Fleet or Foot

Foot problems?  People who carry excess lbs often have difficulties with their feet.

Feet make our vertical posture possible.  Much of the strength comes from the big toe, which is attached to a muscle centred across the shin.  The true point of balance is in the ball of the foot, the exact position is individual.  The way you place your feet and balance your body determines your standing and walking posture.  This ideal point of balance can be found by standing barefoot, feet straight ahead about eight inches apart.  Relax, hold arms loosely at sides, then keeping heels on the floor, sway gently.  If you do not tense your body, it will steady itself at the correct balancing point for you.  Concentrate on the spot, remember its exact position on the foot and from that moment on be conscious of using it.  You'll be surprised how much lighter you feel.

Although toes lack the mobility of thumb and fingers, they should not be so inactive as they generally are.  Feet with toes that are practically never used are feet with poor circulation and subsequent problems.  Feet that are never exercised permit muscles to slacken so that they can no longer take the weight of the body.  This means that the bones, because they take too much wear and tear, get out of alignment, arches drop, bunions form and the skin gets rubbed so corns and calluses appear.

Ninety per cent of foot trouble is caused by wearing a shoe that is too small, too narrow, too pointed or too high.  Limited width causes corns and bunions to build up in defence against pressure and any heel over two inches high upsets the shock-absorbing function of the arch and causes backache and poor posture.  Alternate heel heights during the day and from day to day.  The lower the heel, the better the legs are exercised naturally, but as each heel height exercises muscles that others don't, vary them.  Avoid wearing shoes that have no support, but wear sandals in warm weather - the thong type with low heels permit the feet, particularly the toes, to straighten out without restriction.

Make sure shoes really fit.  Never buy shoes with the idea of breaking them in.  The best time to buy them is in the afternoon, feet are at their smallest in the morning and a shoe that might be fine at nine, is murder at four.  Think of shoes like gloves and take them off when you get home.
 
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