Ok, I admit it! I’ve spent way too much time in my favorite pair of flip flops and Birkenstocks over the past several years. Yes, while I still know how to do the dang thing when it comes to looking pulled together or dressing up, I’ve succumbed to the comfort of “mommy” clothes and footwear…that is, until recently.

Just last week, I had to throw out my favorite pair of flip flops (no, I couldn’t “gift” them to someone else). For the past three years, they were a staple in my summer wardrobe and had their own spot next to the door, so I could slip my feet in and go. Yes, I was sad to throw them away…they still looked kinda cute (they were black suede).

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So, besides the obvious wear on the shoe, why was it time for me to get rid of them? Well, the not so evident reason I stopped wearing them is because I started noticing the pain. I began waking up with pain on the outside of my left foot, sometimes in my left knee, as well as some lower back pain. I couldn’t figure out what was causing it. Each day the pain became more noticeable and began lasting through the entire day.

I did research on the net and entertained thoughts of everything from arthritis to gout, but I still couldn’t figure out what was causing the pain. Recently, I went to a local mall to get a few things and put on what? You guessed it, my favorite flips. As I walked, I noticed the pain on the outside of my left foot once again. Then, it finally occurred to me! Duh! It was because of the constant wearing of my flip flops!

When I got home, I quickly threw them out. But before I did, I took a look at the insole of the shoe and noticed more wear on the outer left portion of the left shoe than on any other spot on both shoes. Now I realize I place most of my weight on that area of my left foot.

So, the lesson for me and the lesson I want to share with you is this: flip flops are for the beach, the pool, or in some public situations, the shower. That’s it! Don’t make a habit of using them for daily use (so many of us do this).

There are numerous problems that can come along with wearing your flips everyday, from breaking toes (yes, I’ve tripped over the front part of my own flip flop before) to lower back pain. If you like the everyday comfort of slide on-slide off styles, then check out Fit Flops, Birkenstocks (gotta love ‘em for their support), or some of the other newer “fitness” flip flops coming on the market.

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And, even though finding alternatives is a good idea, you still should commit to rotating your types of shoes everyday (which I’ve started to do again), from flats, to heels, to sneakers, to platforms. Work them all in so you’ll have the least amount of discomfort when having to pull out the big guns (the high heels).

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