Training Run (Wk 2)

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Today I went out for my 2nd training run in preparation for next years London Marathon.

Sunday is a very good day for me to run usually and I think I’d like to keep this little routine because it slots into our weekends quite seamlessly. I thought I’d find it impossible to find the time to get out and run but actually it’s been easy. As soon as Small is down for his morning nap I quickly brush my teeth, get my running kit on and he hardly notices I’ve gone! :-)

I was hoping & expecting that since this was only my second time running in my FiveFingers, that it’d be a good chance for another walking meditation, but my body had other ideas! I felt a lot less satisfied with just walking, and I was chomping at the bit to give my legs a little run using all of the advice and training that Barefoot Husband has bestowed upon me so far.

The plan was to walk out, and run home. The idea being, that I could focus on my form and footfall (both highly important while I learn to run in minimalist footwear). I started well and felt comfortable in my FiveFinger Bikilas, the slight rubbing I’d experienced around the strap seems to have been easily corrected by simply tightening the velcro a little. I am now finding it very easy to walk with a forefoot strike while maintaining a good breathing pattern, so I can already see a little progress.

I suddenly felt like I wanted to run…(I think reading Born To Run is giving me the running bug!) so, I kicked it up a notch and broke into an easy jog. I knew there was a nice down hill stretch approaching and I figured I could run to the top and recover myself on the hill. But as I got to the hill I found I didn’t want to stop! I ran all the way down the hill, round the corner onto the High Street and just kept going. I felt so weightless and at ease.

The feeling of enjoying running is something that I am entirely unaccustomed to, many years ago when I used to go running with Husband I remember wishing we could just turn back and go home, but at the time I believed I had to run to burn calories, or whatever. I suffered from shin splints, could never breath comfortably while running and actually pretty much hated it! While reading Born To Run I’ve frequently found myself thinking “there is NO way anyone likes running enough to run 100 miles…it’s all just bravado!” but today I got my first taste of what it feels like to enjoy running and I loved it! Maybe this marathon training is going to be more fun than I thought!

Once I got a little way along the High Street I felt like I’d probably done enough and I needed to get back up the hill to get home. I walked up the hill, and to my surprise fell into another comfortable running stride as I turned right past the cricket pitch to come home. I ran pretty much all the way home, it was very steady. I didn’t have pain in my chest, or shins, or anywhere for that matter. It felt like I’d done an entirely natural thing…rather than feeling like I was forcing my body to do something it absolutely did not want to! I used to think that I wasn’t ‘built’ for running, now I’m starting to believe that I just wasn’t doing it  right for all that time. My legs used to feel like lead from the star, but now they feel so light…being able to run is something I’ve always wanted and learning that my body is actually capable of running several miles is quite liberating.

 

‘Fitspiration’ A Fit Sheep in A Thin Wolves Clothing

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I’ve been seeing a lot of these so-called “fitspiration” pictures around recently and initially I was quite happy to see what I regarded as motivational images circulating out there. I was impressed by the look of the women’s bodies, and I initially thought it would give the girls viewing them the motivation to get healthy rather than trying to get skinny.

It was only when I then read this article, that I started to think that maybe my impression of these images was incorrect. Sure, I liked the look of the bodies…but why? If you look a little deeper these pictures are no better than the endless images of excessively ‘perfected’ women we see in the media day-in, day-out. It’s a picture that says “you want to look like this”. Let’s be honest, women that look like this already won’t give a tiny rats ass about it. This type of imagery is designed to sell something most of the time, and in the same way that catwalk models have to be rail thin to sell the clothes they were, these girls have to be ripped to bits to carry off the perfect gym-bunny look. Well, I ain’t buying!

I am starting to get thoroughly tired of companies assuming that I’m some airhead moron who only cares about what I wear and how I look. People all over the world are getting sicker and sicker, and yet the media are still railroading us into thinking that all that matters is how we look. The answer is health, but health is hard to sell with a picture of someones abs.

One of my favourite phrases at the moment is “you can’t out-exercise a bad diet”, these super fit bodies might be toned and defined, but maybe if you peeled back the rock hard abs their internal organs would tell a different story? Who knows what they did to get that body. A toned body can be achieved in many unhealthy ways- just look at body building competitions, there are some crazy practices that go on back stage to get them looking that ripped, dehydration, starvation…etc.

These ‘fitspiration’ images only serve to further divide women and keep them obsessing about their looks. We should be teaching the next generation of young women to be happy in their own skin…WHATEVER that skin may be! There is no ideal in beauty. Just because a picture shows a girl who looks like she’s been woking out in the gym verses the more traditional images of a super skinny gal in she very expensive clothing, the message is the same. You are a just a body. I have also seen some of these pictures that pit two body types against each other, insinuating that “fit is better than skinny”. This is just so moronic, I can tell you it’s perfectly possible to be skinny or fit looking and still be filthy as hell inside your body. In my case I really do believe that it’s what’s inside that counts. Because if you fill your body up with toxic garbage you’re going to be in big trouble when your pretty looks are past their sell by date!

Now that I have a daughter I am so much more aware of the body images I grew up believing to be “right”. First off, my Mum had a magnet on the fridge that said “you can never be too rich or too thin”, she was a full-time teacher AND she taught both group and private fitness classes in the evenings and weekends, she was always weighing herself and worrying about her looks. As a result I grew up believing that how I looked was the be-all and end-all. I worked on the beauty counters and then as a gym instructor teaching fitness classes….a dose of the superficial anyone?!

If you are a strong, happy, healthy person, the chances are that these so-called inspirational images won’t have even registered on your radar. If on the other hand, you’re stressing out about your holiday, or the dinner you ate last night, or the clothes you *wish* you could wear, you’ll probably have seen them and have been either motivated or depressed by them…or both motivated and depressed at the same time!

Finally, and most importantly is that even if you think you like these images and they do motivate you…you prolly shouldn’t go straight down to the gym and start pumping iron anyway! You’re almost definitely not going to get the body you want by going from sedentary to exercise addict overnight! Treat yourself well. These pictures are not going to change who you are. Only you can do that. Almost everyone should start from the ground up when it comes to exercise. I’m not a fan of the slogan “Live Fast, Die Young” I’d rather Live Slow, Die Old, thanks. And if you take the calmer more laid back approach to starting exercising, your body will be much more able to keep going…rather than burning out through too many high intensity work outs because you wanted to look like some poster girl!

Maybe if my Mum had had a crystal ball and could see what she was doing she would’ve tried to shield me from her negative body image, but that wouldn’t have been enough. Just hiding the fact you are obsessed with your body is not ok. Dealing with your negative feelings and learning to love yourself all the time is the only way to raise children with positive body image and love for themselves. We owe the next generation more than teaching them that looks are all that matter.

“Pay attention to how it makes you feel to be ‘inspired’ by lots of photos of a largely unattainable beauty ideal. Because that’s what rock hard abs are, after all. Yes, sure, core strength is important for your health. But pictures of bikini-clad, chiseled muscles beaded with sweat? That’s about pretty, not about health.” www.virginiasolesmith.com

 

Eddie Izzard & 27 Marathons for Mandela

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I must have been hiding under a rock recently, because I only just found out that today, May 15th 2012, Eddie Izzard started a 27 marathon mission around South Africa. I am so utterly amazed by this act, not only is it incredibly taxing physically, but it requires a strength of mind, that I believe very few possess.

This struck a chord far deeper within me than if I had discovered that the average Joe Blow was doing something like this…I mean, people climb Mt. Everest and I barely look up from my coffee…sail across the atlantic on a tin can…I’m unimpressed. But this. This made me sit up and pay attention. First and foremost I love that despite the fact that Mr Izzard is running these 27 marathons (in 27 days) to represent the 27 years Nelson Mandela spent in prison, he has not contacted Mr Mandela or expected any praise or enthusiasm. He is not in it for the glory, he’s doing this to highlight the plight of those who suffered during the apartheid.

Now, glory aside, Eddie has also pledged to run these marathons barefoot or in minimalist footwear. So I guess that’s why I was so awestruck. Here’s Me, procrastinating about my walking technique, and Mr. Izzard has simply decided he’s going to run 27 marathons…and that’s that! He was even quoted as saying he hasn’t “done any training” AND he hasn’t run a marathon since 2009!! I cannot even begin to get my head around the mental power it will take to carry himself 26.2 miles every. single. day.

Many years ago, when I was still at school and living at home with my Mum, she bought home a VHS (remember those?!) of a comedy show. It was the first time I’d ever seen stand up, and I remember falling about laughing as the comedian rolled out sketch, after sketch of fantastic material. That was in 1997 (when I was just 14!!), and the comedian in question was Eddie Izzard during his Glorious tour. I loved the video so much that my Mum took me to see his live show in Docklands. Ever since then seeing Eddie Izzard in the press has made me feel kind of nostalgic and I have found I’ve loved the stuff he has starred in since. Treasure Island was one of his recent projects, and a personal favourite. And now he is providing me with the inspiration to throw myself into running the London Marathon next year!

I won’t be whining, I’ll be kicking ass.

Because, seriously, if Eddie Izzard can casually decide to head out to South Africa and run over 700 miles barefoot in less than a month…then I know that I can run around London for 5 hours in my FiveFingers to raise money for my awesome charity.

So here’s to you Eddie! Wishing you the very best of luck. x

 

Marathon Training Begins…slowly

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My marathon training officially began today.

Since Small arrived in June ’11, I haven’t really managed to fit much structured exercise in at all. I think up until recently I have been too stressed to commit to anything strenuous and running around after the kids has made sure I’ve stayed in pretty good shape anyway!

I’m very conscientious about what I eat, and the more I have educated myself on nutrition, the more I have felt that my body is ready for some movement! Eating well has the happy side-effect of equipping your body with the power necessary for exercise.

Many people think that the way to ‘get fit’ is to start an exercise programme right away, but for most people the opposite is true. Putting a stressed body under additional strain with an exercise programme can result in fatigue and, more often than not, injury. The correct foods should be the building blocks for a healthy body and mind. That’s the place to start.

I don’t regard myself particularly ‘bound’ by any food rules per se. I avoid grains in the most part because I don’t believe they really benefit me, but I apply the NO GUILT rule to eating. The way I see it, we have to eat to live, so feeling guilty about eating is sort of like slow suicide…food is necessary for life, would you guilt yourself about the air you breath?! No. It’s crazy. Read this http://healthyurbankitchen.com/blog/skinny-sucks/ and this http://180degreehealth.com/2011/11/food-rewards-and-punishments if you want to understand my views on dieting. Basically I don’t ‘diet’ at all. Ever.

So along with plentiful, wonderful, health giving foods, nose-breathing practice, meditation and barefooting whenever possible, I have now begun my actual distance training. Today I walked 2.8 miles (very slowly) in my VFF’s. My goals were to walk as quietly as possible, breath through my nose and concentrate on walking style rather than walking speed . I found the whole experience rather blissful actually. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and as I walked along breathing calmly and steadily I felt utterly at peace. I walked slowly enough to notice the leaves blowing across my path and to feel the wind changing direction. I noticed the different muscles working on hills and flats, and I soaked up the opportunity to be quiet & alone. Two men ran in the opposite direction to me on my way, and when I smiled at them I noticed they didn’t look as though they were enjoying themselves at all…they barely managed a strained grimace as they passed me. It seems strange that people are willing to punish and strain themselves in the name of ‘health’ it’s ironic really.

I returned home feeling exuberant and refreshed, an excellent start to my training and long may it last. We finished our lovely Sunday afternoon with a fantastic pub lunch. I hope you’ve had a great Sunday too!

Running for Survival

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Today I received the very exciting news that I have secured a place in the London Marathon 2013, running for my chosen charity- Survival International.

Survival are an amazing charity, doing amazing work across the globe, that I believe is truly important for the good of humanity. They are the only charity dedicated to protecting and preserving the homes and culture of tribal peoples around the world.

For a more in-depth look at the incredible work they do, click here.

Now that I know I will be running I need to start my training. I will be running in my Vibram FiveFinger Bikilas, so a lot of my preliminary training will consist of correcting and perfecting my walking style, moving on to my running only after I know I am physically prepared. Barefoot running is very different to running in regular shoes, and I need to ensure that I don’t do too much too soon and sustain an injury.

Having quizzed my barefoot running expert (my Husband!), I am feeling confident about my training. One of my most important assignments is to correct my breathing technique. Currently, if under stress of any kind (including physical exertion) I immediately switch to a “mouth-breathing” technique as Husband calls it. This is not at all optimal and causes more stress on the body by triggering the fight-or-flight response. I must learn to breathe deeply and calmly through my nose, and correct myself whenever I notice myself slipping back to my old pattern. For someone like me, who can be very anxious and highly strung I find nose-breathing to be a very effective form of meditation. Just sitting or lying and focusing on that gentle inhale/exhale through the nose, enables me to relax most satisfactorily. I have found that since practising this exercise on a daily basis that my tense shoulders have relaxed and I do not find myself fighting for breath like I used to at times.

So far, I am feeling very happy with the steps I am taking to get my body in the right physical & mental state for training. I have also been spending as much time as I can outdoors without shoes on…some people call this Earthing but I don’t think this simple act needs a label…it’s a simple, instinctual way of reconnecting with the Earth. Something which relatively few people see the value in these days, but the power that can be gained from this primitive act is quite remarkable. Your feet are incredible pieces of work, and it feels so right to let them do what they were designed for…feeling the world beneath them and sending messages to your brain, based on what they feel.

So, slow nose-breathing, walking barefoot and stretching. What a peaceful start to my marathon training. Here’s hoping it stands me in good stead!

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My Knight in Sandals

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On my quest to learn more about barefoot running, I have discovered that the shoes I wear for everyday use are very important, which seems ironic!

Prior to making the decision to wear ‘minimal’ shoes, that do not inhibit the natural movement of the foot, I used to wear either my Converse trainers, Ugg boots or flip-flops (in the summer), but suddenly I was faced with a decision on what I was going to replace my current shoes with.

I decided to opt for a pair of Vibram FiveFinger Bikilas for running in, a pair of Vivo Barefoot trainers for everyday wear, a pair of Luna Sandals for the summer and a pair of Soft Star Merry Janes for everything in between!

The first two were easy, my Mum bought me my running shoes as a birthday present and Husband splashed out on a pair of Vivos, but I’m not one to do things by half and I really wanted to make sure I had all the shoes I needed so that I would not have to put my old shoes on again! I decided to put a few things on eBay to generate some cash to buy my Luna Sandals and set about creating my listings. The kind folk at Luna Sandals offered to promote my eBay items on Facebook and twitter, which I thought was very nice of them! When I let them know I had a bundle of baby items on, they swiftly put the word about. I hoped very much that the bundle was going to make me enough money to buy the sandals right away.

Soon I received a tweet from someone at Luna…telling me that someone had seen that I was selling things to buy myself some sandals and had offered to buy me them himself!! I was so overwhelmed with gratitude I hardly knew what to do with myself. I just didn’t think for a second that a complete stranger would show me such generosity.

I am still stunned by my Knight in Sandaled Armour. And I’ve promised to send him a picture when they arrive, he didn’t appear to want any glory or praise, he simply helped someone out because he could, what an awesome thing to do! I’ve been making a huge effort to show generosity to others since this happened, because I realised how wonderful it is to be on the receiving end of selfless kindness.

So there you have it! Thanks to the kindness of a generous stranger I now have the third pair of ‘barefoot’ shoes on my tick list!

Can’t wait to receive them now!!

The Business of Being Barefoot

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When I told my Husband that I wanted a pair of Vibram FiveFingers, I think he probably chalked it up as an experiment (on my part). I’ve been trying to sort out my health since my daughter was born three and a half years ago and it’s really only in the last few months that I have started to understand what it is I need to do.

Being ‘barefoot’ is key to having a strong body, in my opinion. It might be that my crazy barefoot Husband has hypnotised me into believing the barefoot hype…but the more I learn about it, the more I agree.

The funny thing is when I asked my husband if he would coach me on how to run in my Five Fingers, he said he’d have to teach me to walk first…I was a bit confused! But, I soon realised that walking & running with no shoes is a very different experience. I have been going barefoot as much as possible, and I have noticed some real changes in how it affects how I move.

I have also been stretching regularly, but only the muscles I have been told I need to stretch. I have been advised by Husband not to go straight into anything strenuous so my stretching and barefooting has been the extent of my programme…it’s been lovely! :-)

I think so many people over-look the stress they place their bodies under in an effort to be ‘healthy’ so ironic really. I can think of so many people who start a crazy gym routine and then within a few weeks they’re burnt out or injured…that’s not healthy AT ALL!

So being barefoot isn’t as simple as kicking off your Converse’s and shooting out of the back door! There’s a lot of groundwork today. Learn to walk barefoot before you run barefoot.

I also recently read this amazing blog post by Matt Stone, which really spoke to me and has helped me get another step closer to true health. In it he talks about most people’s terrible relationship with food, and after reading it I vowed to eat without guilt. At all. Ever. And I have, it’s being so enlightening, like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders! Highly recommended: http://180degreehealth.com/2011/11/food-rewards-and-punishments

My body and mind are breathing a big sigh of relief right now. I’m feeling like I could climb Everest…barefoot! But not yet ;-)

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Storksak Nina: A Review

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This review has taken me forever to write, but it’s actually turned out to be a good thing because this bag has become like an extra limb the longer I’ve had it for!

I received my beautiful Nina bag in the post a few months ago following a very unfortunate Storksak purchase on eBay. I received a bag in terrible condition so when I was offered the chance to try out the new style bag, I jumped at the chance!

The first thing I noticed about the bag, was how much space there was inside. I was able to find a pocket for muslins, nappies, lotions, nappy sacks and spare clothes, without needing to put anything in the main part of the bag. Then there’s a spacious zip compartment too, that’s where I put my phone.

The Nina has three strap options, which I have found to be incredibly useful. First of all is with the strap doubled over, this makes it the perfect length to put over your shoulder. I find if I’m just with my toddler this is great because the strap isn’t too thick and bulky and you could get away with the Nina as a handbag. The second strap option is across-body, it’s so simple to change the strap from one way to the other, it’s just a matter of unclipping it from one D-ring and re-clipping it on the other side. Finally (and my most used) is the pram straps…yes, it actually has dedicated pram straps!! I was so impressed, maybe I need to get out more but whoever thought of this idea needs a bloody good pat on the back…and maybe a prize- I digress…basically, inside the bag are two adjustable straps to attach to the pram, they are independent of the main strap so you never have to deal with the bag sliding down the handle bars etc. A great idea.

So, Nina has copious amounts of hidey holes and space, is very versatile and looks great. I really love this bag. I have suggested it to so many Mum friends because I think it is the perfect changing bag. There are the obvious things that I haven’t yet mentioned, like the fact it’s wipe-clean and waterproof, has a secure zip fastening along the top and yet another pocket on the front of the bag.

To me, a changing bag is one of the the most important purchases you will make before the arrival of your baby. You will carry it with you everyday, until you no longer need stuff for your kids…when the heck does that happen?! The Storksak Nina is fab in everyday and will last until you find you no longer need a changing bag…and then you’ll probably carry on using it as a handbag!

 

 

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The Barefoot Runner in Me

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Before Small was even born, I was planning my reinvention. Fitter, stronger, healthier, leaner….on & on. Strangely, it is only now, 10 months on, that I am finally putting the wheels into motion, so to speak. I think I had to get past a lot of emotional BS to get to the point where I am ready to embrace being Me, again. I think as a Mother it’s so easy to put your Self to the side, and just be Mama….but what kind of role-model are you, if you have no sense of self?

I want to be an icon to my children. I want to show them a strong and confident woman, and impart my strength and confidence into them. To me, knowing who I am and embracing a sense of Self is integral to raising empowered, independent human beings who are happy in their own skin. I don’t want to be one of the women who feels lost when their children get older, or one who feels the need to keep having babies in order to have purpose. My purpose is both to raise awesome kids AND to be true to myself.

When I don’t take time out to be Me, I find myself getting grouchy. I’m not sure anyone operates at their highest potential when they are not making time to do things they enjoy, outside of their daily role (whether it is parenting or otherwise). It’s very easy to put your own needs to one side when you’re a Mum, maybe even more so when you’re a Stay-At-Home-Mum. Everyday I make sure my kids needs are met, and once they are in bed I set about making sure the house is in a reasonable state for the following day, and I also make my husbands meals for the following day because he is working long hours to enable me to stay at home. So it often happens that a whole day goes by without me having a spare nano-second to myself.

Recently, with all the rushing to and from school, cooking, housework, all-night-feedings etc, I’d started to feel very weary. I felt weak emotionally and physically and I was struggling to find the motivation to do anything extra at all. Then, the Easter holidays arrived and our family pace slowed somewhat. I found I was starting to feel a bit more relaxed.

When we had our short break in Wales this weekend, I had a real desire to run on the beach. I just wanted to run- no, sprint -as fast as I could. I left the kids playing in the sand with our friends and I ran towards the sea with complete abandonment. It was such a fantastic feeling. Running barefoot towards the sea, nothing in front of me but clear waters, and then that freezing cold water hitting my legs, it felt perfect. I spent a lot of the weekend walking barefoot on the grass, on the beach and through the river. I really reconnected with the Earth, I regained a lot of clarity and a better grasp of what I wanted from my life going forwards.

Since we arrived home I’ve invested in another pair of my new favourite shoes (Vibram FiveFingers) so that I can combine getting fit with that barefoot feeling that made me feel so powerful on the beach. I’m feeling refreshed and I’m looking forward to rediscovering Laurie.

Hope your weekend was as fulfilling.

What do you do for you?

The Many Benefits of Being Barefoot

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“Each human foot has 26 bones, 33 joints, and more than 100 muscles and tendons. It’s a surprisingly malleable structure.” Tim Ferriss

My husband is a barefoot….let’s say enthusiast. Yes, a Barefoot Enthusiast sounds quite normal doesn’t it? Um, anyway, because of said “enthusiasm” our kids don’t wear ‘normal’ shoes. They don’t have the latest, trendiest trainers or Lelli Kelli glittery contraptions. In fact apart from one pair of soft soled crawling shoes from Clarks, Curly Kid has never even stepped foot in a shoe shop! If she’s in the garden she rarely wears shoes at all and when we’re out she wears shoes that act as a simple foot cover.

The reason for our choice not to buy regular shoes for the kids is simple: the human body is perfect. When we add thick-soled shoes, with in-step support or ankle support, we undermine the foot’s natural ability to stabilize and walk correctly. In addition to the impact shoes have on a child’s ability to walk properly, it can also hinder the development of the foot itself. Most shoes are too narrow, and go in at the big toe, therefore pushing the big toe inwards.

Leonardo Da Vinci once said “The human foot is a work of art and a masterpiece of engineering” Over time shoes change the shape of the feet inside them. It might not seem obvious why at first, but the wrong shoes can actually cause all sorts of problems further up the body too.  This happens when the feet become dysfunctional and the upper body tries to compensate, it could be the knees, hips or lower back. The human body is a beautifully constructed machine, and it will always try to ‘correct’ those things that do not appear to be functioning correctly.

Imagine an arm in a cast, when the cast comes off the muscles have withered and weakened…this is pretty much what shoes do to feet. They prevent the intricate composition of the foot from operating effectively.  Feet become weaker, and as time goes on the muscles further up in the body need to work harder to compensate for the weakened muscles in the feet. This isn’t a myth. It’s a scientific fact. The majority of shoes are bad for feet. Especially childrens feet because the bones in kids feet are composed of soft, flexible cartiledge until age 12-18, when they then begin to harden. While children’s feet are developing, the soft cartilage centers are fusing together. Any postural foot abnormality can have an effect further up the body and permanently altering posture and walking style.  Walking is a collaborative effort requiring constant communication between the brain and feet. Nerve endings on the bottom of the feet sense the ground beneath and send signals to the brain that help it determine how and where weight should be distributed with each new step. Shoes alter that feedback to the brain. The thicker the sole, the more muffled the message

“An elevated heel of any height on a child’s shoe shortens the Achilles tendon and is the beginning of permanent tendon shortening. Soles that are over 6mm thick prevent 80 to 90 percent of children’s foot flexibility, thus denying the foot its normal step sequence.”
–Dr William A Rossi, (2002) Children’s Footwear: Launching Site for Adult Foot Ills, Podiatry Management, pages 83-100

I’m not suggesting you throw out all the shoes you have for your children, but perhaps start by letting them loose in the garden without footwear. Does it really matter if their feet get muddy? I keep a pretty neat and tidy house, and I don’t find it too much bother to clean their little feet when coming in from the garden. I would also definitely recommend bare feet when indoors, slippers are quite unnecessary for a toddler/child!

As time goes by, perhaps look at switching to a minimalist shoe (links at the end). Some are much more ‘normal’ looking than others, but we’ve tried all of the ones I’ve linked to and they’re all great- it just depends on what you prefer the look of I guess. I love the more unusual looking shoes, because it’s a great conversation starter and I’ve sent a great many interested parents to the websites on here.

Before I sign off, I must emphasise that there is another huge benefit to being barefoot outside: Being at one with the earth. ‘Earthing’ as it is sometimes known, connects us with rhythmic cycles of the earth’s energy field essential for synchronizing biological clocks, hormonal cycles and physiological rhythms. Being shoeless outside gives everyone the ‘feel-good’ factor. Human beings need the chance to feel the Earth beneath their feet, it’s good for the soul! Sometimes if I don’t want to walk around barefoot, I just stand in the garden with Curly Kid and we listen for birds, or chat or whatever. We both come back inside feeling a bit revitalised, I think.

Give your kids feet a chance to grow as nature intended.