Plantar Fasciitis and Fitness

Well, the first month of the New Year is almost over. If you're like many people who made a list of resolutions, increased fitness and physical activity were likely one of your top items. Whether that includes eating a healthier diet or working out more to lose extra pounds or to help yourself better enjoy the outdoors, improved fitness is a great resolution to have. A healthy lifestyle not only makes you look great, but it has been shown to improve your physical and mental health and make you happier and more self-confident.

Regardless of where you're starting your fitness journey, it can be easy to overdo it in the beginning, potentially causing injury that can sidetrack or postpone your new workout routine. Overuse of the feet and legs often wear out tendons and muscles, including the important plantar fascia tendon. Plantar fasciitis is a painful foot condition that affects this tendon in the foot that connects the heel and ball of the foot, giving the foot structure and stability and making it possible to properly use the foot for standing, walking, running and jumping. As cardiovascular exercises are essential parts of any workout routine, people usually set aside a portion of their workout to walking or jogging (depending on one's starting fitness level). When the plantar fascia tendon is injured, this important part of the exercise regimen can become too painful to do.

Fortunately, there are ways you can work out and burn those calories to be on your way to achieving your new year's fitness resolution. These exercises will boost your heart rate and make your break into a sweat, all while providing a low impact on your feet: