Take a minute to consider your feet. When you do you’ll see they do a lot more for you than you might have suspected. Your feet bear the weight off all of your daily routines. You need to look after your tootsies by making sure you look after your weight.
Carrying too much of a paunch can increase the stress on your feet and cause painful conditions like:
Osteoarthritis: The older you get, the more you stand a chance of developing this painful ailment. This is often called the wear and tear form of arthritis. Pain and swelling are just some of the symptoms. The foot has several joints including ones in the big toe. Carrying extra weight puts pressure on these joints.
Tendon Inflammation: We all have tendons that run along the top of our feet. They are responsible for helping us to straighten our toes. If you’re getting pain at the top of your foot, tendon inflammation could be the culprit and once again extra weight doesn’t help. Of course losing weight will help you to keep your feet in good condition. Research tells us that overweight people are three times more prone to foot problems. Here’s a few other ideas for losing weight and being good to your feet at the same time.
Exercise: Your feet will feel better the more you exercise, and the more you exercise the more weight you can lose. Swimming is considered an excellent way to get a good workout. Because you are weightless in the water, there’s no pressure on your feet.
Get Good Shoes: If you get shoes that fit properly, you’ll be able to exercise longer. You’ll be more comfortable and lose weight at the same time. It’s a good idea to go shopping for shoes in the afternoon. That’s when your feet are swollen and you can gauge the best fit.
Eat Good Food. Your diet plays a big role in helping you to lose weight and keep your feet in good condition. If you snack on fruit rather than fast food, you’ll be able to keep the weight off permanently.
It’s important to keep in touch with your doctor and foot specialist when you are trying to lose weight. Don’t forget to consult us as your Toronto podiatrist as well. We can all work together to alleviate your foot pain.
