Let’s Talk Shoes
I have tried various types and brands of shoes (mostly for running) over the years and I want to share my opinion of each. Hopefully, it will help some of you when deciding which to buy.
First let’s talk about running shoes. My quest to find the perfect shoe came when I found out I have plantar fasciitis. I was wearing Asics gel Kayano for most of my daily needs. At this point I thought fallen arches were my only issue. I was told they have a good arch support, which I believe they do compared to other running shoes in that price range. I had tried various versions of Nike and Adidas and Under Armor, none of which had the support I needed for my arches. I talked to others about running shoes and I was told to try Brooks Adrenaline GTS.
With Brooks, I thought that I found the perfect shoe for my needs. I trained for and ran a half marathon race in these. Eventually I ended up tearing the fascia on one foot and had surgery to tear the other years later. I thought I was done running, but then was introduced, by my podiatrist, to Hoka.
I wear a version of Hokas that seem to last forever, which I keep thinking will wear out and I can justify buying the Hoka Bondi 8. I love the cushion, stability, and support I get from these. They are great for your middle distance running and also for walking. I even do my weight training in them. I thought this would be the only shoe I buy for the rest of my life and then I was gifted the OnCloud Cloudmaster.
After wearing them for a couple weeks, I decided to start alternating them with my Hokas. This is where I am set. I did not care for the color as most of my running gear did not match (vanity), so I bought the Cloudmaster in another color. So now I have 3 pairs of running shoes that I alternate daily. This helps them last longer. Make no mistake, the next pair I buy will be the Hoka Bondi 8 and I will keep alternating these daily.
Briefly I want to weigh in on walking shoes. If you are looking to help your running shoes last longer and you want to rotate in a good pair, try the New Balance Fresh Foam X. I still alternate the Hokas and OnClouds for walking as well. Both have the cushion and support to go the distance. If you want to add resistance to your walk/run, try some ankle weights. These shoes have enough support to withstand the added pressure.
I believe everyone has different needs/wants in footwear, so try some for yourself and decide. My opinion is that for middle distance running, the Hoka Bondi 8 is tied with the OnCloud Cloudmaster for best overall shoe. Both have the cushion, support and stability needed for a good run/walk/workout.
- Published in News, Running shoes
Family Workouts
Why not make family time healthy time? We’ve all baked cookies with our kids, or watched movies with our kids, or played games with them, but have we exercised with our kids? They’re never too young to start healthy habits…
Have you ever seen videos of toddlers trying to mimic parents doing pushups, sit-ups, etc…? It’s pretty fun to watch, even though they’re not doing the exercises perfectly? Well, as much fun as it is to watch, those kids are having even more fun and, they’re learning healthy habits.
I used to think exercise was ‘me’ time and it still can be, but why not let the kids have a little fun and join in now and then. I’ve noticed in my family, my boys prefer to mimic dad and the girl(s) mimics mom(me)., so I started with my daughter, suggesting variations that are easy enough that they are fun, but still effective as exercise. For example, when I am doing timed exercises and say I’m working upper body and abs, I will do plank up downs for thirty seconds and tell my daughter she can do mountain climbers instead. (She does not like planks)
My older kids, having been accustomed to exercise, will sometimes challenge the younger kids to pull-up contests. It helps having minimal equipment at home, even if you still need to go to a gym and get “me time” workouts. I like having a pull-up bar in the door frame, it reminds them every time they go upstairs, they can do a couple pull-ups. It doesn’t have to be a full workout every time. Just staying active on a daily basis creates healthy habits. Push-ups bars upstairs and downstairs are also good reminders to everyone that they can fit in a few push-ups before rushing to school/work, without getting their hands dirty and it’s easier on the wrists.
My daughter is really interested in stretching and flexibility. I like to let her lead me in stretching, and she really likes having her own yoga mat. Win/win. Sometimes letting the kids lead the workouts or help timing or counting some exercises creates motivation at times where it may be otherwise lacking.
I have often combined family workouts with Saturday morning chores, proverbially killing 2 birds with one stone. After all, we can’t exercise on a dirty floor, can we? So, while the kids are cleaning the floor, I can do the dishes while simultaneously waiting for my pre-workout supplement to kick in. I have noticed that once the kids are involved in chores and exercise, they tend to want to keep up the momentum. I can put the chore list next to a list of exercises:
Legs: repeat 3x
- 20 Squats
- 10 Jump Squats
- 20 Sumo Squats
- 10 Jump Sumo Squats
- 20 Straight to Curtsey Lunges (right leg)
- 20 Straight to Curtsey Lunges (left leg)
- 40 Calf Raises
Chore List: You decide what chores need to be done. Have fun with this. You could do floors and baseboards on leg days and counters and cupboards on upper body days.
Don’t forget to have dumbbells of various weights on hand for both upper and lower body workouts for a little resistance. I also like to do my kettlebell swings with my sumo squats. Again, you want various kettlebell weights for different levels of strength. Every person in my household of 5 uses a different size/weight that works for them.
Remember to incorporate resistance into your workouts, whether it’s bands or weights. It keeps the skeletal muscle at a healthy level. It doesn’t have to feel like work to work.
Stay active to stay healthy!
- Published in News