If you have decided that the time has come for you to pay more attention to your health and get rid of those extra pounds that have been plaguing you, then you want to make sure you do so in a healthy manner. You can learn some fantastic tips on how you can shed those pounds without causing future problems to your body, such as with your feet, ankles, and knees, by reviewing the content here:
Consult your doctor first
The very first thing you should do before jumping right into any new diet or workout regimen is to get it approved by your doctor. You want to be given a complete physical to make sure you are healthy enough and in the proper condition for the plan you want to start.
Ask your doctor for any specific limitations as well as how many calories they feel you should be burning off per hour and anything else you want to know before you start.
Decide on the location for your workouts
You want to go over the pros and cons of working out in a gym versus working out at home. If you choose to do it at home, then make sure you invest in good equipment so you can trust in it to give you the workout you want without running into equipment failure.
If you aren't sure how you are going to like certain pieces of equipment, then you may want to take advantage of a free day pass to a gym in your area and try those types of equipment there before you invest in your own. This can help prevent you from wasting your money on something that will only become a dust collector in the corner of a room.
Be careful with your body
While you want to be careful to not injure any part of your body, you should be especially careful with your lower extremities. When you have a good amount of extra weight on your body, your knees, ankles, and feet will be under more stress. This puts you at risk of knee injuries that can be hard to heal from. It can also put you at risk for a sprained, fractured, or broken ankle. Your feet will be at risk of things like plantar fasciitis, a painful foot condition caused by an injury to the plantar fascia, which is the tendon that runs the length of the bottom of your feet. Your feet and ankles can also be at risk of developing stress fractures.
Make sure you purchase shoes that fit your feet comfortably with just the right amount of snug and that support your ankles well. Walk, jog, and run on softer ground like on low grass or a dirt track. Rest your legs and feet when you take breaks and soak them if they are bothering you. If you experience any pain in your ankles or feet, then you should go in to see the podiatrist. If you can't get in to the podiatrist, then you should go to a health clinic such as Lakewood Family Health Clinic.