I’m 5 weeks into this whole diet and exercise thing. And despite what I say here, I am still quite motivated. The problem is that I am finding it harder and harder now than I did in the beginning. What is up with THAT? I am now on my 3rd pair of shoes for my daily walks. I first tried the Skecher Shape Ups which are surprisingly comfortable if a bit weird to get used to. But I was starting to experience serious cramps in my right leg at about 4 weeks. I thought it could be the shoes so I thought maybe I would try my old regular Skechers. BIG mistake. I ended up calling it a day after only 4.5 laps and had to leave the mall barefoot. My feet were leaning out wards and the pain in my right leg shifted to my left and it was all I could do to get out of the mall. To be honest the only thing that relieved the pain was running and I did a LOT of it that day…the thing is…have you ever seen a hippo run? It’s fast and it’s anything but pretty. So, I went home and for about an hour and half I Googled. I read. I researched. And I discovered that my problem is high arches with underpronation – meaning I tend to favor the outside of my foot. After close examination of my old Skechers that I was wearing that day, sure enough the tread was totally warn on the outside edge. So, what shoe would work?
I don’t have a bottomless pit of money. And exercise shoes are expensive – many over $100 a pair. I didn’t want to spend that. Besides I had already plunked down that much for the Shape Ups. So, I narrowed it down to a few kinds of shoes and took off for the shoe store armed with several key words to look for in the description of the shoes. I tried on about 6 different pair and narrowed it down to 2 brands – Nike and New Balance. I tried each pair on 3 times! I even had one brand on one foot while I had to there a different brand on the other. They both felt the same. I honestly could not choose. So when in doubt with shoes, I go for the cutest. The New Balance were NOT cute. At least the Nike had some pink in them. So I ventured home with my $50 shoes and yesterday was my first day trying them out. Did my feet lean out? NO. But I was already gun shy and already injured from the previous day. The cramps returned but I grit through them anyway and finished my 2 miles. Luckily the cramps subsided by the last 2 laps but the frustration had already set in. I had spent the past month walking super fast with little to no pain. I was happy with my progress and yet, here I am getting lapped by the geriatrics that also cruise the mall in the wee hours of the morning.
This morning, I thought I would take a little bit of extra time stretching and at my sister’s urging I took a Naproxen. Same deal. About 2.5 laps my sister took off in a quick walk and soon was out of my site. It was a struggle to keep going. My legs felt like lead and the thoughts in my mind kept telling me to just throw in the towel. I must have told those thoughts to stick it because I kept going and by the time I ran up the stairs after my 4th lap to complete the last two, I had had enough. I took off running again and managed to catch up with my sister who was a good lap and half ahead of me. Running, yet again, took the cramps away but I felt like my lungs would burst. What is the deal?!
So, do I keep on with these new shoes or go back to the Shape Ups? I am not sure. I think I may try out the Shape Ups again tomorrow. If I have to have pain in my leg I would rather it be in my right leg which was the reason for the shoe switch in the first place. Since I changed shoes, my right leg is totally fine. Figures. Pain in my left is debilitating. So frustrating…but I won’t give up.
On a side note… I weighed myself this morning and was pleased to see it was .6 lb lower. YAY! So, I downed half of bottle of water and jumped in the shower. While I was in there I thought maybe I should weigh myself again when I get out but this time use my personal setting on the scale so I could record the loss (I didn’t use it as I was just checking for curiosity’s sake before). So I got out, dried off, pulled up my profile on the scale and stepped on. In the 10 minutes since I last weighed myself, I was back up .8lb! WTH!?!! So did drinking 8oz of water really make that happen? I wanted to take that scale and smash it to pieces after that.
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Hi Kris!
The body fluctuates so much- that yes, indeed your body will gain .8 if you drink .8 lbs of H20. Experiment by getting on the scale before holding a 16 oz bottle of water. Get back on it holding the 16 oz bottle and you will notice you are up by that much. Whether you drink it or hold it, the gain will appear on the scale. 100 years ago when I was a member of weight watchers, I would not drink any water or eat before weigh in. Only afterwards. Our bodies fluctuate so much throughout the day, that I didn’t even want to be up an oz on weigh in day.
I admire your endurance with your program. The shoes are probably the most important part of your walking program. In high school I wore Nike, Brooks and then happened upon the New Balance for walking and long distance running. I’ve been wearing them for over 25 years now and won’t go back to anything else. They aren’t the most feminine looking shoes, but for comfort and support, they really do rock! You might want to consider exchanging the Nike for the New Balance if you continue to have a problem.
You are doing incredible! Averaging over 3 #’s loss a week! Awesome! Keep up the good work. You inspire us all!
You remind me so much of Terri.
Take care!
Cindy
Hi Again . . .
I meant to leave these links for you in case you might be interested.
This is the link to the pair of NB Walking Shoes I own. Not really pretty, but they had a pink ribbon for Breast Cancer Awareness that gave them a hint of pink. I purchased mine for a dual purpose in running and to support my Mom and of course because it didn’t feel like I had anything on my feet.
http://www.amazon.com/New-Balance-Womens-WW845-Walking/dp/B0014S8V2Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1267175893&sr=8-2-catcorr
And this is the pair of NB Running shoes I own. Not pretty, but comfortable. I purchased both the walking and running shoes from Nordstroms about two years ago. I was able to locate these on Amazon in case you are interested to read about them. Had no idea they sold these. Should have known though. Could have saved some $.
Anyway, there are so many models to choose from. I happen to like this pair for running, and the pair for walking are so so comfortable. The running shoes were about $125 and the walking $100 when I purchased them. Pricey, but worth every penny.
http://www.amazon.com/Womens-New-Balance-1221-Running/dp/B0000UT1ZU
Hope you find relief in your walking.
Cindy
Thanks, Cindy! I can’t return the shoes because I have already worn them for the past few days. I don’t think the shoes are the problem though. I do notice a big difference in how I place my feet on the ground with the new shoes. I think a big part of it is that I am starting off too fast too soon. I think apart of it is that I am trying to keep up with my sister who has a longer stride than me and that’s hard.
That’s funny. And so true. That’s like my kids trying to catch up with me. Makes perfect sense. And as with our individual strides, every foot is different too.
Different shoes for different folks.
You’re an inspiration. I happened upon one of the neices (Allie) blogs after she emailed last week. Checked out your site and found that you are kicking it in gear too! I check your blog often now to stay motivated myself.
It’s really hard this time around that at almost every corner I want to throw in the towel. I see you doing so well, and that helps me to stay motivated.
Keep up the good work!
Cindy