8 Ways Losing Weight Helps Your Feet

When your frame is carrying extra weight, your feet feel the impact. With every pound you add to your body, you add 6 pounds of pressure to your foot. So even a small amount of weight loss goes a long way toward better foot health. Shedding 10 pounds reduces this pressure by 60 pounds.

Increased pressure on your feet from obesity can lead to foot pain and swelling during weight-bearing exercise. As you’re able to decrease your weight, your feet will be able to support your body for longer. This gives you more options for physical activity and less discomfort as you exercise.

Anyone with diabetes is at higher risk of nerve damage and ulcers in their feet. But being overweight bumps this risk up higher. Being overweight also increases your risk of getting type 2 diabetes if you don’t have it.

A lower body weight improves your mobility and balance. This lowers your risk of a foot injury. If you do get hurt, your injuries are typically less severe with a lower bodyweight. Being overweight makes it more likely that an injury like a broken ankle will require replacement.

Feet issues such as bunions, calluses, and corns can happen to anyone. But with more weight on your body, your feet have more friction on them and spread out more. This leads to thickened skin and swollen joints. With weight loss, you improve the wear on your feet and reduce the risk of deformities.

The stress of extra weight on your joints wears them down more quickly. Worn joints get inflamed, painful, and stiff, and can lead to osteoarthritis. As you lose weight, your joint function will improve and your feet (and other joints like your knees and hips) will move better.

Plantar fasciitis is a condition that causes inflammation in the band of tissue that runs from your heel to the ball of your foot. It’s a common cause of heel pain. Not only will losing weight reduce your risk of this, but if you do have it, the pain will likely be less severe.

Gout is a type of arthritis that typically affects the joint of your big toe. Your risk of getting gout goes up with obesity. Losing body weight can lower your chances of getting this painful foot condition.

An increase in your body mass index (BMI) can alter your gait, or the way you walk. Over time this can cause an overuse injury in places you wouldn’t typically be wearing down with walking. Your balance and mobility should improve as you lose weight.

If foot pain is getting in the way of a daily walk, try a physical activity that doesn’t involve bearing weight on your feet. Swimming, water aerobics, biking, or seated strength training are good options.

Instead of jumping into a huge lifestyle overhaul, start with one or two shifts in your daily routine. Get 30 minutes of movement a day or increase the amount of veggies on your plate while lowering the red meat you eat. As you get a handle on new habits, you can add more.

Because obesity puts you at high risk of type 2 diabetes, it’s important to keep your blood sugar steady throughout the day. Eating five or six small and healthy meals throughout the day instead of two to three large, heavy meals spaces out your body’s insulin response and your body’s glucose levels.