vkimo wrote :

Have you tried walking/running barefoot? I read an excellent book called Born to Run which explains how man was designed to run barefoot and all the great benefits from doing so.
-end quote

A little. Mainly in the house and yard. Hard to go barefoot out in my urban surroundings. I can get to a track easily. I'd just have to convince myself that running or walking in a circle for its own sake isn't totally boring. Books on tape?

I do a lot of cycling and walking. Also changing my diet due to being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Its helping. I've lost 30 lbs since October of last year. Just want to lose about 30 more. That has been the toughest weight to lose. Time to join a gym!

Good news, I guess. I don't have to do anything. I was worried I would have to change my footwear, but the doctor said my shoes are good. Also that it's good that I bike, and I should definitely not run--it would just make things worse.

My left foot is less stable than my right. The arch is fallen. She suggested some insoles (and "stay away from Dr Scholl's!") but that's about all that can be done. Hopefully the higher quality ones she recommended will keep me from hurting any more.

DebrisStorm wrote :

I do a lot of cycling and walking. Also changing my diet due to being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Its helping. I've lost 30 lbs since October of last year. Just want to lose about 30 more. That has been the toughest weight to lose. Time to join a gym! -end quote

Whoa dude, good for you! Go for it!

shakin steak wrote :

DebrisStorm wrote :


I do a lot of cycling and walking. Also changing my diet due to being diagnosed with Type II diabetes. Its helping. I've lost 30 lbs since October of last year. Just want to lose about 30 more. That has been the toughest weight to lose. Time to join a gym! -end quote

Whoa dude, good for you! Go for it!
-end quote

The diabetes diagnosis was a nice wake up call. I cut out soft drinks and drink mainly water. I also took myself off the lithium I was on for about 10 years. (Due to starting show some major negative side effects.) That made me gain a lot of water weight. I feel a lot better. Both physically and mentally.

shakin steak wrote :

Good news, I guess. I don't have to do anything. I was worried I would have to change my footwear, but the doctor said my shoes are good. Also that it's good that I bike, and I should definitely not run--it would just make things worse.

My left foot is less stable than my right. The arch is fallen. She suggested some insoles (and "stay away from Dr Scholl's!") but that's about all that can be done. Hopefully the higher quality ones she recommended will keep me from hurting any more.
-end quote

Have you considered getting the foot removed and using a peg?

As of late, I've been working out quite a bit. I've been taking a summer weight training class, and it's going really well. Not only did the class give me more of an idea of a routine of what to do when working out at the gym, but it also allowed me to learn a bit more about my body, and which areas are less developed than others. So, I have a pretty solid plan when it comes to exercise. My diet, however, still needs some work. I always say that I'm going to be changing my diet. But whenever I try, I never stick to it, and I go back to my usual dieting habits.

vkimo wrote :

Have you considered getting the foot removed and using a peg?
-end quote

Actually, yes, I have. Preferably something a little more advanced than a broom handle, though

DebrisStorm wrote :

The diabetes diagnosis was a nice wake up call. I cut out soft drinks and drink mainly water. I also took myself off the lithium I was on for about 10 years. (Due to starting show some major negative side effects.) That made me gain a lot of water weight. I feel a lot better. Both physically and mentally.
-end quote

Cutting out soft drinks was a near impossibility for me... but I did it anyway, somehow. Changing eating habits is EVEN HARDER to accomplish. But, I managed to do that too. I'm hoping the results of my most recent lipid profile show signs of the changes I've implemented.

blueluigi wrote :

As of late, I've been working out quite a bit. I've been taking a summer weight training class, and it's going really well. Not only did the class give me more of an idea of a routine of what to do when working out at the gym, but it also allowed me to learn a bit more about my body, and which areas are less developed than others. So, I have a pretty solid plan when it comes to exercise. My diet, however, still needs some work. I always say that I'm going to be changing my diet. But whenever I try, I never stick to it, and I go back to my usual dieting habits.
-end quote

(Read response to DebrisStorm above... )

shakin steak wrote :
Actually, yes, I have. Preferably something a little more advanced than a broom handle, though
-end quote

I'm thinking something Terminatoresque.

Good news on the health front for me. My diet changes are working, and my metabolic syndrome is about in check. Just need to add some more consistent exercise and get my HDL back over 40 (it's currently 35). My LDL (bad cholesterol) was nearly within the safe range of less than 100 (102). Triglycerides and VLDL were good, as was the cholesterol levels. Nice to know my efforts are paying off.