Love Your Shoes, Love Your Feet More

Every season brings new styles and colors and shoe shopping is fun.

We've established that a good fit is the priority. How do you get there?

Your first priority is to think about what you need, not what you want. Put aside fashion until you've found your fit.

If you are an ironworker you'll need some hefty steel toe boots. If you're a dance fitness instructor, you'll need shoes made specifically for dance fitness.

If you work in an office and the dress code is casual, lucky you! You have lots of comfortable and healthy options! Don't get swept off your feet by those funky wedge heels, though. Think "super-comfy, great fitting, sturdy and gentle on the feet".

Try to keep focused on what you need, not what you think you want.

Pictured Above: Block Boost DRT Mesh Sneaker in Pink - Great ZUMBA Shoes

Don't kid yourself! If you sit down all day your feet will sweat. When it's cold outside, your feet will sweat. Walking, standing, doing nothing, your feet will sweat!

Sweat is wet and bacteria breeds in moist areas causing foot ailments to develop. (Not to mention stinky feet.) Unless you're buying sandals, steer clear of man-made materials that hold in moisture.

Leather is a great choice. Leather breathes and lets your feet breathe too. It is warm, flexible, and durable. Leather shoes are usually more expensive but worth the price.

Cloth and canvas shoes work fine in warmer weather. The material will help your feet to stay cool. However, cloth shoes will keep your feet neither warm nor dry in bad weather and cloth shoes are definitely not for winter wear. Save your Keds for the summer.

Choosing a shoe that's right for you is hard enough without worrying about the sole of your shoe.

But wait! You do have to worry about the sole because if it's wrong for your activity you risk injury or pain.

For example, folks that love Zumba fitness workouts need shoes for Zumba.

Zumba footwear (or any similar intense dance workout) requires a sole that allows turning, gliding, and sliding without sticking to the floor. A split sole with a spin spot is preferred although neither of these features is mandatory.

Conversely, a skateboarder would need to choose a sole that really grips the skateboard and allows the skater to more safely execute those wild maneuvers.

If you're buying rain or snow boots, the soles should be heavy duty rubber. Priority 1 is staying dry; of equal priority is not slipping on ice. Once upon a time, rain and snow boots were just plain ugly. Not so anymore. You can be warm and dry and stylish, too.

Analyze what you will be doing and wear a shoe that matches your activity. You wouldn't wear hiking boots to a wedding (or maybe you would) and you would be silly to go hiking in flip-flops.

It goes without saying that walking and running shoes must have great support in the arches and ankles. Lace up sneakers are best since they allow for adjustments and proper tightening.

Running shoes are built specifically for running so that your feet are protected as best possible from pounding on asphalt or other hard surfaces. Look for shoes that are labeled as "walking" shoes or "running" shoes. They are not the same.

Just about every type of athletic shoe has comfort cushioning inside. It's often a good idea to buy shoes that will accommodate a gel insert which offers even more protection no matter what your activity.

Depending upon your particular foot structure, arch supports may be required.

Arch supports can be purchased over the counter. If your condition is more serious consult your foot doctor who may prescribe orthotics made just for you.

Never wear arch supports unless you know you really need them and be absolutely sure that they are the right fit for your feet and your shoes.

No forcing, no stuffing, no borrowing inserts from other shoes to squeeze into others!!