Keeping a Healthy Weight Can Help Keep Feet Healthy

What do heel pain, flat feet, sesamoiditis, tendonitis, peripheral arterial disease, and gout have in common? Being overweight can increase the risk and severity of all of them. At Goldsmith Podiatry, we see many Manhattan patients whose foot health would improve if they lost weight. The correlation between excess pounds and strain on your lower extremities is significant. Every extra pound of body weight puts 3 pounds of pressure on your feet when walking, and up to 7 pounds of pressure when you run. In addition, being obese or overweight increases your risk of heart disease and diabetes. It also makes physical activity—which can help reduce the risk of all of the above—much more difficult. Convinced it’s time to shed those extra pounds?

Successful Weight Loss Tips

Here are some steps to help you attain and maintain a healthy weight:

·         Set realistic goals. Start by talking to your physician about your current weight and BMI (Body Mass Index) and where you should be. Even if you need to lose a large amount of weight, start by setting a smaller attainable goal—say, 5 pounds or 3% of your body weight. You’ll be more encouraged and better motivated if you see success sooner in meeting more modest goals.

·         Decrease portion size. Simply cutting the amount of food you eat will lead to weight loss. Check packages to see what they recommend for per serving. Use a smaller plate. Get in the habit of packing half your dinners out to take home.

·         Keep a food diary. Many times, we eat when we’re not hungry. What triggers you to grab a cookie or second helping? Be mindful and develop non-food strategies for dealing with emotional stress.

Of course, increasing physical activity is an important asset in any weight loss plan. If the foot or ankle pain is prohibiting you from moving more, contact our Upper West Side office for an appointment by calling: (212) 877-1002. Our podiatrists, Dr. Howard Goldsmith or Dr. Rosanna Troia will examine your feet and treat whatever podiatric problem is preventing you from being active.