Exercising with heel spurs

So I'd taken several months off of doing any weight bearing exercise because I was diagnosed with heel spurs and they were so painful I could barely do day-to-day walking.  I took it easy for 3 months but now I'm at the gym and trying to lose weight.  I LOVE the treadmill but after a week, I can feel the pain starting to come back.  I wear Dr. Scholl's inserts (can't afford the custom-made orthotics) daily and hardly ever wear shoes with heels anymore.  I figured for at least a week or two I'm going to have to do more time on the bike and less on the treadmill.  I know I NEED to keep losing to make the pain better.  My mom who has heel spurs, arthritis, and is more overweight than I am recommended these: http://www.happyfeet.net/product/Fluid_Filled _Insoles_Happy_Feet_Insoles.html ; She has tried every OTC product as well as custom-made insoles and says these are by far the best she's ever had.

• Has anyone ever tried the Happy Feet Insoles? 
• What was your experience with them or other insole products?
• What types of exercise do you do when the pain flares up?

Thanks in advance!

I went to the foot doctor two weeks ago and I have a heel spur. I at first I thought it was from my back because it's the same leg the pain goes down but that is not the case. I have a bad back, I don't have a ACL, Arthritis, and I am overweight. I am having a hard time walking around but I make my self

Lynn2356

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My podiatrist just recommended Happyfeet to me, and they are great--better than the $400 custom orthotics I had before.  I would recommend them to anyone with plantar fasciitis and heel spurs. 

Thanks, oakmountainnursery!  That's great news to hear.  I'm going to do more biking in the meantime until the pain eases up a bit.  My doctor doesn't want me plowing through the pain so as long as I do some hand weights, biking, and other non-weight bearing for the next few days I should be ok.  Friday is payday so I plan to order the HappyFeet insoles then so by next week I should be perfect.

I went back and looked at the insoles he recommended and they are called "Superfeet", not happyfeet.  Sorry for the confusion.  You can get them at REI and running shoe stores.  Here is a website:  http://www.superfeet.com/ ;

They just fit right into your running shoe, and they cost about $35.

Good luck!

Ok, thanks.  I will have to consider and compare but there's really no price difference.  Hmmm... Mom vs. internet stranger.  Non-exerciser vs. exerciser.  Non-dieter vs. dieter.  Whose advice will I take?   J/K.  Thanks a bunch.

I tried mom's Happy Feet and they are amazing...  It's like a constant foot massage.  Even when you just stand still you'll find yourself rocking back and forth just to feel it...

I ordered the Happy Feet (snjfech is my younger sis) and they should arrive soon.  Super Feet has ones designed for wearing with heels.  My mom said the Happy Feet only work so-so with her stacked-heeled shoes so I might order some Super Feet eventually to go in my loafers.

Thanks, everyone!

Is it worth considering changing exercise routine...I used to do 30 / 40 mins on the treadmill 5 days a week but gave up after developing plantar fasciitis. I took up swimming as an alternative..its a great calorie burner , good cardio workout and doesn't stress the body as much.

Swimming isn't very accessible right now as my gym doesn't have one and the indoor community pool is under construction until at least June.  Come summer I will be taking my step-daughter swimming but I'm trying to do more recumbant biking and tummy crunches in the meantime.  I'm very careful to stop on the treadmill as soon as my feet hurt, ice them at home, and not do the treadmill for a few days after a flare up.   

The good news is, as the weight comes off, my doctor is confident it will go away since we caught it before it got too bad.  I appreciate everyones help and advice.