Frugal fit challenge: How ditching the flip-flops for sneakers can benefit your health

Tomorrow the weather in Alabama will be sunny and warm(er). As with any hint of warm weather Southern ladies will eagerly slip-on flip-flops, freeing their tootsies and polishing their toenails.

While the warm weather is certainly intoxicating and your feet do long to go bare, maybe a new approach is needed as we enjoy warmer days. New year's resolutions have long been broken by now. The "I'm going to lose weight, get fit," promise we made to ourselves has been forgotten and most of us have slipped into our old habits. Old habits such as wearing flip-flops in the house, outside, to the store, sometimes to work and more.

Flip-flops have a purpose

While flip-flops certainly have their place, I've banished them to only two uses - visiting the pool or using a public/hotel shower. That's right, I don't wear them at all and I don't miss the rubber thong and no support sole.

I, like most Southern women, would wear flip-flops without abandon, sometimes even ignoring the 'no-toe-cleavage-at-the-office' rule and wear them in the newsroom, especially when I was pregnant.

The fashion faux pas was egregious, no doubt, but I was also setting myself up for a more detrimental faux pas, an inactive lifestyle.

Before you flip out (Get it? Flip out?), I'm not saying every person that wears flip-flops has an inactive lifestlye. I am saying that wearing flip-flops was an enabler to my inactive lifestyle.

What you tend to do if you're wearing flip-flops:

1. You park close to store entrances so you won't have to walk as far.

You certainly don't take the stairs as often as you should.

3. You tend to sit at the park while your kids play.

4. You tend to move slower, to guarantee you don't bust the flip-flops or lose one as you walk.

5. You slip your shoes off at work and avoid getting up to walk, because you're comfortable.

6. You avoid sneakers like the plague because they are tight on your feet.

7. You move around your home and yard slowly doing chores instead of working hard and fast to get things done quickly and burn more calories.

Call it the 'Red Sneaker Effect for Health'

Have you ever heard of the 'Red Sneaker Effect?' It's basically dressing casual to buck the system to infer confidence and nonconformity. While it generally applies to business I want you to think of it in terms of fitness. Call it the Red Sneaker Effect for Health, don't conform.

Back in September I shared a post about my 100 pound weight loss. Weight loss for anyone is basically, eating right and exercising. You've heard that a million times I'm sure, I had, but what does it really mean?

It means we have to get moving. We have to actually walk faster, walk longer, take the steps, park at the end of the parking lot, jog while you're pushing the buggy, play with the kids at the park, walk in the parking deck, walk around the block several times and on and on and on....

Bottom line: We will do all of the above more frequently if we wear sneakers instead of flip-flops when we run errands. I know it's hard to think about wearing sneakers that cover up our lovely painted toenails but think of the extra calories you can burn by making a few changes.

I wear hiking loafers, hiking boots and sneakers as often as the opportunity allows. Yes I will run in the parking lot, who cares if people stare? Yes I will run up stairs and I chase the kids at the park.

I'm not asking you do anything that I haven't done myself.

The challenge

Think about losing the flip-flops and see if there are any benefits to wearing sneakers.

Let me hear from you. I know this theory sounds crazy but making small changes in our everyday lives can lead to huge benefits down the road.

I'm currently down 110 pounds now with a goal of improving my endurance and fitness levels.

What do you say? Will you toss the flip-flops or pass on my challenge? Would love to hear from you even if it's to tell me 'You're crazy and thanks for wasting my time.'