*hugs* yep, there's mornings it's all I can do not to cry for those first few steps... and if I sit wrong or dont put my feet up when I sit down to knit or watch tv, it starts again in the evening too, or grocery shopping on those hard floors! UGH!! If you walk, try to stay on grass or dirt, I think in part we all walk on uber-hard, uber-flat surfaces too much, its amazing how our feet on soft trails act different than they do on flat surfaces.
For exercise, Cycle!! Either inside on a stationary bike or a regular bike with a trainer attachment or out in the fresh air on a real bike. Keep it slow and steady and make sure the seat is high enough, too low a seat makes your back be wrong, and makes you bend your knees too much which is bad too, your knees should be almost totally straight when the pedal is at its low spot. (not rigidly straight though, a sort of a 'soft' straight if that makes sense, or, very slightly -flexed- )
[edit] OR SWIM!! Swimming is a WONDERFUL thing, unfortunately I no longer live where it's easy for me to get to a pool, but if you can do it it's awesome!!
Anti-inflammatory meds consistently!!!!, I tolerate Ibuprofin very well, (AF candy! They prescribe that stuff like its popcorn in the military!), and freeze water in some 20oz plastic soda/water bottles so you can roll your foot over them. Gentle stretching as youve been doing and VERY good arch supports, the cheap ones are just a waste of money, which I find helpful to sort of rotate different arch heights, not sure if thats just me or not though.
