Standing (almost) still on VFFs for a long time

[Jammy]

Hi!

Two weeks ago, I spent a whole day on my VFFs during a workshop/ seminar I organised. So I spent the whole day standing, moving around just a little bit. At the end of the day the soles of my feet were sore, even driving the car was painful, so the 2-hour-drive back was horrible.

This weekend, I had to give a lecture of 5,5 hours + breaks. To prevent my feet of getting sore again from standing still, I wore my old MBT's (that's a whole lot of shoe if you've been wearing only minimalistic shoes for the last two months!). The soles of my feet were better, but my foot itself hurt after the lecture, as if the bones in my foot were forced into a shape they didn't like. That never happened before, and I've been giving a lecture on them before (before the start of my minimalistic era) with only "normally" tired feet at the end.

What to do when I have to stand still for longer periods? Any suggestions? Of course I move around an bit, shifting my weight, etc.

[Sablewings]

You'll probably get used to it in time.

One issue I had to start with was due to the toes being stretched apart - I got sore on the balls of my feet and between my toes, whether I was walking or standing.

Another issue of course with standing about in VFF's is my feet getting cold... I wear socks with my VFF's but other than that can't do much about it. 

[happyfeet]

I have an arrangement with my boss to have a "standing" work area (have you read the article, "Sitting is Killing You!"?) I can also wear my VFFs everyday to work.   I work at in an IT call center so I stand at my computer anywhere from 8 - 12 hours a day, 5 days a week. The first week I started this I had been wearing my VFFs for about 3 months, and I though I had my feet broken-in pretty well.   However, after the first couple days my lower legs were sore, my feet were very tender and my lower back hurt.  I persevered.  I started reminding myself to shift my stance regularly by using Pilates and Ballet stances and I also stretched my toes and arches by bending my knee forward (like a walking step).  After only about 2 weeks I didn't even notice if I had been standing all day.  My feet stopped hurting all together (along with all the other aches and pains) and I actually had more energy.  On a side note, as I was getting use to standing so much, I did find my KSOs were more comfortable in the beginning than my classics or Bikilas.  Now I can I even wear Performas and I am good to go!

So, after taking the long way around the block, I would recommend you shift your stance regularly and try to stretch your toes and feet from time-to-time (just like you would stretch your fingers and wrists).  As with everything, go slow but do it consistently to give your body a chance to adjust to it. 

Hope this helps! 

[Horse Rider]

Ahh Happyfeet, I used to work in a call center with standing stations, but the one I am at now does not anymore   . I LOOOVED the standing stations, even though I did not know about Vffs back then...

[barefootin]

It takes time, but I prefer no padding when standing for long periods of time.  My feet get a little tired but my back feels much better.  Keep your feet active.  Shift your weight around, rock onto the balls of your feet, toes, heels, and sides.  Stretch them often by going onto your toes.  Just keep the blood flowing....  I've survived periods up to 12 hours.....  Yes, they were sore but by the next morning they are ready to go.....

[shadowfax_c11]

I stand for about 5-7 hours a day at the restaurant job I work at. I do move around but also stand in one spot for longer periods. I never take breaks at work or sit down unless I need to use the facilities. It does make your feet very sore at first and takes time to get accustomed to. In the early days I would only wear my vibrams for 1-2 hours and change them to my tennis shoes or boots. It took my feet a few months to work up to standing for a full shift.