Tuesday, July 12, 2011

These Shoes Are Made For Walking...

The Old Tower of Nuenen with People Walking
Vincent Van Gogh
1884

I have always enjoyed walking, but lately I have not been doing enough of it. One gets ~~ lazy. My job entails mostly sitting, and then I come home and do more of the same, and the first thing I know I have become sedentary. And I don't like it. Walking is fun and it releases endorphins, which in turn actually makes our brains work better and lowers our stress levels. And walking doesn't cost anything, which fits right into my budget.

The important thing for me is to have a good pair of shoes, and I detest sneakers.  Whoever invented sneakers decided to invent the ugliest shoes known to man, and then make them comfortable.  Do ugly shoes have to be comfortable, and vice versa?  No one looks good in sneakers.  They're ghastly things.  But last year I discovered Sketcher's flip/flops.  (No, this isn't an advertisement for Sketcher's...)  They're just the most comfortable shoes I have ever worn ~~ ever.  I think I could probably walk from here to Richmond in those shoes, and my feet wouldn't get tired.  I don't know what it is, they're just wonderful.  We have a policy at work where we are not permitted to wear open-toed shoes, sandals or flip/flops of any sort, but I thumb my nose at their silly policy.  Just try to get these shoes off my feet ~~ I dare anyone!  They're made for walking.  Every day my poor little feet say, "Thank you, thank you...".  So, during these cooler summer months, when the weather is perfect for walking, if you see someone strolling along, wave and say "Hi!", because that will be me.  I'm enjoying walking again.  It's wonderful.

10 comments:

Katy said...

Great post Jo. Since the intense summer heat and humidy started up here in the south Texas I feel as though I have become a hermmit. I actually joined a gym for the first time in my life to enjoy the luxury of walking in A/C.

Having comfertable shoes are key. Why are comfertable shoes almost always ugly?

Paula Slade said...

I used to wear sneakers all the time and I loved them. I agree they're not terribly attractive, but they were comfortable - until I developed a bunion. I do miss them and am going to check out Sketcher's. I have to get back into walking more too.

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

"Flip-flops"... Just those flat soles, held on by a thong between big toe and next toe? Comfortable?

Glad they are for you, but I couldn't walk across the room, in "flip-flops." I'd faint, half way there.

'Cause I have to have at least an inch of heel under me. And at my olden age, I have to have tie or velcro close shoes on, to be sure on my feet, for such as walking.

-sigh- Yeah, pretty *dern* old lady kind, although they make what they call Oxfords in wine color. Not quite as awful as the "Old Lady" shoes I remember. -grin-

But........ tie shoes are ok, if I stay steady on my feet!!!!!!!

So glad you have found what you like, and are still comfy too.

Pretty new Icon pic!

~♥~

DUTA said...

For me - Crocks, please. They've got a variety of styles. They're not cheap, but I buy them online at their outlet for a reasonable price. Custom service is impecable.

With Crocks I can walk for miles without any feet problem.

Country Girl said...

So, inquiring minds want to know - which style of Sketcher's? They make many different types of flip flops. Good to find something that feels right, isn't it?

DJan said...

After my 12-mile hike yesterday, I slipped my feet into a pair of Sketchers and said, "aaah." (They are pull-on sneakers, however.) :-)

Leslie: said...

I wonder if they'd help me with walking, what with my bad back and all.

Cloudia said...

Right there with you!



Aloha from Waikiki;

PS: My new blog posts are still not updating in blogger/reader OR links on others' blogs
but I'm still posting! :(

Comfort Spiral

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Nancy said...

I've been taking (1) mile walks three times a day. I find it helps to get things going and then keeping me active throughout the day. We sit too much in our latter years!

Anil P said...

The painting is striking, and very stark, focussed on the journey that awaits.

Walking is the one time we have the walking time to ourselves. Few things can beat the joy of meandering along streets, engaged by the sights about us.