Best trainers for heavy lady, with cal... - Weight Loss Support

Weight Loss Support

115,084 members61,312 posts

Best trainers for heavy lady, with calf, Achilles heel and knee pain

27 Replies

Sorry I’m not sure quite where I am meant to post this question not technically diet related more exercise related. Does anybody know of a very good pair of trainers that supports a heavy lady that are reasonably priced. I have been walking for six weeks and started with calf pain four weeks on my Achilles heel started to niggle me and now it’s the opposite knee. This morning I strapped my knee and took a couple of painkillers and continued with my 2 walks. This evening my Knee is just killing me. I have three pairs of trainers and find one to soft and aches my calves and Achilles heel when walking the other feels firm and gives me sore soles and achy knee, the third just don’t fit my weird feet. I really want to continue walking but don’t know how with all these injuries! I can barely stand this evening☹️

Read more about...
27 Replies
moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone

I think you should see your GP, Prunes28, because your symptoms are clearly getting worse. You may need physiotherapy, shoe inserts, or special footwear and we're just not qualified to advise you.

in reply tomoreless

Hello moreless, thank you so much for you response. My gp practice isn’t that great to be honest, I’ll be handed a sheet or given a web site to down load a sheet. I think I just have the wrong trainers and wondered if any one weighing a bit heavier then average found any trainers that they found were particularly good at supporting their weight. Yes I agree insoles do make a big difference, I’ve always bought insoles for all of my shoes and trainers as I had an horrific accident 50 years ago resulting in a half severed ankle, not nice. But hasn’t caused too many issues over the years. just perhaps not the best gait while walking. 🤣

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply to

Maybe you should get a gait analysis then? Good sports shops offer them, usually for runners, but I see no reason why it couldn't be done for walkers.

in reply tomoreless

Aw thank you so much, very good advice, I am not sure I’d feel confident going into a shop, i do all my shopping on line. I feel a bit embarrassed even going out walking, but I do it as i know i need to. I took painkillers this morning and strapped my knee and today walked the 2.5 km I’m very red and sweaty now😂a little achy but bit better then yesterday. I tied a cardigan around my waste and my husband said you won’t need that it’s hot out, I said I’m not using it because I think I’ll get cold i’m using it to hide my fat bulges🤣😂 just another 2.5 todo this afternoon.

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply to

Honestly, Prunes28, while I admire your spirit, I don't think that trying to work through your injuries and pain are going to do you any favours in the long run.

I understand your reluctance to go into shops, but your health and well-being must come first. If you exacerbate the problems now, they may never come right and your diet will play a much larger part in your weight loss journey anyway.

Why not try losing some weight first, with diet alone and gradually introduce exercise later?

in reply tomoreless

Yes see where your coming from, I thought that too and did exactly that last year and I just got stiffer and gained 3 stone! I googled to see what I should be doing with these niggles and the advice is to keep moving even if you have to take take pain killers, it shocked me a bit but that seems to be the advice. The other thing I need to move as i have a lung issue and it helps clear the mucus on my lungs. ( never been a smoker) just incase people think I am, or have been. So I’m just going to find little tricks that might help, like the insoles. Many thanks appreciate your advice.

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply to

If you walked around the house for a couple of minutes every hour, or got yourself an exercise bike, I think you'd get the benefit of movement, without the exacerbation of your health issues.

When I first started here, I was nearly 20 stone and could barely stand without being in agony. I have osteoarthritis.

I lost 2 stone with diet alone, then started to use an exercise bike, initially for 1 minute an hour, gradually increasing the length of time. I then started walking around the house, then outside. Only doing what I could do without distress.

I continued to gradually add to this and 11 months later, started the Couch to 5K programme. 1 year and over 7 stone lighter after that I ran a marathon.

You do not need to kill yourself from the outset. Just take your time :)

in reply tomoreless

Yes that is excellent advice, i am definitely on your wave length. I bought a bike mate 15 weeks ago as I have a bike in the garage and it was just £45 to hook up, set it all up with good intentions. it turns your regular bike into a exercise bike. Started off with 15 minutes but it gave me such a bad back and bottom, I can cope with backache but bottom ache nooo, I got off feeling like job Wayne, I persevered and got up to 25 minutes twice a day for weeks, it felt like torture. I was in so much agony my bum really ached. I have a gel seat, a nice fat wide seat😂I took a cushion out and sat on that, my bottom still ached, I tried soft blankets bottom still ached, I mean not a little it did feel like torture, I felt I had a broken my fat bum😂😂. I tried to think out side the box not wanting to waste too much money, and found one of those doughnut cushions quite cheap, nice thick spungy seat, I hooked the hole through the point of the seat and sat on the nice thick spungy foam. To be fair that was a lot more comfy however I still felt like my bottom was about to fall off! 😂😂😂I am so glad no one can see into my garage. I did give up as it just felt like torture and turned to walking 6 weeks ago. Calf muscles were dreadful but they are a lot better, now not perfect but better, it’s just the heel and knee, even my heel is a little better today but knee not so good. I know I’ll get their, or think of something else but I really love walking when it’s not painful. I’ll have to keep trying as my weight is shifting I can feel my skirt not so clingy.

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply to

I know all about the painful backside on a bike and the use of cushions, etc. I bought a saddle that was supposed to be the 'armchair' of saddles, but it was still painful!

All I can say is that it does get better, but do little and often and increase very gradually :)

in reply tomoreless

Thank you, and well done for the 7 stone fantastic achievement. I know how that feels as many many moons ago I went from 17.13 to 8.2 in a year. I kept it all off for ten years. Sadly I couldn’t keep to my regime as others needed me, the exercise stopped. Still I'm starting again now and not as heavy as before, much older though. Good luck and big congratulations with your weight loss.

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply to

Well done you for not giving up and devoting some well-deserved time to yourself :)

Luety profile image
Luety

Hi,Prunes28.About knees pain cant respond ,but Achille, could be Plantar Fascia,I had.And GP advised in first place to buy orthopedic insoles good ones and to put in all you shoes ,trainies , slippers too .I was sceptic with that ,but did.And in a few weeks Achille pain gone and fir knees was good too.In a shop insoles with plastic are good ones, but expensive, but when you look at them, you can order from ebay more cheeper.I bought 3 ,one in a slippers, one in a sport shoes and one in a shoes, and you can just take out and put to another shoes.Just try, maybe will help.

in reply toLuety

Aw thank you so much luety, that is exactly one of the things I was thinking about. Although I have bought insoles I’ve never bought orthopaedic ones. I was looking last week and procrastinated. I don’t have eBay account but will look on amazon, as I think they could work. It’s the main reason my weight has gone up as gave up walking last year due to same issues. This time I’m just going to find a solution. Thanks once again it’s so helpful to hear other views. .

Luety profile image
Luety in reply to

You are always welcome!I hope it will work.

Subtle_badger profile image
Subtle_badger

Something very important: don't train while on pain killers!! Pain is your body's way of telling you something is wrong, and masking that signal will lead to further damage, as you have found.

Try to find a good shoe shop, that specialises in comfort, and look at the options. European brands are good, like Rieker and Mephisto. Alternatively, you could visit a good outdoors shop, trail or approach shoes might be a better option, or even lightweight hiking shoes.

Hi I think the thoughts on that have changed over the years particularly if you are older like myself. New research says it is better to take mild painkiller and do gentle exercises like walking, cycling, swimming. Every time I have had achy joints in the past I have been inclined to rest then ended up much stiffer and fatter. I did it last year hence the weight gain. My calf’s were dreadful 6 weeks ago now they are much improved, my achilles heal feels a bit better a lot better then last night and my knee is better since my morning walk. I have rested since then and am now going out for my second walk, although it looks a bit hot out and I’d rather sit here. I think one big mistake I have done is use a soft trainer in the morning and a firmer one in the afternoon. I think I’ll stick with the firmer trainer and a soft insole as I feel a bit more comfy like that. I have a knee brace that is taking most impact anyway so that will help and the painkillers are just low dose paracetamol, first thing this morning, I haven’t taken any more since. Thanks you for your concern and your thoughts much appreciated.

Subtle_badger profile image
Subtle_badger in reply to

I wasn't suggesting not moving, I was suggesting not taking the painkillers before exercise. If the pain is so bad you can't exercises without pain killers, then I think you should rest. If you can work through the pain, then I think you should. Eg exercise as soon as you get up, then take a painkiller afterwards. A painkiller could hide a pain that would tell you that you were doing harm.

I've seen rowers sidelined for months after using painkillers to keep training through an injury.

in reply toSubtle_badger

Thank you for the explanation, the problem I have is that I am generally very stiff and achy in the morning, we’ll all the time really. 🤣i rested for a long time in the past and I think that was my problem, I just seemed to stiffen up even more. Now the achilles heel seems better, since walking the calf pain has virtually gone. I just have this knee pain now, I think it may be inflamed. Only using low dose pain killers although resting just makes my knee feel very stiff. I tried the ortho insoles this morning, they came late yesterday. Not sure what I think of them as I am still limping quite badly. Although I may have altered my walking as my damaged ankle isn’t very flexible.☹️ Thanks you for your thoughts most appreciated.

Gottadosummit profile image
Gottadosummit

Hi.

As an obese bloke who is on his tootsies 12 hours a day. 375 pounds in weight. Six foot two tall n size 14 uk feet I am aware of my tooties.

For work I wear company provided ppe steel toe boots.

To commute I wear karrimor 14 mid high trainer/boots very supportive easy on the soles n ankles.

To walk I have Altberg army boots size 14 wide/large these cost a bit but are so comfy n supportive I can walk further n have excellent fit.

Insoles are a great way of customizing your fit to your needs.

Basically get footwear for the task you have.

moreless profile image
morelessAdministrator7 stone in reply toGottadosummit

Welcome back, Gottadosummit :)

As a reminder, all of the information you need about the forum can be found in Pinned Posts healthunlocked.com/nhsweigh... and I hope you'll be joining all the Events, Challenges and Clubs that we run, especially a weigh-in and the daily diary.

We've found active participation to be key to successful weight loss and, of course, it's a good way to get to know people, find inspiration and share support and encouragement.

Wishing you all the best :)

Thank you so much for posting. See where you’re coming from with the boots, not sure army boots or an ankle boot will go with my skirt when I’m walking. I am trying to imagine it but think I'll take a rain check on the boots, it wouldn’t look good especially as today my walk involved walking 2.5 km with my T-shirt inside out🤣🤣🤣. The insoles, yes! Just ordered some and should be here by the 12th August👍 I can’t walk in any heavy shoes I tend to walk in light shoes. Thanks once again most appreciated!

Gizmocat profile image
GizmocatModerator13kgMaintainer

Why not buy a pair of walking shoes? They are more supportive for your feet than trainers. I wear mine a lot when walking any distance and they are really comfortable. They have a padded insole and support your ankles. Have a look for karrimor or similar brand. I think sports shop would sell them or an outdoor shop and they are not too expensive. You can probably get them online but it might be worth trying them first.

in reply toGizmocat

Thanks Gizmocat, I have in the past had walking shoes and found them heavy, because I have a damaged foot that is a lot weaker, I just cant seem to walk in anything too heavy. Are your walking shoes light weight?

yogahaze profile image
yogahaze5lbs

I have some Saucony walking trainers. Really good cushioning. Helped me get through a nasty bout of plantar fasciitis. I went to a go outdoors, found an assistant and explained. They were dead helpful. Really important to try them on and get the right size. Lots of independent walking shops will do custom insoles too if you need them.

in reply toyogahaze

Thank yogahaze, I did google and that was one of the pairs that came up as being good for the heavier person. Are they light wait? We do have a go out doors, I tend not to go to shops, could order them on line and get husband to take them back if they are not a good fit😂

yogahaze profile image
yogahaze5lbs in reply to

I don’t find them heavy. I got men’s as I’ve got wide feet. Really comfy. I was really surprised what size I needed and I’d really encourage a fitting. I felt so out of place in a shop geared to exercise being well over 300pounds but what I found was really helpful shoe geeks. Give it a whirl

in reply toyogahaze

Thank you for your advice, they don’t look too heavy, I may well give them ago. Thank you so much, most helpful.

Not what you're looking for?

You may also like...

New start

Good morning! I am 69 years old (32 in my head!) and very overweight. I am determined to do...
Jude-b profile image

Getting fit in my 50s

Hi everyone, Newbie , just joined this evening. I wonder if anyone else has had this problem, I...
pixielady profile image

Falling into old habits

So, I started off on this journey with motivation and real desire to succeed. I truly believed I...
CherryN profile image
2st 7lbs

Bit too much???

I seem to have become a bit obcessed with doing 10,000 steps a day. Yesterday I got home and had...

ive been naughty

We have a communal area at the back of my bungalow and we usually sit out at night in the summer...

Moderation team

See all
TheTabbyCat profile image
TheTabbyCatAdministrator
TeamAdmin profile image
TeamAdminAdministrator
BridgeGirl profile image
BridgeGirlAdministrator

Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.

Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.