I am not sure why it took me so long to purchase The Barefoot Book by Dr. Daniel Howell. It would have been very helpful in the beginning when I started full-time barefooting over a year ago. I was slowing inching myself into the barefoot scene and had no idea how beneficial this book could have been through this transition. The main reason why I wanted to do this post and giveaway is to tell anyone starting out to get this book, it will be extremely helpful! I even caught my non-barefoot husband reading it a few times.
You can purchase it now or enter to win a copy below.
50 Great Reasons to Kick Off Your Shoes
"Research shows going barefoot strengthens our feet, makes them more flexible, and improves body alignment. Why, then, are we buying shoes for infants who cannot walk yet? Wearing high heels that hurt with every step? Spending hundreds of dollars on running and hiking shoes?"Dr. Howell has a plethora of information about foot anatomy, foot health, and the myths about going barefoot. If you understand the structure and shape of the human foot then modern shoes really do not make sense. This easy-to-read book totally justifies my decision to forever go barefoot and gives me more confidence knowing there are proven health benefits. Before reading this book I wrote about all the health benefits I was experiencing after strictly going barefoot for several months. All of the points I made in my post are the same points Dr. Howell writes about in his book. It is kind of crazy how I was able to identify the health benefits all my by myself.
The Effects of High Heels
I now realize all the high heels I wore for all those years were the culprit of my chronic low back pain - pain that would not go away no matter what I tried. The two graphics below clearly illustrate how high heels manipulate the spine and the body's center of gravity. I have witnessed first-hand what modern shoes, especially heels, can do to feet and also witnessed reversing the damage by simply going barefoot. My feet were forming to my pointy shoes in somewhat of an odd triangle shape. For so many years I thought this was normal.
What really captivated me is the powerful illustrations Dr. Howell uses to get his point across. The graphics below show how our feet were not designed to fit in modern day shoes. My feet were on the fast track to looking like Figure C on the left. The graphic on the right is one of my favorites as it truly identifies a major problem with shoes. The top set of feet, Figure A, are from a person who has never worn shoes - each toe is in line with its respective metatarsal bone. I am trying to get my feet to look this way by going shoeless. Figure C is the result of wearing Western business shoes with a pointy box (Figure B). The toes in Figure C are obviously scrunched up, which is totally not normal. All graphics showing the progression of foot ailments and disfiguration are really alarming yet so fascinating to me.
I also enjoyed learning more about foot mechanics and how the foot should naturally work if not wrapped in padding and leather. I never really thought about learning why my kids wanted to go shoeless all the time, I just followed suit. I now have a better understanding of the natural form of the foot and its natural movements.
Since reading this book I have noticed how our society is addicted to shoes. Shoes are "needed" for everything including walking out to the backyard and even walking around in the house. When I am out and about, all I can see are oddly shaped shoes and deformed feet. My perspective on modern shoes has been forever changed thanks to The Barefoot Book.
A Little About the Author
Dr. Daniel Howell, is a Professor of Biology at Liberty University where he teaches human anatomy and physiology. Dr. Howell has performed biomedical research at Duke University Medical Center and McGill University in Montreal. You may remember him from this post about plantar fasciitis (plantar fasciosis).How To Enter the Giveaway
Simply follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. We have 2 copies of The Barefoot Book. When the giveaway has ended Rafflecopter will randomly choose two winners. I will personally contact you at the email address you use below. Thanks and good luck!Note: If you are using a Kindle the widget will not load. Try entering from your personal computer.
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