Do I need my shoes fixed or is it a weight loss issue?

F

FoxTrotExtrovert

Active Member
I've noticed over the past month that when I'm dancing, the heel of my shoe "buckles" (for lack of a better work) causing my foot to twist and turn and I lose balance. I'm afraid that it could ultimately lead to an ankle injury.

My shoes have 2.5 inch heels and I've had them for about 6 years (they have been getting the most mileage though over the past year -- prior to that they came out only a few times a year when I took a few group classes).

When I first start seriously ballroom a year and a half ago I was quite heavy and I have since lost about 25 pounds.

Can any of the more experience dancers here give me any ideas as to whether it might be that the heel of my shoe needs to be fixed (or *gasp* do I actually need to try and find new shoes that I like?) or do you think it might be a weight issue -- that my center has changed as I've lost weight?

My teacher thought at first that it was just the ankle strap being too loose, so I had new holes made and I've been able to tighten the strap, but I still feel the shoe twisting. His next suggestion was getting low-heeled practice shoes for lessons and then take out those shoes closer to showcase time.

Any ideas?

Thanks!
 
He makes good suggestions. Are you prone to supinating your feet? Do they naturally roll to the outside when you're not paying attention? If so, work on inner thigh strength and focus on keeping your weight more to the inside of your foot. Make sure you aren't back-weighted as you dance, putting too much weight on your heels. Are the outsides of the heels worn, or is it the heel shaft that seems to be buckling?
 
I had to go down a half size when I got smaller... it was that or order custom shoes in the model I like in a narrow. My previously awesome shoes had become too wide for me, especially in the heel cup, and sliding around in my shoe was not helping my balance.

It is possible that you would be okay with a new pair in exactly the same model and size, as they will break in differently on your now slightly smaller feet.
 
rels77 said:
I don't know how often you're in the shoes, but I have to replace my latin shoes about every 9 months, so I can't imagine them still being effective in terms of support, etc for 6 years.
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Hi @rels77,

For the first 4 years, I probably wore my shoes 25-30 times in total? The last year is when I've gotten serious about consistent lessons and practices. And I've lost weight so I wasn't sure if it was me or the shoe, but looks like it's probably a combination of both!
 
Definitely new shoes - I replace my latins every six months when I am dancing and practicing regularly - in fact my most recent pair hasn't even made it to 6 months, which I attribute to wearing them for a combined tango / cha cha showcase and dancing a bunch of international tango in item.
 
Yep, it's probably a bit of both! I've lost about 70 pounds in 18 months and it's affected my feet almost an entire whole shoe size!
 
I also agree that you probably mostly need new shoes. Even if the first 4 years of their use was minimal, they've been getting used more since, and you didn't mention the brand so maybe it's also a shoe brand that doesn't last very long anyway. To me it sounds like the shank is gone (the sole part between the heel and the ball of the foot - gives the shoe stability). Some dance shoes don't even have a strong shank to begin with. Yes perhaps weight has impacted the longevity of the shoe, but regarldess the shoe is likely worn out and simply need replacing :-)

I wouldn't risk twisting an ankle over "wearing out" shoes... just because the satin is still intact doesn't mean that the shoe guts are any good (LOL).
 
Yeah, I didn't even consider the fact that you might have stretched them out more when you were heavier and so now they're looser. That would make a big impact, too. Go get new shoes, woman!
 
I didn't lose any weight when I started dancing (in fact I've gained a bit since then) but my feet shrunk from a 7.5 to a 6.5. Six years seems a long time for a pair of shoes to me too so I'd say it's time for a new pair.
 
mindputtee said:
I didn't lose any weight when I started dancing (in fact I've gained a bit since then) but my feet shrunk from a 7.5 to a 6.5. Six years seems a long time for a pair of shoes to me too so I'd say it's time for a new pair.
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Huh, I didn't know that could happen.

I do sometimes wear half a size smaller than I used to, but I think it's because I just prefer a snugger fit nowadays, because of dance maybe?
 
Shoes I have that used to fit me now slide off my heels when I walk, though I do think I also prefer a snugger fit.
 
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