Are Your Shoes Making You Miserable?

Are you having back pain? Your feet play a very important role in how you feel. Many health issues involving pain are the result of foot problems. The alignment of your feet can directly effect the rest of your body. You visit a podiatrist and many times find out that your shoes are a big part, if not all, of the problem.

Shoes can make your day or break your day. I never realized how important proper shoes are for healthy feet. Whether they're the wrong size, too old or not the right type, they can put a hurting on your feet. I learned that the hard way. After coming home from an "all day at work", my feet were in such pain I could hardly walk. In my case, I believe the shoes were too old and the wrong type. They were casual walkers which were okay for walking but not the extra stress from the lifting and stooping I did at work. I'd hung on to those shoes for years. My thinking was,"It's only work, I don't need new shoes". When the inner cushion deteriorated my feet paid the price. I was ready for the podiatrist. If you want to have healthy feet, one important thing to remember is to have the proper shoes.

When it comes to shoes for exercise, the choices are overwhelming. But the bottom-line is simple. Shoes should fit well and feel comfortable. The right shoes offer both support and flexibility where you need it. They protect your bones, joints, and muscles, keeping your feet in healthy positions and absorbing shock.

Can You Reduce Cellulite Through Exercise?

Cellulite is fat underneath the skin that becomes unstable as muscle decreases. Although it is unsightly, it is harmless. Cellulite is not caused by weight problems. Thin people can have it also. Cellulite also seems to be more common with lighter color skin.

Other factors that may contribute to cellulite are:

• Unhealthy diet
• Dehydration
• Inactivity
• Slow metabolism
• Hormone changes
• Fad diets

Women lose about half a pound of muscle per year. Many women have desk jobs and spend a large part of the day sitting and not using their muscles. As a result, most of what they lose is on their upper thighs and dairy air.

When they lose muscle in their hips and thighs, the overlaying layer of fat doesn't have much of a foundation, so it starts to get an uneven bulge like cottage cheese.

Even the fittest athletes, who regularly exercise still have ugly cellulite. Those lumpy, unattractive cottage-cheese thighs affect a large majority of women. So what can be done to decrease the awful appearance of cellulite?

There are a lot of products and treatments that claim to eliminate cellulite on thighs and buttocks. But there is not much evidence that shows that many of them are successful or for any length of time.

Through proper exercise one can help reduce the appearance of those tell-tale dimples. Cellulite is fat, so calorie-burning activities and the right nutrition can make your skin look smoother. On the other hand, weight gain adds to the unsightly appearance of cellulite. Strength training can play a major role to tone muscle and get the firm foundation back.

In Wayne Westcott's book, "No More Cellulite", Westcott recommends moves that target your hips, quads, and hamstrings, but says not to ignore your other muscles. "Since all strength exercises boost your metabolic rate, they'll decrease fat too."

Are You Getting Enough Physical Activity?

Regular physical activity – such as walking, cycling, or dancing – has significant benefits for health. For instance, it can reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes and osteoporosis, help control weight, and promote psychological well-being. Everyone should engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. More activity may be required for weight control.

Knowing the importance of physical activity and the health benefits of it, the next step is to make the necessary changes in life to obtain those positive advantages. "Oh the drudgery we must endure to care for our health" you are saying. Maybe it's not as bad as you think to make these changes. Changing how we go about our everyday task makes all the difference.

Incorporating Physical Activity Into Your Life is advantages to your health and well being. Lucky for all of us, becoming more physically active is a fairly easy. It’s just a matter of applying some simple principles into your life. In fact, you probably already are "physically active" and may not even know it. There are numerous activities that can be worked into the day that do not require going to the gym, or an aerobics class. 

At Home-It's convenient, comfortable and safe to work out at home. It allows your children to see you being active, which sets a good example for them. You can combine exercise with other activities, such as watching TV. If you buy exercise equipment, it's a one-time expense and other family members can use it. It's easy to have short bouts of activity several times a day. Try these tips: