What do you enjoy for fun in retirement when the joints complain?

A good way is to go for a walk and just try breaking into a little jog… then go back to walking. I’ve done a knee in so it’s sticking to walking but an older than you. Oh, and not advised if you have osteoarthritis?

fancythat

Hoping it is ok to ask on this thread?

I cant run much any more[was never that sporty to begin with.]
I am edging towards mid 60s.

Is a reasonable run out of the question now?
I am not talking running any great distances!

If your knees and ankles are OK then it’s worth a try, but oh so gently… and on nice even ground, and…. Shoes that give you a lot of ‘bounce’ and shock absorption.

watermeadow

My sad lack of fun is mostly because I can’t get anywhere anymore. No car, no buses, no offers of lifts and I can’t walk far. I will ask for a lift if it’s important, like vet, or flu jab but my family all work full-time.

Completely understand that - it's physically getting out isn't it? I'm in a similar boat. I do have a car I can drive (automatic and the right height for me to get in and out of) and also now have a hoist in the boot for my mobility scooter. But I struggle to get to the car! Without someone else there. Due to my electric wheelchair not fitting in certain places in the house - really we need to have a couple of walls knocked down or move house - neither of which are quick easy solutions. It is doable if OH comes with me but it's a lot of hassle sometimes. In your situation, I would look into council transport. In my area, there is a kind of dial a bus that comes to the house and takes you wherever you want to go. Same fare as for the regular bus. If there's no bus service in your area, presumably you're rural too? These things aren't always well advertised, so I would contact the council and ask if they have a minibus service available for people to be able to get out - there may well be one. It does mean a bit of planning and less spontaneous - I think with ours you have to give 2 hours notice (or book it the day before eg). Otherwise, taxis - but that can get expensive. Could it be worth starting with one class and getting a taxi once a week there and back, and once you get to know people at the class, it may happen naturally - eg someone offer lifts for the class that's going in the same direction. My issue is I can't go in anyone else's car as I can't get in and out - they are either too high or too low to get into. And I can't do steps.

Ive never been a runner fancythat so no expert.

Exercise itself has significant health benefits we women of a certain age, strengthening bones, muscles, improves cardiovascular health, helps keep weight off so reduces risk of type 2 diabetes, maintains independence and mobility. Good for mental wellbeing also.

There are potential drawbacks- e.g risk of injury, whcih will have slower recovery as we age and we need to consider any pre existing conditions to decide the best type of exercise. E.g. if you have severe arthritis, a heart condition or a significant weight problem you might need to consult your GP before taking up running.

If generally healthy, should be no major problem with running but will need to build up running times gradually...and try to avoid injuries and falls.

Hoping it is ok to ask on this thread?

I cant run much any more[was never that sporty to begin with.]
I am edging towards mid 60s.

Is a reasonable run out of the question now?
I am not talking running any great distances!

I started a sewing group at my local Village Hall. I began eight years ago and there are 10 of us in the group. All have various skills, dress making, bag making, patchwork and quilting, soft toys and home decor items. We meet every Friday 10am to 4ppm. We have a raffle every week and donate £120 to charity. We are a fantastic support to each other. I lost my husband in January and I’m not sure I would have coped without my group!

Like many enjoy my U3a varied groups- book club, meals out etc etc. Up until the summer I did aquafit three times a week and yogas, walking and was fit and in good health. Then had accident resulting in 10 spinal compression fractures, 8 grade 3 severe and 2 grade 2 moderate with associated issues. You never know what's round the corner. Enjoy doing as much as you can in whatever way you can as the years go by is my motto. .

Am slowly improving with physio and adapting/adjusting, doing as much as able/comfortable. It's the reason I joined Gransnet in the summer as I was at home more recuperating. I Also do some volunteering, including as an Appropriate Adult, advising and supporting juveniles whilst in police custody and being interviewed under caution. I'm semi retired so also still do some paid work, virtual currently.

I also enjoy cinema, theatre, reading books, meeting friends.

JPB123

Chair yoga is very gentle.

I'm 74 and done yoga for 50 years. Most not everyday, but it's given me a posture and muscle strength in the little muscles that support knees and lower back etc. I am certain this is why although I can get very stiff, I have been able to carry on doing much more than others I meet at my age.

but of course I'm not as active, I'd say the tai chi and chair yoga and easy pilates..please do try, as the very gentlest movements make a difference. Apart from that - trying not to grieve at what is gone? I do love music, I do love the achievements of others (but get jealous too at times)....

I have moderate arthritis in many joints but try to keep as active as possible, use it or lose it, and enjoy walking, my electric bike and do a Pilates class once a week. I am not into joining group activities like U3A etc but enjoy meeting friends for lunch and outings to gardens and National Trust. I also enjoy a few grandparent duties which mostly nowadays just involves collecting from school two days a week. I enjoy my own company and my garden consumes me over the summer months.

My sad lack of fun is mostly because I can’t get anywhere anymore. No car, no buses, no offers of lifts and I can’t walk far. I will ask for a lift if it’s important, like vet, or flu jab but my family all work full-time.

How sad.you must start having fun. Go for it Watermelon.

Reported

On lots of threads, GNHQ!

Message deleted by Gransnet. Here's a link to our Talk guidelines.

I’m 79 and started Tai Chi in 😀 September and loving it. I was welcomed from day 1 and it has enriched my life.

I do quite a lot of different activities but needless to say for me SINGING is the best one of all. If you can find a local community choir, preferably one which follows the Natural Voice method you will get friendship, support and benefit from the endorphins released by singing. With this kind of group you often don't need to read music or even be a 'good' singer. Most of these groups are very inclusive so if you can't stand you can sit to sing. Look at the Natural Voice Network website to see if there is a group near you.

Now I can’t walk as much as I used to I’m so grateful that we now have catchup tv to watch and podcasts to listen to. And now I no longer travel I can still travel the world from my sofa. Regarding knees, though, the exercises my physio gave me have really helped and it also means I’m doing the pre op exercises if I have a TKR. I know when my knee started causing problems years ago I spent several months watching all the DVD’s I’d planned to watch. If I wasn’t so worried about catching flu or Covid I’d start going to the gym and sauna again; I used to go several times a week.

I belong to the WI, a monthly book group and a monthly Craft group. We both belong to the Arts Society, the U3A and the Local History Society. The monthly U3A lunch group is fun. I also attend U3A Art History talks and OH goes to the Science Group and Croquet. OH is also a beekeeper and belongs to a Shooting club. Once a week we enjoy going out for lunch. I enjoy going up to London. I’m a Member of the V&A, the National Gallery and the National Portrait Gallery. My younger son often joins me. Before the Covid years I enjoyed in person courses at the V&A. Then everything was moved online. From January next year in person courses are restarting. I have signed up for a weekly course on the Renaissance.

We probably don’t do quite enough physical exercise due to our dreadful knees!

I am almost 78,I swim daily in an outdoor pool.Between 600-1000 metres.I do an aqua class once a week and I also ice plunge,we have 2 of these pools at my gym,I absolutely love swimming and only started about 10years ago.

I have just returned to the gym after a month off after cataract surgery,I really notice the difference when I don’t go,both mentally and physically.

We’ve always had dogs, and walking a dog twice a day is good exercise in the fresh air. Keeps you fit, helps your mood, you can chat to people, etc……

We live near to several small towns and villages and have a bit of a routine visiting one on Farmers Market day, one where we do a ‘big shop’ and one where there’s a good cinema. We love seeing films and plays.

Before my shoulder replacement I was swimming four or five times a week which kept me fit. . I have been unable to do this for the last few months, as recovery has been slow. I see my consultant next month and after that I am hopeful to go back to it.

Fun? I’ve forgotten what fun is.

Aquarobics for me too, and swimming on other days. I cycle locally and walk rather than drive.

I enjoy the puzzles in the paper, and we have a super learning centre locally that does all kinds of courses to keep brain and body ticking over. Finally I’m currently learning Dutch on Duolingo, and that is certainly stretching a brain muscle or two.

I guess the key is to keep changing activities so all areas are gently challenged rather than overdoing on thing.

franb totally empathise with the food focussed groups - I have avoided my usual social groups recently as I really don’t need the ‘mince pie’ pounds!

Strength training, it builds the muscles around the joint to support the joints. I’m 69 with stiff joints until I did this everyday at the gym, or aqua aerobics. No need to give in or slow down as it can make them worse try keep moving and pushing outside comfort zone. 🎄

I joined the Trefoil Guild and the sub group for crafting. Our local WI seemed a bit too centred around food though (trying to lose weight). Our U3A has all sorts of groups from art to gentle walking to pilates.

The council gave us 6 weeks' hour of gentle different things to try, and free leisure membership to follow up. So check out your area

Aquarobics did help to get me moving without weight bearing on my knees ( bit cold here in the winter though)

Pilates, singing, walking netball, swimming, park walk, all help my well being , fitness and joints. Reading, cooking, writing memoirs / letters, theatre trips, WI, volunteering at the library
My partner said today “ We have been together for over 25 years and I have seen you for three months” a slight exaggeration but the past two weeks have been manic. 🤣