Healthy Lifestyle Tip: Healthy Feet

Happy Friday Bleeps,

So tonight I want to talk about feet. The Former Fat Girl LOVED her feet. They were the skinniest part of her.  She thought she had skinny feet. She was wrong. I look at my feet all of the time now. Even when they are swollen they are still smaller than they were even a few years ago. I'm famous for taking pictures of my feet in the sand. I was looking at them over the years and sort of laugh. They weren't that fat, but they weren't the fat free feet they are now.

late 90's

2008

2010

2011

And this is them "swollen" after the race last year:

I mentioned before that since I lost most of the weight my shoe size has gone down. I used to wear an 8-8.5  Now I can wear a 6-7.5 depending on the shoe. I can wear a Girls size 5 if I really want to. What?  Is that possible?  Why yes, yes it is.

There was an article a few years ago about a formerly fat actor that lost something like 300  pounds and shrank 2 inches. His feet and head had lost fat.  Fat is everywhere!  It can get places you can't even imagine.

Let's think positively now. You've decided that it's time to take those first steps for a healthy and fit lifestyle (pun intended te he). One of the first pieces of advice I will give you: take care of your feet.

1. Invest in a good pair of sneakers. Check the tread on your current sneakers. The average life is 3-6 months (300-500 miles). Of course that depends on how often you wear them.

If you are going to buy new sneakers, make sure you get them for what you will be doing. Don't get hiking sneakers if you are walking. Don't get walking sneakers if you are cross training. They each serve a purpose regarding fit and flexibility.

Buy them at the end of the day. That's when your feet are most swollen. You want to make sure they aren't too tight. Although if you will consistently be using them in the morning, buy them then.

Make sure your toes have wiggle room.

Take the socks you will be wearing to try them on.

2. Invest in good socks. The more your feet move around in your sneakers, the greater the odds of getting a blister.

3. Buy a tub to soak your feet.

I have a dish tub from the dollar store. It's deep and big enough for both of my feet. I used to have the foot spas, but really, all I needed it for was soaking my feet. You can use epsom salt or just shower gel to soak.

4. Don't laugh, but make sure your toe nails are trimmed. If they are on the long side they can rub against the front of the sneaker and irritate your toes.

5. Don't get a pedicure or remove callouses right before an event or intense workout. Your feet may be extra raw for that.

6. Be sure to lotion them up and massage them. They deserve it.

If you treat your feet right, they will be good to you.  The last thing you need is for your feet to hold you back.

Have a Blessed Night.

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