| Many people who are considering taking up fitness | | | | unnecessary. |
| walking to lose weight put off embarking on their | | | | The truth is, for the vast majority of people, |
| exercise commitment unnecessarily. One of the | | | | spending a lot of money on shoes for fitness |
| main reasons people often cite for postponing | | | | walking isn't required. Of course, you should |
| getting started on a healthier way of life by | | | | always consult a doctor when embarking on any |
| walking is the cost of walking or running shoes. | | | | exercise program, and you can check with them |
| They've seen ads for $150 shoes (or higher) | | | | to see if you need special shoes. But for most |
| promoted as the "ideal" walking shoes or the | | | | people, unless you have serious foot problems, |
| "latest technology" in running shoes. Then they | | | | low priced athletic shoes are just fine. Try them |
| see an ad for another shoe making a very similar | | | | on at the store, take a few steps in them, and if |
| claim, and costing just as much, or they head for | | | | they're comfortable, they'll almost certainly do |
| the local runner's shoe store and the salesman | | | | just fine. In fact, more than one study has found |
| tells them that they really should buy a third kind | | | | that runners and walkers who wear inexpensive |
| of shoe, costing just as much or more. | | | | shoes actually have fewer injuries than those who |
| This leaves many people sitting at home when | | | | wear the expensive kinds. |
| they should be out walking to lose weight. Either | | | | Most of the stuff we read and hear about the |
| they can't afford to pay that much for a pair of | | | | expensive running and walking shoes is simply |
| shoes that are probably going to need to be | | | | marketing hype. Don't let it keep you from |
| replaced every few months, or they're bewildered | | | | improving your health by putting off your fitness |
| by all the competing claims as to which is the | | | | walking until you can afford the "perfect" walking |
| best pair of walking shoes to buy. Or both. | | | | shoes. If the shoe fits (comfortably), wear it! |
| Thousands of people who could be getting | | | | After all, if you're serious about your walking for |
| healthier and losing weight instead remain | | | | weight loss program, you'll be replacing them in a |
| sedentary. This is very unfortunate, and also very | | | | few months anyway. |