Wendy’s Picks

Insoles
Insoles and shoe inserts are used to improve the fit and function of the shoe. Foot problems can often be initially addressed through getting a good fit for the right shoes and then the right socks. The next level of problem-solving comes with the insoles and inserts.

If your foot problems are not solved quickly by the arch supports and insoles found at the local pharmacy, seek out a shop with a certified pedorthist (CPED), orthesist, or physical therapist. Have a gait and foot analysis done and work with them to get the correct insoles, arch support, and modifications for your shoes. Finding the right combination of footwear and inserts is an art, with each person and each foot needing its own solution.

Arch Support: Most athletic shoes provide no arch support. An arch support insole can prevent arch pain. There are an increasing variety of insoles available through stores and custom insole shops.
Cushioning: As we age, we lose the fat pad on the bottom of the foot, and extra cushioning in the right areas can help prevent pain. Impact cushioning for walking should be provided by the shoe itself. A cushioning insole won’t help if your shoes are old and the cushioning is exhausted. Replace your shoes every 500 miles — which is 3 months to a year for most fitness walkers.

Gait Problems: An insole may help correct overpronation problems. Rich Taylor of Foot Solutions in Portland, OR says that they often see the wrong type of insert recommended for the shoe and the foot problem. Self-diagnosing or having a simple gait analysis at a shoe store and deciding that you have overpronation doesn’t address which kind of condition is causing overpronation, and which solution is the right one. A professional evaluation by a certified CPED, orthesist, or physical therapist can save years of problems and pain.

—Wendy Bumgardner
www.walking.about.com

Dr. Scholl’s Gel Insoles: The commercials ask, “Are you gellin?” Gel insoles can be a quick answer for comfort cushioning. However, they need frequent replacement, especially with fitness walking and running. www.drschools.com
Spenco Insoles: The American Podiatric Medical Association gives its Seal of Acceptance to most of the Spenco line of insoles, arch supports, and orthotics. The simple replacement insoles provide extra-shock absorption. You can address specific foot problems with a Spenco insole with arch support, or try Spenco Metatarsal Arch Cushions or Heel Cushions. www.spenco.com
Superfeet: These insoles provide motion control, arch support, and shock absorption. The heel cup and arch correct some types of overpronation and support the foot. They have a 60-day comfort guarantee. www.superfeet.com
Powerstep: Designed by a podiatrist (who is also a runner) to provide the best benefits to the widest range of people, has arch support, a heel cradle, and cushioning. Rich Taylor of Foot Solutions says “these work well for many people who need a little arch support.” www.powersteps.com
Forward Arch: The Soft-Step® Orthotic has been it’s most popular product. These orthotics are odor free, hypoallergenic, interchangeable in most shoes, light and flexible, safe for diabetics, increase circulation, strengthen the foot, and washable. They come with a lifetime guarantee/limited money back guarantee. www.forwardarch.com

Here’s Why I Love It
1. I can put it in my pocket rather than clip it to my waist. It can also go in a handbag or shirt pocket and still record my steps. That saves me from dropping it in the toilet, which has happened more times than I would like to admit.
2. It resets itself at midnight, (Thank you P-valet!) which saves me from getting halfway through my day and staying “Drat! I forgot to reset the dang thing this morning.”
3. The Bug saves my settings for two weeks,
so if I get busy, all is not lost. By the push of a single button I can see a two-week history.
4. It counts my aerobic steps. After I walk continuously for about five minutes, the bug recognizes I’m on one of my
fitness walks and records those steps as aerobic, rather than just lifestyle. They still work into my total, but can show me an important factor in the fitness program.
5. Everything you want to read on your bug is easy to see — this may seem obvious but believe me, it’s not the case with many gadgets.

If you want more picturesque details and graphs of your steps, you can pay a monthly fee to download your Fitbug info to a computer via an USB cable. (This also is very simple.) The Fitbug arranges your info into a variety of colorful graphs. There’s also a diet plan of sorts where you can record food intake. And if you like, you can join a League of Walkers and compare your steps to others in the league. Or, you can start your own league. For more information check out www.fitbug.net.

Maggie Spilner is the author of three books on walking for health. She manages walking tours and an annual walkers rally. Learn more by
visiting www.walkforallseasons.com.

All Terrain AT3 Pet Stroller

Why would anyone put their pet in a stroller when so many pets are overweight and need to walk? There are many reasons. For example, does your pet have a problem getting around on his own due to age or illness? The pet stroller is ideal for pets with hip and back ailments, arthritic joints, or terminal illness. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one in every five adult dogs in the U.S. has arthritis. The foundation states arthritis is one of the most common sources of chronic pain treated by veterinarians.

You never have to leave them home alone if you have a stroller. Reduce stress and separation anxiety by taking your pets with you. Transport your pet in style with the AT3 All Terrain Three Wheel Pet Stroller from Pet Gear. Built to accommodate pets up to 60 pounds, the stroller is built for durability and long life. It features front and rear entry points, rear wheel shock absorbers, mesh windows to keep out the bugs, safety reflectors for nighttime use, and a wind and rain cover. For user convenience, the stroller has a parent tray to store items along with a large storage basket. Best of all, it opens and folds with just one hand in less than five seconds. Available in Sky Blue or Red Poppy. Convenient for shopping, long walks, outdoor markets, vacations, outdoor events, multi-dog households, and more.

Book Review
Have Dog Will Travel
Northwest Edition and California Edition
By Barbara Whitaker


In Have Dog Will Travel California and the newly updated Northwest Edition, pet travel expert Barbara Whitaker with her dog Ginger, personally researched thousands of lodgings throughout the Northwest and California to create the definitive travel guide and directory for dog-friendly accommodations. Now travelers with their canine companions can select from over 4,000 hotels, motels, B&Bs, cabins, and vacation homes that accept pets. The first seven chapters inform the reader of travel essentials for their pet, travel safety, and pet etiquette advice, easy obedience commands, as well as lifesaving and first aid procedures. Chapter 8 in both issues is a comprehensive listing of dog friendly lodgings. If you are traveling with your canine companion, then you need to browse through Have Dog Will Travel California and Have Dog Will Travel Northwest Edition.

For more information or to order the books visit www.havedogwilltravel.com or call 503-625-3001, tollfree at 888-255-8030. Also available at Amazon.com.