffee Martinis: Specialty Coffee Recipes and ‘A-Whole-Latte’ more!

Post from: Aging Fabulous