Frog feet!
My friends call them my “frog shoes” and people on the street stop me to ask about them. I call them the best investment in footwear I’ve ever made.
Let me explain. As part of my new health regimen I decided to amp up my exercise program. And by “amp up” I mean going from sitting at the computer all day to doing, well, just about anything else. While urging my body to move in ways it hasn’t for years, I hurt the back of my left heel.
At first it just felt bruised and I thought it would go away in a few days, but it didn’t. So I began limping around and cursing every stair in my 3-story home. I began investigating my injury online, and Dr. Internet diagnosed me with an Achilles tendinitis. (no, I did not verify this with a “real” doctor – yet another of my bad habits)
So, I kept limping around for weeks until one day at the farmer’s market my husband said, “you walk like a 300-pound 80-year-old woman. Will you just take care of this thing?”
I don’t know about you, but that is not the image I want my husband to have in his head when he thinks about me.
Tim Ferriss had written a post in his blog, The 4-Hour Workweek, called Vibram 5 Finger Shoes: The Barefoot Alternative. You can read all about the foot and how malleable it can be in his post, and you’ll also see pictures of how feet should look and how they look after wearing shoes all our lives.
My main attraction to the shoes was his story about back pain elimination, better posture, and strengthening of his feet and lower legs. This is what I needed!
After checking Vibram’s website, I determined that I could buy mine here in Seattle at the REI store. You can also buy them online, but I would check on the return policy. I tried several sizes/models before I found one that was perfect for me. (Amazon does carry the Vibram shoes
The shoes took a little getting used to because my toes felt splayed out at first. After a while, though, I liked the feeling. As Tim recommended, I only wore them a few hours a day initially, and now I’m wearing them all day. If I have to be on hard surfaces for a long time, like concrete, I don’t wear them, but otherwise they are my favorite shoes.
Since I started wearing them a month ago, my heel pain has almost completely gone, I’m less clumsy (an unexpected benefit!), and I can feel my lower legs getting a workout as I wear them. I’ve always complained about having weak ankles, and now I feel like they are getting stronger.
I’m certainly not a doctor, and not offering medical advice for any condition you may have (consult your own doctor for that), but in my experience the return to a “barefoot” existence has made my body stronger and also given me the childlike experience of walking through grass “barefoot” almost every day. How cool is that?
Have you tried the Vibram shoes
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Betsy Talbot writes about carving the lifestyle you want out of the life you already have. When she’s not writing, she’s paring down, saving up, and getting ready for a year of travel with her husband.
About Betsy
Betsy- this is priceless. First of all, I love the photo. And I love the line about "amping up your fitness regimen," meaning going from sitting all day to doing SOMETHING. And then your husband’s comment- ouch! The info. is amazing- I’ve read the entire post by Tim Ferriss, and then the entire NY Times article, and I’m blown away. It makes so much sense. I’ve been wearing "comfortable" but cute shoes for years- Dansko, Clarks, all kinds of cute shoes. I never understand wearing the high heels- and I’ve seen the results of it! Not just a bad back, but hammer toes! If you’ve ever seen hammer toes, you would NEVER wear high heels, even just for an evening. Anyway, I’ve never thought they looked good unless you know how to walk in them, and only a few women know how. The rest look like a bunch of goats, or mules. So unsexy, walking around in high heels when you don’t know how to walk in them. And what you’re doing to your body! But I remember not caring what would happen after 30.
In yoga class, when we do squats (which I cannot do), our teacher reminds us that 90 percent of the world can sit that way. We’ve gotten our bodies out of whack by driving everywhere and sitting all the time. All forward, in one little range of movement.
So now that I’m on the compact, I just have to figure out- will I put these on my "exceptions" list, like I’ve done with "athletic shoes"- or will I ask for an REI gift certificate for Christmas? I might not be able to wait that long!
Just an aside- no one walks barefoot in Los Angeles- except Viggo Mortenson! I saw him at a cafe – barefoot!
Thanks for the great info! I’d forgotten that Zola Budd ran barefoot- I think I just remember her as being part of a cheating controversy.
Angela, you just ruined Viggo Mortenson for me! He is officially off my list now.
I’m mulling over your comment that "90% of the world can do this" in relation to squats. I mean, can you imagine that I had to buy shoes to teach me how to walk barefoot again? Definitely an American problem borne out of excess. I’m not complaining, believe me, just thinking it is ironic.
Betsy – So happy to have stumbled on this tonight. I also discovered the Vibram shoes through Tim Ferriss, and I bought my first pair three weeks ago. My initial impressions are very positive–running is psychologically more enjoyable now that I’m wearing wacky shoes, and if I can find a nice dirt or grass path, my stride almost feels euphoric. My legs are sore in ways I didn’t even know were possible, but I find myself able to run longer and longer distances. Cheers to the Vibram shoes! I’ll be taking them on a trip to Africa and the Middle East this weekend!
Alan, I love my Vibram shoes! I was afraid after washing they would shrink or not hold up as well, but I was wrong. Still fabulous, and they make my feet feel great. The only time I don’t like to wear them is if I’m going to be on concrete or hard surfaces standing/walking for long periods. Plus, you get TONS of comments on them, so if you’re looking for attention, these shoes are the way to go. (hey, I didn’t say it would be positive attention!)
Enjoy your trip to Africa and the MIddle East – and let me know how they work for you with travel. I’m trying mine out as travel shoes for the first time in a few weeks.
Betsy, have you had any issues with odor? That’s the one downside I’ve read about these shoes—that they get stinky! haha sorry to get personal, though it’s really not, if it’s the norm for anyone with these shoes!
Brook, the best thing about these shoes is that you can wash them! I’ve washed them many times with no problem – they air dry in no time. I’ve gone hiking, worn them around the house, used them when clean ing off the deck, etc. No job too dirty for these shoes. They are actually better than my Keane sandals as far as odor goes.
tanainiade