Did you know a study conducted by Strava, a running application, found that January 19th is the day that most fitness resolutions end? At Feet First Foot Care Specialists, we want to help our Middlesex County patients get past Quitter’s Day and make their resolutions to get in shape become a firmly established habit. Regular exercise brings many benefits to your feet (and the rest of your body). 

Here are 6 tips to help you stay motivated and keep your fitness plan going strong all year:

  1. Work with, not against, your foot conditions. If you have chronic foot pain or foot condition, such as a bunion or hammertoeplantar fasciitis, or weak ankles, make sure you talk to our podiatrist, Dr. Adam Mucinskas, about the type of exercise that will work best for your feet. The foot doctor can recommend footwear and activities that will best accommodate any podiatric issues you currently have.
  2. Set S-M-A-R-T goals. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Your fitness goals must be realistic and achievable. For example, saying “I want to start running to get in shape” is vague. More likely to succeed is, “I want to increase my fitness level and run a 5K race on March 15th.”
  3. Get the right gear. If your exercise activity requires special equipment, make sure what you’re using is the right size for you, this is particularly important for your footwear. Sports shoes are designed for specific activities. Buy the right shoes for your fitness plan, and be sure you get your feet professionally measured and footwear properly fitted.
  4. Enlist the help of a friend. It’s easier to stay motivated and accountable if you have a friend working out with you. You’ll be more likely to stick to your schedule if canceling affects another person. It’s also encouraging to have someone to share your successes as you strive to reach your fitness goals.
  5. Reward yourself. Along with your overall SMART goals, set some smaller goals, such as when you reach a milestone distance, or the number of days successfully completing your exercise goals. Give yourself a reward when you reach them, such as a movie night, a new book that interests you, or maybe a long soak in a bubble bath.
  6. Switch it up now and then. Even the most dedicated fitness folks get bored. Do something different to keep it interesting: swap your run for a bike ride or take a hike one weekend afternoon instead of your regular fitness class. Consider mixing and matching exercises, for example walking followed by jumping rope.

We hope these tips encourage you to stay on track with your exercise goals.

If you have questions about exercise and your feet and ankles, please contact us at our Cromwell office by calling 860-632-5499.

Questions or Comments?

We encourage you to contact us whenever you have an interest or concern about our services.

Call Today (860) 632-5499

162 West St Ste K Cromwell, CT 06416