My aching feet are ruining my workouts. HELP

meechi53
meechi53 Posts: 195 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
My feet OMG my aching feet!!!!! My feet hurt no matter what kind of shoes I buy. I have thin soles, thick soles, new shoes, old shoes: I buy the special insoles of every kind, I even shelled out 50 bucks for the Dr. Scholls ones that you stand on the little machine. No matter what, its my feet that hurt me the worst when I do Zumba, or any kind of cardio. Also they hurt when i'm doing strength training, lunges, etc. (30 minute shred videos). I actually have to stop and/or slow workouts down because of it and it sucks. I do have flat feet, have had it all my life and it seems to be getting worse not better.

ANY advice would be welcomed.

Replies

  • Elisirmon
    Elisirmon Posts: 273 Member
    Sounds like planter facitius...get arch support and make sure your strtching before and after workouts...also soak in epson salt baths..
  • DopeyDudleyDursley
    DopeyDudleyDursley Posts: 155
    I have dealt with this off and on. This is one the few things rest really doesn't seem to help improve the symptoms at least for me.
    First: Buy a nice pair of flip flops. I have Under Armour ones; however, my mom has Crocs. Wear these around the house at all times. Second, you can get a thing at any pharmacy/department store called a night split where you wear it at night and keeps your feet elevated to help relieve the pain upon waking up. An exercise you can do is freeze a water bottle and/or get a tennis ball and roll the arches of your feet over these items. Lastly, you can get some Icy hot and rub it on your feet prior to a run and then just ice your feet after the run. Personally, I just do the last one if my feet decide to start bothering me; though, ever since I got the nice pair of flip flops most my Plantar Fasciitis has gone away!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,994 Member
    The intensity of your exercise is probably to high for your current fitness. Try cycling or spin for cardio. Even try swimming.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • pamela1972
    pamela1972 Posts: 1
    Epsom salts definitely are your friend!!! I am a hairstylist and stand for long periods of most of my days, to combat acheing feet and muscles I have started taking Magnesium. Be sure to check your doctor and with health food store on dosage and the right kind for you but that over everything has helped me long term.
  • Territravel
    Territravel Posts: 165 Member
    I had the same issues for about 2 years. It was plantar fasciitis, and the only thing that worked for me was to get cortisone shots in my feet, ouch! After 6 months, the shots cease to work. It took another year, and the pain went away on it's own.
  • zytah
    zytah Posts: 153
    the type of shoe you are getting may be the problem. all running shoes, cross trainers, etc are not created equal.you need to find shoes with extra stability for your flat feet. try consulting a sales associate at a sporting goods shop they may be able to point you to a good comfortable shoe for your feet. not ruling out plantar fasciitis but regardless, youll need the stability support.
  • iWillGetCrowSomeday
    iWillGetCrowSomeday Posts: 311 Member
    I keep two frozen water bottles in my freezer at all times and when I get home I sit on the couch and (with socks on) roll my feet on them, putting as much pressure as I can tolerate. It helps reduce any dependent swelling and soothe the plantar fascia. Then, end with a warm epsom soak. I also went and got professionally fitted at Road Runner Sports for running shoes. You might consider it- I wish all my shoes felt like my running shoes!
  • darwinwoodka
    darwinwoodka Posts: 322 Member
    I would suggest going to a good sports shoe store and getting a proper fitting. I have wide feet and have to be sure to buy wide shoes. Everyone's feet are different (flat feet, pronation, etc) and you need to learn what your feet require.
  • otai1
    otai1 Posts: 12
    All the advice you have received is brilliant. The night splint is great. My foot doctor recommended a Strassburg Sock. Very much like a splint. Check out Footsmart.... as you get older, you start looking forward to orthopedic catalogs instead or Victoria Secrets! :-)
  • reneeot
    reneeot Posts: 773 Member
    Pinch your achilles tendon. Is it sensitive and tender?
  • melissa3324
    melissa3324 Posts: 33 Member
    I have the same problem. I have done water aerobics and that really helps my joints. I try not to do a ton of walking. Instead I prefer a stationary bike. Not one of the ones that is like a regular bike...the ones with the pedals out in front of you. This way, less pressure goes on my foot and it hurts less.
  • chilliewillie75
    chilliewillie75 Posts: 14
    bump to see advice
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    My dad has collapsed archs he had to get an orthapedic for inside his shoes try the doc :)
  • Mmmmona
    Mmmmona Posts: 328 Member
    You need to see a podiatrist. They will take a cast of your foot and make a special insole for you that will force your foot to arch where it is supposed to. It hurts like hell for the first few months but it will correct your [problem.
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member
    I went through this too. I even had leg cramps every night so bad I'd wake up a few times a night. The only shoes that helped me were Sketcher shape ups.
    The rolling back heel is a little hard to get used to, but it's the only shoe I ever found that has enough arch support.
    I don't even have to wear them all the time anymore, and I have almost no foot pain now.

    Ah, I reread and saw you have flat feet. This might not help then. I'd probably go with the podiatrist option.
  • blayrewitch
    blayrewitch Posts: 1 Member
    If you are in that much pain you need to see a podiatrist or orthopedic foot and ankle specialist if that is at all possible. It could be something like plantar fasciitis but could also be something else. I also agree with the person that said go to a local running store and get properly fitted for the correct shoes for your foot. I can sympathize with you. I have been through it...plantar fasciitis, posterior tib tendonitis...all of the painful "itis" things :0) and am now waiting to have surgery for an OCD lesion in my ankle. Good luck!!
  • Hexahedra
    Hexahedra Posts: 894 Member
    If this is the first couple of weeks of you getting really active, the pain is normal and it will go away.

    Getting a professional to fit you with a pair of proper sport shoes will help tremendously. My feet need cushioning shoes, I ignorantly picked a pair of stability shoes and paid for my stupidity with a bum knee.
  • sunlover89
    sunlover89 Posts: 436 Member
    I have exactly the same problem and the main thing that has stopped the pain is changing up my workout. I do not try to run, I do not do jumping jacks or anything that involves jumping or bouncing around. I walk, a lot, and fast and up steep hills. I also stair walk but have to stop after 10 minutes for my feet. I've lost 45lbs now, from just walking and heavy lifting.
  • blakerb29
    blakerb29 Posts: 74
    Switch to swimming and walking lengths in the pool etc.
    You can still increase fitness, burn a lot of calories but it is not going to put pressure on your joints and bones etc, infact itIs highly effective for rehabilitation in injuries.
    I had grade 2 calf strain a couple months back and doing walking lengths in the pool cleared it up within a week.

    Good luck!
  • rebasporty
    rebasporty Posts: 287 Member
    I have dealt with this off and on. This is one the few things rest really doesn't seem to help improve the symptoms at least for me.
    First: Buy a nice pair of flip flops. I have Under Armour ones; however, my mom has Crocs. Wear these around the house at all times. Second, you can get a thing at any pharmacy/department store called a night split where you wear it at night and keeps your feet elevated to help relieve the pain upon waking up. An exercise you can do is freeze a water bottle and/or get a tennis ball and roll the arches of your feet over these items. Lastly, you can get some Icy hot and rub it on your feet prior to a run and then just ice your feet after the run. Personally, I just do the last one if my feet decide to start bothering me; though, ever since I got the nice pair of flip flops most my Plantar Fasciitis has gone away!

    This...I all of a sudden developed this very thing. Still dealing with it. Very frustrating. Always wear shoes. I have a high arch and the Podiatrist said DO NOT GO BAREFOOT at all. I am shopping for a good supportive pair of "flip flops" to wear around the house and yard.
  • mkakids
    mkakids Posts: 1,913 Member
    The only thing that helped me was to go have my feet professionally measured at a GREAT running store near here. I ended up buying asis cross trainers with a special arch support and they changed my life! Before these shoes I could barely walk when I was done with ste class and my feet always fell asleep during exercising...yuck!
  • meeper123
    meeper123 Posts: 3,347 Member
    The only thing that helped me was to go have my feet professionally measured at a GREAT running store near here. I ended up buying asis cross trainers with a special arch support and they changed my life! Before these shoes I could barely walk when I was done with ste class and my feet always fell asleep during exercising...yuck!

    the foot falling asleep thing happened to me too until I got new shoes how strange lol glad you got some help :)
  • Timshel_
    Timshel_ Posts: 22,834 Member
    The intensity of your exercise is probably to high for your current fitness. Try cycling or spin for cardio. Even try swimming.

    This, and work your way into more impact exercises. If you are aching all the time it is probably from overuse.
  • meechi53
    meechi53 Posts: 195 Member
    Thanks so much for all the advice, I think I'll get some professional advice on shoes and see a podiatrist. It's definitely not because I'm doing too much for my fitness level as I've been at this now for about a year and a half and it's always hurt but I just now decided to mention it. I love my Zumba classes and would hate to give it up.

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