Do’s and Don’ts to Prevent Floundering Fitness Resolutions

As surely as January follows December, we at Goldsmith Podiatry see that about a month after New Year’s more patients come to our Upper West Side office with pain and injuries related to exercise. While committing to getting in better physical condition is a goal we endorse, going about it the wrong way can result in damage to your feet and other parts of your body as well.

Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you stay on track with your fitness goals:

Do: contact our Manhattan office for an appointment (212-877-1002) if you are experiencing any foot or ankle pain or discomfort related to a new fitness regimen. While some soreness is normal as you start to activate muscles that haven’t been used for a while, ongoing pain is not. Our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith or Dr. Rosanna Troia, will examine your feet to see what’s causing the discomfort and make recommendations on how to safely continue to get in shape.

Don’t: overdo it. Exercise programs that start out at a high level of intensity often quickly end in frustration and fatigue. Be sure the program you choose begins with a minimal amount of exercise and then gradually builds in duration and level of difficulty to avoid injury and burnout!

Do: examine the shoes you are using to exercise. Did you buy them new for the activity you’ve chosen? Today’s sports shoes are designed more precisely to accommodate the movement of the fitness activity they are designated for. If you are using shoes appropriate for your sport, check to be sure they are not worn out. Running and exercise shoes should be replaced every 300-500 miles or annually, whichever comes first. If the foot doctor has prescribed a custom orthotic, be sure it fits in the sports shoes you are using.

Don’t: give up on exercise if your first plan fails. There are any number of reasons why an exercise program is not a good fit—it’s too intense, doesn’t fit your time schedule, isn’t an activity you enjoy. If you have a chronic foot problem like plantar fasciitis or a bunion, contact our podiatrists for recommendations of activities that may best suit your condition.