@anthonymelchiorre8416

1 year ago

I started my transition to barefoot about 10 years ago, and I experienced, almost immediately, less pain in knees and low back. I also went for a 2-mile jog which was way too far for barefoot beginner, and my calf muscles were swollen for at least two weeks, and it was like I turned on a whole new set of muscles. If you’re young, you will love it (unless you don’t want big muscles in calves?), and if you are 30+, you will regret it and wish you went slower! Either way, the transition is inevitable if you want overall wellness and less pain with an active adult lifestyle. The other significant change is that my feet became significantly wider in certain areas. Not just the most obvious needing more room in toe box for comfort, but the muscles on the bottoms of my feet were activated and subsequently a few mm bigger…and the major downside was that I could no longer wear some of my old favorite boots or dress shoes. I basically found barefoot in every style and never looked back…almost never. I still see a pair of Nike’s or other pop shoes occasionally that make me wish they would fit comfortably, and I still try on a pair every once in a while just to check. Going up a size makes it tolerable, but if you are going to be on your feet or walking a lot, it only takes me an hour or two to feel pain from normal, narrow, raised heel shoes and beg for barefoot. There are more and more brands making nice looking barefoot shoes that can accommodate most situations (boots, oxford’s, classic sneakers, etc.). I strongly recommend looking into the following: Lems (great for beginners and transition, wide toe box and zero drop, but with some cushion), Vivobarefoot, Merrel Vapor Glove, and a newer favorite that is ridiculously affordable, Whitin (amazon brand usually between $35-50!). And I also love Camper specifically Peu Cami style only, and I remove the padded insole with heel elevated and replace with a “barefoot” sole (which is also made by Whitin and purchased on Amazon). That is one of my favorites for style and comfort. So in summary, like most things, slow and steady wins, and I highly recommend a mindful approach to foot health, to include the exercises and stretches in this video. I wore toe spacers almost every night for a year and now I just wear them occasionally in my feet are sore. Its amazing how you can literally reshape your feet with patient, mindful care including strengthening and massaging into place. You have 26 bones in each foot and over 100 muscles and ligaments that determine the shape and setting of those bones. You can reshape your foot and likely avoid surgery and more injuries and general pain particularly if you look at it like you are preparing your body for your next decade. You may experience some relief earlier on, but unless you are still growing or very young adult, this will take time, and its so worth it!

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