A Workout For The Sole

When it comes to exercises, we tend to neglect our feet. Walking and pressure can lead to the weakening and fatigue of our foot muscles. Performing simple foot exercises can go a long way in building muscle tone, relieving fatigue, preventing cramping, and foot pain.You can practice a number of exercises to strengthen your feet. Here are some great moves to keep your tootsies feeling their best: (Jerry graciously agreed to be my foot model!)

Stretch
This feels great after having your toes squeezed together all day.

How to do it: Sit in a chair. Take your foot and thread the fingers of your opposite hand through your toes. Use your fingers to press inbetween your toes. This will help relax the muscles in your foot.


Strengthen
You can to this with a rubber ball like Jerry did or you can use Foot Wakers (http://www.yamunabodyrolling.com/).

How to do it: Put the ball under your heel and exert pressure on the center of your heel for 5-10 seconds. Rock back and lift your toes, then roll the foot down.


Next, put the arch of your foot on the ball and rock back and forth over it.

Flexibility

Marble Pick-up
How to do it: Place about 20 marbles on the floor. Try picking up those marble with the help of the fingers of your feet. This exercise provides flexibility to your feet and also helps strengthens it.

So keep your feet happy and healthy. Another tip I have for you is to go visit your chiropractor and ask about orthodics for your shoes. I have a pair and they have made the world of difference for me. I ask a lot of my feet--standing all day, running and walking--they deserve some pampering!

Speaking of pampering...check out Gathered From The Garden's Pedi-Balm and Flip Flop Foot Cream. http://www.gatheredfromthegardenllc.4t.com/