Benefits of Walking

Exercise does not have to be complicated or feel like a four letter word. According to the American Heart Association, even though there are countless physical activity options available, walking has the lowest “drop out” rate and just 30 minutes of brisk walking, five days a week, can help:

• Reduce the risk of coronary disease
• Improve blood pressure and blood sugar levels
• Improve blood lipid profile
• Maintain body weight and lower the risk of obesity
• Enhance mental wellbeing
• Reduce the risk of osteoporosis
• Reduce the risk of breast and colon cancer
• Reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes

Spring is a beautiful time of the year to start a walking regimen and you can incorporate other things into your routine, such as walking with a friend or family member, pushing a stroller, or walking the dog. Before beginning any new exercise activity, make sure to check with your doctor for any health issues that might interfere with your new activity. Also make sure you have a pair of well-fitting shoes that provide adequate arch support and cushioning. If you need help deciding on the right shoes, visit my blog (link below) for my previous article.

When you start a walking routine, like any other new activity, ease into it. Doing too much too quick can often lead to injury, something we all want to avoid! If you are new to a walking routine, start by walking for 15-20 minutes one or two days a week with a goal of eventually walking five days a week. Begin and end with a 5-minute slow paced warm up/cool down and fill the middle with a comfortable pace. As you get more comfortable, increase to a brisk pace. And remember, any step is a step in the right direction!

If you are hesitant to start walking on your own, Rains AgriLife Extension is hosting Walking Wednesdays at 12:10 pm at Sandy Creek Park, 337 E. North Street in Emory (weather permitting). Grab your shoes, water, and a friend and come walk with us! We will walk for about 30 minutes leaving you time to eat a quick lunch after.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information, please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Choosing the Right Athletic Shoe

If you are looking to be more active, one of the best ways to start is to choose the right athletic shoe. With the many types of athletic shoes that are available, it can be hard to know which to purchase.

There are differences in design and variations in material and weight. The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons says that these differences have been developed to protect the areas of the feet that encounter the most stress in a particular athletic activity. Some of the different types of sports shoes available include the following:

• Athletic shoes are grouped into the following categories: running, training, and walking; they include shoes for hiking, jogging, and exercise walking. These shoes should have a comfortable soft upper, good shock absorption, smooth tread, and a rocker sole design that encourages the natural roll of the foot during the walking motion. Features of a good jogging shoe should include cushioning, flexibility, control, and stability in the heel counter area, lightness, and good traction. Cross-training shoes combine several characteristics of other types of shoes so that you can participate in more than one sport and wear the same shoe. A good cross trainer should have flexibility in the forefoot that is needed for running, in addition to stability on the inside and outside of the shoe for the control needed for aerobics and tennis. Walking shoes should flex easily at the ball of the foot, which help feet to push forward.
• Court sport shoes include shoes for tennis, basketball, and volleyball. Most court sports require the body to move forward, backward, and side-to-side. As a result, most athletic shoes used for court sports are subjected to heavy abuse. The key to finding a good court shoe is the sole. Ask a coach or shoe salesperson to help you select the best type of sole for your sport.
• Field sport shoes include shoes for soccer, football, and baseball. These shoes are cleated, studded, or spiked. The spike and stud formations vary from sport to sport, but they generally are replaceable or detachable cleats, spikes, or studs affixed into nylon soles.
• Track and field sport shoes are very specific to the sport. The needs of the individual are most important when picking the shoe. For example, foot types, gait patterns, and training styles should always be considered. It is always best to ask a coach about the type of shoe that should be selected for the event in which you are participating.

It’s also important to choose proper-fitting sports shoes. Proper-fitting sports shoes can enhance performance and prevent injuries. Follow these specially designed fitting facts when purchasing a new pair of athletic shoes:

• Try on athletic shoes after a workout or run and at the end of the day. Your feet will be at their largest.
• Wear the same type of sock that you will wear for that sport.
• When the shoe is on your foot, you should be able to freely wiggle all of your toes. There should be a thumb’s width from the tip of the toe to the end of the shoe.
• The shoes should be comfortable as soon as you try them on. There is no break-in period. If they’re not comfortable in the store, they won’t be comfortable when you’re exercising.
• Walk or run a few steps in the shoes. They should be comfortable. The heel of the shoe should not slip off the foot as you walk or run.
• Always re-lace the shoes you are trying on. You should lace through each top eyelet as you crisscross the lacing pattern to ensure a more snug fit and decrease slippage. Don’t tie the laces too tight as this may cause injury to the nerves or tendons on the top of the foot and ankle.

Now that you know what type of shoe to buy and tips to picking out a properly fitting shoe, you need to consider its construction—how well it was made. Understanding the basics of shoe construction can help you choose intelligently from among the thousands of available styles.

• Stitching should be secure, even, and straight. There should be no rough spots, wrinkles, bulky seams, or gummy adhesives.
• Rubber around the base of the shoe should be one continuous strip, tightly attaching the sole to the upper.
• The toe box should be square for adequate toe room.
• The shoe should have side and tongue padding for extra comfort. Cushioning on the cuff around the ankle and at the Achilles tendon helps to reduce friction and irritation.
• The inner sole should be soft and resilient, with adequate arch cushions.
• The reflector should be as big as possible, especially if you will be outside at dusk or dawn.
• The insole should be removable for cleaning and, when it loses springiness, replacement.

In addition to being overwhelmed by all the choices in athletic shoes, you may be surprised at how much they cost. Slick ads and television commercials tout technological features, the latest gimmicks, and shoes named after sports celebrities. Paying more than $100 does not necessarily get you a better shoe. Good quality shoes may be pricey, but don’t overlook the less expensive shoes because they can outperform their costlier brand mates. Be sure that whatever price you decide to pay for the shoes, it’s because the shoe has the features that meet your needs—not because it is a certain brand or has a sports celebrity’s name on it.

If you have your shoes but not sure where to start, Rains AgriLife is hosting Walking Wednesdays at 12:10 pm at Sandy Creek Park, 337 E. North Street in Emory (weather permitting). Grab your shoes, water, and a friend and come walk with us! We will walk for about 30 minutes leaving you time to eat a quick lunch after.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view upcoming events or additional information, please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ or follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Healthy Eating for an Active Life

Spring is here along with longer days and plenty of sunshine!  It is a great time of year to get outside and get moving with activities you enjoy, especially with your family. For youth and adults participating in physical activity like hiking, swimming, or various sports, healthy eating is essential for optimizing performance. Combining good nutrition and physical activity can lead to a healthier lifestyle. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s MyPlate website (www.choosemyplyate.gov) has great recipes and tips to combine good nutrition and physical activity to make the most of your summer.

First, maximize with nutrient-packed foods. Give your body the nutrients it needs by eating a variety of nutrient-packed food, including whole grains, lean protein, fruits, vegetables, and low-fat or fat-free dairy. Eat fewer foods high in solid fats, added sugars, and sodium (salt).

Next, energize with grains. Your body’s quickest energy source comes from grain foods such as bread, pasta, oatmeal, cereals, and tortillas. Be sure to make at least half of your grain food choices whole-grain foods like whole-wheat bread, tortillas, pasta, and brown rice.

You do not want to forget to power up with protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing muscle.  Choose lean or low-fat cuts of beef and pork, and skinless chicken or turkey. Change things up a bit and choose seafood as your protein sources once or twice a week. Quality protein choices may come from plant-based foods, too. Beans and peas (kidney, pinto, black or white, beans, chickpeas, hummus), soy products (tofu, veggie burgers, tempeh), and unsalted nuts and seeds are great sources of protein and help variety in your diet.

We all know eating fruits and vegetables is an important part of a healthy diet. You can get the nutrients your body needs by eating a variety of colors; try blue, red, or black berries; red, green, or yellow peppers; and dark greens like spinach and kale. You do not have to limit yourself to fresh fruits and vegetables, frozen, low sodium canned, dried, and 100% juice are easy options, and they keep longer!

Dairy foods, such as fat-free and low-fat milk, cheese, yogurt, and fortified soy beverages (soymilk), help build and maintain strong bones needed for everyday activities. As we age, we often drink less milk or avoid cheese product, but remember to include dairy in your diet to achieve a balanced diet.

One of my favorite things to mention is hydration. Hydration is critical to our health and especially in the hot Texas summers. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and avoiding sugary drinks. Try adding a lemon or orange slice for a change of flavor.

Remember, physical activity is essential for good health. Aim for at least 2 ½ hours of physical activity each week that requires moderate effort. A few examples include brisk walking, biking, swimming, and skating. Spread activities over the week but do that at least 10 minutes at a time.

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, you may call (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. To view additional information or upcoming events please visit https://rains.agrilife.org/ and follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook.

Gardening (COVID-19)

Abraham Maslow, a 20th century American psychologist, developed a classification system of universal requirements for survival, also known as the hierarchy of needs. This classifications system is often depicted as a pyramid with the most basic needs of survival, the physiological needs, on the bottom, narrowing to psychological needs and then self-fulfillment needs. The physiological needs are those required to sustain life, they include items such as food, water, shelter, sleep, and health. Physiological needs are universal and must be met before needs further up the pyramid can be achieved[1].

If you have been to the grocery store lately, you have more than likely seen empty shelves or limits on items in high demand. Among other things, the COVID-19 pandemic has put our basic physiological needs in the spotlight. As grocery stores struggle to keep up with food demands, many are looking at ways to supplement their food supply by gardening. 

Besides self-reliance, gardening has several health benefits. Gardening acts as a natural stress reliever by lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels and as a mood enhancer by increasing serotonin levels. Working with the soil and caring for plants creates a calming effect that can be rejuvenating[2]. Furthermore, when we start to reap the benefits of the investment, the positive effects are reinforced. There is a unique pride that comes with growing your own food and reducing your reliance on others for survival. 

Not only is gardening good for mental health, it is also good for physical health. Three hours of moderate gardening is roughly equivalent to an hour spent in the gym. Since access to gyms has been put on hold, gardening is an excellent alternative. As a bonus, time spent in natural sunlight triggers the body’s vitamin D production which aids in the reduction of inflammation and in calcium absorption (needed for strong bones).[3] 

If you are interested in starting a small garden (again, a great way to pass the time at home), Texas A&M AgriLife has an online introductory course, Gardening 101, to help guide you. This course is designed to help develop and maintain a garden suited to each unique situation. The course covers various topics including plant growth and development, soil, water and plant nutrition, earth-kind landscaping, plant health, fruit and nut plants, vegetable and herb gardening, and much more.  If you are interested in taking this (or any other available) online course, visit https://agrilifelearn.tamu.edu/ and select Plants and Garden. In addition to the garden course, you may be interested in any one of the Food and Nutrition courses offered at the same link. Shameless plug alert, if you follow the Rains County AgriLife Facebook page, we recently shared an article on easy to grow vegetables. 

If you have questions or concerns, please contact me, (903) 473-4580 or email Sarah.Latham@ag.tamu.edu. If you have specific plant or soil questions, the Rains County Ag Agent, Stephen Gowin, is happy to help. Follow Rains County AgriLife on Facebook for additional information and upcoming events. 

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[1] McLeod, S. (2020). Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. Simply Psychology.

[2] Paddock, C. (2007). Soil Bacteria Work in Similar Ways to Antidepressants. Medical News Today.

[3] Vitamin D. (2020). National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary supplements.

Rethink Your Drink - Infused Water Recipes

One of the biggest complaints when trying to increase your water intake is that it gets boring. If this is the case for you, try infusing your water with fresh or frozen fruit. Water bottles with infusion compartments are now easy to find, but you don’t have to have a special water bottle you can just place the fruit directly in your bottle and drink up. Check out some of my favorite flavor combinations in here.