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Got Achy Feet? Try This

FitSugar — Fri, 22 May 2009 03:30:00 PDT

Everyone has suffered from sore or painful feet. Whether you've been standing all day working, or you're feeling it after a long run, here are some ways to get relief.

Soak your feet. Fill a big bucket with hot water, sit in your favorite chair, relax with a good book, and let the heat ease your pain.
Massage. Rub your feet, shins, and calves with moisturizing lotion. This will bring nourishing blood to the achy area, which helps ease pain. Or place a tennis ball under the arch of your foot. Move your foot up and down as you apply gentle downward pressure. As the ball rolls, it'll massage your feet for you.
Use arnica. It's a homeopathic remedy that can greatly reduce pain and inflammation. It comes in a topical cream, so rub it on your feet to relieve soreness and discomfort.
Stretch your feet. Do this foot stretch to stretch the soles of your feet, and do Kneeling Shin Stretch or Sleeping Hero to stretch the tops.
Ice and elevate them. If your feet are swollen or in pain, place a bag of ice or cold pack in a big sock and then slip the sock on. Ice for no more than 20 minutes.

If you have any other remedies for sore or achy feet, please share them below.

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Simple Solution For Your Sore Feet

FitSugar — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:00:00 PST

My feet can always use some extra love and care, and a nightly foot massage just isn't an option for me (though that would be a welcome Valentine's Day treat). Our tootsies go through enough on an average day of walking around in not-so-comfortable shoes or running errands, but they really take a beating when a long workout is part of the equation.

Here's a simple solution for your sore feet: Grab any tennis-sized ball that hasn't been claimed by your pup and place it under the arch of your foot. Roll it along your arch and shift to whatever part of your foot needs attention. The movement will massage your sore feet and release some tension from your long day.

Source

5 Things: Easing Achy Feet

FitSugar — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:30:00 PDT

Everyone has suffered from sore or painful feet. Whether you've been on your feet all day working, or you're feeling it after a long run, try these suggestions.

Check your shoes. Are they old, unsupportive, too tight, or too loose? Your footwear has a lot to do with how your feet feel so make sure you're wearing appropriate shoes for the activity you're doing.
Stretch your feet and calves. Press the ball of your foot against a wall so your foot is at a 45° angle. Hold for 15 to 30 seconds and then do the other foot. Repeat on both sides for a total of three times.
If your feet are swollen or in pain, ice and elevate them. Place a bag of ice or cold pack in a big sock and then slip the sock on. Ice for no more than 20 minutes.
If your feet are just sore, either hop your entire self into a hot bath or fill a big pot with hot water, sit in your favorite chair, relax with a good book, and let the heat ease your pain.
Give yourself a massage (or find a kind friend who will do it for you). Rub your feet, shins, and calves with moisturizing lotion. This will bring nourishing blood to the achy area, which helps ease pain.

Source

"Perfect Boyfriend . . . Except For Three Major Problems"

Tres Community — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 03:05:00 PST

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our TrèsSugar Community. Add your advice in the comments!

I am 38 and dating an amazing man of 35. We've been together for about five months and despite his attempts to "take it slow" he is basically living with me. He still has his other place but is here every night except maybe once a month. We get along great, have a lot of laughs, and really seem to understand each other. Personally I'm madly in love in a way I've never experienced.

We have both been divorced for about 2-3 years and he admits to being incredibly hurt by his last girlfriend, who dumped him and got married to her ex (yep, that would hurt!). When we met, I was just out of a relationship that should have ended months prior and neither of us were really looking for anything serious, but I feel I was more ready than him. He just took me by surprise and swept me off my feet, and while he kept maintaining that we were taking it slow, it didn't go that way - within a couple months he was calling me his girlfriend by accident and like I said, staying with me all the time. Here's the problem:

Keep reading to find out this reader's three major problems in her relationship.

3 Things I Learned From My First Indoor Cycling Class

FitSugar — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 16:15:09 PST

Since it's important to vary workouts and keep the body guessing, this year I resolved to add indoor cycling to my usual running-and-weights fitness routine. I made sure to wear and bring the right items to the gym, but I learned a few technique-related tips during class that I wish I'd known earlier. Planning to try an indoor cycling class for the first time? Keep these three pointers in mind to steer clear of injuries and make the most of your workout.

Regularly shift your hands: To avoid stiff, sore wrists, be sure to move your hands around the handlebars by correctly incorporating the standard cycling hand positions. You should try to keep your hands slightly loose - no death grips necessary - and do your best to let your weight fall into your feet, rather than leaning your entire body into your hands. It's also important to keep your shoulders down and relaxed.
Keep pedal rotations pause-free: Aim to make each pedal revolution as smooth as possible so that you don't put any extra strain on your ankles or the balls of your feet. There's a natural tendency to pause at the bottom of a rotation - especially during standing intervals - so make sure that your leg and glute muscles stay in a constant push-and-pull rhythm. To achieve this, try keeping your feet flat rather than letting your heel turn up and toe push down.
Focus on technique, not resistance: As you ease into indoor cycling, don't worry too much about the resistance level on your bike. Instead, strive to stay moving throughout the entire class and learn to fluidly transition between the sitting and standing positions. Later, when you've grown more comfortable on the bike, you can begin to worry about increasing resistance and amping up your workout.

Your Winter Workout Woes - Answered!

Fitness Magazine — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 04:09:05 PST

We are excited to share one of our fave stories from Fitness Magazine here on FitSugar!

Baby, it's cold outside! But for those of us training, sans gym membership, or just yearning for some fresh air, we can't let the chilly weather keep us from an outdoor workout. If you find your morning runs too cold, have achy joints, or just want to make it through a run without wiping out, we hear you! That's why we asked Dr. Scott Weiss, clinical director and owner of Bodhizone Physical Therapy, your burning cold-weather workout questions. Read on below to see how you can have a successful workout no matter what the weather.

The cold weather makes my joints hurt! What stretches can I do before a workout to stop constantly feeling sore?

If cold weather is making you sore, the worst thing to do is go and stretch since you're more likely to pull a muscle or tear some cartilage. In the cold weather, the key is total body warmth. Spend a little more time warming up, by adding 5 to 10 minutes to your normal warm-up routine. Stretching while your joints are warm will then enhance flexibility and range of motion while also reducing your chance of injury.

Sometimes when I go for a run in the Winter, my toes lose feeling. Why is this happening and how can I fix it?

Most of the time numb toes are a minor circulatory or footwear issue. Try making a fist with your toes, or do some calf raises to get the blood pumping. Once you get home, be sure to elevate your feet to relieve the pressure. If tingling persists, it could be something more serious (like frostbite), and you should contact a physician.

I'm terrified of black ice. What are some tips to avoid it?

Make sure you stay focused on the heel contact portion of the running cycle in icy conditions. Oftentimes, we don't think about how we are landing our feet, and if even slightly unbalanced while landing on ice, you risk falling. If you live in an especially icy area, consider trail shoes, which have a better grip.

Read on for more Winter workout solutions from Dr. Weiss.

More from FITNESS:

• Oops-Proof Your Workout

• Immunity-Boosting Tips to Stay Cold-Free This Winter

• Get the 2012 Best Body Ever Plan

Flying With a Cold? Survival Tips While in the Air

Heather Dale — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 12:59:20 PST

I started the New Year with a cold that has knocked me right off my feet. I was fine staying home for the midnight countdown, but what I'm not looking forward to is having to board a plane with this bad bug - traveling when you're sick is the worst! If you need to fly and are suffering from a cold, here are some survival tips to help alleviate the annoying symptoms associated with being sick.

Sore throat: Before you get to the airport, gargle with warm salt water using 1/2 teaspoon of salt in one cup of warm water. Once you get to the airport, sip on hot tea or warm water sweetened with honey, which can help soothe an irritated throat. While on the plane, drink plenty of liquids and come prepared with hard candies or throat lozenges, which can be very soothing since they increase saliva production and help keep the throat moist.

Keep reading for more tips.

Shoe Review: Fila Skele-Toes Voltage

Jenny Sugar — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 01:18:41 PST

Sneakers with articulated toes have been all the rage since barefoot running came onto the scene. It wasn't until Fila sent me a pair of Skele-Toes Voltage sneakers ($75) that I finally tried them out for myself. Like most minimalist running shoes, they're extremely lightweight (6 oz.), but unlike shoes designed with barefoot running in mind, these have a thick, hard sole. Intriguing design, no?

Keep reading to find out the pros and cons of these Fila sneaks.

3 Must-Do Yoga Poses For Tight Hips

Jenny Sugar — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 03:06:42 PDT

Whether you suffer from tight hips because you run, sit at a desk all day, are pregnant, or were just born with oh-so-tight hips, here are three yoga poses you can do every day to increase flexibility and reduce tension in this commonly stiff area. Mix up the sequence each time you do it to keep your muscles guessing.

One of my favorite stretches after a run, Lizard will target your hips and hip flexors.

Begin in Downward Facing Dog. Step your right foot forward between your palms keeping your hands on the floor. Lower your left knee to the mat, and release your elbows to the floor as well. Either rest your hands on the ground or bring your hands together in prayer position.
Continue to squeeze your right knee toward your body and gaze forward to encourage your hips to lower toward the floor. After five breaths come back onto your hands. Tuck your left toes and step your right leg back. Take a vinyasa (exhale as you lower to Four-Limbed Staff, inhale to Upward Dog, then exhale to Down Dog), step your left foot forward, and repeat this pose on the left side.

I'm just getting started so keep reading for two more effective hip opening yoga poses.

4 Ways to Prevent Frightful Beauty Mishaps on Halloween

Jaime Richards — Fri, 28 Oct 2011 06:05:13 PDT

Growing up, your loved ones probably told you to check the apples for razors and beware of strangers while trick-or-treating. Now that you're an adult, there are a whole other set of Halloween-related mishaps just waiting to happen. Sure, you have to be careful with the amount of mulled cider consumed in an evening, but there are beauty hazards to be cognizant of as well. From irritated skin to sore feet, find out how you can prevent Halloween horrors when you read more.