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shoe store kc

Questions? (913) 498-3338
4837 W. 119th St. • Overland Park, KS 66209
HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p, Sun Closed

 

 

    • Universal arch support for all feet as the arch conforms to your foot no matter what your arch type
    • The patented arch design allows your feet to “fall” over the footbed, letting the bones/joints of your feet
    • Articulate over the footbed supporting the plantar surface of the foot in a very natural manner
    • Increases circculation to the foot, lower body, and whole body
    • OOfoam is energy absorbing with bottom design having an ergonomic top surface and highly contoured bottom designed to naturally support your feet in static and dynamic conditions
    • Non marking outsole
    • Machine washable
    • GREAT FOR PLANTAR FASCIITIS AND HEEL SPURS

 

eyesI am planning on getting to a ripe old age being limber and balanced and I am working out daily in order to achieve that goal. I want to be a female version of Jack Lalanne who at 95 still worked out daily. His passion for daily exercise served him well and allowed him to do more of the things in life that he wanted to do even as he aged.

Getting Older
People are so focused on how our bodies look that we tend to lose focus of what our bodies DO. It’s hard to conceptualize that one day down the road of life we will (hopefully) be older versions of ourselves and the effects of what we do today will directly impact how relatively fit, how healthy, how independent, how social we are able to be.

Case in point:
I personally see the direct effects in my own family with my parents who, at 83, live life with major differences.  Both have their health issues, some genetically brought and some brought on due to lack of motivation, desire and exercise.

Healty & Active Dad
My dad started working out with regularity in his early adult life and continues to this day. He gets up everyday with a plan of action and his demeanor reflects this. He still drives, participates in weekly games like bridge and pitch, has scheduled lunches with friends and is active in their retirement community as well as taking care of my mom.

Not So Much Mom
My mom has not and is not taking care of herself with exercise, balance or even being limber.  She is either sitting in a chair in their apartment or is in a motorized wheelchair to get around their retirement center. As a result, her mobility is severely limited and even after getting helped to a standing position must have additional help in getting any balance.  She is no longer able to drive and has to have assistance in order to shower, dress and get in and out of  bed. If it weren’t for my dad, we fear that she would not be social, but he signs her up for bridge and poker where, once there, she can use her sharp mind to win (and enjoy) games.

You Always Have Time
People will say they don’t have time today to workout, but the truth of the matter is that those who don’t actually end up losing time. They lose their freedom to move about themselves without pain. Without exercise, without being balanced and limber, we are more susceptible to common diseases and physical ailments. The more we move the healthier our bones are and having healthy bones is vital as we age. We were not meant to be sedentary. Think about your job and how after sitting for a long period of time you go to get up – how stiff are your legs and back?

Keep Moving
Keep moving and your body will feel better and sleep better. Keep limber and balanced and your body will be able to maneuver you where you would like to go, when you would like. I see my parents and as their child I am a mix of both of them, while I can’t prevent a genetic problem from arising I chose to keep myself healthy in body, mind and spirit today so that one day I can become Jackie Lalanne .

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Saucony shoes to homeless and under served families/individuals by way of Catholic Charities of NE Kansas.

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sunsunThere is no doubt about it – summer is here and with it are the very bright skies and sunny days. This is the perfect time to realize that along with the sunscreen we are putting on before we head out the door we also need to put on the shades, as in sunglasses. The protection we need for our eyes from the Ultra Violet (UV) rays of the sun.

UV Rays
You may hear a lot about keeping your skin safe from the sun’s harmful rays, but did you know eyes need to be protected too? Dr. Manny, senior managing editor of FoxNewsHealth.com, explains: Short-term UV exposure may burn the front surface of the eye, just like a sunburn would on the skin. If after sun exposure you have experienced redness on the eyelids, eye irritation or a gritty feeling similar to sand in your eyes. Ouch! Overexposure to UV rays can lead to early cataracts and glaucoma.

Seal of Acceptance
sunglassesTo protect your eyes, you should wear sunglasses that block 99 to 100 percent of the UVA and UVB rays. And they don’t have to be expensive. When looking for new sunglasses look for a “seal of acceptance” which guarantee their effectiveness. You don’t have to spend a fortune to get UVA and UVB protection, but do check that the color of the lenses match. A wrap around frame gives better coverage along with keeping dust and bugs out

Reflections
UV exposure can come from reflections off the sand, pavement, water and snow – so you should wear sunglasses year-round. Cancer of the eyelids is more common than people would think.  We need to wear sunglasses anytime we are doing something outdoors whether we run, walk, bike, skate, garden or are just running errands.

Prevent Skin Cancer
Protecting the skin around the eyes is not only a good way to prevent skin cancer, but combating the wrinkles you get around the eyes from squinting.

Window To Our World
Our eyes are the window to our world, complex and delicate they deserve all the protection we can get. So please, get your shades on before you step out the door on the right foot…..

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agingWhile sitting in the waiting room of yet another Doctors appointment for one of my aging parents, I picked up a magazine that caught my eye. I read a great article about “The Aging Athlete”.   Have you wondered if your years of exercising are paying off for you as your body is aging?

The answer of course has many variables starting off with your own family genetics. Orthopaedic Surgeon Vonda Wright, MD, reports that how we age is 30% genetics and 70% under our direct control. She states that those of us Baby Boomers who “get that” want that control. The people who continue to be physically active carry this aura through other aspects in their lives, says Dr. John Vani an Orthopaedic Sugeon and Sports Medicine Specialist.

He feels the greatest area of focus for athletes (and yes, I feel we are athletes if we are getting out and doing something physically active) should include strength conditioning as muscle mass loss can start as early as age 40.

Our bodies are physical structures that break down with time so be realistic about your abilities and skills and what is part of the natural aging is important. Keeping active in our 50s, 60s,  & 70s adds at least 4-6 years to life expectancies while seeing decrease in the likelihood of acute & chronic diseases, add in improved mental health and that to me is incentive enough to keep putting one foot in front of the other. As we age it is not just about how fast you finished your run or how far your club hit the ball, but more importantly did you finish it.

Preparing our bodies for aging is a new thought, but one that will serve us well as we do age. In our physical activities in addition to strength training adding in balance along with consuming plenty of Vitamin D, Calcium and good oral hygiene and healthily managing our stress makes for well rounded balanced living to hopefully get each of us to a ripe old age not sitting in the rocking chair but moving around on the RIGHT FOOT.


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7861791-runner-girl1. Physical activity can help you MAINTAIN a HEALTHY WEIGHT.
2. Physical activity IMPROVES your MOOD.
3. Physical activity REDUCES the RISK of VARIOUS CHRONIC DISEASES, including diabetes and high blood pressure.
4. Physical activity PROMOTES BETTER SLEEP.
5. Physical activity can put the SPARK back IN to your SEX LIFE.
6. Keep on going on-one foot in front of the the other. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY–it’s about lengthening the years of quality life!

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putasockonitThink socks don’t make a difference or have a lot to offer.  Socks can actually improve the fit and feel of your shoes as well as your workout performance. Here are things you want to consider when buying.
 
*Density
Ultra thin/thin/medium/thick.

*Fabrics used
Coolmax, Wool, Polyester, Bamboo, Spandex…

*Heights
No show tab, low cut, mini crew, ¼ , crew

*Sizing
Small, medium, large, xtra large and at Elite Feet that sizing is on each sock, so you know when you wash, whose socks belong to who in the family.

*Colors
It use to be White or Black, now think color wheel, because just like the shoes that are mixing colors so are socks.

*Fits
Do you like a universal fit, where you buy a pair and they go on either foot or do you like right/left specific? Also in fits, grab around the arch (compression) and speaking of compression, new to exercise-compression socks- are they for you? How about toe socks? Diabetic?

*Seamless toe
Most exercise socks are now using loop machines making them seamless-all I can say is good riddance to having to turn socks inside out to avoid the seam!!

*Moisture management
You definitely want the sock to take the moisture off your foot and put it to the outside of the sock!! Therefore allowing the mesh of the shoe to pull it off sock and keep feet dry.

*Cost
In direct relation to cost is the feel and fit of the sock. Don’t believe me-try it for yourself (I play cynic so I always have to try for myself, but think bed sheets – in thread counts, the higher the better makes for a decidedly different feel of sheet. That’s why you see such a variety in my collection of socks! Do they both work, absolutely, but what if at the end of your workout your body would recoup quicker.
 
We are constantly trying out new socks because of the changes that are happening.
 
Curious about how socks can make a difference for you? Come try on socks at Elite Feet and discover your feet’s favorite! Most days, Leslie wears a light cushion sock while Don prefers dense. Give the man his cush! Whatever YOU choose it is a personal choice. Just please, put a sock on it!

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You have to take life-changing steps to get to and maintain a healthy lifestyle. No doctor, no trainer, no fad diet or trendy exercise is going to help you to a better you until YOU make the effort to do it.

People say the first step is the hardest and while that may the truth in some areas of our lives, in this particular situation, it is every step after that first step that is hard. It is consistently taking steps, literally, everyday that helps us acquire and then maintain better health and overall lifestyle.

DoBeFeelBetter

Our friend, Eric Morgenstern, serves on the Kansas City Chamber Board and has Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City as a client. Eric and about 25 fellow Kansas Citians including his wife, Shanny, strive on getting to better health. Blue K.C. gave them the tools to know how to go about eating better as well as educating about exercise and provided them each with a Fitbit. The Fibit is a device that monitors activity, progress and goals. Eric has his Fitbit with him every step he takes. He believes that the automatic system built into the Fitbit and his own accountability are working for him. He and Shanny paid it forward by supplying Fitbits for all their Morningstar Communication employees.

Do Better

Today, they track one another’s daily activity and progress, including steps taken, distance walked and calories burned. He has made changes in lots of areas to increase daily steps. For example, he walks as he waits to go into the movies. Eric also conducts many meetings and phone calls while walking. Eric has walked 10,000 steps a day, which equates to about 5 miles every day for over a year. The Fitbit is fun and useful but Eric explains that getting healthy isn’t about fancy devices; it’s about changing behaviors.

He has made lifestyle changes in his eating habits, “It’s not just avoiding the wrong foods, it’s eating the right foods.” He makes it clear that while he has changed the way he eats, he is not on a diet.

Feel Better

Now, over a year later, Eric has less knee and back pain. His doctor says his risk for heart attack and stroke is much lower than when he started the challenge. He realizes that as individuals we each have our unique challenges that require unique solutions. He emphasizes there’s no one answer, no single thing that does the trick. “We have to stop saying must, all, every, never … those words have to be eliminated,” he said. Eric offers a simple mantra, “Move more. Eat right. Splurge a little. And recognize that the quest for good health and wellness lasts your entire lifetime.” To keep your journey winding down the road, lace up a good pair of shoes and off you go on the right foot!

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Ribbon-noLeft foot, right foot, step, left foot, right foot, step, left foot, right foot…

Misstep. Off track, taking the healthy too far to the left.

We exercise for our health, our body and our spirit. But what happens when there comes a disconnect.

Past 40 Years
For the past 40+ years, our goal at Elite Feet as well as in our individual lives and with our daughters has always been centered around balance. So it came as a complete surprise when one of our daughters was diagnosed with an eating disorder and yet as we have come to know more about it, we, Don’s & my family genetics have brought it to the table so to speak. Eating disorders have occurred on both sides of our families thus putting our future generations at risk.

Looks and Outward Appearance
Add to our genetic component the type of industry we are in where looks and outward appearances rank very high and without us being aware of it, the potential for an eating disorder for one of our daughters skyrocketed. As we now understand, the propensity for the eating disorder was there and something triggered it, allowing it to emerge. Unfortunately, she is part of a growing group of girls, women, boys and men who are fighting this illness.

Bio/Psycho/Social Disease
Eating disorders carry complexities unmatched by almost any other disease. Not simply biological or psychological in nature, eating disorders are bio/psycho/social diseases rooted in genetics, societal norms and values and personal belief systems. To effectively treat an eating disorder, each element must be addressed. It is not a simple illness – as many cases are accompanied by depression & anxiety and can put the persons life at risk. In fact it has the highest rate of mortality of all the mental illnesses. Believe me when I say that when this disorder has affected someone in your life, you never again take LIFE for granted.

Balance Out The Window
An eating disorder of any kind wreaks havoc on everyday habits and throws balance of any kind right out the window. ABC News recently televised a segment during National Eating Disorders Awareness Week about the rapidly growing numbers of people with the disorder, all ages-the youngest known is 5 and it is rising among boys/men as well as women over 40. Eating disorders do not discriminate as they come in all shapes, sizes, ages, sexes, religions, backgrounds, and cultures.  They stated that there are over 10 million Americans who suffer with some variation of an eating disorder whether it be overeating, under eating, bingeing and/or purging, fasting, or restricting. Is this what we really want for our children, our spouse, our mom, grandparent, our sister, brother, friend, neighbor or co-worker?

An eating disorder does not one day get better and just go away, it is a disorder that remains a part of the person’s life. They will always have to remain aware of the factors that can tip the scale of the delicate balance.

Time For Change
We can help! It’s time that we stop using weight and size to determine another as “healthy”. It’s time we encourage, praise & raise hope. It’s time to stop competing and instead bolster the next person. It’s time we get on the right foot.

For more information check out – http://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
If you need help, PLEASE seek help, you don’t have to go through it alone.healthy-mind-body

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