Walkabout Wrap-up

April is almost over and that means Dr. Weil Integrative Footwear's Walkabout has come to an end. The weather here in Kansas has run the gamut over the past 28 days, from jaw-chatteringly chilly to 95º, with a tornado touching down in town and flooding rains tossed in to liven things up. Still, it's been nice to let the winter doldrums go and get moving again. Especially because it's miniskirt weather!

I'm sorry. You probably didn't need to see my weird dark sock and sneakers with ikat miniskirt look, did you? Especially with the charming mottled color that my ferocious spring break sunburn left me with. Oh, well, at least they're not glaringly white daikon legs anymore. My knees like to breathe free when it's warm out. An old friend of mine in Seattle told me that before he ever met me, his code name from seeing me out at shows was "short skirts." Yeah. I know.

The kids only have two weeks of school left (shocking!) so I know we'll be doing more walking as a family, which will be nice. I wish there were kid-sized versions of Dr. Weil Integrative Footwear, especially for Roo. I think more comfortable walking shoes would make her decidedly less sullen about having to go anywhere with us. One of the healthy changes I've made during the Walkabout is trying to be a better healthy lifestyle role model for her, so I've been working out regularly and the two of us are signing up for the Girls on the Run Mother's Day 5K. She seems psyched.

You know who else is psyched?

I probably ought to start thinking about getting some walking sandals soon. Let those toes wiggle free in the fresh air, along with my knobby knees.

I think my walkabout is just getting good. How about yours?

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that, as a brand ambassador, I received the complimentary sneakers mentioned above. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are, as usual, my own.

Rainy Day Fitness #Walkabout

Q: How do you keep active when the view from your front door looks like this?

A: Hit the gym.

We've had a lot of rain recently, the kind of torrential Kansas downpour that tries to make up for the year-round dryness. The parched soil can't soak up all the water quickly enough, which means we have a lot of flooding. Which means it's not a lot of fun to take walks, unless you're big into mud puddles.

So I've been taking my Rhythm Walkers to the gym. I had been wearing some lightweight running shoes to work out in, admittedly because they're neon pink and they make me laugh, but I thought the sturdiness of the walking shoes might help my form. I was right, they make a lot of difference with weight training, giving me a more solid footing and improving my posture. My knees feel less wobbly while doing squats, even. I don't think I would wear them to a cardio class but they're really great for step work, resistance training and, predictably, for the treadmill. 

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that, as a brand ambassador, I received the complimentary sneakers mentioned above. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are, as usual, my own.

National Walking Day

Okay, I just found out that yesterday was National Walking Day. But since it was pouring down rain yesterday, I'm celebrating it today.

Here's a really good video with Dr. Andrew Weil, integrative health expert, and Dr. Philip Vasyli, podiatrist and founder of Orthaheel, explaining the ease and importance of establishing an everyday walking habit with shoes that support the proper natural alignment of your feet.



I'm a terrible shoe whore, I must admit, but the importance of good walking shoes is not lost on me. I especially love the revelation that the big toe needs to flex while you walk. Epiphany! It makes so much sense that many of the aches and pains we've become accustomed to dealing with can be easily traced back to squishing our feet into constrictive shoes that don't allow us to bounce back from the pavement. Heck, the pavement itself is part of the problem. 
It's not like I'll be giving up platform shoes anytime soon but having comfortable and supportive shoes like the Weil Integrative Rhythm Walkers I'm currently wearing for the Walkabout is a huge shift towards my well being. My feet tend to pronate (I'm using the lingo!) inward as I walk but these shoes actually make me stand straighter and take a stronger, more definitive stride. Which, ostensibly, will make me want to walk longer and further. Not a bad thing, in my book.

On an entirely shallow note, I also think they're kind of cute. Apparently you can have orthotics and not look like an old biddy. Who knew?!
In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that, as a brand ambassador, I received the complimentary sneakers mentioned above. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are, as usual, my own.

Walkabout: A 28 Day Quest for Good Health

I'm thrilled to announce I've been selected as a brand ambassador for Dr. Weil Integrative Footwear's Walkabout: A 28-day Quest for Good Health. The Walkabout is a call to action, meant to get people to walk their way to optimum health. Walking is something everyone can do, at any age or fitness level. The "Good Health" goal of the campaign is not just about fitness or weight loss, but about getting bodies energized and moving to improve physical AND mental efficiency and well-being. 

I wasn't able to attend the Walkabout kick-off virtual tea event in New York last week but I did receive a starter kit including a snazzy pair of Dr. Weil Integrative Footwear Rhythm Lace-up Walkers (available exclusively via QVC and FootSmart), Walkabout logo tee, boomerang, bag and cap, and a copy of Dr. Weil's book Spontaneous Happiness. 

I have very high arches and, apparently, a peculiar gait, so I was curious about the fit. The Rhythm Walkers are very, very comfortable. Especially in the ball of the foot, where I often experience pain. Bob was eyeing them, too, since he prefers shoes with a less-constrictive toebox and a sturdy tread. I might have to get him a pair to be my Walkabout buddy!

Clearing my mind and getting more physical activity are both challenges I am ready to undertake. I'm excited to join this movement and to see how I've changed, physically and spiritually, in the next few weeks. I'm hoping that I will learn new things about myself and my capabilities.

Carol from NYCityMama and Dr. Weil at the Walkabout Virtual Tea

For more information, read the Healthy Footnotes blog and follow the #Walkabout hashtag.

How do you keep yourself motivated to keep moving?

In accordance to the FTC Guidelines and the WOMMA Code of Ethics, I am disclosing that, as a brand ambassador, I received the complimentary products mentioned above. No other compensation was provided and all opinions are, as usual, my own.