Random thought - my Birkenstocks!

Today I'm wearing my favorite pair of Birkenstock black clogs just because I've got socks to match my t-shirt.  Why is this significant you ask?  I'll tell ya!

Once upon a time, I had chronic back pain and plantar fasciitis.  I would throw my back out several times a year.  I was great at dealing with it, but it really puts a wrench in your life for a few days.  The plantar fasciitis was so bad that I was in pain every day for nearly 2 years, and it just got progressively worse until I could easily define it as agony.  I discovered Birkenstocks.  They weren't the most stylish of shoes, but I was so desperate that I just didn't care anymore.  Being a corporate trainer and unable to stand just wasn't going to go together, so I started with the clunky ugly traditional hippie sandals, then the clogs in the winter time.  My second year into it, though, I discovered a world of cute and funky Birkenstocks and molded my style around them, because for the first time in a LONG time, I could stand in these things for a long time.  I think I had 2 pair of clogs and 3-4 pair of sandals.   These things aren't cheap, but for my own well-being, they were worth every penny.  E-Bay is a great resource for them, too, for half off or more most of the time.  Any of you suffering with the same foot pain, I highly recommend them.  

Today I realized that I'm wearing them just because I wanted something funky and chunky, but marveled that I don't need them anymore, especially after depending on them for so long.  I think it took about 6 months post op and about 100 lbs for them to feel better, but yet another reason to be so thankful for my DS.  I still baby my arches, because even though my weight played such a big part of my plantar fasciitis, it's not reserved for the obese.  If I'm going to be on my feet for a long time, I wear shoes with proper arch support. 

Those who suffer and haven't tried Birks, I highly recommend them.  My favorite for sneakers is Sketchers for their awesome arch support, too. 

 Yeah Val,  I can so relate.  I had all that going on too, I even had cortisone
shots in the heel--- OUCH!  I avoid my birks now (I got a collection)  I think I'll wear some clogs
today in celebration & solidarity.   Ciao !    Gwyn

I kept my black clogs I'm wearing now and some fairly "un-ugly" sandals.  The rest have gone to a better home, too.

I love my Birkies, too!

you can lose the outer fat, but there's no surgery to get rid of the inner hippie

It was the opposite.  I just couldn't embrace the hippie thing, even with the butt-ugly sandals.  I'm afraid I put my bias on my son, too.  Last year he had environmental science, and he came home after the first day saying "This year's gonna suck --- > I can't believe they're making me learn about 'hippie science' against my will"....I had to laugh....and nod.

Oh my, I soooo identify with you, Val!  I suffered with severe Plantar Fasciitis for 9 solid months, first my left foot and then both! It is such a horrible horrible pain to have to deal with, day in and day out. I had read where the pain subsides sometimes with folks after the morning hours, mine never did, the pain would literally bring tears to my eyes. I finally had to be put to sleep twice and have a series of cortisone shots in each heel, this finally took care of it along with wearing expensive custom made orthotics. I still wear them most of the time as I never, ever want to go thru that pain again!

Got me some Birks, too and just LOVE them, and also wear Dansko's which give me some heel but are also very comfortable.

Sure glad that part of our lives is over with, huh? Such agonizing PAIN! Far more pain than I ever had to endure with my DS recovery!

 I also have had the same problem with plantar fasciitis . It actually started with me from wearing my Birks. I have tons of Birk - clogs, sandals, pro style - you name it. It finally went away by wearing Crocs! I know another ugly shoe to some. For some reason I LOVE big ugly chunky shoes. Maybe when I am not so chunky I'll feel different about them. I have a rainbow of Crocs now.
I just got my cold weather shoes out of storage. Put on a pair of clog Birks and ouch! Hurt my foot bad just walking around in my livingroom. I put out my boo boo lip and pouted declaring that I would need new shoes too my husband, he tried to sooth me by saying once you get the weight off they'll feel fine. I think he thinks that I will not want to buy new shoes. SILLY MAN!!!
Jennifer C. aka Mysticalmom
Still waiting for my final approval
Maybe today will be the day

Hopefully, you'll be as fortunate as me and many others to lose the pain along with the weight.  I'm still cautious, for I have a rail-thin aunt who suffers just the same.

Jennifer, I have the same situation as you. I finally figured out that the Birkenstocks, although they felt comfortable, were the cause of my pain. I ended up having surgery, which helped some, but the pain comes back if I ever put on the Birkenstocks.

Crocs FTW!!