Millions of Americans resolve to lose weight, exercise more often, or be healthier in general. Most people that are unsuccessful with their resolutions are overly ambitious or set unrealistic goals. Doing too much too soon leads to getting burnt out, or even injured. Believe it or not these popular resolutions also have an impact on your feet.

Losing weight is a great way to decrease the amount of stress on your joints, and can improve or alleviate medical conditions, such as diabetes mellitus, plantar fasciitis, osteoarthritis, gout, tendonitis, and peripheral arterial disease. Even a few extra pounds can make a huge difference, and may cause structural or functional changes that lead to painful conditions. Extra weight will often cause problems in the back, hips, knees, and the feet due to extra pressure being placed on the inside of the foot as well as the forefoot. Once these conditions are present it becomes more difficult to exercise due to pain. Exercise is a great way to get in shape, lose weight, and keep your heart and lungs healthy. Exercise can also cause injuries especially in those that suddenly increase activity level. As mentioned before, many people begin with strenuous exercise and end up with an injury that prevents them from continuing to exercise, or they become burnt out. When you are just beginning an exercise routine your muscles have not had a chance to build up strength, which causes them to fatigue easily, and transfer stress to your bones. The extra stress on your bones may lead to a stress fracture, or an avulsion fracture in your lower extremity. Exercise and weight loss goals are still great goals to have, and here are a few tips to prevent injuries and help you stick to your resolutions:

• Set incremental goals so that you are not doing too much too soon.
• If you begin having pain or swelling, then stop the activity and rest. See your doctor if the pain or swelling persists.
• Proper exercise gear is important, and make sure it is not old or worn out. Shoes should not be over a year old, or worn more than 300-500 miles.
• Make a specific plan for how you will achieve your goal.
• Make sure to get enough calcium and vitamin D in your diet, as this may help prevent stress fractures.
• Stretching before and after exercise is essential.

Please visit www.ColumbusFoot.com for more tips for healthier and happier feet or call 614-885-3338 (FEET) to schedule an appointment with a podiatrist in Columbus, Ohio. Columbus Podiatry & Surgery is located on the North side of Columbus, Ohio near Worthington.

Columbus Podiatry & Surgery has opened a new location in Gahanna, near Easton. Please call 614-476-3338 (FEET) for an appointment with a podiatrist in Gahanna, OH today.