Feet, Food and Exercise - Part 1
Tuesday May 24, 2011
When I first thought about writing this post, I was going to talk about the feet & these running shoes, how I have had to change my food to accommodate the intensity of my exercise & also a bit about the exercise I am doing now. Well, just writing about the shoes was longer than expected & I know many of you don't like longer posts. Sooooooooo, I will break this up into 2 posts. Please come back tomorrow for part 2.
I know I have been writing a lot about the issues with my feet & the lack of fat pads on both of them. It has been a very frustrating time to say the least since I love my workouts & feet are part of those workouts! I have had to cut back on my cardio a bit but mostly on the intensity of it meaning my HIIT & intervals are less than they used to be since my feet can't handle it. I even have trouble walking after the cardio to do my weights due to the pain in that fat pad area.
Open door, in comes Sheri! I have posted about Sheri before & HER STORY but you can check her out at the previous links. She told me about these crazy looking shoes she bought that help the neuroma in her feet. That is Sheri in her shoes above & I bought the exact same ones. I wanted a different color that I could wear with anything, like when I am not working out & my feet still hurt, but they were sold out & I was not going to wait. I needed help NOW!
So I bought them & have been wearing them a couple weeks now. They definitely have helped & I can do more than before. I still feel the fat pad area problem but some days are better than others & I have been able to get in some decent runs & some HIIT & intervals. Still not like I used to but better than with my regular running shoes. Also, when I walk around the gym to do my weights after the cardio, my feet don't hurt as much. Walking barefoot even on a carpet is a whole different thing after a workout. Days off help but right after workouts can be a bit tough.
One thing I can say, if I ever have the money to get the fat pads fixed, these shoes will really help me save my feet moving forward.
When I first saw them, I thought, HOLY CRAP, these are the craziest shoes ever. They almost look like monster shoes or maybe some of those Shape-up/Skecher type shoes. They looked like they would be heavy but they are lighter than light! I had no trouble adjusting to running or doing cardio with them which surprised me. I do weight train in them too because I need that feeling they give me. I know many hard core weight lifters use special shoes to weight train in, especially on leg days - flatter shoes being preferred - BUT if the choice is weight train or not, I chose weight train with these shoes & it took me only a couple days to adjust to them when lifting & doing legs.
I got the Hoka One One Mafate Edition Trail Running Shoe rather than the indoor shoe because the trail version is wider & I have WIDE feet & then add really bad bunions to that - WIDE!!!! The only prob I have had is they tie up higher around the ankle so I had to get thru a couple blisters on both feet till they became a callus cause I was not giving up these shoes. Also, I am in between sizes. I got an 8.5 because I was told they run small & they are a tad big BUT I can tell the 8 may have been to small so I am working around that. Actually, I had this prob before these shoes too depending on the maker of the shoe.
How they work per Hoka:
So, with feet issues, I have had to change the food program as well since I can't do the intensity I was doing when my feet were fine. I also have some thoughts on exercise & what I am doing & the need to do it. I will be discussing that tomorrow but needless to say:
PEOPLE, IF THINGS CHANGE & YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU WERE DOING BEFORE, YOU JUST CAN'T KEEP EATING AS MUCH AS PREVIOUSLY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT BURNING AS MANY CALORIES.
In the same vain, once you lose your weight, going back to eating like before just means the weight will come back on. You have to adjust to the new weight & make a plan to MAINTAIN. Doing that will require continuous healthy eating but managing some fun or treats in there but NOT all the time or the weight comes on. Check out one of my special occasions posts from way back when which talks about how just about everything can be a "special occasion" for some people.
I put that in caps because I think this is the one thing people fail to understand. Even without feet issues, if you have lost weight, your body does not need as many calories as before, so once you reach that goal, you just can't start eating like you did prior "to the diet". You have to adjust to maintain....
More tomorrow on the food & exercise changes due to my feet. Please stop back!
Of course, HUGE THX to Sheri for getting me back to at least some decent workouts. Prior to the shoes, the feet were getting so bad that working out was becoming way too painful. Stop by her place & also check out the previous links to read about her amazing story!
How do you feel about my comment in caps above?
When I first thought about writing this post, I was going to talk about the feet & these running shoes, how I have had to change my food to accommodate the intensity of my exercise & also a bit about the exercise I am doing now. Well, just writing about the shoes was longer than expected & I know many of you don't like longer posts. Sooooooooo, I will break this up into 2 posts. Please come back tomorrow for part 2.
I know I have been writing a lot about the issues with my feet & the lack of fat pads on both of them. It has been a very frustrating time to say the least since I love my workouts & feet are part of those workouts! I have had to cut back on my cardio a bit but mostly on the intensity of it meaning my HIIT & intervals are less than they used to be since my feet can't handle it. I even have trouble walking after the cardio to do my weights due to the pain in that fat pad area.
Open door, in comes Sheri! I have posted about Sheri before & HER STORY but you can check her out at the previous links. She told me about these crazy looking shoes she bought that help the neuroma in her feet. That is Sheri in her shoes above & I bought the exact same ones. I wanted a different color that I could wear with anything, like when I am not working out & my feet still hurt, but they were sold out & I was not going to wait. I needed help NOW!
So I bought them & have been wearing them a couple weeks now. They definitely have helped & I can do more than before. I still feel the fat pad area problem but some days are better than others & I have been able to get in some decent runs & some HIIT & intervals. Still not like I used to but better than with my regular running shoes. Also, when I walk around the gym to do my weights after the cardio, my feet don't hurt as much. Walking barefoot even on a carpet is a whole different thing after a workout. Days off help but right after workouts can be a bit tough.
One thing I can say, if I ever have the money to get the fat pads fixed, these shoes will really help me save my feet moving forward.
When I first saw them, I thought, HOLY CRAP, these are the craziest shoes ever. They almost look like monster shoes or maybe some of those Shape-up/Skecher type shoes. They looked like they would be heavy but they are lighter than light! I had no trouble adjusting to running or doing cardio with them which surprised me. I do weight train in them too because I need that feeling they give me. I know many hard core weight lifters use special shoes to weight train in, especially on leg days - flatter shoes being preferred - BUT if the choice is weight train or not, I chose weight train with these shoes & it took me only a couple days to adjust to them when lifting & doing legs.
I got the Hoka One One Mafate Edition Trail Running Shoe rather than the indoor shoe because the trail version is wider & I have WIDE feet & then add really bad bunions to that - WIDE!!!! The only prob I have had is they tie up higher around the ankle so I had to get thru a couple blisters on both feet till they became a callus cause I was not giving up these shoes. Also, I am in between sizes. I got an 8.5 because I was told they run small & they are a tad big BUT I can tell the 8 may have been to small so I am working around that. Actually, I had this prob before these shoes too depending on the maker of the shoe.
How they work per Hoka:
- Using a lower ramp angle (4 mm) and a rocker shaped, feather-weight midsole, the Hoka Mafate reproduces the conditions a barefoot runner experiences when running on grass or sand.
- The oversized midsole will absorb any hard obstacle your foot may encounter, and once compressed, the feather-weight EVA midsole springs back under your forefoot for increased acceleration.
- With 50% more surface area in contact with the ground, and a midsole that allows the foot to recess into it by almost one inch, the shoe provides protection, stability, and pronation control unmatched in stability running shoes.
So, with feet issues, I have had to change the food program as well since I can't do the intensity I was doing when my feet were fine. I also have some thoughts on exercise & what I am doing & the need to do it. I will be discussing that tomorrow but needless to say:
PEOPLE, IF THINGS CHANGE & YOU KNOW YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO DO WHAT YOU WERE DOING BEFORE, YOU JUST CAN'T KEEP EATING AS MUCH AS PREVIOUSLY, ESPECIALLY IF YOU ARE NOT BURNING AS MANY CALORIES.
In the same vain, once you lose your weight, going back to eating like before just means the weight will come back on. You have to adjust to the new weight & make a plan to MAINTAIN. Doing that will require continuous healthy eating but managing some fun or treats in there but NOT all the time or the weight comes on. Check out one of my special occasions posts from way back when which talks about how just about everything can be a "special occasion" for some people.
I put that in caps because I think this is the one thing people fail to understand. Even without feet issues, if you have lost weight, your body does not need as many calories as before, so once you reach that goal, you just can't start eating like you did prior "to the diet". You have to adjust to maintain....
More tomorrow on the food & exercise changes due to my feet. Please stop back!
Of course, HUGE THX to Sheri for getting me back to at least some decent workouts. Prior to the shoes, the feet were getting so bad that working out was becoming way too painful. Stop by her place & also check out the previous links to read about her amazing story!
How do you feel about my comment in caps above?
Posted by truth2beingfit at 5/23/2011 9:10 PM 
Categories: Motivation/Support, Weight Loss, Exercise, Fitness, Cardio workout, Workouts, workout, Dieting, Challenges
Tags: calorie counting challenges change change it up choices dieting Exercise feet fitness Health Issues healthy eating jogging lessons learned motivation Motivation for Health and Fitness never give up running running shoes The Motivational Girl walking Weight Loss workouts
Categories: Motivation/Support, Weight Loss, Exercise, Fitness, Cardio workout, Workouts, workout, Dieting, Challenges
Tags: calorie counting challenges change change it up choices dieting Exercise feet fitness Health Issues healthy eating jogging lessons learned motivation Motivation for Health and Fitness never give up running running shoes The Motivational Girl walking Weight Loss workouts
Good to hear you found something to help your feet.
I think many of us have it somehow coded in our heads that once we reach the goal we can relax. Hence going back to old habits. That is why the message that diets don't work but lifestyle changes do is so important.
For me personally it is vital to limit special occasions to... practically zero. Some foods are just way too addictive.
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That is exactly it Ewa - getting too comfortable... it has to be a lifestyle change.
Like you, not very many special occasions for me either. My bday & maybe a couple others. Of course I have my weekend cookie treat!!!
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I'm really glad these shoes are helpful, Jody!! I bet you are taller in them too
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I am taller in them!
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I totally 100% agree. I think the reason people say "diets don't work" is that they expect to be able to go back to eating whatever the heck they want whenever they want for no reason better than "I can" when the diet is "over." Fitness is a LIFESTYLE!
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Thoses are some crazy looking shoe! So you have the link for them so I can check out their site??
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Sian - here is the link to the North America contact & they can give you dealers too.
http://www.hokaoneone.com/en/contact.html
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yes, making a note of the advice to make a plan to MAINTAIN. Can't wait to get to that point.
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You will get there Patrick!!!
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I am so happy they are working out for you Jody! Just to clarify, I don't have a Neuroma, I have Diabetes Neuropathy in my feet.
I would not be able to run without my Hoka's. I wish I could buy stock in them.
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Sheri - SORRY & thx for correcting!!!
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I have been getting a little slack with the eating lately. I bike a lot, but I know I am not burning off everything I have been eating on the non ride days! The creep happens insidiously when we stop paying attention.
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Yes, Lori - it does creep!
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I wonder if those would work for me too. I use inserts in my shoes, with metatarsal and regular arch support.
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Karen, they might.. I could not find a single insert that helped my prob & I tried a lot!!!
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Those are the craziest looking shoes I've ever seen...but after your recommendation, I can't wait to try a pair. I don't yet have the loss of padding that you talk about, but extra cushioning definitely will help this aging body. Thanks for the tip, Jody.
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Marsial - definitely extra cushioning!!!!
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Shoes are so important! Especially when your on your feet all day or working them hard!
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I am so thankful Sheri lead me to these April!
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