Thank you for the encouragement and info, I agree ~ that from what I have seen, everyone is very helpful and encouraging. I have learned more from this site and I truly appreciate the estrogen-focused advice.

As for your mom, if it helps...back to my 5 mins when I began to exercise, it would take me a week before I could increase my time to one minute more! If she could just commit to 5 mins a day - it becomes contagious - that plus a positive additude is everything...

but back to the shoes...from what I have been told, the bike shoes have a harder sole and so doesn't bend the wrong way so that the foot pain is prevented. Additionally, I was told that there are some shoes that you can either use w/ or w/o the clips. What I was thinking is first but the shoes, then later the clipless pedals - but then I think if I buy the shoes, I might also buy the pedals...

Not only the foot pain, but slipping off the pedal is starting to bruise as I get faster and slip harder, even though I am only on the trainer..

I was gonna go down to the bike shop and (hopefully) get a cateye so I can tell my speed and distance - and thought I would check out the shoes and pedals...

I haven't heard of PowerGrips - will have to look into that - but then it goes back to the foot pain, and the harder soled shoe

Thanks again ~Janice