10 Footwear Tips for Getting Fit

10 Footwear Tips for Getting Fit

Your foot has a lot going on!

• 28 bones
• 38 muscles
• 35 joints
• 56 ligaments

Feet are usually the last part of your body that you workout or that you even think about when considering starting a training regimen. But your feet control quite a bit of your everyday life, even more if you want to start walking, running or exercising in general.

Do you need to run to Sports Authority and spend $200 on some super fancy pair of shoes? No. Eat2Live2Love wouldn’t be doing our job if we weren’t helping you save money and treat yourself holistically.

So without further ado, here are 10 Footwear Tips for Getting Fit.

1. Try going barefoot!

Wearing sneakers decreases your foot’s natural ability to bend and stretch. Wearing shoes all the time? Try going barefoot at home to retrain your feet to feel the ground again. There is something spiritually cleansing about being connected to Mother Earth with your bare feet.

2. Try these barefoot exercises!

With your naked feet, do calf raises. (Are you even doing them in shoes?) You can always try gently rolling your foot on a water bottle, can, or golf ball. Your feet are intended to grab and grip- start teaching them how again!

3. Replace your shoes!

Most shoe experts (ya those actually exist) recommend getting new running shoes every 350 miles or so. Run a mile a day? That’s about once/twice a year. So invest in a good pair! It’s not your vanity, it’s a necessity for your health.

4. Don’t be vanilla! Mix it up.

If you run, you should have a dedicated pair of running shoes. If you’re a walker, you need to have a dedicated pair of walking shoes. Lastly you need to have a pair of kick around shoes. Each activity requires it’s own support. So if you want the best results, get the proper support in the right pair of shoes.

5. Back pain. Hip pain. Knee pain.

Are you starting to get knee pain when running or walking? Hips aching? Try blaming your shoes before you blame your knees. Wearing the wrong shoes causes back pain, hip pain and knee pain. You’ll be shocked what a new pair of kicks will do to ease your discomfort.

6. When to buy a new pair.

Ready to head to the store and pick out a new set of sneakers? Go in the evening. Your feet swell throughout the day from water weight, gravity and a host of other reasons. The new shoes you tried on in the store at 9am and felt comfy, could feel snug by 9pm. So go shopping for your new pair at the end of your day.

7. What’s the difference?

Regular walking shoes should feel stiffer, while a good pair of running shoes should feel cushy with more flexibility and be able to absorb more impact. If you’re running, look for a pair that makes you feel like you’re walking on air. General price range for these types is $75-$150.

8. You need to know your shoe size!

Your entire shoe size, from length to width to arch length. In theory, if you visit a good shoe store they should measure all three (on that cool metal sliding thing you used to play with as a kid). You can also do your own fitting using the “wet test” method.

9. Your shoes will breakdown before they look broken down.

Most folks throw their shoes away once they look bad. But, it’s not about looks my friend. It’s all about what’s on the inside. (just like your mama told you)

The cushioning of the shoe is what requires replacement. Some shoes break down faster than others. You’ll soon learn which work best for you.

10. You don’t need to “wear in” your shoes.

Your sneakers should feel comfy from the moment you put them on. You should never have to “wear a pair of shoes in”. These aren’t heels. No need to torture yourself.

If these tips helped you, please share them with a friend, we’re sure they’ll be glad you shoed them!