Anna, Editorial Assistant

So, I finally caved and bought new sneakers this weekend. I had been wearing the same sneaks for the past 10 years. They've lasted through three summers of camp counseling, softball practices, endless hours on the elliptical, and, last summer, triathlon training. Lots of fun memories, but I knew it was time for them to go. I went to a shoestore near me that specializes in analyzing the way you walk or run by setting you up on a treadmill with a video camera recording the way my feet fall. In my case, my ankles turn inward on impact, so I now have some cute blue sneakers with extra arch support.

That was high tech, but it doesn't have to be. Go to a store that specializes in athletic gear near you and talk to one of the salespeople to get their recommendation for the best shoe for your foot and workout style. Typically, shoes are only supposed to last between 300-500 miles, so if your sneakers have lasted through more than one Presidential term, it's probably time for a new pair, since correctly fitting shoes can prevent a whole host of problems, from knee pain to stress fractures--that can cramp your walking style. Walk on!