neuropathy and exercise

[Blue flash]

I've had quick search but couldn't find much on forum, so sorry if repeat post.

So just had annual diabetes review by my nurse, and was told need to lose some weight. I'm currently 18St /120kg, have suffered blisters, ulcers in the past so wear orthopedic shoes.

Currently eating low carb diet, so not sure much more I can cut out unless maybe try vegan low carb diet.

Exercise currently is arounf 30 minute short works during break at work, so think maybe give walking to work a try only 4-5 miles. Wife says NO you know what your feet are like, me ( hoping they've improved with the shoes) I'll be fine. Make could time just over and hour, nice weather meet few friendly folks to say morning to etc.. Get work take shows off for quick check and yeap there ii is large blister

Any advise please.

Cycling how is that on your feet?

Don't think I could handle a gym find time etc. needed to be something means to an end, IE walking to walk (saves money, good for environment, and I have to go work everyday).

Any suggestions? me personally I'm happy with weight and self image etc.but if losing weight helps with diabetes I really should try.

Thanks for reading and sorry if started to ramble ( just feeling bit crap as cant even walk to help myself)

 

[Ljc]

Please don’t apologise, I know only too well just how troublesome feet can be , I’ve got some nice NHS shoes too .
First the blister . Apologies if I seem to be teaching you to suck eggs , but due to my tootsie troubles I have a really big thing about feet, I am sure you do too 🙂.
Don’t break the blister , try to keep your foot dry . I assume like me you are under an NHS podiatrist, phone them and tell them you have a wound. Mine move heaven and earth to fit me in.
If not Phone gp practice for the nurse to check and dress it.

Could it be your socks caused this blister .
I assume with your shoes that like with me they checked thoroughly that there was plenty of room and they fitted well.
Sorry no real advise about exercise , I’d carry on with the short walks , if you can swim that would help.

 

[Matt Cycle]

I've had quick search but couldn't find much on forum, so sorry if repeat post.

So just had annual diabetes review by my nurse, and was told need to lose some weight. I'm currently 18St /120kg, have suffered blisters, ulcers in the past so wear orthopedic shoes.

Currently eating low carb diet, so not sure much more I can cut out unless maybe try vegan low carb diet.

Exercise currently is arounf 30 minute short works during break at work, so think maybe give walking to work a try only 4-5 miles. Wife says NO you know what your feet are like, me ( hoping they've improved with the shoes) I'll be fine. Make could time just over and hour, nice weather meet few friendly folks to say morning to etc.. Get work take shows off for quick check and yeap there ii is large blister

Any advise please.

Cycling how is that on your feet?

Don't think I could handle a gym find time etc. needed to be something means to an end, IE walking to walk (saves money, good for environment, and I have to go work everyday).

Any suggestions? me personally I'm happy with weight and self image etc.but if losing weight helps with diabetes I really should try.

Thanks for reading and sorry if started to ramble ( just feeling bit crap as cant even walk to help myself)

If your 30 minutes walk at work was okay you could try and increase it more gradually. I can't really advise on the neuropathy but blisters are often caused by the fit of your shoes. Increasing the walking more gradually should help. How do you normally get to work? If by bus get off a few stops early. If by car then park half way and walk the rest. Cycling is great for feet as you are simply turning the pedals with little pressure on the feet themselves.

Swimming would be good with little pressure on the body. I know it's not a means to an end and you'd need to find the time but it's quite relaxing compared to a gym. (Your journey to work doesn't go alongside a river does it? ) Any exercise coupled with the changes to your diet should certainly help in managing your diabetes.

 

[Blue flash]

Please don’t apologise, I know only too well just how troublesome feet can be , I’ve got some nice NHS shoes too .
First the blister . Apologies if I seem to be teaching you to suck eggs , but due to my tootsie troubles I have a really big thing about feet, I am sure you do too 🙂.
Don’t break the blister , try to keep your foot dry . I assume like me you are under an NHS podiatrist, phone them and tell them you have a wound. Mine move heaven and earth to fit me in.
If not Phone gp practice for the nurse to check and dress it.

Could it be your socks caused this blister .
I assume with your shoes that like with me they checked thoroughly that there was plenty of room and they fitted well.
Sorry no real advise about exercise , I’d carry on with the short walks , if you can swim that would help.

Thanks yes took a few months for my shoes to be fitted, and just moved to a new orthopedic for more new measurements, should have those next month sometime.

Dryness is Key, learnt the hard way after soaking my blisters every night after work ( oops ) know no to dress and keep dry

 

[Blue flash]

If your 30 minutes walk at work was okay you could try and increase it more gradually. I can't really advise on the neuropathy but blisters are often caused by the fit of your shoes. Increasing the walking more gradually should help. How do you normally get to work? If by bus get off a few stops early. If by car then park half way and walk the rest. Cycling is great for feet as you are simply turning the pedals with little pressure on the feet themselves.

Swimming would be good with little pressure on the body. I know it's not a means to an end and you'd need to find the time but it's quite relaxing compared to a gym. (Your journey to work doesn't go alongside a river does it? ) Any exercise coupled with the changes to your diet should certainly help in managing your diabetes.

Thanks, I work is by a canal, kill or cure.

May try pick up a bike and give that a try, once my foot heals.

 

[HOBIE]

As soon as I seen your name I thought of Green Flash Trainers . Good Luck !😉

 

[Thebearcametoo]

What about adding some weight to your walks so you’re working harder doing the same thing. A weighted backpack or ankle/wrist weights. Or do some body weight strength exercises at home. I presume the ortho knows more about fit than I do but there are different ways to lace shoes/trainers to get the lace tension in different places (Pinterest has loads of ideas on this) which can help runners etc.

 

[Carlos]

If you are worried about your feet blistering, then the bike may be a reasonable alternative. If you are fit enough to walk the distance, then riding shouldn't be a problem. Do you already have a bike?

 

[Blue flash]

What about adding some weight to your walks so you’re working harder doing the same thing. A weighted backpack or ankle/wrist weights. Or do some body weight strength exercises at home. I presume the ortho knows more about fit than I do but there are different ways to lace shoes/trainers to get the lace tension in different places (Pinterest has loads of ideas on this) which can help runners etc.

Thanks hadn't thought of weights can just add backpack to short walks I do at work.

Seeing orthopaedic again in few weeks, so will see what they recommend. Everything been fine until took nurse advice take more exercise to lose wieght, knew it would happen but still tried.

 

[Blue flash]

If you are worried about your feet blistering, then the bike may be a reasonable alternative. If you are fit enough to walk the distance, then riding shouldn't be a problem. Do you already have a bike?

Not got bike yet, have been looking on web for reviews for bike for overweight, found there is a disabled group that hire various bikes out so will likely go there for test run see if feet cope.

 

[Carlos]

Not got bike yet, have been looking on web for reviews for bike for overweight, found there is a disabled group that hire various bikes out so will likely go there for test run see if feet cope.

Unless you are really overweight any town or hybrid bike should be ok. I would avoid full suspension mountain bikes, unless you are actually going to ride mountain trails, the can be overly heavy and there will be little benefit from the suspension.

Good luck with your trial.

 

[Blue flash]

Unless you are really overweight any town or hybrid bike should be ok. I would avoid full suspension mountain bikes, unless you are actually going to ride mountain trails, the can be overly heavy and there will be little benefit from the suspension.

Good luck with your trial.

Currently weight 18 stone, and am 6ft don't personally feel ovetweight but believe I am officially classed as such

 

[Carlos]

Currently weight 18 stone, and am 6ft don't personally feel ovetweight but believe I am officially classed as such

You should be fine with a hybrid or town bike at that weight, no need for any special bike. A bike to match your height will probably be specced to around 130kg, about 20.5 stone.

Edited to add, this thread might be useful if you want to find out more

https://www.cyclechat.net/threads/bike-weight-limit.89587/

 

[Blue flash]

So feet healed and got a bike, went for test commute today and all good with feet no blister. Just very wobble legs when I got off.

 

[Carlos]

So feet healed and got a bike, went for test commute today and all good with feet no blister. Just very wobble legs when I got off.

That's great to hear. The wobbly legs is normal, it will pass as you get used to riding.
BTW, which bike did you get?

 

[Blue flash]

Muddyfox single speed with steel frame, would have no idea what to do with 18 gears, kept it simple as only using greenways or canals.

But the new valves and tyre pressure, where a surprise. Tyres are 700x25c was looking for fatter tyres but this bike was cheap

 

[Carlos]

Muddyfox single speed with steel frame, would have no idea what to do with 18 gears, kept it simple as only using greenways or canals.

But the new valves and tyre pressure, where a surprise. Tyres are 700x25c was looking for fatter tyres but this bike was cheap

Sounds great. You can probably put in fatter tyres yourself, as long as there's clearance, of course.

Happy riding!

 

[Docb]

Hi Blue Flash. Used to own a bike shop and a bike is a great solution for your commute especially if you have the option of avoiding heavy traffic. With a bike, you get what you pay for, and I would expect that your Muddy Fox will deteriorate pretty quickly. If after a while you find that the ride is not as enjoyable as it is now, then it will not be because biking is not a good idea, it will not be because it is wrong for you, it will be because the bike is not the right one. The message is do not give up!

You might be able to get some 700/28 or even 700/32 tyres on your bike. If you go that route then buy some quality tyres - those fitted to your Muddy Fox will be bottom end. Puncture resistance comes from the tyre and there is a big difference between cheap tyres and better quality tyres. Avoid the things described as puncture proof. They are generally almost impossible to fit!

 

[Carlos]

@Docb as the bike @Blue flash has bought is single speed, there are fewer things to go wrong. Also, his commute is not long, so I think this is a "good enough" bike for a beginner to get started. He can build from there, and look at alternatives as he gets more into cycling.

 

[Docb]

Hi Carlos, no gears maybe but there is still plenty left to go wrong - believe me, my bike shop mostly did repairs. There were some bike brands that filled me with dread when they came through the door because I knew that I was going to have to tell the owner that they were going to be faced with some hefty repair bills if they wanted them to work safely, even if they were quite new.

One of the most frustrating things in the bike business is that many people are persuaded into buying cheap bikes. The bikes do not work well and deteriorate so quickly that they find their way to the back of the garage and the owner finds himself back in the car after a month or so. More people are lost to cycling than are converted to cycling by buying cheap bikes. You don't need to spend a lot of money to get a straightforward commuting bike its just that some manufacturers get the price down and the profit up by fitting awful brakes and wheels and running gear with a result that the bike is not nice to ride and quite frankly often not safe enough to be ridden in traffic.

The point in my post was to encourage Bluflash (and others) to get on a bike for short journeys. Its better for you and the environment and often quicker and more convenient and would certainly get rid of the blistering problem from walking. All Ii say is get some decent advice before buying and do not assume that the only thing to think about is the price. Oh, and don't believe the discounts offered by some of the big chain retailers!