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Keeping Your Feet Happy!

You've taken your New Year resolutions seriously and have been working out daily.  You're happy with the results, feeling pretty pleased with yourself and can see the path to the end line!  This is an important time to protect your feet from work-out related problems or injuries!

• Wear the right shoe! When choosing shoes for your workouts, check for construction and flexbility with a strong heel, padded insoles and arch support.  For more details on choosing an athletic shoe, check out 'If the Shoe Fits,' - http://petersprinciples.com/community/peters-principles-blog/if-the-shoe-fits/ - on our Peter's Principles blog. Break in a new pair of shoes around the house before wearing them to workout.
• Don't forget the socks. Experts say the No. 2 cause of workout-related foot problems is wearing the wrong socks. Socks provide the cushion between your skin and your shoe, and can prevent or cause friction that can lead to irritation or injury. Additionally, moisture can contribute to blisters, skin fungus, and fungus of the nails, so look for socks with some cushioning on the sole, ideally in a microfiber fabric designed to pull moisture away from the skin.
• Work up your to your program. Build up your fitness program.  If you're currently walking 3 blocks per day, suddenly jumpint to 5 miles per day can lead to more serious problems, such as stress fractures and tendonitis.  A natural progression in the level of activity allows your feet to build up the strength to carry through your new fitness routine.

Even the most dedicated athelete comes up against foot problems now and then.  Here are a few pointers to help keep your feet healthy:

• Use  pads that are designed to take pressure off the affected area for corns and calloused skin.
• Soak your feet in warm water with a mild soap.
• Use foot files or pumice stones regularly to smooth and soften skin.
• Use foot sprays designed to kill athlete's foot fungus  after showering in a gym or public facility.
• Check your feet every day, including the bottoms. Look for signs of redness, swelling, irritation, cuts, blisters, or corns.
• Moisturize your feet at night before going to bed.

To paraphrase Detroit's own Soupy Sales  -- Be good to your feet and they'll be good to you!