Get your butt out there

By Brianne

Anyone else feeling how hectic this spring has become?  Foot Tools has been a zoo this spring and I have to say, it is inspiring.  We have so many kids coming in for track and field spikes – their enthusiasm and skill is amazing.  Not to mention, the many people who come through our door looking for a new pair of shoes or running advice.  This is why we do what we do.  We love to help people!

That being said, when things get busy, most people tend to drop fitness first when in a crunch to get things done or when life suddenly becomes too busy.  Let me tell you why this is a bad thing:

1.  Studies have shown that regular exercise, no matter what, can reduce anxiety and depression, create positive self-esteem, release stress, and give you a better night’s sleep.  Even walking 15 minutes a day can make a difference.  When you drop exercise, you are making matters worse.  So no excuses, get out there and enjoy the fresh air.

2. Something on your mind?  Going out for a run, pounding out the mileage on the treadmill, or jumping on the bike and exploring a new neighbourhood can help to free your mind and help you work out those nagging problems.  It is a great feeling and you might be surprised how encouraging it is to keep getting out there.  No matter the exercise, it can make a difference.

3.  Stress eating.  Two words that should never be in the same sentence and yet most of us are victims of it.  The pressure of a deadline, problems with your kids in school or injuries are bumming you out – before you know it, out comes the ice cream, chips AND chocolate.  Any food within your reach finds its way into your mouth.  A quick way to pack on pounds and reduce your energy to get out and stay on top of your health.  So before you take another bite out of that piece of chocolate that you just dipped into the peanut butter jar, put it down.  Walk away slowly.  Go for a walk around the block.  Take a deep breath.  Hold on to that feeling of freedom.

4.  Sometimes when life gets hectic, we covet those moments when we can sit down and relax.  No shame in that.  What is a shame?  Becoming a couch potato in response to the things that are bringing you down.  Don’t feel motivated to get off the couch?  It’s ok to feel this way.  It’s not ok to feel this way every day.  We know it isn’t easy.  Find a local group to join and make a commitment.  A friend of mine met a couple of friends through a running group; they set up a regular schedule to meet to run together outside the group, but didn’t share last names or ways to contact each other.  It guaranteed that they couldn’t cancel and stayed committed.  There are plenty of groups out there to keep you focused – running, walking, cycling, general fitness…most people will stay committed when they have signed up and paid for an activity.  So what are you waiting for?  Get out there and before you know it, you won’t even remember that you have a couch!

The moral of the story is this – you are important.  Your health is important.  When you put it last, everything else that you make a priority first will also suffer in the end.  Is it really too much to give yourself 20-30 minutes of You Time everyday?  You need a break.  Find an activity that you enjoy and make it a part of your life.  Stressing over deadlines will not help you live longer.  A daily dose of fresh air will.

Exciting Events at Foot Tools

Spring fever really has hit Foot Tools in 2012, with exciting races, challenges and workshops coming up!

April

Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. – Foot Tools will be hosting our annual Wetsuit Night with store owner Paula Desjardins and Nineteen’s Sales Manager, Steve Fleck.  Get all the latest wetsuit information and properly fitted.   Special discounts one night only!

Tuesday, April 24; Wednesday, April 25; Thursday, April 26 from 5-9 p.m. – Join us at Foot Tools for our Spike Nights, 3 special nights for coaches, athletes and parents.  With one of the largest track and field spike selections in the Greater Toronto Area, you won’t want to miss this!  Get all the latest information on our spikes, plus special discounts and free pizza!  RSVP at info@foottools.ca or call 905-637-1888 to let us know what night you would like to come by and for more information.

May

Thursday, May 3rd from 7-9 p.m. – Join Gerry Visca and Angela Kontgen at the Foot Tools Beach House for Thursday Infusions, a night dedicated to meditation, energy and balance with nutrition and fitness.  Limited to 20 participants!  Click the link for more information and to RSVP.

Saturday, May 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. – The 2nd Annual Tread Powerfully Partner Challenge will be taking place at the Foot Tools Beach House.  $25 per team, maximum 25 teams.  A fun event full of challenging activities!  Visit www.foottools.ca for more information and to print off the registration form!  Payment information provided with form.

June

Thursday, June 7 at 7 p.m. – Foot Tools Beach Challenge!!!! $20 to register, which will be open online soon or you can register through the store. Sand, kettle bells, burpees and more! Good food, good prizes and a ton of fun!

Saturday, June 23 at 8 a.m. – Element Racing is hosting their 2nd Annual Burlington Beach Run.  This is a great event that is well organized with great prizes.  And it is small, so you have a better chance of winning!

Thursday, June 28 at 7 p.m. – We love our Beach Challenge so much, we are holding it twice!!!  $20 to register, which will be open online soon or you can register through the store. Sand, kettle bells, burpees and more! Good food, good prizes and a ton of fun!

We hope to see you at more than one of these exciting events! 

Step Into Minimalism With Saucony

New arrivals at Foot Tools!!!  The Saucony Hattori and Limited Edition Canada Kinvara 2!!!  Check out this great video on their new minimal shoes, posted by Saucony on YouTube:

Available in store or online – either way, make sure you visit us and see them for yourself!