Being Gentle With Yourself ~ From the Heart~ A Product Review

Somewhere in this New Year I thought  2026 was going to be a little different.  Why?  Well, for starters my mind was telling me I should be making a plan for a New Year's Resolution, but my body was telling me a whole different story.

I've been told for ages that aging is not for sissies and while I was younger, I would laugh and think that's a crazy thing to say.  But now that I am in that "older" category, I'm beginning to understand what everyone was talking about!!

We get glimpses of what will happen when and if we are/were lucky enough to look after our aging parents.  We learn to help them do those little tasks that they find difficult.  What we don't see is that one day (God willing)  it will be us who are in need of that help.

Thank goodness there are so many "tools" out there, that benefit us as we are aging.  Let's look at just a couple of these tools.

My first most important tool, is a really good pair of walking shoes.  Shoes that fit nice, are easy to put on and take off, and give my feet the support they need.  After all just because we are getting older doesn't mean that we should just sit down and not move.  As a matter of fact, walking is the best exercise you can get for all ages, but especially as you are aging.  So for me, those walking shoes are the " Skechers Slip In shoes".  They are great shoes and I have one pair for walking and another pair for more dressy occasions. I have given up wearing dresses for the ease and comfort of trousers, so there is no need for me to wear high heels at any time. anymore.  A small price to pay for comfort! But just for added convenience, they are so light on your feet that I know you will love them.

The Second tool that I would highly recommend for anyone who loves walking, but has just a little fear of falling, would be my Walking Poles. I have written about these poles before, but I must mention them again.  These poles are wonderful for giving you that extra little bit of help with balance.  While we are aging our sense of balance and our vision seem to deteriorate.  These walking poles are amazing for help with easing that small difficulty.  Once you start using them, you will find that you just don't want to go out without them.  If you want to read more check out my "older" story here! Formally called Nordic Walking Poles, they are a must have in our home and our life.

My third tool for today is a Grabber, Reacher Tool!   Just last year, I took a tumble and broke my shoulder.  Yes, I did do that.  It wasn't fun and the aftereffects were not a whole bunch of fun either.  But the good news is that my shoulder still works.  So I'm thankful for that.  But the bad news is that my reach isn't what it used to be.  So I find that many times I need just that little bit of extra help to get things into and out of the cupboard.  Enter my new friend in the kitchen, the Grabber/Reacher tool!  So no more excuses for leaving things on the counter for someone else to put away,  grab the tool and put it to use.

All of these tools are good for younger people as well, they aren't made just for seniors.  But if you have a senior in your life and they don't have some of these tools, they would make a great gift!

I have decided that the most important thing for me in 2026 is to be gentle with myself.  Realize that aging is a gift that many don't get!  It will take me a little longer to do the things that I used to do with ease.  But, I'm still here to do them.  Even if I do them a little slower and with some added help.

Aging is a process and each day a new challenge can and possibly will arise, so be ready and make it easier on yourself by using the tools that are out there!

Every day is a gift and we need and should be gentle with ourselves as we open our eyes to all kinds of new possibilities!

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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Outstanding and Affordable Nordic Walking Poles, Fitness Made Easy!

Fitness and Exercise are a must for a healthy body and mind.  Nordic Walking Poles can make getting fit a little easier.  Let's Review these walking aids and see how they could fit into your life.

Growing older is not for wimps and those feint of heart, but it's something that everyone wants to do.  As you get older, it seems that keeping in shape and staying fit are harder and harder to do.  Unless you have always been an athlete, as we get older, we tend to slow down.  Not because of an innate desire to do nothing, but rather we might be having problems with arthritis, joint issues and more.  So while retirement and enjoying life is a great thing, if your mobility is not as great as it once was, you just might want to slow down or stop altogether!  

That is not the ideal way to spend your retirement years.  Activity keeps the mind and body stronger than just sitting around watching TV or playing cards.  Oh sure you can have some fun doing those things too, but don't let that become your life and your lifestyle.  Idleness is the devil's playground it is said! And the devil is Alzeimers or worse.  It has been proven that activity keeps the mind and the body in better shape than inactivity.  In the Canadian Government website regarding health of seniors it states, "Research shows that physical inactivity can cause premature death, chronic disease and disability. Health Canada encourages Canadians to integrate physical activity into their every day life; at home, at school, at work, at play and on the way ... that's active living!!"

So what is a person to do?  Well there are all kinds of "tools" available to help seniors keep active and healthy and one of these is Nordic Walking Poles.  These poles are just what they sound like, poles that you attach to your wrists to help you walk better and get exercise at the same time.  Better than just walking alone, these poles help you by encouraging you to walk easier and better.

Nordic Walking poles look something like ski poles, but they are made for walking on all kinds of terrain.  They are adjustable in height and have different tips on the bottoms of the poles to help you when walking on dirt roads, sidewalks and snow as well.  There is NO AGE LIMIT on who can use these walking poles. What I have found with them as I use them, is that it just adds a little bit of stability to every step I take.  Because of that added security, I tend to walk farther and faster too!  Walking is the number one way to keep fit, enjoy nature and the outdoors, and feel wonderful, without being exhausted at the end of the exercise time.  These are all bonuses to me.  Here's a great YouTube Video instruction for you to understand the differences between walking and Nordic Walking!

What makes using the Nordic Walking Poles so good is that used properly, you have turned a simple walk into a cardio exercise.  How is that possible?  Walking poles should be at a height that makes your arms rest at a 90 degree angle to your body.  When you walk,  you use alternating hands and feet to take the steps.  With arms swinging and your step lengthened, you are now working your heart as well as your legs and body.  It is almost like using an "Elliptical" machine in the gym, but your choice of where you walk can be much nicer than staring at a wall in a gym.

The added bonus is that you don't need to pay for a gym membership and the walking poles are very inexpensive.  You choose what time of day, where and how long you want to walk.  Take them with you on a Sunday afternoon stroll through your favorite park or "green space".  They are portable, lightweight and so easy to use. 

From all the reading I have done,  I know that Nordic Walking is a great exercise that can be done by just about everyone and it does not tire you out so much that you want to go home and drop into a chair never to move again.  It is an easy exercise that done 3 to 4 times a week, for at least 10 to 20  minutes, will keep you healthier and your body happier than just sitting around doing nothing!  Give it a try!  My thoughts are that once you start, you won't stop, and that is a good thing for sure. Just two more things that you might want to bring along for your walk and they are a good hat to keep the sun off your head and a water bottle to help you keep hydrated.  With these three items, you are good to go and I bet you will enjoy your walks so much more than before.  

          That's my "other half" checking out his fancy blue Nordic Walking Poles.  Mine are red!

P.S. as with any walking I am assuming that you will wear good walking shoes. (that's a given, right?)  

Note: The author may receive a commission from purchases made using links found in this article. “As an Amazon Associate, Ebay (EPN), Esty (Awin), and/or Zazzle Affiliate, I (we) earn from qualifying purchases.”

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