Sole to Soul
FOOT FACT:
Hey fellas! Wanna know if your romantic ways are knocking her socks off? Well, you may need to look no further than her feet! A woman’s foot movements may serve as the true window to her emotions. According to UK psychologist Geoffrey Beattie, a woman who is attracted to you has a tendency to move her feet away from her body standing/sitting in a more open-stance. But a woman sitting cross-legged with her feet tucked under her body could spell doom for those seeking romance.
Beattie says, “People can mask smiles, or mask what they are doing with their eyes, but feet are actually a bit easier to read because people don't know what they are doing with them. “
Ladies do you agree?
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
At Last
FOOT FACT:
Born in Suriname (to parents of Surinamese and Dutch descent), Jan Ernst Matzeliger developed his passion for machinery at a young age, while working with his father in factories. Upon immigrating to the United States at age 19, Matzeliger learned English and eventually settled in Massachusetts. There, Matzeliger began working for a cobbler and developed an interest in making shoes. Noticing that all the shoes were made by hand, Metzeliger sought out to find a more efficient approach to making shoes. The African-American inventor would go on to create his patented shoe last machine in 1883.
Matzeliger’s invention would revolutionize the shoe industry. Prior to Matzeliger’s invention, cobblers would manually attach the “upper” to the sole of each shoe individually- with the use of a wooden or metal shoe last- making up to 50 shoes per day. With the shoe last machine, up to 700 shoes could be made each day. Try THAT on for size!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Turf War
FOOT FACT:
The Seattle Seahawks get set to battle the Denver Broncos at Super bowl XLVIII. But, that may not be the only nemesis that these two teams may be squaring off against this Sunday. Turf toe is a common condition that has slowed the play- and even ended the careers- of many football players. Its name stems from the synthetic “turf” that is commonly played-on by many athletes (most notably, football players). The injury occurs when the player’s cleat becomes firmly planted into the turf as their big toe joint becomes hyperextended (Seen below).
(Figure 1)
As a result, the big toe joint becomes sprained, causing damage to the muscles, ligaments, joint capsule, and bones surrounding the joint.
(Figure 2)
Players often complain of tenderness and swelling around the joint and serious pain with range of motion.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Here's the Kicker
The Super Bowl is this Sunday and to help y’all get revved up for the big game, this week we at Southern Hospitality will feature interesting facts related to the great game of football.
FOOT FACT:
On November 8, 1970 New Orleans Saints kicker Tom Dempsey set the NFL record by boosting a 63 yard game-winning field goal to defeat the Detroit Lions. But here’s the kicker, he performed this great feat with only HALF a foot. That’s right! He was born with half a right foot, but was able to play pro-football for 11 seasons. His remarkable accomplishment established a record that would stand for 43 years -although there were 3 players who would tie the record during that time. The record was recently overcome by Denver Broncos kicker Matt Prater with a 64 yard kick against the Tennessee Titans on December 8, 2013 (with a WHOLE foot...jus sayin lol).
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Frost BITES!
FOOT FACT:
9 out of 10 cases of frostbite in adults occur in the hands & feet (feet being the most common). Prolonged exposure to frigid temperatures can halt blood flow to your extremities, depriving them of oxygen, leading to nerve and tissue damage. Warning signs include: numbness, red to bluish-grey discoloration of the affected area, and “waxy” skin appearance. Skin that is not properly protected from subzero temperatures and intense windchills can fall victim to frostbite in just 10 minutes! It is a good idea to always bundle up with the proper attire to protect yourself before battling the elements. And remember…NO COTTON SOCKS!!
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
Feel the Burn
FOOT FACT:
You may be thinking to yourself that pain is pain….right?...wrong!
A burning pain in the legs & feet could signal nerve damage (neuropathy). Damaged nerves send constant misfired signals to your brain triggering burning sensations of pain. Diabetes is the most common culprit… but alcoholism, Vitamin B12 deficiency and heavy metal poisoning are some other causes that can hold your feet to the fire.
Putting you best FEET forward,
SH
SOLE SEARCHING: 8 Tips to Finding Your Perfect Pair of Athletic Shoes (Tips #7 & #8)
Tip #7 Take ‘em For a Spin/ Tip #8 Stylin and Profilin
If the pair of shoes that you have been scoping has made it this far on the tips list, then that’s a pretty good sign. But you don’t buy a car without going for a test spin or sign on the dotted line before purchasing a home, and neither should be the case for shoes. Never hesitate to walk around the shoe store or even jog in place to ensure that you have truly become one with your goody two shoes. There should be absolutely NO break-in period when buying shoes (sorry Mom!).
Shoes should be treated as a wise investment- much like cars and homes. We only get one pair of feet for a lifetime, so we have to treat with the utmost care!
It is worth noting that no matter how taylor-made a pair of shoes may seem for your feet- in terms matching foot type, fit, and comfort- the bottom line is that unless your shoes look any good, you’re not likely to wear them. In the midst of finding comfort, that element of eye-candy certainly plays a part. The style should not be “the” determining factor, however. After all, it’s what’s on the inside that matters most (Awww!).
Won’t you share your thoughts on the steps mentioned?
Don’t forget to LIKE US on facebook!!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
SOLE SEARCHING: 8 Tips to Finding Your Perfect Pair of Athletic Shoes (Tip #2)
Tip #2 Location, Location, Location
Looks like real estate isn’t the only topic where this phrase applies. Where we decide to buy our shoes can often make or break our chances of discovering that ideal pair. Choosing a major retailer or department store for shoe shopping can be a crapshoot when getting fitted for the right shoes. Often times, you have to take it upon yourself to find what you are looking for or the customer service that MIGHT be present has only limited knowledge to fit you properly.
You may be thinking: “Why don’t I just save myself the hassle and order my shoes online?” But, while eliminating the time spent looking for your shoes may put a smile ON your face, the possibility of receiving an ill-fitting pair of shoes may turn that smile into a frown. Finding a suitable pair is alot more involved than finding sneaks that are easy on the eyes and are described as having all the bells and whistles. If you are not aware of what to look and feel for shoes that fit you, then you can certainly do more harm than good.
To help with this dilemma, you might be better served seeking specialty retailers-for running shoes, etc. There, you will find sales clerks on staff that are trained to answer specific questions, analyze your gait, and recommend proper shoes for YOUR feet. Specialty stores may not be readily available in all areas, so you may have to do a bit of digging to find a location near you. A few extra steps to take, but your feet will no doubt thank you! (pun INTENDED).
Stay tuned! Next, we will go inside how your foot type can influence what features to look for when finding those goody two shoes!
Don’t forget to LIKE US on facebook!!
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
SOLE SEARCHING: 8 Tips to Finding Your Perfect Pair of Athletic Shoes (Tip #1)
Photo courtesy of triathlete-europe.competitor.com
75% of Americans will experience foot problems at least once in their lifetime. In fact, the foot problems the many of us experience don’t stem from congenital conditions, but are the result of the rigorous wear-and-tear of our daily lives. Match that with the neglect and lack of proper foot care awareness and it’s quite easy to see how our feet can fall victim to those nagging aches.
One crucial step that can be taken for us to combat the war on achy feet is to wear proper fitting athletic shoes. However, there is a plan of action that we should have when on the hunt for that perfect pair.
Below is the first of what will be a series of tips to finding that perfect pair of athletic shoes…….as we like to call those goody two shoes.
Tip #1 Golden Time of Day
It’s best to shop for that perfect pair late in the afternoon. During the course of the day- when we are most active- the endless running, walking, and standing causes our feet to swell. By fitting for shoes when your feet are at their largest, ensures that your feet will be most comfortable in that pair when your feet are at their smallest- in the beginning and middle of the day.
Photo courtesy of www.aboutorthowest.com
REMEMBER, the contour of your shoe should fit around the contour of your foot (above, right), NOT vice versa (above, left)! There should be no bulges felt- or seen- in a properly fitted shoe. Think of it as a hand-in-glove relationship…only for the foot.
Putting your best FEET forward,
SH
