Stretch it Out!

High heels do many awesome things: they jazz up an outfit.  They make us feel happy.  They make us stand straighter.  They take up an obscene amount of space in our closets.  They drive men wild (perhaps because of the aforementioned lack of closet space).  Unfortunately, they also shrink our calf muscle fibers, and thicken our Achilles tendons.

Don't worry, it's not hopeless!  Some simple stretches after a day in stilettos can help counteract this.  Try some of these:

1. Stand on a step, facing up. Keep your toes on the step and slowly lower your heels until you feel your calf muscles stretching.  Hold for 20 seconds.
2. Slowly make a circle with your toes, alternately flexing and pointing your foot.
3. Sit on the floor with one or both legs in front of you.  Wrap a long towel around the arch of your right foot and hold the ends of the towel with both hands. Gently bend forward, bringing your chest toward your toes while pulling on the towel and flexing your foot toward you.  Hold for 20 seconds.
4. Stand 2-3 feet away from the wall, with feet about hip-width apart.  Place hands on the wall slightly above chest height, about shoulder-width apart.  Drop your chest forward, putting your weight on your heels, until you feel the stretch.
5. From your hands and knees, go up into Downward Dog.  Alternate pressing each heel down.
6. Stand in front of a table or chair, with your feet hip-width apart.  Bend forward and place your hands on the table or chair seat.  if you can't fully straighten your knees, move your feet a little further apart, or find something a little higher to rest your hands on.  Let some of your body weight sink into your hands, and let the rest shift onto your heels.  When you're comfortable with this, try lifting the balls of each foot, one at a time.

Don't force a stretch to the point of pain, but be sure to feel the stretch in the muscle.  Do some of these twice a week or so, maybe?  Maybe on the days you read Philly Shoe Fairy, as a helpful reminder!  (I should mention that I'm not a doctor, but I took some of these from The Flexibility Coach, and I figure she knows what she's talking about.)

Another way to help?  Mix it up with flats sometimes.  Here's one to get you started!

The Gramsby by Circa Joan & David is quietly fabulous: a tan canvas upper trimmed in orange patent leather at the toe and heel.  (And isn't the little bow at the toe just perfect?)  These would look really smart with either a skirt or pants, and equally for work or for the weekend.  Also available in a tan/black combo; your choice from DSW for $50.

Sales this weekend:

Aerosoles: Use code AS812 at checkout and 15% of your purchase will be donated to Autism Speaks

Bakers: 15% off your purchase of $75-$99; 25% off your purchase of $100 or more

Bloomingdales: 25-40% off select shoes

Call it Spring: Free shipping on all orders over $45

Lord & Taylor: 15%off regular and sale shoes and 25% off clearance shoes with code BIG

Macy’s: 10% off and free shipping with code TREAT

Steve Madden: Free shipping on orders over $75 with code SMFREESHIP