I've been testing out the new adidas Supernova Glide running shoes (top image for women, lower image for men) and have great news for those of you desperate for more support. These shoes have lots of it. My initial response as I first put my feet into these shoes was, "Wow! They're so soft and comfy!" And after many uses, I still feel the same way; they kind of make me feel like I'm running on pillows.

l have, however, felt like it would be totally lame to describe them to you as "soft and comfy." That description seemed almost too simple. But last week, while I was working out at a gym in a beautiful Sandals Resort in Jamaica, I noticed the man next to me on the stepper wearing a pair. So I asked Kevin from Canada what he thought of his new Supernova Glides, and do you know what he told me? "They're soft and comfortable!"

Throughout both my career as a fitness professional and as a competitive athlete, my feet have taken quite a beating. Proper footwear is about the only thing keeping me going at this point. It is said that every step a runner takes places three times the amount of their body weight worth of impact down on each foot. Ouch! The right shoe has the ability to dramatically decrease the amount of trauma each foot will endure.

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I overpronate, so my workout shoes wear out rather quickly. Recently, I made the cardinal sin of fitness buffs and tried to wear my shoes long after they needed to be replaced. Six months later, I'm paying the price. While I'm not 100 percent positive that I have plantar fasciitis, the symptoms certainly point to it. For example, the morning after a long workout, I feel like someone is jabbing knives up my feet. A new pair of shoes and a trip to the doctor are in my near future.

Plantar fasciitis is caused by straining the ligament that supports the arch of your foot. While it's painful, plantar fasciitis doesn't need to put you on the sidelines. Some tips:

• Buy good shoes. Shoes are not something to skimp on. Look for shoes with good arch support or consider motion control shoes if you overpronate.
• Stretch. Do calf stretches and towel stretches several times a day.
  
• Avoid hard surfaces. If you're a runner or a walker, try moving your workout to an indoor track. Cement and other hard surfaces may aggravate your pain.
• Try new exercises. Swimming won't aggravate plantar fasciitis and other activities -- such as biking -- may be easier for you.

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Feeling stuck about what to buy your sweetie this holiday season? Believe it or not, a fitness gift can be romantic. There's a fine line, however. Guys, if you buy your girlfriend a weight-loss fitness DVD, you are going to have hell to pay. But buy her a romantic weekend away at a ski resort, and you'll get a whole different response.

Fitness can be fun, and it's a great way to spend time together. So think about the different activities you enjoy and find a way you can do them together. Check out the gallery for some ideas.

Shoelaces have you tied in knots? Maybe you've been out for an enjoyable run when suddenly you hear the unmistakable thwap, thwap, thwap of an untied shoelace. Or maybe when your shoes are just tight enough to stay on, your toes feel like they're in a chokehold. Whatever your lacing problem, there's a solution.

There are literally millions of ways to lace a shoe, but you don't need to learn that many. Check out this article for solutions to common shoelace woes, such as high arches or heels that won't stay put.

Or, you could give it all up and try Yankz; Kristen has the scoop on these nifty never-tie-them-again laces.

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Finding a new pair of running shoes can be a daunting task. There are dozens of brand names to choose from, not to mention hundreds of different models. And I don't know how it is where you live, but the people who work in the athletic stores are more interested in catching up on The Hills with their co-workers than helping me find the best fit for my running routine.

If you're looking for a new shoe, keep reading. Runner's World, the invaluable resource for all things running, has a shoe finding tool that will help you find not only a shoe that not only fits your needs, but your budget too. You can select your price range, favourite brand and desired characteristics, and the shoe finder gives you a list of models, complete with past reviews.

Check it out and let us know what you think.

(via Fitsugar)

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There are any number of different walks for a cause. You can join walks to support conditions and issues from diabetes to breast cancer to asthma to world hunger to almost anything else you can think of. Walks for a cause are a total win-win situation. You benefit your health with the activity while you're helping a good cause. But the Walk a Mile in Her Shoes cause ... well, it's unique.

The walk has a definite sense of humor. Men are asked to literally walk a mile in her shoes ... her high heels to be exact. But underneath the sense of humor is a serious issue. The walks are designed to draw attention to rape, assault, and other forms of sexualized violence against women.

This month, there are walks scheduled in Indiana, Kentucky, South Dakota, Ontario, Minnesota, Vermont, Iowa, Idaho, Michigan, and Georgia. If there isn't a walk scheduled near you, you can register to organize a walk.

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If you're serious about running, there's no more important investment than your shoes. While you don't have to buy the most expensive shoes on the market (cost doesn't necessarily equal quality), you do want to make sure you have a properly fitted, supportive, and comfortable shoe.

When you've got the right fit, a good shoe can enhance and improve your performance. Divine Caroline gives us a list of the top five running shoes.

When shopping for running shoes, be sure to wear the type of socks you would wear when running. Also, it's better to shop in the afternoon when your feet are a bit more swollen. Also, if the store has a treadmill or a small track for you to use, by all means, try them out.

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Italian researchers have concluded that wearing high heels makes for a better sex life, but not for the reasons you're probably thinking. Although high heels are undoubtedly considered sexy, according to the research the sexual benefit doesn't come from attracting more men but instead from developing the right muscles. Wearing high heels tones leg and strengthens pelvic muscles, or in their words "directly works the pleasure muscles linked to orgasm."

Hmm, I'm generally more of a sneakers and flip-flops kinda girl and I have to wonder -- is the benefit a big enough deal to outweigh the negative of sore aching feet?


Via Shiny Shiny

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I have a few new pairs of sneakers that very rarely see the light of day, chiefly because I almost always wear my extremely old pair of New Balance. There's just something about the newer sneakers that doesn't feel right, whereas my old reliable pair seem to fit me like a glove ... er, I mean a shoe.

Wearing shoes that aren't the right fit for you can cause knee pain, back ache, and can even cause permanent joint damage. Besides your level of comfort, you can also tell if a shoe isn't right for you by keeping track of how long it takes you to wear through them. If you go through them quickly, it's likely because it's not right for your foot type. If it remains in good shape over the long haul, then the shoe fits -- so wear it.

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Brrrr Fitz! I live in the waaaaaay cold and am already starting to feel the flab. It's too cold outside to go for runs like I normally do. I can't afford the gym and don't want to look like the snowman on my lawn. What do you suggest? Rick

A. Eeeek Rick! I can't imagine. Literally. I can't imagine, because I've lived in Florida all of my life. It's about 80 degrees outside right now. I have been in the cold and snow though, Norway seems to have a lot, and I do have some recommendations. First, there are a ton of things you can do at home. Sometimes it is just too hot to train outside where I am, so I end up in the same situation you're in now (but opposite).

A treadmill would suit your running needs, but if that investment is too much...here are some ideas. Move the furniture and--jump rope, run in place, do jumping jacks, jump on a mini-trampoline, hit a heavy-bag, dance, do step aerobics, squat jumps, video training, gliding disks, free weights, pull-ups, push-ups, squats, or crunches.

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The other day, I asked my 4-year-old why she wore her gray tennies every day, when she has several other pairs of shoes.

"Because in these shoes," she said, "I can run my fastest." Choosing speed over fashion? It was music to my ears.

Buying shoes for kids can be tricky. They may not be able to tell you at the store that a shoe is too tight or uncomfortable. After they wear them once or twice, they end up sitting there unused. In fact, if a child frequently takes off his or her shoes, they may be uncomfortable. Look for sore spots where the shoe may be rubbing, or blisters.

Healthday has a few tips for buying shoes for children. If you have a little runner in your life, it's worth taking a look.

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If your workout shoe doesn't fit right, then your workout won't feel right. Get a good shoe and you'll have solid footing for all of your exercise needs. What determines a good shoe? Try these six things on for size.

Anchor For Your Ankle

The area around your ankle, called the anchor collar, should be heavily padded to prevent twists and blisters.

The Deal For Your Heel

Go for a snug fit around your heel and a high Achilles notch, the slight dip at the top of the shoe's heel, to support your foot and prevent it from sliding forward.

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A new study shows that the insoles so many people buy to help ease back pain may not be doing a thing for them. When researchers reviewed a total of 6 different studies including over 2,000 people they found no evidence that shoe insoles do anything to help or prevent back pain. At all.

Basically they found that although insoles are not completely worthless (they do still cushion the foot, and they have helped many people with many issues) as a general rule they are prescribed for the wrong reasons. Sore feet? Sure. Back pain? Not so much.

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They first came out in 2002, and now Crocs are everywhere. Although they're mostly a summer shoe, they have been making their way well into fall and the school season on the feet of kids and adults alike. But this back-to-school season some parents and schools are asking the question: are they safe? WebMd asked the experts and found that there are both pros and cons:

Pros: In the summer Crocs are a great alternative to flip-flops, sandals, or going barefoot because they provide more support and protection, allow the feet to breath, and many have antibacterial properties that can help promote foot health.

Cons: During the school year crocs are not recommended because they aren't intended or designed for all-day wear, they may come off during activities because they fit so loosely, and, of course, as the school year moves into fall and winter, the weather can quickly become an issue.

Bottom line? Pack the Crocs away when summer is over.

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Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose two per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Dear Fitz: I have two kids and I admit to going through the McDonald's drive through a few times a month out of convenience. Is that really such a bad thing? Angie

A. Hey Angie. Going through the McDonald's drive through a few times a month is certainly not a bad thing....if you order wisely. Grab the grilled chicken sandwich for each child and order some apple slices or a yogurt parfait to go with it. Two percent milk or water to drink.

Angie, the key to this whole 'raising healthy children' thing is to have standards. High standards. I assume you wouldn't put vinegar or catsup in your cars' gas tank, would you? Those items probably wouldn't do a whole lot of good for it. Have the same standards for the most precious people in your life. The greasy and sugary crap sold at the golden arches is just that. Crap! And, McDonald's offers healthy options now. You don't need to even consider nuggets and fries. Those items are not acceptable for your perfect little people.

Last year, my mother took my then 3 year old daughter, Ginger, out and bought her fries at McDonald's. Sure that one time didn't kill her, but now she knows the fries are there. So on the rare occasion we hit a Mickey D's, Ginger asks for some fries. I order a healthy meal, and let Ginger know that "I love her too much to put unhealthy fried food in her body". I follow that up with. "honey, if you'd like fries I'll bake you some at home". That way we both win. Go to McDonald's Angie, just educate your kids on the importance of healthy living and the ease in which it can be maintained. Fitz

Q. How's it going, Fitz? I've recently lost 43 pounds and surprisingly I lost a shoe size too. Is that normal? My wife thinks I'm imagining things. Reggie.

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