WLJ: Dancing shoes ... oh, and the halfway mark!

A few weeks ago, I told you how excited I was to get my new Zumba shoes.  Yes, after just a month of Zumba, I could tell it was something I wanted to stick with, and I decided I needed shoes devoted to it. I consulted with a friend of mine who is a Zumba instructor and did some online research.  I read a lot of reviews and looked at a number of shoes. There are a lot of great options out there, but I ended up with these Ryka Transitions.

Aren't they pretty?

Now that I've used them for a few classes, I feel like I can share my thoughts on them.

Before I got my Rykas, I was wearing basic running shoes. They are great for other workouts, but not for Zumba. Running shoes are designed for traction.  That's not what you want when you're dancing. You want to be able to glide and pivot a little better. My Rykas have helped me do just that. The soles are smooth enough that I can do turns without worrying about messing up my knees or hips.

Also, the shoes are quite a bit lighter (because they're designed for dance), so picking up my feet for higher impact moves and jumps is a little easier. I didn't realize how "heavy" my running shoes were until I got the Rykas. Of course, this means there's not a ton of padding in the sole, but so far that hasn't been an issue for me. Even with fallen arches, this shoe provides adequate support.

Finally, the sole is really narrow, but that's typical of dance shoes. I was a little worried about that because I have a bit of a wide foot, and they tend to expand after I've been working out awhile (something I learned when I started running). I ordered a half-size larger (7 instead of a 6.5) because that was recommended by almost every review, and they're perfect.

Overall, I love my Ryka Transitions. They have made such a difference in my workouts. I'm not saying they made me better at all the tough moves (no shoe can do that ... ha ha), but they certainly made some of the moves easier. I've gotten plenty of compliments on them from the women in my Zumba class too, which is always nice.

With spring on the horizon, I've started my hunt for new running shoes.  I currently sport Nike Lunarglide 2s. I've had them for almost two years, so even though they still look great, they're probably close to the end of their mileage. I really liked the Nike shoes, so I'll probably stick with that brand. Plus, they sync with my ipod nano, which is a must for me.  The other criteria is bright colors. It's more fun to get out and run when my shoes are colorful.  I've done some online shopping, but haven't committed to anything yet. Here are a few of the ones I'm currently considering:

AirMax Tailwind 4

AirMax Moto 9

Free Run 2

Lunarfly 3

I can't wait to start running outside.  The dreadmill treadmill just doesn't do it for me.

Weight-loss goal: 40 lbs.
This week's progress: -2.8 lbs.
Progress to date: -20.6 lbs.
Non-scale victory: One of my goals this year is to run at least five 5Ks. Last night, I started scouting possible races online, and I think I can surpass that goal if I really want to.  I've found awesome race opportunities for April, May, June, July and September. I would really like to find one each for August and October too.  Who am I becoming?  Oh, that's right -- me. I'm becoming me. A more awesome me.