Proper form for deadlifts

I tried to do deadlifts this morning, for the first time, really, and my feet started cramping with only 30 pounds on the bar.  I realized that I am physically incapable of putting my heels to the floor as I bend down to pick up the bar.  I know I was supposed to "Push my heels to the floor" but couldn't do that until it was almost to my knees.  So I ended up working my back really good - it doesn't hurt now, but I will probably have sore muscles tomorrow.  Good thing I didn't try lifting heavier!

I did try to look up proper form, but none of the examples I saw had someone with that problem.  Most of them were men with the huge 1000 pound weights (I know, I know, you wish!) that get that bar up high.  I did find one example of a woman with a dinky weight, but somehow she was able to reach to the floor with her heels down.

Should I try putting the bar on something so that it is higher, so I work my back (and toes) less?  It seems there won't be far for me to lift if I do that.  What can I do to get better form?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

I put the bar on milk crates so that it's high enough - you've got 3 choices for how high the crates will be (which side they are on).

edit: Also, you know you can bend your knees, right?

Yes, my knees were bent to my chest, I just couldn't get my heels down in that position - I think I have short arms, and 50 pounds of fat in the way.  

I'll try putting the bar on some spare plates or something until I get skinny enough to reach down to the floor, or strong enough to get the macho weights (can't wait for the last one!)

Find a copy of starting strength, it's by far the best resource for proper form on the major lifts available.

Other than that, start with the bar higher and work on your hip mobility until you can get down low enough.

Def prop the bar up - better to have reduced range than strain your back.

Part of my warm up is ankle mobility (stand with toes a few inches from wall, and try to get knee to wall without bringing heel up) since that's one of the things that limits me.

I was doing them from the floor at first. 

I grabbed a couple of old phone books (metro area, so they are pretty thick) and put one at each end to rest the bar on. 

I was worried about the bar rolling off, but it makes a nice dent in them, and it ain't going anywhere after I set it down on them. 

Original Post by amethystgirl:

Def prop the bar up - better to have reduced range than strain your back.

Part of my warm up is ankle mobility (stand with toes a few inches from wall, and try to get knee to wall without bringing heel up) since that's one of the things that limits me.

 Good idea!  I'll definitely add that to my stretches - I hadn't even thought of that.

Original Post by karozel:

I was doing them from the floor at first. 

I grabbed a couple of old phone books (metro area, so they are pretty thick) and put one at each end to rest the bar on. 

I was worried about the bar rolling off, but it makes a nice dent in them, and it ain't going anywhere after I set it down on them. 

 I think I will probably use a couple of aerobic step raisers - since they have holes in the middle, the plate oughta stay put.  The phone books were a good idea, though.

Thanks, guys, for helping me brainstorm.  I had a feeling that I wouldn't want to be doing that much with my back once I got the weight up a little.