Yes! My first pair of Nikes. My sis and I finished our 56 miles this evening and got our shoes. They actually fit and my arches don't hurt. We will be starting our next 56 miles. Well, sis has started hers. I slept this afternoon after returning from the doings. She completed her miles this afternoon.
Nike started this program in 2007 for Native Americans across the US by giving a pair of shoes designed to fit our feet. Native Americans have high arches, wide feet and it's extremely hard to find shoes that fit. {Unless we wear moccasins which are specific to each foot.} There is a limit of three free pairs. It involves reaching goals to get our lives back to living healthy, eating right and exercising. There are two ways to get them: 1. For each 56 miles walked in 3 months, 2. Work with a doctor to set weight loss goals, lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels or whatever the doctor determines is needed to get healthier.
Diabetes is something we all live with; those who have it, those who are prediabetic, those who are at risk and those who support them. It affects everyone in our village in one form or another. One of the hardest to change is eating habits. One of our favorites is fry bread. Usually these are large, roughly about 4 inches by 6 inches. They are served at every feast, gathering and {when the maker feel like cooking} at home.
The first thing I had to do after a family member was diagnosed with diabetes, was attend a nutrition class. The way our family eats didn't have to be changed. We have always cooked only one full meal with "snacks" the rest of the day. I found the major thing was to make fry bread smaller. They actually measured my hands to show me what size was considered one serving. The sizes most people are used to are between 2 and 3 servings in one piece. Turns out my hand is just the right size which made measuring less difficult.
It took a while to get used to making them smaller. When I am asked to make fry bread for a feast or some doing, people comment on how small they are. I tell them they are correct servings for diabetics. I get "the look" from those who don't want to change their habits.
There was quite a bit of controversy when this program was first announced. One benefit of this program is the changes in the way shoe companies are making their shoes. There are more sizes available to choose from. I purchased a pair of shoes about two weeks ago. I thought "they fit" until I tried on my Nikes.
The shoes fit like moccasins. The most important was the arches, something I check for. Shoes will fit my foot size wise, then I find the arches are not right. They're too far forward, too far back or not high enough. I'd rather take shoes with arches that are not high enough to the other ones. My shoes are kicked off soon as I get in the door because my feet hurt. Not these ones.
When I put the other pair back on, I felt the difference. It's great to have shoes that fit. Miigwitch Nike.
[Disclaimer: I have not been compensated for this post, other than completing the requirements of Nike's program.]
Showing posts with label walk. Show all posts
Showing posts with label walk. Show all posts
01 September 2011
23 August 2011
Halfway to Nikes
Since July 27 or thereabouts, I've been walking at least one mile a day six days a week. I might have mentioned this before. Currently I am only one mile behind my sis, the athletic one of the family. We are halfway through the 56 mile requirement to get our first pair of Nikes. This program will be closing sometime in August or September. I didn't check the date, and it was 3 months when we first starting walking. Will have to check today.
We walk on average two miles per day, which works out to 12 miles per week. I did do three miles one day. Arriving at the Fitness Center huffing and puffing, legs feeling rubbery, and throat parched is not my idea of healthy and fit. I forgot how long it's actually been since I walked/jogged/ran for any length for more than two or three minutes. Great good news though. I've managed to lost 7 pounds. Yay.
Just got back from walking three miles. Finally caught up to sis. Now, she's going to be walking faster because she isn't losing weight as much as me. I've told her to walk fast before. She kept walking alongside me. Thanks because forcing me to keep up with you has helped me tremendously.
We have various cheerleaders and supporters while we walk, especially in the evenings. It's nice to see them waving, hear the "Keep going" and "How many miles today?" Last evening, there were three kids who asked if we were going to the Fitness Center. Yes, we were. There are a surprising number of children who wave at us as we walk by. A few of them say hello. I'm tempted to answer "Aaniin." Problem would be they start speaking back and then I'd have a problem. I'd get home and try to repeat what they said to my mom for an interpretation. Some words I know, most Nah.
I'm most glad for the return of the energy I used to have. I think my metabolism has returned to its' previous state. I have a hunger level that's rarely gone. I guess I'll have to eat more veggies and fruits. Well, those are something relatively easy to get for now. My protein needs will be a little more difficult. I don't care for legumes all that much. Still having to eat them would be cheaper than buying the meats. Ahh. I'll just keep my calorie level at around 1700 for now. I think, back in the day, (thanks D.B. for that reminder) that I ate about 2000 calories per day. Never counted them, just have this memory of constantly eating something about every two hours until bedtime. With 18 hours in the day, that's about 8 snacks with one meal. A lot of eating. And a lot more walking.
We walk on average two miles per day, which works out to 12 miles per week. I did do three miles one day. Arriving at the Fitness Center huffing and puffing, legs feeling rubbery, and throat parched is not my idea of healthy and fit. I forgot how long it's actually been since I walked/jogged/ran for any length for more than two or three minutes. Great good news though. I've managed to lost 7 pounds. Yay.
Just got back from walking three miles. Finally caught up to sis. Now, she's going to be walking faster because she isn't losing weight as much as me. I've told her to walk fast before. She kept walking alongside me. Thanks because forcing me to keep up with you has helped me tremendously.
We have various cheerleaders and supporters while we walk, especially in the evenings. It's nice to see them waving, hear the "Keep going" and "How many miles today?" Last evening, there were three kids who asked if we were going to the Fitness Center. Yes, we were. There are a surprising number of children who wave at us as we walk by. A few of them say hello. I'm tempted to answer "Aaniin." Problem would be they start speaking back and then I'd have a problem. I'd get home and try to repeat what they said to my mom for an interpretation. Some words I know, most Nah.
I'm most glad for the return of the energy I used to have. I think my metabolism has returned to its' previous state. I have a hunger level that's rarely gone. I guess I'll have to eat more veggies and fruits. Well, those are something relatively easy to get for now. My protein needs will be a little more difficult. I don't care for legumes all that much. Still having to eat them would be cheaper than buying the meats. Ahh. I'll just keep my calorie level at around 1700 for now. I think, back in the day, (thanks D.B. for that reminder) that I ate about 2000 calories per day. Never counted them, just have this memory of constantly eating something about every two hours until bedtime. With 18 hours in the day, that's about 8 snacks with one meal. A lot of eating. And a lot more walking.
29 June 2011
Walk in the Dark
The stars were bright tonight as I walked home. The village is becoming more civilized with street lights most of the way. One stretch along Lovers Lane is dark. See three porch lights with mine being furthest away. I'm making an effort to enjoy the beauty of the night sky. Frogs are quiet tonight.
Wishing my ride would come along. Stayed on the other side of the road when I got by the cemetery. Crossed over when I got near the corner. By then my cigarette is almost out. So, must concentrate on the sky.
Too late. One chill goes up my spine and I push away the stories that crowd through my mind's eye. Make my feet keep their rhythm, angle my eyes to my porch light, still a ways yet. Flick my eyes back to the sky. My ears are tuned for the sound of the car, still hoping it'll get here.
Ahhhh. Light. I've crossed the invisible line and relax. Amble to the door and go inside.
Sometimes I think about the old, old days. I know what it is like to have no electricity, no indoor plumbing. When I read about something happening in those days, I can see it. I walked a lot but no where near what some of my ancestors walked.
One of my great great great uncles had an ear infection. His wife and sister ran all the way to the village from a logging camp near Gheen. The superintendent hooked up his horse and cart and they went back to Gheen. When they got there, it was decided to put him on the train and send him to Duluth. That was where he died. The women ran about 20 miles in 5 hours.
My greatgrandmother often went to the woods to get birchbark. My mom says she didn't know how Grandma carried that big stack on her back. The men would go hunting deer and drive them towards one another in the hopes of getting enough to feed the village. Traveling to get enough food and supplies for winter was around 70 miles one way.
My great aunt was taken out of the Indian School and sent to live with her grandparents. The grandparents lived in Canada. Not sure where but that was a journey of about 70 miles. From Wakemup Village to the Indian School was only 20 miles.
I get leery walking 1/2 mile in the dark, with the pertinent part only about 100 yards. My aunts, grandparents, others thought nothing of running in the dark for miles when they had to. I'm glad I have the choice to ride in a car to travel those distances. Guess I won't complain about walking to the store. Now, to find a way to stop the chills when it's dark.
Wishing my ride would come along. Stayed on the other side of the road when I got by the cemetery. Crossed over when I got near the corner. By then my cigarette is almost out. So, must concentrate on the sky.
Too late. One chill goes up my spine and I push away the stories that crowd through my mind's eye. Make my feet keep their rhythm, angle my eyes to my porch light, still a ways yet. Flick my eyes back to the sky. My ears are tuned for the sound of the car, still hoping it'll get here.
Ahhhh. Light. I've crossed the invisible line and relax. Amble to the door and go inside.
Sometimes I think about the old, old days. I know what it is like to have no electricity, no indoor plumbing. When I read about something happening in those days, I can see it. I walked a lot but no where near what some of my ancestors walked.
One of my great great great uncles had an ear infection. His wife and sister ran all the way to the village from a logging camp near Gheen. The superintendent hooked up his horse and cart and they went back to Gheen. When they got there, it was decided to put him on the train and send him to Duluth. That was where he died. The women ran about 20 miles in 5 hours.
My greatgrandmother often went to the woods to get birchbark. My mom says she didn't know how Grandma carried that big stack on her back. The men would go hunting deer and drive them towards one another in the hopes of getting enough to feed the village. Traveling to get enough food and supplies for winter was around 70 miles one way.
My great aunt was taken out of the Indian School and sent to live with her grandparents. The grandparents lived in Canada. Not sure where but that was a journey of about 70 miles. From Wakemup Village to the Indian School was only 20 miles.
I get leery walking 1/2 mile in the dark, with the pertinent part only about 100 yards. My aunts, grandparents, others thought nothing of running in the dark for miles when they had to. I'm glad I have the choice to ride in a car to travel those distances. Guess I won't complain about walking to the store. Now, to find a way to stop the chills when it's dark.
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