Happy New Year! Now is a time of new beginnings. A time when we all look at our lives and try to make things better for next year. It also happens to be the end of the holiday season. A season that, on average, leads to 9 pounds of weight gain due to excessive holiday treats.
One of the most common New Year's resolutions is to lose weight. I know I have made that resolution a few times myself. With 2/3 of the American population overweight, there is a good chance that you, or someone you know will resolve to lose some weight this year. One of the keys to any sensible weight lose program is aerobic exercise. For most of us this means walking, jogging or something of the sort. If you have not been exercising for a while and all of a sudden start a major work out campaign you can cause some serious foot pain. Don't let foot pain stop you from achieving your weight loss goals.
Tendonitis, heel pain and even stress fractures are very common in people who start a new work out program or who have recently increased their activity drastically. Be smart, start off gradually. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare? Weight loss is a long process. You can't loose all the weight in one really long, hard run. I promise, I have tried it and it does not work. Start with 15 minute increments. You are going to be sore, but there is a big difference between sore and injured. Stretch out before and after you exercise and drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Make sure you are wearing the proper shoe gear for your activity. You would not start a tennis program without a racket and you should not start a running program without a quality pair of running shoes.
If you have sharp pain in your feet or legs during exercise, stop. Don't try to run through the pain. If you have pain in your feet or legs that is beyond the usual muscle soreness call a podiatrist and have the problem evaluated.
Protect yourself and think long term. Remember, life is a marathon not a sprint! Good luck with your resolutions and I will see you in the gym.
Committed to your health,
Dr. Craig Conti
Sarasota Foot Care Center
http://www.sarasotafootcarecenter.com/
