Supermodels SA March 2015 Issue 43 | Page 17

Always your heelsperson without trying them on in buy in online or Don’t buy the shop. Make sure they fit comfortably and don’t pinch when you try them on. Vary your heel height day, every day. Swap Try not to wear high heels all around so you wear high heels one day, then flats the next, and a lower heel the next day. "Current fashion is great for this," says Lorraine. "Wedges, mid heels and flats are all on-trend so you can opt for plenty of different heel heights throughout the week, which will help reduce soreness." Do helps counterbalance the effects of heels, which calf stretches This can shorten your calf and cause pain. "Stand facing a wall," says Lorraine. "With your feet hip-width apart and your legs slightly bent at the knee, take one step forwards and, using your arms to lean against the wall, keep your leg in front bent and leg behind straight. Both feet should be flat on the ground. Lean in towards the wall. As you do you should feel your muscles stretching in your calf and heel. Hold and slowly return to a standing position. Do this five times with each leg." Try to do this exercise every day, especially after a period of wearing high heels. Pack some flats –inwhen we’ve left the house in your bag We’ve all been there our favourite heels and then felt the pain a couple of hours later. Or should that be one hour, six minutes and forty-eight seconds later? Because that’s average time it takes for our high heels to start hurting, according to a study from the College of Podiatry. So pack some flats if you’re off to a wedding – you can slip into them during the meal to give your feet a break, before poppop ping your heels back on for the dancing. Similarly, if you wear heels to work or when you go out with friends, take some flats in your bag for the journey to and from home to take some of the pressure off. your calf and heel. Hold and slowly return to a standing position. Do this five times with each leg." Try to do this exercise every day, especially after a period of wearing high heels.