SP Premium
PENGUINGODDESS

SparkPoints
 

Just some thoughts and questions...

Friday, March 30, 2012

I just want to start off by saying I am amazed at how nice everyone is on here. I would like to thank everyone for being so kind, caring and free with their advice! I'm so happy to have the pleasure of having any interaction with all of you great people.

I have been looking around on SparkPeople at all of the awesome success stories. You all give me the hope and motivation I need - seeing that other people have overcome major issues and lost lots of weight excites me. I read someone's sparkpage and see the pictures of them at their heaviest and pictures of them now as a body builder! Or one lady who lost 125lbs and is now a runner! And I can't forget the lady who hula hoops for fitness and loves it - MostMom is such an awesome person! One sparkpage I read the lady has lost 200lbs and is still losing, how amazing is that! After reading her story I felt like there is no excuse for me not to lose a whole 50lbs and I'm even thinking about trying body building and maybe even a little running (when I have built myself up a little more - don't want to re-injure myself lol). All of your stories make me feel like I can do it - I can go from being pudgy to being fit and maybe even have fun doing it! And maybe I can pump that iron or run that 5k, anything is possible!

Hubby and I walked 2.9 miles today - up to the dollar store and back. My friend came over for the night so she and I walked another mile before dinner. She wants to become healthier as well. This is the amazing blister on the back of my heel that I have earned with all of my walking - it now has another blister inside of it lol. I don't mind it too much - I've earned it!

I would like to take this time to ask if anyone knows what to do about the blister - hubby says keep swabbing it with alcohol to dry it out but it just keeps getting gushy and forming tiny blisters around it and inside of it. I have to put band-aids on it when I walk but other than when I'm walking I try to keep it uncovered so it can breathe. I want to take the skin off of it but hubby keeps telling me that if I don't it will callus and I won't get any more blisters there when it does. I would also like to know how to prevent the blisters - they only pop up on my right heel which is on my injured side. I figured I might be tying my shoes too tight so I had hubby help me to tie them like he ties his but it didn't seem to help. I have bought thicker socks but that doesn't seem to work much either. I'm at a loss, I might not mind it too much but the nagging soreness when I walk makes me step funny.

I would also like to ask a somewhat personal question. I myself have gnarly stretch marks on my legs from my weight gain, they are rather purple. They used to just be on my upper thighs but now I'm starting to notice them on my upper calves and on my hips. Firstly, is there anything that will make them go away? Secondly, what is going to happen with them as I lose the weight? Will they turn into baggy skin and still look gnarly or will they just disappear? I realize its a rather personal question but I really need some advice/guidance on this one.

Thank you in advance for any advice that you can provide on either subjects! I hope everyone has a great day and an awesome rest of the week! Bless everyone!
Share This Post With Others
Member Comments About This Blog Post
  • PENGUINGODDESS
    Thank you for all of the advice. The shoes are actually about a year old - I bought them when I started riding my bike last summer but since I moved I haven't really worn the shoes or rode the bike (it is waaay to hilly here). I was walking in my regular socks which I don't think many people would really call socks - they are really thin and only go up to right below the ankle bone. I bought new socks yesterday that are thicker but I think they are made of cotton. With the new socks the friction isn't AS BAD but I can still feel it rubbing. I think I might have to just buy new shoes made for walking because I believe mine are for running, not really sure if that makes a difference though. I think I will try the friction prevention products before I fork out the money for new shoes though.
    Postive One - My hubby pretty much lives by the same rule lol!

    MCDOWN75 - Thank you for the advice and you're right it is a badge of honor - if the skin doesn't snap back into place for me lol then I'll just be proud that I lost the weight because it shouldn't matter what other people think of my legs as long as I'm ok with them. emoticon
    3262 days ago
  • JR0124
    The other posters are right that your blisters are caused by friction. You have some great advice already. You may be able to prevent heel slipping by adjusting the way you are tying your shoes. Check out this link: http://www.fieggen.com/shoelace/loc
    klacing.htm

    Also, if you are wearing cotton socks try switching to something that is not cotton.
    3262 days ago
  • no profile photo CD9867280
    To only comment on the blister part (my wife has taught me well not to comment in any way, shape or form on women's looks as it is a no win situation for a guy), there are products you can get that help prevent blisters. Being a running, I use these roll-on type products periodically to prevent such a reaction.

    Someone earlier already nailed it when they stated it is caused by friction. Band-Aid has a product called Friction Block that I know has worked for many people. I have used it and it does work!

    SPARK ON IN 2012!!
    3262 days ago
  • MCDOWN75
    I think your question about the loose skin is a perfectly normal one. It all depends on how fast you lose. It takes time for skin to "reabsorb". If you have way too much (going from 600 lbs to 200 lbs), then surgery is the only option to get rid of it. I had sagging skin on my face from weight loss, but with some conditioner and time it firmed up nicely. My thighs are still saggy, but you know what, I wouldn't change it for the world. It's a badge of honor to me. It says "You did it!", so don't let that stop you. Good luck on your journey.
    3262 days ago
  • WALIDGAZALA
    keep it dry and not irritated so cover it by dry dressing
    3262 days ago
  • SHIPADDICT
    Blisters are usually caused by friction. Are your shoes loose in the heel? Are your socks slipping down in the shoe? If yes to either of these, do what you can to fix those situations with heel pads in the shoe, trying other types of socks, etc.

    I would stop using alcohol on the wounds at this point. Just clean them twice daily (and after exercise) with a mild soap and water. If you would like, you can make a weak tea type of solution with liquid Betadine (in the pharmacy) and soak your foot in that once or twice a day for about 10 to 15 minutes. Apply a topical antibiotic cream like Neosporin twice a day very lightly. LEAVE THE SKIN OVER THE BLISTER ON. This not only helps it heal a little faster, but it is also a protective barrier against germs and infection. Resist the urge to pick at it! :) Cover with a clean loose bandage during regular times of the day (telfa gauze pad with medical tape) -- make sure the blister has room to breathe - it needs oxygen to heal. Use a tighter, more protective bandage during exercise. Make sure it is stable and doesn't move around when you exercise.

    My theory on why it is only happening on your right side -- if this is your injured side, you are probably favoring it and walking on this foot slightly different than your left.

    Good luck to you!
    3262 days ago
  • MAMAWALMART
    I taped, medical tape, Cotton on my heals when I was younger and went roller skating. It kept me from getting blisters.
    Also are you walking in new shoes. They will cause blisters when you first start using them.
    Wish you well on your journey of getting fit.
    Stay Healthy
    Karen
    emoticon
    3262 days ago

    • Add Your Comment to the Blog Post

    Log in to post a comment


    Disclaimer: Weight loss results will vary from person to person. No individual result should be seen as a typical result of following the SparkPeople program.