If you're overweight and wanting to shed some pounds, but being on your feet is uncomfortable, you’re not alone. The American Pediatric Medical Association estimates that overweight people have three times as many foot problems as do those of average weight. This is because no other part of your body bears as much weight as your feet. If you're working a job that has you on your feet for hours at a time, you may dread the thought of being on them for another 30 minutes in order to get in a good workout, but by taking care of your feet, they'll help you to lose weight. Here are some actions we recommend to help reduce foot pain and lose weight:

• Elevate Your Feet- After a long day, give your feet some TLC by taking off your shoes, massaging them and putting them up in order to aid your circulation. Soaking your feet in a foot bath and washing them will also help to rejuvenate them and give you the energy boost you need to lace up your sneakers and head out for a walk.
• Exercise- The less your feet hurt, the more you can exercise in terms of frequency and duration. If your feet aren't up to a walk, aerobics, or the elliptical machine, try swimming. Since you are weightless while in the water, there's no pressure on your feet and you can still get an excellent workout.
• Eat Well- Getting the right food in your body is a extremely important when trying to lose weight. Make simple lifestyle changes so that your weight loss is permanent. Snack on fruits and nuts instead of chips, switch to water instead of juice or soda and add more protein to your diet to keep you full without filling up on carbs.
• Get Proper Shoes- Having properly fitting shoes will not only make your feet feel more comfortable, but they'll also allow you to exercise longer and more frequently. Match the type of shoe to the kind of exercise that you are doing, and make sure that you walk around in them before you buy them. Go shoe shopping in the afternoon, when your tissues are swollen and your feet are at their largest, in order to get the best fit.

Do be sure to talk to your doctor when trying to lose weight. Focus on losing small amounts of weight since every little bit of weight loss helps reduce your foot pain. Finally, contact your local podiatrist at Academy Foot and Ankle for a consultation on how to best treat your foot problems.