~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walking Healthy Part 2!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
90% of foot surgeries in the United States are done on women.
82% of women suffer from foot pain.
72% of women suffer from one or more foot deformities. 86% of women wear shoes one or two width sizes too small.
50% of women can't find dress shoes that are fashionable and comfortable.
- American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society
Last week, The Weekly Beet reported on a pair of shoes that made us stand tall! This week, The Weekly Beet kicks off our high heels to wear something a bit more comfortable. Mary Kent puts on a pair of flats, revealing the importance of walking in our natural height!
 Sorry guys this week's Beet is for ladies only! With chic names like Blahnik and Louboutin, it's no wonder women are CHOO-sing glamour over comfort. These shoes may look gorgeous to the eye, but walking in heels comes with a high price not just to the wallet, but also to the foot. According to the American Podiatric Medical Association, the truth on high heels is that they are "biomechanically and orthopedically unsound!" And, in one study done by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 80% of women said their feet hurt them on a daily basis, while almost 60% admitted they were wearing uncomfortable shoes at least an hour a day. With statistics like these, it's obvious that women are caught in a battle between fashion and pain! Unfortunately, high heels have us sold on the fact that wearing them lengthens the leg, adding inches to get a supermodel height! But, the truth is that heels, while they do make us tall, are clearly linked to musculoskeletal and foot abnormalities. High heels change the way we walk, putting the center of gravity all on the ball of the foot. With an uneven distribution of weight hitting the ball of the foot, high heels disrupt gait and cause poor posture. Most women wear uncomfortable heels, which leads to a slew of foot and ankle problems that we can't wait to share below!
Here's why we've kicked off our high heels! Constantly wearing heels inches above our natural height causes:
 - Back, foot, and ankle problems.
- Knee osteoarthritis.
- Joint pain.
- Stress fractures.
- Deep pain thrombosis.
- Shin splints.
- Shortening of the calf muscles.
- Hammertoes.
- Corns and Calluses.
- Pump bump or Haglund's deformity.
- Bunions.
- Toe nail problems.
- Neuromas.
Don't get us wrong, we absolutely love our Choos, but when it comes to walking in stylish comfort, there is nothing like French Sole! They're sexy, they're edgy, and best of all they're flat! Also sold in the States under the name London Sole, these little ballerina flats come in all different colors, patterns, and materials. Jane Winkworth is the mastermind behind these comfy gems and has done such an excellent job in creating a fabulous, chic flat that we can't stop wearing! With no left or right shoe, the leather is so soft it actually molds to the shape of your foot. We are walking testimonies that they are one of the most comfortable shoes we've worn in a while! Click here to buy a pair of French Sole.
It's time to wear your feet well! Click here for some healthy tips on how to keep your feet on their toes! Don't miss a Beet. Stay tuned for next week.
Love,
Mary Kent
PS. Mary Kent is wearing flats from French Sole, leggings from Top Shop, and sweater from Express.
PPS. Check out Louise Holmes, Founder of Louise’s soul-food restaurant on Ladies Who Launch.
The Weekly Beet is simply exciting! Never before has Alternative Medicine been researched and presented in such an 'upbeet' way."
- Dr. Andrew Weil
"The Weekly Beet is a great gift to the world of health and happiness. It is also a testimony to the power of one person to make a difference in the world. If you have a dream and a passion, now is the time to step forward and make your dreams come true!"
- Joshua Rosenthal, Founder of The Institute of Integrative Nutrition
|
