It’s that time again!

It is estimated that approximately 60% of us make New Year’s Resolutions. The bad news is, only about 8% of us are successful in keeping them! According to a survey from 2019, 71% of people set goals to diet or eat healthier, 65% said they wanted to exercise more, and 54% said they wanted to lose weight.

If you are making one of these New Year’s resolutions, don’t forget to take care of your feet while trying to get fit. The American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons offers tips for foot safety while exercising and trying to lose weight:

1. Start new workouts gradually. Increase your stamina and the length of your workouts gradually to avoid overuse injuries, such as stress fractures or tendon strains and sprains . Stretching your muscles before and after workouts also helps prevent these types of injuries. If you do experience an injury , seek treatment as soon as possible.

2. Wear the right footwear. Make sure the shoes you wear are well-fitting athletic shoes designed for the exercise you are participating in. Wearing shoes that do not provide arch support and cushion for the heel can cause heel pain and plantar fasciitis . If your shoes are too small, you may be at risk for neuromas . Also, always wear cotton or nonslip socks to avoid painful blisters.

3. Use good technique. Improper exercise techniques can result in injury to the tendons or ligaments in your feet and ankles .

4. Protect yourself from bacteria. Sweaty shoes, public showers, exercise equipment and the pool deck at the gym are breeding grounds for fungus, viruses, and bacteria. Always wear shoes in public areas, and cover cuts and cracks in your skin or toenails. Water shoes can be a great barrier between your feet and wet surfaces. If you notice any signs of infection, call your foot and ankle surgeon as soon as possible.

Remember, pain does not equal gain so don’t ignore the pain! If you’ve injured your foot or ankle, contact Idaho Foot and Ankle Center as soon as possible. Dr. Kylin Kovac and Dr. Jed Erickson offer same day appointments for injuries and can provide you with the right diagnosis and treatment plan to get you on the the right path to recovery!

Some content provided by The ACFAS and inc.com.