Forever Twenty

What do shoes have to do with aging? Well, as you get older your feet become wider and longer and the padding underneath becomes thin. As if that wasn't enough, age also flattens your arches and stiffen your feet and ankles. Wearing the wrong type of shoes worsen the problem causing bunions, corns, and hammertoes. Ouch! But don't fret. By wearing the right type of shoes you can avoid these problems or prevent them from getting worse.

The July issue of Mayo Clinic Women’s HealthSource offers these tips when selecting shoes:

* Try on shoes later in the day. Feet can swell as the day wears on.

* Fit shoes to your largest foot. Your feet aren’t equally matched, so have both measured.

* Make sure there’s at least a half-inch for your longest toe at the end of each shoe when you’re standing. You should be able to wiggle all toes.

* Make sure your heel doesn’t ride up and down when you walk.

* Leave too-tight shoes behind. There’s no such thing as a break-in period.

* Look for shoes that are solidly constructed, conform to your feet and have cushioned soles that absorb the shock of hard surfaces.

* Try a lace-up style. A shoe that ties can be adjusted for better comfort and support.

* Look for a natural material, such as leather, on the upper portion of the shoes because it’s usually softer and provides more flexibility than a man-made material.

posted by Jennifer  # 5:17 PM