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Our Top 5 Ways to Keep active.
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There's no reason why wide or problem feet, or advancing age should prevent you from being active. In fact, it's potentially more important that we keep active as we age to prevent issues from arising.
NHS guidance suggests that adults should do some type of physical activity every day, including strengthening activities that work major muscle groups at least twice per week - such as yoga, gardening, work with resistance bands or even carrying heavy shopping bags! - do at least 150 minutes of moderately intense or 75 minutes of vigorous intensity activity each week. Find out more at https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/.
But many of us find it difficult to meet these guidelines, especially if we suffer from foot pain caused by poorly fitting footwear. So we're looking at some top tips for being active, suitable for all!
Our #1 tip though, start small and slow and build from there. Rome wasn't built in a day, but injuries can happen instantly if you jump right in!
1. Walking
Walking is an excellent way to keep active and is something accessible to most. You can go to your own speed for a gentle stroll or take it to the next level with brisk walks, hikes or even a specialist style of walking.
Many people with wide or problem feet can find difficulty with discomfort even walking, but with DB Wider Fit Shoes you can get out in style & comfort, with our huge range of wide fitting shoes including active leisure shoes, sporty boots and even waterproof wide-fitting hiking boots.
Don't know where to start? A Google search of "walks near me" will provide many available routes, or free apps like Go Jauntly provide detailed descriptions of local walks, organised by distance to your location or your location of choice. Easy!
If you really get the bug you could explore more intense styles of walking such as hiking, especially if you live in or near one of the hillier regions of the country, or could even join a Nordic walking group for a different experience altogether with excellent social benefits.
2. Jogging
A step up from walking is jogging: a great, low cost way to keep active. All you need are the shoes on your feet and some loose clothing. And you can choose your own way - go solo or join a running group.
Apps like "Couch to 5K" allow you to set your own pace and build up your ability and stamina bit by bit - starting small and slow, mostly walking at first with gentle jogging interspersed. Use it alone to build your ability solo or to build your confidence before joining a group. Find out more at www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/get-running-with-couch-to-5k/
If you're less of a self-starter and/or are interested in the social benefits that jogging has to offer then there are running groups up and down the country welcoming members of all abilities.
Find a suitable group near you at www.runtogether.co.uk/groups, where you can find many organised runs, many free or for a minimal charge.
"I would like to take this opportunity to express my complete satisfaction with the service you provide. Before I was aware of your wider shoe sizes I had given up hope of finding comfortable shoes. I am very grateful to you for making walking a pleasure again!."
Mrs C. Yorkshire
3. Yoga
Yoga is the ultimate activity for all. Many people are put off by pictures they see of bendy girls contorted into the strangest of positions, thinking: "I'll never do that!", or of the idea of yoga as a hippy-dippy practice, but it really needn't be any of these things.
"I can't do yoga, I'm not flexible" is another oft-heard line. Indeed in this case yoga would be beneficial for you, as it can increase strength and flexibility.
There are many different types of yoga, with teachers offering different styles for all ages and abilities. This is possible because many of the benefits of yoga are derived through focus with physical benefits possible from just minor movements of the body. The mental benefits can be as great, or even greater, than the physical benefits.
You can even find "Chair Yoga" taught in retirement homes for patients who aren't able to practice a regular class and the benefits are still felt.
A simple Google search of "yoga near me" will return hundreds of results and a quick scan of the websites or a quick phone-call (yoga teachers tend to be an approachable bunch!) will inform you whether the class is likely to be right for you.
You never know, after a year or 2, that might be you on Instagram with your legs behind your head!
3. Aqua-Aerobics
Aqua-Aerobics - or "Aqua-Fitness" offers an excellent cardio workout, revitalising tired muscles and joints in a low impact way. It's easy on the joints yet is great for building strength and stamina. They're a lot of fun and great social opportunities.
Check for Aqua-Aerobics classes at your local swimming pool, dig out your favourite swimsuit and discover your inner water-babe!
5. "Fasted Cardio"
Whilst not an activity group in itself, "fasted cardio" can be one of the most effective ways to burn fat and to keep weight off, if that's your goal.
Essentially, "fasted cardio" just means doing your NHS prescribed "moderate exercise" (exercise that gets your heart rate up) first thing in the morning, before brekkie.
Whether for you that means a brisk walk, a jog or even a full-on workout. This way the body will provide the energy supply for your activity rather than the food you've just eaten. Then when you do have your brekkie, that energy can be used to fuel your day.
There are many other activities that you can take up to keep active and meet those NHS guidelines but these are some of our favourites.
Discover a new lease of life for wide, deep and problem feet with sporty and active wide-fitting shoe styles from DB Wider Fit Shoes.
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