I haven't talked about it much here, but it's been well over a year of dealing with foot issues.
It all started when I decided to try the shoe everyone was raving about, HOKA tennis shoes. And within a week of trying these for everyday fitness walking, I had terrible toe and heel pain which led to plantar fasciitis. I'm talking pain first thing in the morning, pain first thing at night, and a lot of pain in between.
It'd alternate between my feet, too. For one period, it was mostly my left foot. And then that got better, but it had moved to my right foot. And of course, if you are walking weird to compensate, you will end up with joint pain in your knees and hips as the day progresses.
I tried icing. I tried roller massagers. I tried swapping shoes frequently. Nothing really helped.
A month or so ago, I tripped on a bad bumpy sidewalk while walking the dog and twisted my ankle. I tried to let it heal on its own, but it got so bad I ended up in urgent care. Nothing broken, but they told me to wear a boot. So I've been using this for most of December. The plantar fasciitis has gone away, but the top of my foot is still swollen and I can't wear a lot of normal shoes just yet.
Sore feet means I can't walk long distances for fitness like I used to do.
So my health has really declined this year, and I don't like it. Add to that a lot of post-menopausal weight gain that adds pressure on my joints, and I'm caught in a nasty cycle.
So this next year, I'm really going to work on my health. The weight has got to go, so bye bye baked goods and comfort foods. Hello healthy eating.
I'm going to make a lot of doctor appointments that I've been putting off for too long.
And I'm going to try more Pilates and functional fitness that will keep me limber but not put pressure on my feet and joints.
I want to look and feel better than I do right now, so that will be one of my big goals.
Aging gracefully isn't easy. Most days, it feels like a game of whack-a-mole. You get one thing under control, and then another pops up. But I have to keep at it, if for no other reason than I have people who are counting on me to show up and get the work done.
Oh, Mary Rose, I'm so sorry you've had to struggle with the foot issues and snowball effect on your health. It's happened to me - 30+ year runner who suddenly developed foot issues and now can no longer run the long miles or do the intense workouts (I used to run 6-8 miles a day 5 days a week plus strength train and take spin and boot camp classes....working out was my passion). Because of the huge decrease in intense exercise, weight gain was inevitable (15-20 pounds).
ReplyDeleteTo encourage you, it does end! I've found a healthy run/walk routine with strength training plus lots of functional fitness (I walk or ride my bike to take care of errands and do my own cleaning and other household tasks). Spinning helped in the "in-between" when running wasn't possible. Swimming is an option, too, but I've tried it and absolutely detest it haha! From reading your blog, I have faith you will achieve your health goals, Mary Rose, and know that there are many who can relate to the same struggles.
Foot pain is starting to ease, and I'm jumping in with both my sad feet to healthy eating again! :)
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