Even though I've lost only about 1/3 of the weight I need to, and have done it very sloooooowly, I can walk longer and further and can spend more time on my feet than when I started. The difference is remarkable, incredibly so. I avoided all but the most necessary shopping, because it was never a pleasant experience, and often my feet would hurt for days - just from a trip to Walmart or Sam's Club.
I think you'll find a huge difference, because I started noticing a difference after only 30 lbs.
I personally can't wear heels anymore, regardless of my size. I also have an old stress fracture which makes things more complicated.
I'd like to suggest that it's possible to wear espadrilles (sp?) or platform shoes which give you the height but is easier on the feet and the back. Just a thought.
It's not so much high heels per se that I'm curious about, it's whether carrying less weight will make being on my feet for long periods of time more comfortable, period.
I would personally say, yes, it makes a difference.
However, as to heels, they are still uncomfortable to me, but I think it's the shoe itself. The very thought of traditional heels sadly gives me major panic so I usually avoid them, but I can wear 3-inch platform wedges and they are totally comfortable and easy to walk in. So it must be something about the support that wedge underneath the arch is giving me. Here's a pic of them.
It's funny, I teeter more in wedges than in regular heels.
I saw it explained once. They said with a heel and then the forefoot of the shoe (and empty space between) it's easier to balance on an uneven surface, because each part can settle somewhat independently. But with most wedges, there's a long skinny flat surface from heel to toe, which makes uneven surfaces actually harder to balance on.
I love my heels, it's not uncommon for me to be wearing 4 inch heels. My expensive pairs of 4 inch heels are more comfortable than my cheaper pairs of 2 inch heels. I My ffet do hurt after a day of wearing heel, but it's gotten to the point wear I don't really notice anymore. I actually notice the pain most when I take off the heels! While I have some cute flats, I'll never ever give up my heels. I love how sexy they make me feel. Plus at barely 5'2" I can use the height.
I can already feel a difference with just 20 pounds lost.
One thing I've found, though, is that I like the platform style heel better, it's less pressure on the ball of your foot. I especially like the ones that are platform, yet a bit of a disguised platform. I don't wear over a 3 inch heel though.
It's not so much high heels per se that I'm curious about, it's whether carrying less weight will make being on my feet for long periods of time more comfortable, period. We go to Rome two or three times each year, and my husband can walk and walk and walk all day on the cobbled streets without feeling a twinge of discomfort in the soles of his feet, whereas mine literally throb with pain and keep me awake at night if I've done more than say 3 or 4 hours of walking. It's nothing to do with lack of fitness as such, more an issue of just pressure bearing down on my feet and almost bruising the soles.
Oooh, I know what you mean. When I lived in Oz, I didn't have a car and walked everywhere. My muscles got used to it fast enough, but my feet always had the worst stinging sensation in the mornings. Likewise, on my trip to Quebec the other summer, my feet were killing me at the end of each day, despite comfy shoes, because of all the walking.
Count me in on the platform fan club. I much prefer wedges and platforms over pumps. And yes, I do find it easier to wear heels of any kind after wt loss.
Yes, I noticed a big difference in comfort after I got under 200lbs in wearing heels. They key is not just weight though, it's practice. The tendons on the back of your heel need to get used to different heel heights and that's what helps with your comfort level. Start off by getting used to a comfortable heel like a 1-2 inch wedge boot. Always alternate between flats and heels so your tendons stay limber.
There are tons of videos on how to walk in heels on youtube, check them out. Also don't be afraid to alter your heels for comfort. Add gel cushions for the ball of the foot, and rubber grips on the bottom. If you take your shoes to your local cobbler they can make rubber soles for you.
I thought I'd **ahem** weigh in on the subject! I'm still pretty big but 100+ pounds gone makes it WAYYYY easier to wear heels, and just nicer shoes in general! When the muffin top on my foot disappeared at about 40 lbs. gone, I didn't feel like I had Fred Flintstone feet anymore and took more care in my shoe options,so now even flats are a thrill, because they're cute now! yay! I'm a fan of the wedge as well -- and be sure, if you have thicker legs/ankles to NOT get anything with an ankle strap etc., as it 'cuts' your leg line if you wear a skirt - you want a long and lean uninterrupted line!
