Question about foot pains when walking: Whenever I try to walk fast to burn more calories, my toes burn to the point they become numb after a while. Whenever I have to walk real fast suddenly at work, when I get home I usually have what looks like a bruise under my great toe nail!! Any ideals of what I am doing wrong? or is it me?

I can't afford to go to a foot specialist, but they could probably give us some help. I've had heel pain off and on for years and finally cleared that up with good arches. Now I have a pain on the side of my left foot that really hurts when I walk a lot. In the morning it's fine but by night........OUCH!

It sounds like you have improperly fitting shoes. And the "bruise" under your toe nail may be a blister from the friction of your toes rubbing against the toe box of your shoe. Numb toes can also be attributed to ill fitting shoes.

I would go to a proper running store (not a Macys, Sports Authority or any big name store like that) and get fit for a correct shoe for your foot and gait. That alone will make a world of difference. You may even asking the person fitting your shoe if you should go up a 1/2 size. That works wonders for some people.

Any burning you feel on your foot while exercising is what I call a "hot spot" and if left untreated will turn into a blister. When I'm exercising and feel hot spots, I stop, take off my shoes, and apply a band aid or blister pad to the hot spot area.

Also, I use Body Glide on my feet before going for a long walk. Body Glide helps reduce friction and helps prevent blisters. You can also try wearing a footie stocking under your socks while exercising. The stocking acts as a barrier between your foot and stock to help prevent friction.

I just completed the Breast Cancer 3-Day 60 mile walk and with proper foot care I didn't get a single blister and walked all 60 miles with happy feet. Taking care of your feet with proper shoes and anti-friction measures will allow you to walk for extended durations pain-free.

Seconded. You can't take too good of care of your feet. Buy quality shoes and get fitted from a good shoe store. The clerk should spend some time with you, measuring your feet and walking you walk. Also, invest in some good socks! I've found that those make my feet feel soooooo much better! Pamper those footsies and they'll take care of you.

Oh yes, and pick out the socks before the shoes (you can buy them where you're buying your shoes). Some really great socks are puffy enough to add half a size to your shoe size.