Expert: Kim Farmer - 11/28/2007

Question
I am 31, 182 lbs. and 5'6".  I quit smoking about 11 months ago (after 12 years) and I want my lungs and figure back, so last month I began exercising again.  I have been doing the "Turbo Jam" workout with low-impact modification and have been looking forward to my workout everyday.  

So here is the problem:  as I add time to my workouts (I am up to 45 minutes to 1 hour everyday), I found that I was having severe arch pain in both feet and about halfway through the workout, numbness in the middle toes of both feet (the right being more prominent).  I was working out barefoot.  Then I tried Dr. Scholl's running shoes...no help.  I added arch support inserts (also Dr. Scholl's)...no help with the numbness, but some help with the arch pain.  I don't have arch pain as quickly or suffer from sore feet afterwards or the next morning, but the pain--when it sets in--is still as intense.  I checked my shoe fit, the laces, room for toes, heel seating.  I stretch before the workout and after.  The pain and numbness are extremely frustrating and are ruining my newfound fun of exercising...I REALLY love these exercises!  I have no history of disease, blood pressure problems, eating disorders, anemia, diabetes, or any circulation problems.  I have sprained both ankles in the past (over 10 years ago at different times), but nothing severe...on crutches for 2-3 weeks with no complications during or afterwards.  I work from home, so I don't stand all day long (or sit all day long either) and I do community theater in the evenings.  I do take a multi-vitamin and the anti-depressant zoloft.  My diet is well-balanced, I drink 8-14 glasses of water a day and don't really have any caffeine (less than one diet coke a day).  I hope this is enough information for you to help me, or at least help me rule out causes.  Like I said, I REALLY love these exercises and want to continue doing them!

P.S. If you know anyone who is interested in quitting smoking, I did it by reading a book by Allen Carr: "The Easy Way for Women to Stop Smoking" It literally saved my life and I didn't crave or gain weight.  It's like a reverse brainwashing and I am giddy every single day to be a non-smoker!

Answer
Hi Breelyn-
Congratulations on your smoking cessation, that is AWESOME!  I'm glad you found a book that worked for you, I will remember the title and recommend it.  I wonder if there is one for men....

Anyway, it sounds like your problem might not be related to exercise at all.  I don't have any type of expertise related to toe and foot problems except for if they are injuries related to exercise, but it sounds like yours might be something different.  I would recommend that you see your doctor who may refer you to a foot specialist.  Or perhaps there is someone on this website that could help.  

It sounds like a book that I recently wrote could help you to lose the weight too.  Visit www.milehighfitness.com and click on my blue book on the left hand side of the page called "Get Motivated!" for some other ideas for nutrition, exercise and general knowledge related to healthy concepts.  It has helped a lot of people stay on the right track.  My other book called "Healthy Recipes for Any Day" is also very good for cooking tasty foods without all the fat and calories.

Sorry I couldn't help more than that... thanks for the question.

Kim