I did a little research before buying some new running shoes because I knew my poor knees would be taking a beating from this 200-plus pound body when I start running (I'm still in the brisk walking stage).

I finally chose the Nike Shox. I love them, my knees and ankles are not giving me any problem walking briskly up the hill I walk each day, but my thigh and calf muscles scream very nasty things at me.

What kind of workout shoes did you choose?

Are you stretching properly? Since your muscles are hurting, not your joints, I think it might have more to do with the type of activity or maybe lack of stretching than your shoes.

I have a pair of New Balence running shoes with special inserts that I adore.

I was wearing some cheapo shoes and was running, I got the point where I couldnt walk Anyway I went to the 'Running Room' (a running store here) and I got fitted for a proper pair of running shoes... I ended up with Aasics.
Funny thing is, after buying them.... I stopped running, lol. But I wear them, best money I ever spent!!!

Yes, I'm stretching. I wouldn't even attempt that hill without stretching.
I'm sure my muscles are just mad at me for waking them up from a very long hibernation.

Yeah, I can hear mine cussing me out when I work them. "What are you thinking, girl!! We lazy!! Take us back to the couch and pop open some Doritos! We liked that!"

I do not run. No one needs to see that.

I do walk, though, and chose a pair of New Balance, as had been sugested here when I asked. Best money I ever spent. They are just a simple white walking shoe & they have a breast cancer ribbon on the tongue.

I used to swear by Nike when I used to run...that was 100lbs ago...and I do still think they are one of the best running shoes on the market. However, since I've gained so much weight, my feet have gotten wider and I find the shoes to be too narrow for me now. I'm not running until I get some pounds off...I don't want to blow out my knees....but I am walking. I've found a marvelous shoe called Ryka. The are made for women only and donate a portion of their sales to research on women's issues. They are wide enough for me so that my foot doesnt get that foot cramp in the arch area.....those of you that are flat footed like me probably get what I'm talking about.

My advice is to go to a running store and get properly fitted. There are many things such as pronation that factor in to a perfect fit.

List of running stores in U.S. and Canada

Any shoes a specialty running store sells you will be good shoes. Whether they're good shoes for your feet and for what you're doing is another question. You need to try them on and get advice from someone who's there, not from someone online who knows what works for their own feet. Every shoe from a reputable company (and that's all the companies mentioned in this topic and then some) will be great for some person's feet.

I'm sure my neighbors love seeing a manatee strutting up the hill on the north end of our subdivision.

I "affectionally" call myself The Pretty Manatee (heavy on the manatee) in my journal. A couple of days ago I posted this:

The Pretty Manatee’s man, a health and fitness nut, is going to customize a proper exercise (cardio and weight training) program for his pretty mammal after she completes the first wave (the 10-day sugar detox stage) of Sonoma.

Until then, the Pretty Manatee will be strutting her considerable “stuff” around her neighborhood while listening to “workout music” on her ipod. What a sight: a manatee strutting around the block to the likes of Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Evanescence, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Live and Motown!

Thank you for saying what I wanted to say

Jilli, I know what you mean....Have you ever looked into Merrills? I have a great pair that I have used for all kinds of walking, indoor and out. They are lightweight, breathable, and wide at the toe. I have wider feet too and weird arches. These were comfortable enough that I hiked the alps with them!

Right now I'm wearing a pair of new balances...they are ok, I'm going to be looking to upgrade sooner or later. I'm not a runner cause I destroyed my knees a few years back so i don't need anything too high teck...just something that can be used outdoors on a variety of terrain and in the gym on the elliptical.

lol @ Jillybean & PattyW

I used to sell shoes @ JCPenney's & Nike's run small. If you've got your heart set, try on the next-biggest size.