Well, it's officially winter where I live...

...and there is NO WAY I can go barefoot outside until -at earliest- March. We're talking highs below 40 (most of the time below 30 or 20) for about 3 and a half to 4 months. Plus I have school and other activities, so I won't even get to go barefoot inside much.

My quetion is: what can I do to keep my feet at least a little bit tough for when I can start hitting the pavement? And don't suggest going barefoot outside this winter; you can encourage me all you want, but it ain't happening.

 

flipflops? just be barefoot as much as ya can. be brave and go barefoot in the snow and cold.. i would. maybe not all the time.. but a run to the mailbox and back will do you some good!

 

The snow is expected to hit my area in the not too distant future, so I won't be barefoot all the time, but I'll try as much as I can. This'll be my first winter, so wish me luck! And good luck with your winter, Booga!

 

winter? whats that? i live in too sunny california. it's barely even rained here so far. it's nice and warm today even. i'd love some snow to run around in.. send it my way!

 

You can have our snow Boogabaah! I hate it!

 

Try placing a big, low box (cat-box shape and size will probably do fine) under your desk filled with coarse gravel, so you can rub, roll and push your feet in that while sitting at the computer.

There are also 'rock mats' that the Japanese use as a foot massage; you can buy them or make them yourself from doormats or sturdy carpet, rocks and a good quality glue. I've never tried it myself but someone said they'd tried it one or two winters ago, either here or on the SBL list. http://www.diyhappy.com/river-rock-floor-mat/ has a link on making them,

Otherwise temps just around freezing aren't as bad, and the sight of footprints in the snow is very neat... especially when you go back inside and watch other people when they spot them ;-)

 

That's a great suggestion, Myranya, but there is no way I could get either of those things past my parents' noses. Anything that would be a bit more... covert? The last days we'll have around freezing will be in December. It's going to be below freezing 95% of the time until February or March. There are days with lows in the teens as late as April. I need something sneaky that will get past my parents and be pleasurable and not feel like a chore. Remember, barefooting isn't a religion, only a habit.

 

yes! now i won't have to ask santa for a snoopy snow cone machine!

 

Ok, I understand. Maybe not all days are as cold, maybe some days you have warmer winds when you could try barefooting a bit?
Maybe you could go to a warmer place on vacation, at least for some period of time?
Try to go barefoot indoors as much as possible.
Maybe you could find a barn or something to go barefoot inside?
I understand you find it uncomfortable to start going barefoot in the spring, but would you consider it as a BIG problem?

 

Hmmm... I've never had to get anything past my parents, we were very open at home. Even when I did a few things I wasn't totally up front about like staying up late to read I wasn't too worried when they found out. And there's nothing wrong with going barefoot, especially indoors, as those two suggestions are for! But I suppose you could use a Japanese reflexology mat and never mention the main reason you're using it is for keeping your feet toughened up; it was invented for general health rather than for toughening up the feet in particular, and used that way it is getting increasingly more popular in Europe and the US, with some paths being put down in parks, mats being sold online, and classes being held at reflexology centers all over the world. Or would your parents also have a problem with it if you believed in & practiced reflexology? Here's more on the paths/trails/mats: http://www.reflexology-research.com/jan2004reflexions2.html

That's up to each individual, it's definitely more than a habit for me!

 

When the first snow hits I'll be sure to send you a pic of what it's like over here. =]

 

I have a little gym at home; when I got rid of one of my old cars I kept the rubber overmat things that came with it. If you turn them over it is all rubber 'spikes' - I lay them down to do standing exercises on during the winter (you can get similar mats for using under computer chairs to protect the carpet) which gives my soles a nice massage and hopefully stops them getting too soft ?