[irishsarah]

I don't know what I did, I don't know HOW I did it. My foot with the stress fractures is KILLING me. I worked out one night, pretty intensely and the next morning, when I stepped on the floor (getting out of bed) you would have thought I rebroke all three bones! What has me baffled is that I didn't run on the treadmill or anything like that. I used one of those glider/elliptical type thingies. I haven't been back to the gym since.
I WANT to exercise, but until my foot stops hurting so bad I don't know what I can do. I could swim, but to be honest, that is just too much hassle. I can only go to the gym at night, and by the time I change my clothes, pack up the locker and get to the pool, my time is limited. Especially since I have to have time to dry off and change when I am done too.
I am sure my foot will feel better in a few days, but what can I do in the meantime? Walking is getting a bit easier but I don't want to push it and sit-ups and stuff just don't seem like a real workout anymore.

HELP!!!!!!!! Ideas please!

[Devsmama]

I would probably do some old school Jane Fonda moves, like lying leg lifts and stuff like that with hand weights. One move I like is lying on my side while holding a hand weight on my leg and lifting up for 3 sets of 20. I would also work using a band and maybe some Pilates moves that don't involve standing. Maybe using hand weights and doing some boxer moves, like punching, upper cuts, things like that while sitting in a chair.

Just a few things off the top of my head.....

[beerab]

What kind of shoes are you wearing when you workout? Are you using any supports? I injured my foot badly working out a year ago- I had tendonitis and limped around all over the place. Finally my doctor recommended Road Runner Sports. A place like half an hour North of where I lived. I went there- walked on their touch pad, walked and ran on their treadmill while they watched my feet, then they recommended the best shoes for my feet along with insoles. Sure I paid $150 for that pair of shoes with insoles- but since then have not had ANY pain with my feet. I've already bought my second pair of shoes from them I LOVE their shoes. I'm never buying shoes from anywhere else again.

I know you were barefoot in the morning, but maybe the shoes you have been wearing while working out are making things worse

[nelie]

Many years ago... when I first started really exercising, I had a knee injury and couldn't do any cardio. I could barely walk really. I did weights. Upper body weights and some lower body stuff as well but very carefully.

Why not do weights?

[time2lose]

Maybe Chair Aerobics - there are a number of DVDs you can buy but you might just want to try some of the videos on YouTube.

[fiberlover]

It could be related to your shoes, but even treadmill walking is impact exercise (albeit low). Using the elliptical can also put pressure on your feet, it just is easier on the knees.

You might want to try a recumbent bike, as there is less downward pressure. Also - mat pilates would be a great choice, even though it isn't cardio.

[irishsarah]

Thanks for the replies.
I know a HUGE part of it is the shoes. The stress fractures are on the top of my foot. There is constant swelling and the nerve is pressed right up against the surface of the skin. To touch the top of my foot hurts like you wouldn't believe. For almost 10 years now, the only shoes with any type of support I have been able to wear are a pair of men's wide width, Lands End All weather moccasins. Not exactly stylish or athletic.
The other day, I tried on a pair of Converse Chuck Taylors and they didn't put too much pressure on the top of my foot. So, I bought them (they were cheap) and those are the shoes I tried to work out in. Those are also the shoes I've been wearing whenever I go out. They are cute. They are the first pair of really cute shoes I've owned in almost 10 freakin' years. Unfortunately they MUST be the cause of the pain. I can't think of anything else that would have caused it. I have been working out in the Lands End shoes up until this point and while my foot would hurt afterwards, it was NOTHING like this. We just don't have $100-$200 to drop on special shoes for me. I know I need to take care of myself, but we have 4 little boys, one with expensive special needs, I just can't bring myself to spend that kind of money on me. (Not that we ever have $200 dollars laying around any way.)

I will get back to the gym if not tomorrow, then Thursday. I WILL do some pilates and use my hand weights tomorrow. I will not give up. I've been dreading having someone that works at the recreation centre notice that I am not wearing the required athletic shoes, but I just don't have any other option. I will not quit. I just finished watching "The Biggest Loser" and it just reminded me to dig deep. I've been very down in the dumps lately and it is time to "fake it until I feel it".

Thanks again. You are all bigger inspirations/motivators then you will ever know.

[JayEll]

I'd suggest you see a podiatrist with the idea of getting shoes that fit you properly for your problems and your activity level. Wearing moccasins for a workout when you're overweight is not going to work well, and the wrong running shoe can hurt your foot worse, as you've found.

I understand not wanting to spend "that much money" on yourself, but when are you going to get your needs met? If you don't have what you need to help yourself, how will you do the exercise you need to do to stay healthy? It is not being selfish or taking away from your children to accommodate your foot disability.

Digging deep does not mean working through crippling pain. Please don't risk further injury or damage. Get yourself some proper shoes!

OK, getting off the

Jay

[Devsmama]

I understand the money situation, but Jay is right, you have to meet your needs to meet the needs of your family. I have some inexpensive (Shoe Carnival) New Balance (45.00) that are perfect for working out in. They are probably the best shoes because they are wide and light. I also have custom fit orthotics for my shoes because I HAD to have them. Take care of you, please, so that you will be around, not in pain, for your family.

[time2lose]

Irish,

I want to second the need for good shoes. I understand not wanting to spend money on yourself as I raised 4 kids. We mothers usually put ourselves last. The others are right, you need to take care of yourself. It is like the announcement on airplanes, "Put the oxygen mask on yourself before helping others." You need to be able to keep up with those boys!

I don't know how hard you are to fit. Take a look at http://www.6pm.com/ which is Zappos clearance site. My daughter and I have had good luck getting wide shoes at great prices from there. I have even been able to get extra depth shoes. You just have to keep checking because the supply changes often. The price can be half of other places. I love New Balance like Devsmama does but they don't carry wide enough ones in my local Shoe Carnival.

[irishsarah]

I will attempt to put a little money aside here and there until I can afford a pair of proper shoes. Unfortunately I am EXTREMELY hard to fit because of the swelling and the pain. I have tried woman's and men's 4E shoes, I still can't tie them because of the pain and pressure on the top of my foot.

I DID find a place not too far from me. (Very close to my grandma actually) that sells special shoes (extra depth, extra wide, deep toe box...all of that) and does orthadic insoles and all of that. That is good news, because before they opened there wasn't a store like that anywhere near me. When I get the money together, I will go and get a pair of shoes. Until then, I will just have to go back to what I was doing before, slow and steady workouts. I started off on the recumbent bike but wanted more of a challenge. I will just go back to what I can do, and eventually, I will get the proper shoes. Then I will run circles around everyone.

[Devsmama]

That's a great plan. I'm proud of you for that!