If you’re looking forward to starting 2020 on a positive note, you’re probably thinking about the resolutions and lifestyle changes you can make for a healthier, happier you. For many people, this involves weight loss or improved fitness – or both! We’re here to help you to make a plan that works for you, so that you can be sure of success this year.

Losing weight is the most common New Year’s Resolution out there, but it’s also one of the most likely to fail, since most people do not make a manageable plan to reach their goal. If you want to make changes that will keep you looking and feeling younger for longer, this could be the year to make it happen.

We love Operation Transformation!

Here at Foot Solutions, many of us will be supporting Operation Transformation, a fantastic and inspirational show that encourages healthy lifestyle changes for better fitness for the future. Following on from past successes, Operation Transformation is a great way to ease yourself in to a healthier routine, and you will find community exercise sessions and shopping lists to help you on your way. If you have specific medical needs, you should consult a doctor before beginning the program.

You can find everything you need to join in online here, including food plans, fitness plans and experts on hand to advise you. Karl Henry, Ireland’s leading personal trainer and Operation Transformation mentor, recommends getting a gait analysis done as part of your to do list. Our team at Foot Solutions will get behind the leaders and join in with activities, runs, exercise plans and more, so why not be a part of it all and tune in to Operation Transformation for the 2020 season?

Weight Loss Made Easier

Joining in with a project such as Operation Transformation is a great way to increase your chances of making sustainable changes to your life. Connecting with others and encouraging one another to stick with it is very helpful, and your motivation is much more likely to stick if you are building a supportive and friendly network. Just knowing that people across the country will be joining up in their thousands to benefit from this challenge will help you to focus on your goals and make changes that will work for you in the long term.

When you’ve decided to commit to a healthier lifestyle, it can be very helpful to work with others to achieve this, and this is our number one tip this year. There are other ways to maximise your chances of success, however, and here are our top recommendations:

1. Get moving. You cannot get fitter without exercising, and if you’ve never tried it before, you may be surprised by how much fun this can be. Joining up with others is a great way to motivate yourself to get moving, so try an Operation Transformation event or join a local running club or an exercise class. Exercising outdoors is a great way to further boost your endorphins, and if you are struggling to find a form of exercise that you enjoy, don’t be afraid to try something new! Dancing, climbing, cycling or even surfing can be exciting and inspiring ways to increase your fitness and give yourself a whole new lease of life!

2. Make it measurable. When you give yourself a vague goal, such as ‘lose weight this year’, you do not set yourself up for success effectively. This year, make your goal specific and measurable, and break your overall target down into smaller chunks that are achievable. If you set yourself a realistic and manageable weight loss target each month, and focus on smaller goals such as ‘go for a walk every day’ or ‘work out three times per week’, you are much more likely to reach your overall goal and create new habits that really work for you and your body.

3. Listen to your body. Whether you have tried a range of diets before or not, it can help to learn to listen to your body to help you make long term changes that are sustainable. While it is sensible to cut down your intake of carbohydrates and consider your portion size, you will have more long term success if you create a varied and healthy diet that excites you and tastes good. Try new foods and tempt yourself into healthier choices with diverse recipes, but don’t stress about counting calories or banning treats altogether. Consider how your body feels when you eat certain foods, pay attention when your body feels full, and reduce treats but do not cut them out altogether – you’ll spend your time craving them and feeling miserable! You can find out more from the experts in Operation Transformation, and enjoy creating meal plans that look and taste delicious.

4. Swap unhealthy choices. When you want to lose weight, it can help to make small changes rather than trying to alter your entire diet at once. If you are aware that you consume a lot of fizzy drinks, for example, try swapping these for still or sparking water to dramatically improve your health and lower your sugar intake. Small changes are often more sustainable, and this sort of gradual process will soon help you to form new habits and adopt healthier routines.

Protect Your Feet By Maintaining A Healthy Weight

Did you know that obesity can have dramatic effects on the feet? Obesity is increasingly problematic in Ireland, and studies have shown that it is extremely detrimental to general health and life expectancy. Links with heart disease and diabetes are well known, but the connection with foot pain and problems in the feet is less well publicised.

Being overweight puts a great strain on the bones and muscles of the feet, and this can lead to complications, some of which can cause long term pain. Fallen arches, for example, are a common problem associated with obesity, and this can cause pain in the legs and back as well as the feet, and limit movement and the ability to exercise. Over pronation and heel pain are also common problems, and can also lead to intense pain and complications.

Problems such as flat feet and over pronation can increase the likelihood of injuries to the feet, and can become debilitating over time. Wearing good shoes and making diet and lifestyle changes are very important ways to pro-tect your feet so that they can continue to support you as you lose weight. The great news is that losing weight will also benefit your heart and your general health, and you will very quickly begin to feel the difference.

Protect Your Feet With Custom Arch Supports

The shoes that you wear when you exercise can make a big difference to your success, and the best way to start is with a trip to Foot Solutions. Our expert team of fitters will take the time to listen to your experience and understand your history and your lifestyle, and will carry out a numbers of tests and scans before making recommendations for you.

We believe that foot pain should never stop you from living a full and active life, and we offer a complete solution that often involves a combination of customised arch supports, well fitted shoes and a pair of comfort socks. Whether you have been experiencing foot pain for a long time, or you wish to prevent pain as you begin a new exercise regime, we are on hand to help.

Custom arch supports are particularly important for customers who are looking to lose weight, since these will help to distribute weight correctly throughout the foot and support the bones and muscles of the feet in all the right places. Custom arch supports are made to fit your foot exactly, and they will help to prevent problems such as over pronation and flat feet. If you are already living with flat feet, you will find that custom arch supports offer a daily solution to the aches and pains you are experiencing.

Foot Solutions Works! Our Customers Tell Us…

Paying attention to your feet is helpful whatever your fitness level, and International Rugby Referee, Peter Fitzgibbon, told us what a difference custom inserts made for him:

“I regularly visit a physical therapist, Paul Murray, for treatment… I was experiencing some muscle soreness after training and matches which prevented me from recovering quickly from physical exertion. Paul suggested some extra support for my feet may be helpful and referred me to Foot Solutions.

From my initial contact with the Store Manager Ellen, I was made to feel welcome and put at ease. I received a full assessment including visual analysis, using state of the art electronic equipment. This ensured the inserts provided would be a custom fit for me. The whole process was explained in great detail so I understood exactly why I needed the inserts.

Following my consultation and assessment I received my inserts within 14 days. I was given guidance on the breaking in process so that within a week I was able to use the inserts at all times. Within a month, I experienced a great easing of soreness after physical activity. I also feel much stronger when running, with the inserts providing greater stability.”

Find Supportive Shoes in Ireland

Here at Foot Solutions, we can help you to take the first step towards a healthy new year. You can visit us at your local Foot Solutions store to try our ranges of comfortable and fashionable shoes, and talk to us about any foot pain you have been experiencing.

Talk to our professional pedorthists at Foot Solutions shops in Georges Street, Blanchardstown and Stillorgan in Dublin or our locations in Cork, Galway, Limerick, Waterford and Newbridge when you pop in or make an appointment online today.