[nylisa]

I've had some foot problems in the past (couple of stress fractures, plantar fasciitis). My recent increase in activity led to achy arches & a sore joint where the big toe connects to the foot. To the point where anything other than athletic shoes or wedge sandals or wedged flip flops hurts to wear (and I favor round toe, loafer type with a slight heel shoes vs. pointy high heels). I figured that I should make an appt. with a podiatrist. I've learned from past experience that waiting until you're in such pain walking is hard isn't the way to go & leads to longer recovery times.

The overpronation my feet are prone to had caused a bunion to form, along with heel spurs on both feet. I'm going to try orthotics to see if that helps with the overpronation, along with stretching exercises and icing (when there's pain). If it does require any sort of surgery, unless the pain gets worse, I plan to wait until I'm within a good weight range (by BMI standards). Because the recovery time means about 4 weeks of no cardio which I think would be too discouraging at this point. Though upper body strength training is ok after the first few days.

I was planning to start jogging (moderate pace on a treadmill for less impact) when I lost about 20 more pounds, but since the podiatrist said the realignment of the foot is putting more stress on the 2nd metatarsal (where I've already had a stress fracture in each foot), I think I'm going to stick to the lower impact activity. I've been doing.

My fitness routine consists of:

Cardio:
Arc climber or elliptical (I don't do hills so as not to aggravate anything)
spin classes 2x a week

Strength training:
classes 2x a week
ciruit weights 2x a week

And I always do the push against the wall calf stretch to ease the calf muscles after.

[MandyBear092701]

I am having foot problems too I hope everything is ok with yours! Hopefully you can get down to your idea weight before the surgery (if needed). Good Luck!!

[Justwant2Bhealthy]

Nothing worse than having injuries get in the way when you are doing so well. I broke my foot and ankle successively and they took a very long time to heal: but exrays showed there was extensive damage. In the end, the doctors said they wouldn't advise surgery unless I was in a lot of pain or was an athlete who needed it fixed. I opted to let it heal on its own.

Every now and then, they act up; I'm sure the weight didn't help, but I have to be careful to walk on smooth surfaces; you know, watch out for 'gopher' holes and such ~ LOL!

I agree about doing other types of exercises like swimming, upper body stuff like TAI CHI, YOGA, PILATES, chair aerobics, weights, and anything else you know that won't aggravate your problem more. Maybe you should see a foot specialist if the condition persists after you switch to the low impact exercise (maybe after a few weeks). Depending on how severe the issue is, it should only take a few weeks to clear up; if it doesn't after that, it may be more serious than you think ...

PS ~ I always have to make sure that I wear really good quality shoes now too (whether it be athletic or professional loafers like Tendertootsies); they must give good support and be comfortable for walking.

Hope you find out soon ~ ROSEBUD

[maryea]

Sorry to hear about your foot problems! I can relate although I haven't had any fractures that I know of but I have plantar fasciitis and the pain and discomfort of neurophathy. My sister has the same problems you do. For my plantar fasciitis I was advised (podiatrist) to wear a pad in all my shoes to lift my heel. It does help but I tend to walk around the house in my socks or sometmes barefoot and of course, that isn't so good. These things sure take a long time to heal...mine's been almost 2 years now! I hope you will be able to find a way to get exercise without further damage or pain and that your feet will heal soon.