FitSugar

What Lurks in the Grass

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 11:00:00 -0700

Barefoot and fancy free? Think again. Dermatologist Judith Hellman explained recently to the New York Times about the dangers lurking in the grass. Check out these reasons for you to keep your flip-flops on when out at the park lounging on the lawn.

Sharp blades of grass can cut the soles of your feet, creating an entryway for germs and bacteria.
Plantar warts and athlete's foot can live on grass so you can pick them up at the park, not just the pool.
Hookworm larvae can live in animal feces (read dog poo) and can cause an infection.
The soil-based bacterium, Nocardia, can cause an infection, which can lead to lumps, abscesses, and ulcerations.
Stepping on rusty metal, like nails, can cause tetanus – when was the last time you had your tetanus shot?

Think twice before going barefoot and fancy free.

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Running Barefoot

FitSugar — Fri, 25 May 2007 04:00:00 -0700

I love when the weather gets warmer and I can finally wear flip flops and let the wind blow through my toes. Feeing the cool grass beneath my feet is what spring is all about.

Other people have taken it to the next level and run barefoot. Some athletes train and compete shoeless, like South African runner Zola Budd, a former Olympic track and field competitor.

So why do they do it? To prove they can withstand pain? To show how tough they are? Have they lost their sneakers?

Some barefoot runners like the way the ground feels on the soles of their feet, like the grounding sensation that allows you to balance in a yoga pose. Plus shoes can be constricting, and when your feet are bare, you can really spread your toes out and grip the ground.

When you run barefoot, your muscles are in control instead of your shoe, so some feel it makes their feet stronger, which improves their performance. Shoes also add weight to your feet, so running barefoot could improve your speed.

Some barefoot runners say they have fewer injuries when running shoe-less. Sneakers can cause blisters, calluses, and toe numbness, so some runners do it because it's more comfortable.

Want to know some other reasons why people run barefoot? Then read more

Also, when you wear sneakers, you are depriving yourself of a very important aspect of running - feedback. The ability to know you are landing too hard, or on the wrong spot of your foot, is essential in learning to run gently, smoothly, efficiently, and without the risk of injury. Wearing sneakers makes your foot blind to those sensations.

Another great thing about running without sneaks is a greater sense of awareness. You pay more attention to your surroundings, especially to the ground below. You've got to be super focused so you don't step on a piece of glass or small pebble. You also become more aware of your form - being accurate with each stride and careful not to drag your toes.

Well, it's something to think about. Have any of you ever tried barefoot running? I'd love to hear about your experiences.

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Run Barefoot and Avoid Running Injuries?

FitSugar — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 10:00:04 -0700

The idea of running barefoot seems like some new age, hippie movement to get people to be free in their bare skin. Or some eco-friendly push to persuade people to forgo sneakers so they don't end up in landfills. Although the freedom and environmental arguments for barefoot running are valid, Christopher McDougall, author of the best-selling book Born to Run, believes running without sneakers could be the answer to preventing shin splints, knee pain, and other running injuries.

After suffering many an injury himself, he set out with the question, "Why does my foot hurt?" In his journey to answer that question, he discovered the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico’s Copper Canyons. They run hundreds of miles at a time with only thin, homemade sandals on their feet, and don't suffer any of the injuries that the rest of us runners do. After running with them, he realized the secret was ditching his sneaks, and since then, he's been injury-free. McDougall believes today's high-tech sneakers "warp our natural stride, encourage bad form, and lead to injuries."

To hear more about barefoot running, keep reading

Yoga Unites the Mind, Body, and Spirit

Fit Community — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:30:08 -0800

Barefoot chick from our Yoga Stretch and Tell community group wants to know what the practice of yoga means to you, and posted this:

I know most people do yoga to relax and tone their body and I think that is wonderful just of itself. But yoga [as defined in Sanskrit, the language of origin] actually means a union of mind, body, and spirit.

Besides the health and physical benefits does anyone also get into the spiritual aspect of yoga, or the meditative component of clearing your mind of thought? If you incorporate the spiritual dimension into your yoga or would like to talk about that part of the total yoga experience, I would enjoy hearing from you.

Have any questions or stories about yoga that you want to share? Join our Yoga Stretch and Tell community group and join the conversation! If you don't practice yoga, be sure to take a look at our other community groups - there's something for everyone.

Walking Barefoot? Make Sure You've Had a Tetanus Shot

FitSugar — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 13:00:24 -0700

Nothing beats walking barefoot in the grass - it's the definition of Summer. Most of the time your feet make contact soft, warm, clean grass and soil, but not all the time. A cut or puncture from some sharp object can be extremely painful, but contracting Tetanus from your wound is much worse. Getting pricked by a rusty nail, as most people think, isn't the only way to get this infectious disease. It's happens when a wound becomes infected by bacterial spores that live in soil, dust, and animal waste. That means insect bites, splinters, scrapes, burns, and yes, stepping on a rusty nail are all ways you can get tetanus. The disease causes severe, uncontrollable muscle spasms. The jaw can become locked by muscle spasms, causing this disease to sometimes be called lockjaw. In severe cases, the muscles used to breathe can spasm, causing lack of oxygen to the brain, which can lead to death.

Tetanus is easily prevented though, by arming yourself with a tetanus shot. After you receive the initial series of shots when you're a kid, an adult should get a tetanus shot every 10 years. Are you protected? If you can't remember how many years it's been since you've had this shot, call your doctor.

Fit Tip: Walk Barefoot in the Sand

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:00:00 -0700

The next time you're at the beach, take a break from relaxing in the sun and get up and move around. Resist walking on the flat sand right at the water's edge and go for the dry sand. Ditch your shoes so you can really use your toes to grip the ground. Walking barefoot in the sand is not only great for the muscles in your feet and your calves, but because it's so much harder than walking on a flat surface, you'll burn more calories. If your feet get hot, you can always cool off by walking on the wet sand, which is great for exfoliating the dead skin cells from your heels.

Source

Healthy Dose Link Time

FitSugar — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:00:33 -0700

Cucumber tartines for a lowfat and fancy snack - Vitamin G
Three ways to run almost barefoot - Vital Juice
How Starbucks affects your waist - That's Fit
Katie Holmes runs in 769 Pink New Balance sneakers - Fit Celeb
Get physical with your man and make a tennis date - Fresh Fitness Tips
Make the most of your next sushi meal - Healthy Bites
Ten salads to avoid when dining out - Daily Spark
Don't fall prey to the couch potato syndrome this Autumn - Health

Nike Naked Running Camp?

FitSugar — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 03:30:00 -0700

I've heard of naked yoga and naked biking, but running in the buff? Now that's something new. Check out Nike's latest commercial below to learn all about "natural" running.

All I can think about is how those poor ladies' boobs must be hurting without any support! I have to say though, this commercial has definitely piqued my interest for the latest Nike Free 5.0 running sneaker. I'm all for this lightweight and flexible shoe that supposedly imitates barefoot movement, but I think I'll stick to wearing clothes on my runs.

Gear Review: Cell Voltra Running Shoe by Puma

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 03:30:17 -0700

I just took Puma's new running shoe, the Cell Voltra ($100), out for a test run.

The first thing I noticed was that the shoe is incredibly light. Being the curious sort, I put it on my digital kitchen scale to weight it. One shoe clocks in at 10.75 ounces - an ounce lighter than my Under Armour running sneaks.

The Cell Voltras capitalize on Puma's 10CELL technology used for building soles. Essentially, it's a layer system designed to create cushion and shock absorption as well as rebound. To see what I thought of these sneakers, just read more.

When I wore these shoes for strength-training workouts, to break them in a bit before wearing them on a run, I liked them. The front of the shoe felt thin, so I could really get a sense of the floor. The heel is nice and stiff, which seemed to provide support. But when I wore them running, I didn't feel like there was enough cushion on the ball of my feet since I strike mostly toward the front of my mid-foot. I felt like I was practically running barefoot. The insole was rather thin too, so my feet felt vulnerable. I think if you're a heel striker, this shoe might work for you, since the heel is stiff. I will definitely use this shoe for strength training and plyometrics, but not for running. Style-wise, I like how the shoe upper looks like a classic Puma - simple, with a flash of silver.

You can find these shoes at Finish Line.

Does anyone out there wear Pumas for running? Share your thoughts on your sneakers below.

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Skechers Shape Ups Shoes: Cool or Not?

FitSugar — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 13:00:45 -0700

If you're not willing to pay nearly $250 for MBTs, you might consider the Skechers version. Skechers Shape Ups Strength ($100) and Shape Ups Metabolize ($100) mimic walking barefoot, helping you tone your muscles and get in shape. Would you wear them?