Achilles Tendon Pain

Ok- let me say I am not an athlete- don't run- etc- I 'try' to walk 3X week about 2miles each time and then some sort of exercise video once a week- and that is if I am lucky....and that may or may not be the problem....What is up with my achilles tendon and feet--OMG the pain- it feels as if they are stiff as boards- I often find myself just leaning over the sofa and stretching one and then the other for relief---does anyone know why this is happening(I used to be really active and this never happened)

My guess is- my inactivity and barefooted walking has changed them somehow??????? yes??? no???

How can I get them back where I am not in horrible pain after a 'nothing' workout????

Thanks for any/all advice---

Get some shoes with proper support in them. I have no arch and walking anywhere is a killer. 

Maybe start stretching your achilles after your small workout as well? (before isn't advisable because you need to warm up your muscles first)

http://walking.about.com/cs/stretching/a/achi llesstretch.htm

i have a lot of achilles problems and the best thing to do is to stretch them before and after. make sure you are actually stretching your achilles and not just your calf. Keep your feet planted on the floor and bend your knees a little so you feel the pull there. Icing helps and so does heat if they are in pain. 

 thanks- seems like I am doing the right thing then- might try a better shoe as well- guess it is a sort of comfort to kno wI am not the only one that hurts this way--it was just so odd as I never had had this kind of pain in the past when I used to do everything!!!  I will keep stretching, icing and heat as needed and hope for the best.