I had my first old people moment today.
Posted by notade50@reddit | GenX | View on Reddit | 102 comments
I got down on the floor to paint my toenails today. I couldn’t get back up. There was nothing around to pull myself up with and I couldn’t roll over on my knees because of the wet toenails. I was stuck there for about 3 solid minutes before I was able to finally inch over to the wall and use it as support. I’m 54 btw. Way too young for this. It was a wake up call about my health and strength.
Fairycharmd@reddit
Sadly you need to start following little old Tai Chi ladies (or their granddaughters) on IG so you can do their jump for a minute, swing your arms for a minute, lean this way and then the other way, faux exercise thing they do.
It’s a decent stretch and it’s only 5-8 minutes depending on your tolerance. I also follow a guy on IG who goes a LOT of routines here he shows the modifications (“Or like this on a chair if your can’t get on the floor. Or like this against the wall if the chair doesn’t work”) He’s amazing.
But yeah… stretching daily ala Jane Fonda makes a difference!
SoOverYouAll@reddit
I love that guy! I’ve had knee surgeries that leave me unable to put weight on my knees kneeling and he’s amazing!
Fairycharmd@reddit
I have a knee that will not let me do any floor exercise exercises and so everything he shows me from the chair I absolutely love. I’m so happy I found him and all of the modifications he does to the exercises allows me to do more of my own exercise.
sweetbaloo23@reddit
He is amazing!
Fairycharmd@reddit
He is and his modifications made the difference between me being able to just file another video and actually do the exercises to feel better. I love every video
ZorrosMommy@reddit
Links or names, pretty please?
amyschmamy@reddit
The “or like this” guy is @coachjohnnoel on youtube (and probably everywhere else as well)
sweetbaloo23@reddit
"If you need to"
SoOverYouAll@reddit
He’s on instagram too. And TikTok
tootsmonster13@reddit
who is it? where follow?
Beginning_Pen5758@reddit
I love that guy with the modifications!
Old-Mycologist4750@reddit
I can relate to so much of what you all are saying- wish we could form our own group to cheer each other on with getting a little (or a lot) more exercise. As we are all of a similar age we get it and we also get how hard it is.
I have gone down twice in the last 2y for different reasons and it has scared the crap out of me that I couldn’t get myself back up quickly and that is not the me I thought I was. (I used to be very nimble, but added weight changing my center of gravity and inactivity has kicked my butt.)
I know I need to get more core strength but I just can’t motivate myself to do it by myself and I don’t have anyone in my life who is willing to help me even with just moral support and/or holding myself accountable to do more.
Just a thought, but maybe if we were checking in with others and holding each other accountable, we would be more likely to do what we need to do for ourselves? No meanness, just support each other’s progress? Maybe a dumb idea, but it just sort of occurred to me that we all could benefit from being there for each other; we be would helping each other while helping ourselves?
frogify@reddit
Author and podcaster Gretchen Ruben writes about habit change. Here is a list of her top strategies for habit change - no paywall or subscription needed to read this https://gretchenrubin.com/articles/my-new-book-about-habit-formation-as-distilled-in-21-sentences/
She mentions a quiz to take to know yourself better . You sound like an Obliger - Quiz is few but I think you may need to provide an email.
I have found her books and podcast incredibly practical and helpful.
Old-Mycologist4750@reddit
Thanks for this, I’ll definitely read it. 😊
Meanolegrannylady@reddit
55f here, broke my leg 3 times in 5 years (brittle bones), so alot of bed rest which also affected me lower back. I'm so out of shape now that my husband tried to get me to ride his electric bike yesterday, which is way too tall for me, and I almost got stuck. Couldn't lift my leg high enough to get it back over the bar to get off! I'm thinking about getting a rowing machine to get back into a little better shape. I gotta do something.
Professional_Use8237@reddit
Can you take HRT?
Meanolegrannylady@reddit
Idk?
KurtStation68@reddit
I cut my toe nails a few years ago and when I tried to straighten up, I couldn't and hunched over to the bed. My roommate saw me and laughed. Welcome to my life sciatica.
Happened a couple times since but I've been more careful nowadays - but it's part of my growing list of physical limitations slowly creeping up.
rangeo@reddit
I still watch tv on the floor like it's Saturday morning cartoons.... haven't got stuck yet
LilJourney@reddit
I was going to say this. Yoga/stretches/strength training are all important.
But actually incorporating the activities into regular daily life is important as well. I sit on the floor, I take the stairs, I squat to reach the bottom shelves and stretch to reach the top ones (rather than move items to more convenient spots).
PinkyLeopard2922@reddit
Just being active in general helps a lot! Park further away from the store, return your cart, garden, put your cats in their stroller and walk them around the block. Lots of little things! Stretching is important too. My husband is aghast that I can stand with my feet together, bend down at the waist, and place the palms of my hands flat on the floor. He thinks it is witchcraft or something.
rangeo@reddit
I live in Toronto ... gardening is great for this ....April and May can be humbling. I need to get into cleaning baseboards in the winter.
reenee3501@reddit
Use it or lose it start some sort of exercise plan! Ugh I have had this happen to me.
Business_Coyote_5496@reddit
That is concerning. You should be able to get up off the floor without using your hands at all.
madgeface@reddit
We're in Japan on vacation and my ankles are swelling from all the walking. And today I wanted to get jeans from Momotaro jeans but didn't want to get a larger size than my husband. So. 54(f) former roller derby-ist here in desperate need of a better (or any) fitness strategy. I plan to walk daily when we get home and possibly start lifting again.
Professional_Use8237@reddit
Walk for cardio, lift for strength!
ejly@reddit
CICO + intermittent fasting are helping me, maybe they could work for you.
madgeface@reddit
CICO?
ejly@reddit
Calories in, calories out.
Track your intake and exercise.
Professional_Use8237@reddit
I’m 52 and noticed I was struggling to get up off the floor. I could still do it, but it took effort. I started strength training. If you have access, find a gym and hire a trainer to get you on a program. I’m seven month in and can now get up w no hands. Your future self will thank you!
Dry_Yogurt2458@reddit
More squats and core work needed. It sucks, but it's the only defence we have against immobility in our old age.
We are all getting old and we have no control over that. We do have control over how we get old.
We may not have the quantity of life left that we would like but we can have the quality.
sfdsquid@reddit
My knees have been painful ever since I was a teenager. I think it's due to hypermobility. In any case I can't do squats or stationary bike at all. Stairs hurt. It feels like daggers in my knees. Idk what to do aside from never sit on the floor again.
sexyonpaper@reddit
Pilates is great for people with hypermobility, and you don't have to sit on the floor! My stepmom is 65 and just started a couple years ago. She has osteoporosis and doing pilates 2x a week has worked wonders.
It's kind of a drag to start a fitness routine later in life; I was a totally unathletic theater/artsy kid and eschewed any sports or physical activity. I got turned on to yoga in my 20's but I'd go like once or twice a month, with a friend or whatever. I happened to work a very physical job for about 20 years and because of that I was pretty fit (despite reckless eating and alcohol etc. habits lol) and it was only when I left that industry and entered my 40's that I became sort of jealous of people who were raised playing sports, people who just like go for a run or go to the gym a few times a week because it's been part of their lifestyle since high school or whatever. I just felt like I was so far behind re building these healthy routines.
But it's never too late, and as a lot of people have said in the comments here, yoga is the way. There's a yoga for every body and mindset, it's just a matter of finding what resonates with you personally. There's even "chair yoga" for those who don't want to sit on the floor. You can find videos on youtube if you want to try exploring yoga in the privacy of your own home -- no equipment is needed except a safe/non-slip/slightly padded mat or rug. If you opt for a mat yoga instead of a chair yoga, there are poses where you're on your knees so some like a folded blanket for cushioning, but really, you don't need to buy anything if you just want to explore a bit (then if you decide you want to do it more regularly, you can treat yourself to a nice mat or cute workout clothes). If you're feeling brave, sign up for a local studio -- almost everywhere will offer a new student special where you can try out different styles of classes for cheap!
My 80 year old mom took up yoga seriously probably 20 years ago; she shows no signs of slowing down so far!
TurboLicious1855@reddit
I hate sports of any kind. I struggle just going for a walk. I need a place to go to. But you are totally right. Every day now, I do a little stretch routine that helps me, along with the daily walking (I'm being kind to myself by saying 15 min a day). The weekly workout that got me into body care was Pilates! I love that stuff, but I prefer the way my body looks and feels with a weight routine instead.
3catlove@reddit
I’m also hypermobile and I dislocated my left knee when I was 30. They immobilized it and for a week I was basically immobile. I would go to the bathroom (with help) or whatever but mainly just sit on the couch. When I started PT, I couldn’t lift my leg at all. The muscles wouldn’t work. They atrophied that fast. It all came back but it was scary. It felt like my left leg was paralyzed. It was nuts.
notade50@reddit (OP)
It’s my own fault. I’ve really let myself go.
TurboLicious1855@reddit
Don't be mean to yourself. You wouldn't let your best friend talk that way, so don't do it to yourself. We all have lives and they get in the way sometimes! :)
I have psoriatic arthritis and during the pandemic, I couldn't walk without limping so I was certainly not working out. I found a better medication, actually yyou medication, and slowly got better. I began walking 15 min a day, then increased to 30 a day. Then once a week, I began a class that had weights and core work. Only once a week. Before, I couldn't get up off the floor without holding on to something. After a year or two of this, yes that long, I can now get up without assistance, I've lost 20 lbs and baby, my guns (biceps) are VICIOUS. Lol.
Please now that you are important and be kind to yourself. That negative self talk, even joking, is deadly. Your brain believes it. Be your own best friend and don't let your friend say mean things! You will get there. Little by little!
notade50@reddit (OP)
Thank you for the kind words. Much appreciated.
Dry_Yogurt2458@reddit
It's never too late.
I have friends that started running in their 50's and are eyeing up their first marathon . They lost the weight , started a couch to 5k programme and never stopped.
notade50@reddit (OP)
Absolutely. I agree.
Mountain_Exchange768@reddit
Start with sit squats. So so so important.
And walking to build endurance. Then find a good sustainable routine that builds muscle and keep walking or swimming or riding a bike.
hmmmpf@reddit
You also have to actually stretch and practice getting up from the floor daily.
hazelquarrier_couch@reddit
May I recommend you do yoga? It's done me wonders with these types of situations.
PinkyLeopard2922@reddit
Yoga is great, also swimming if you have access to a pool.
RedLily08@reddit
Question.... what are you eating? Are you eating processed foods? Sugar? Fast food? You can't eat ship and expect it to not catch up to you. When I see posts like this, it usually not about age. It's about diet
hmmmpf@reddit
It’s usually because of physical limitations on strength and balance. Everyone over 40 should be practicing getting up off of the floor daily if they don’t already. I’m 59, overweight, and can stand up from the floor without using my hands still.
hmmmpf@reddit
My 85 yr old mother, who is in great physical shape and walks 2 miles every morning and goes to the gym still practiced getting up and down off the floor every morning. I (59F) do, too. At first it was hard, but it gets easier. I don’t want to be one of those “help, I’ve fallen and I can’t get up” old ladies.
_ism_@reddit
I had my first old people last month when I fell down on a run at the bottom of the hill and broke my rib. But I can still get up from the floor. I don't even have to use my arms. I've heard that being able to stand from the floor without using your arms is a extremely good sign of abilities for later in life. I'm still in my 40s.
Base_Ancient@reddit
I hear you. This happened to me at the grocery store a couple of weeks ago. I was terrified that I'd have to ask someone to help me, so using everything I had I managed to get on my feet. Knees are definitely not what they used to be.
Coldfinger42@reddit
At the supermarket a few months back, i squatted to get a can of tomato sauce from the lowest rack. Goodness gracious I could not get up again no matter how hard I tried. I ended up having to sit on my butt then maneuver myself to standing. Got a lot of curious observers. But I think that's more bad knees and med side effects than age. I think at 50 I should be much more sprightly
kat_storm13@reddit
I'm overweight and out of shape so I attribute that more to physical ailments. But after having lasik in around 2006-2007, my distance vision is getting worse along with astigmatism. At almost 54, the thought that I don't know how much longer I'll be able to drive at night is frustrating. When I was younger it always sounded like it was people that were much older when they had to stop.
Mobile-Piel@reddit
Have you gotten the, "yeah, looks like you have the start of cataracts" news yet? No? Just me? Also 54 🤦♀️
3catlove@reddit
If it makes you feel any better I had cataract surgery on both eyes at 43. I was highly myopic (-17) and cataracts were one of the best things that ever happened to me. I couldn’t see the best out of glasses bc they weren’t right on my eyes and they couldn’t quite find my rx for contacts so I just had to wear the highest rx they could get. I wasn’t a candidate for lasik. Cataract surgery fixed my distance vision. I can drive without correction. I lost my near vision though. I used to have to wear contacts to take a shower so this feels like a miracle to me. I still have issues with driving at night though.
Mobile-Piel@reddit
Oh wow! That's impressive. Well done.
kat_storm13@reddit
Not the last time I went to the eye doctor, but that was I think August of 2024
Mobile-Piel@reddit
Hehehe Get ready... Your time is coming... 😛
notade50@reddit (OP)
I too worry about night driving. I’m already not the best driver to begin with.
kanine69@reddit
I hate driving at night, I aim for the middle and hope for the best. Luckily I'm not driving at night very often.
notade50@reddit (OP)
It’s very dark here where I live. The streets are not well lit. And in the winters it gets dark around 4-5pm, too. Not conducive to night blindness.
kanine69@reddit
What gets me is when it rains might as well be driving on an ice rink I can't see jack.
notade50@reddit (OP)
Same. It’s actually kind of terrifying at times. I’m always wide eyed and hyper aware.
sexyonpaper@reddit
A small and silly PSA because we all need to work on this stuff (daily even; ugh): be careful! My BIL was showing off that he could get up off the floor from a seated position without using his hands, but he did it on a hardwood floor and threw his back out while doing it! (It wasn't like, the first time he tried it or anything -- he's big on mobility exercises etc. but he got cocky. Don't be a hero! Do your stretches etc. on carpeting or on a yoga mat!
He's 70 this year and this happened a few years ago -- so technically a boomer (my silent gen dad's had four wives so my big sis is a boomer and my little sis is millennial). But still -- we should all take heed 'cause we'll be getting up there soon, too, if we're lucky!
And thank you for this post, OP -- I was struggling with motivation to go to yoga this morning and this discussion just gave me the push I needed :)
ransier831@reddit
I remember when painting my toes on the floor ended - now I prop my foot onto my coffee table but luckily my ceiling fan helps dry my nails! I have tried not to do too much time on not being able to get on the floor anymore and just try to increase my flexibility in other areas - I have noticed it mostly in my hips and knees, so I try to work those specifically. Rowing helps - you dont have to do it for a super long time, 5-10 min helps. It helps my back, my hips and my knees. I got a rower cheap on Amazon.
Murky_Possibility_68@reddit
It's another thing you've (I've) just got to work on, getting up off the floor.
The list of such things is endless.
Taminella_Grinderfal@reddit
I realized I’ve become that person who makes noises sitting down, getting up, lifting something “Ugh” “Oof” “Urgh” “Big Sigh”. It’s become a terrible habit and I asked my friend to call me out on it. But I agree, I definitely need to get back into strength training and balance. I was pretty fit up until Covid and never got back on the wagon.
TrainingLow9079@reddit
I had an moment where standing up from sitting on the floor was harder than it should have been--and that was my motivation to join a gym and actually go regularly. I've found twice a week is enough to build some muscle.
ThiryFarm@reddit
If it’s in the budget, I highly recommend getting a gym membership. Try all their different group fitness classes until you find a couple of formats that you like. A basic cardio strength class, a Pilates class, and a yoga class are all good places to start. I started working out consistently at a gym doing group fitness when I was 49 and now at 57 I’m in the best shape of my life.
PizzaWhole9323@reddit
All right I'll play. I was getting up from a chair in the living room, and when I went to get up to go back to my room, my lower back spasms so bad that I fell down on the floor. The spasm was fine as long as I was laying flat on the tile I had to yell for my roommate Michael who is 2 years older than me with back problems of his own to come help get my old ass up off the floor. I would just like you to think about 2 55-year-old men with back problems doing their best to imitate being one whole person helping.
notade50@reddit (OP)
Ugh
greyleef@reddit
Oh wow I thought you were me for a second :)
Boxer03@reddit
I’ve spent the last 2 weeks with a knee that suddenly swelled to twice its size for no discernible reason. I wasn’t doing anything physical, aerobic or impactful, it just decided to sell up effecting my knee, hip and ankle. Thank goodness for steroid shots. 57/f.
cheesusismygod@reddit
I have lymphedema from a car accident, but yeah, just within the last 6 months I realized my legs are no longer strong enough to pick me up. They are getting weaker, and now I will randomly fall, and then that causes a whole other slew of issues. Im 47
Junior_Ad_3301@reddit
My elderly parents' advice is yoga. They say it saved their lives
Banana_Prudent@reddit
This is really good advice.
impersephonetoo@reddit
This kind of thing is why I started going to the gym. Try to keep my strength up so I don’t end up not being able to do anything. I can remember my grandma struggling like this when i was a kid and we were always helping her out of chairs and stuff. She was probably in her late 50’s then.
Quirky_Commission_56@reddit
There’s a reason I only paint my toenails when I’m sitting on the toilet seat. Better light and I can still fold my legs easily because I have hypermobility in all of my joints and I’m only 50 and do yoga daily to stay limber. But I also have had a bum knee for 37 years now. 🤷🏻♀️
notade50@reddit (OP)
Yoga would be really beneficial for me now.
sfdsquid@reddit
I need to start doing that. I always bristled against it because my mother is a hippie and it seems like a hippie thing to do, whereas I am punk af. But I guess I could do it in the privacy of my own home. 😂
Quirky_Commission_56@reddit
It definitely would!
Quirky_Commission_56@reddit
There’s a reason I only paint my toenails when I’m sitting on the toilet seat. Better light and I can still fold my legs easily because I have hypermobility in all of my joints and I’m only 50 and do yoga daily to stay limber. But I also have had a bum knee for 37 years now.
notevenapro@reddit
Crab walk.
frog980@reddit
I realized my strength and mobility was waining. I started lifting some weights and doing exercises and it's helped tremendously.
PahzTakesPhotos@reddit
Last weekend, I was at a local renaissance faire and of course, I was tired and achy from walking around. There were no benches available to sit on, so I made the decision to sit on one of the bales of straw that they had out for places to sit. It was Sunday afternoon and the straw had been smushed down a bit. I started to lower myself onto the bale and in my slow-motion descent, I realized that I fucked up. It was juuuust a little too short, my legs were a little too tired, and my steel-boned corset was doing it's job.
I had to ask an innocent bystander to help me stand back up. We both laughed over our mutual age issues. When I was back on my feet, she turned to her partner and said: "Don't sit on the hay bales!"
If I hadn't been wearing that corset, I probably would have been able to stand up on my own. It just wouldn't have been very pretty. It would have been sad and probably funny to watch, but definitely not pretty.
Mostly_Nohohon@reddit
I'm pretty lucky with mobility other than a frozen shoulder for the last 6 months. It definitely messes with you when in your mind you know you should be able to do something... and your body says otherwise.
I see my mother struggle with strength in getting up now. If she ever fell she would never be able to get herself back up.
Mobile-Piel@reddit
Frozen shoulder = super common for women in menopause, with thyroid imbalances, and some extra pounds. Ask me how I know.
Mostly_Nohohon@reddit
Male here but I have read a lot about it being common with menopause. And I actually just read that it can be caused by low testosterone levels too. I guess the same issue of hormones affecting inflammation. I'm thankful that I think I've gotten past the worst part because there was a month or two where sleeping was impossible.
Mischeese@reddit
Try acupuncture for a frozen shoulder, mine was gone in one session. Stupid menopause!
Mobile-Piel@reddit
I took a bath about a month after my hip replacement and couldn't twist around enough to get out of the tub for 10 extra minutes. 54f
notade50@reddit (OP)
Scary
Mobile-Piel@reddit
I was cursing a lot and tired by the time I managed it. That wasn't as relaxing as I hoped 🤣
Mama_Dumpling@reddit
Its part of being old to add the exercise of : practice getting off the floor daily. I made my mother do it, now its my turn.
My visions effed, I have astigmatism and I've started having falls.
notade50@reddit (OP)
Good idea. Thank you.
East-Garden-4557@reddit
Sitting while your polish dries so that it doesn't smudge is pretty standard I would think.
notade50@reddit (OP)
I didn’t want to sit on my floor. I wanted to sit on my bed.
East-Garden-4557@reddit
Sit on your bed with your feet on a stool/chair to put polish on them, then you don't need to move afterwards.
notade50@reddit (OP)
Thank you. This is a good idea. I’ve gained so much weight it’s hard to reach my toes. Shame on me.
dstarpro@reddit
I realized this evening that I can no longer pull one of my legs all the way up to cross my ankle over my knee.
notade50@reddit (OP)
Yeah I’ve gained so much weight, too, that I can’t properly cross my legs which makes wearing above knee dresses a no go. And I love dresses.
dstarpro@reddit
I've made my peace with longer dresses. They're flowy and pretty and comfy.
notade50@reddit (OP)
Me too, especially when they have pockets. Pockets on a dress are everything.
dstarpro@reddit
Pockets are definitely a game changer!
sissydv23@reddit
I can relate