Fitness Feet

          Good evening... Hope all is going well, and if not, I hope that it gets better for you.  After I did my walk/run this morning, I started thinking about footwear.  Why, because the running shoes I had on were so uncomfortable to me today.   They were a different pair than I had on yesterday and I could definitely feel the difference.  So, I thought maybe I could enlighten you on a few things concerning the proper footwear needed for various types of exercise. 
     First of all think of your footwear on your feet the same way you would think of any other outfit you put on.  There is a time and place for everything.  You wouldn't wear a formal gown to a basketball game, right?  You need the proper attire.   Second, you should not wear your workout footwear for everyday activities like running errands or going to work  .  The shoe breaks down everytime you wear it.  Get yourself a cute pair of run-around footwear.  Thirdly, I know we want to look good and color co-ordinate, and keep the style flowing, but do that with your stilletos or your dressy flats.  You want your workout footwear to do more than look cute.  You need the footwear to get the job done.

• You will probably need footwear that is about 1/2-size bigger than you normally wear because you need some room for your feet to swell during athletic movement.  The last thing you want is your toenail breaking and splitting because your shoe is too small. 
• If your activity is running, GET A RUNNING SHOE.  They are specifically cushioned and treaded to meet the standard needed for the type of pounding that will happen during the mode of running.  If possible, go to a store that specializes in running apparel/footwear.  They can suggest various styles and types based on your walking gait, the type of running that you will be doing, your body type and in most cases, they have a great return policy that will allow you to return the shoe within 14-30 days without question if you find the shoe does not work for you.  You need to get a new pair of running shoes about every 400 miles. That is an estimate, that may be different because you need to consider the type of surfaces you run on, your weight and the way you wear (your gait) your shoe.
• If your activity is Zumba or aerobic dancing, you should consider a cross-training shoe. It has a sturdy body that can hold up to forward and lateral movements and is usually lightweight. Remember running shoes DO NOT have this type of support they will not hold up to the lateral movements, trust me, I know. You should also make sure that the shoe has some mesh to allow your foot to breathe during your activity. The cross-trainer is good for weight lifting as well, due to the support that it provides and it can be used for treadmill running. The cross-training shoe should be replaced about twice a year if you are using it regularly--3 times a week. Once again, this is an estimate and you should consider the type of exercise you are using them for, as well as, your weight.                                          
• WALKING SHOES are even a little different, as they have a great full foot support and they have more cushion in the heel area because when walking, most people put more pressure  the heel zone.

     Treat your feet to the proper athletic shoe.  If you are going to do your exercise thing at least 2 days a week, make it your business to purchase the proper footwear.  You will be glad you did.  You know like I do, if your feet hurt, EVERYTHING HURTS...
Smooches