Stretching Exercises? - Page 2

elliesboy · 11th January 2007, 12:33

Unfortunately I don't have a pair of ballet heels to stretch in, so I tried Dr Shoe's exercises in my 6" heels. New_look, I think there might be something in it!

Rather than say to myself, "Right, I'm going to stand in these heels for 30mins / 1hr / whatever", I took it very slowly. 5 mins standing, 5 mins sitting, 6 mins standing, 5 mins sitting, and so on until I had stood for 10 mins, which is way longer than I had been able to manage before. I put the keys for the locking ankle straps right at the other end of the house, so there was no temptation to take the shoes off during the break periods. I don't know if it's my imagination, but I could swear there's a tiny bit more movement in my toes - maybe my Achilles tendons are giving a bit.

Incidentally, once I had finished I tried my old 5" heels on - they felt like a pair of bedroom slippers!

It might be a while until I can wear 6" all day, but it is progress!

tallguyinheels · 12th January 2007, 20:11

Well as you have figured, going from a 5 to a six has moved your ankle forward and not much upward. The sensation is unique. I love the shorter - toe to heel - length of the shoe. The drawback is the flexibility of the achilles and the thighs. The toes will flex in the weight once the achilles and the thighs are taken care of. for the thighs, try, for each left and right, laying on your bed or on the back of a sofa with one lag extended along the bed or back and the move the other forward in a staddle like position as far as possible. Then, using your arms, push your torso upward, arching your back and strething your quadracepts (front of the leg muscles) hold for 30 seconds - repeat a dozen times goin for a little more extention each time. For the achilles, you want to set on your knees with your legs straiaght and arch your torso backward -even to the point where your knees seem to lift off the ground... if you do this exercise in your heels it's even better. Warning though: Do not do this is you have knee problems or injury.

elliesboy · 13th January 2007, 13:47

Thanks for that - they sound like the kind of exercises I'm looking for! Although I'm having a little difficulty visualising them. Could you possibly post a picture or diagram? As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words!

tallguyinheels · 14th January 2007, 05:49

try this

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...firefit280.jpg

elliesboy · 14th January 2007, 12:52

It all makes sense now, tallguyinheels, I can see how that stretch is going to help. I will give it a try and report back!

C'mon new_look, you can try it too!

pumpedup · 14th January 2007, 14:10

I was having the same trouble you were. I just kept wearing my 4" heels until they fit better, and then got some 5" heels and kept wearing them, and then finally i got some 6" heels, and while i almost fell on my face, they fit like a glove! What i did was crouch down while wearing them, because they were a bit tight, and the toes were struggling to spread out. Then after a while, they started to spread out with everyday wear. Good luck!

new_look · 16th January 2007, 19:03

uh unsuitable equipment....maybe of the kitchen side ;)