Feeling my age

I feel the same Mazgg - and I'm not .eighty yet. People always say I look and act younger. However I have had 2 THRs and I think that's why I walk slower and less confidently.
It's not because of pain - they did a great job, think I'm just a bit wary of slipping or falling'
However I don't know of any exercises or such, sorry, will watch this space .

Can you contact your local physiotherapy department?
Some run courses to prevent falls.
They would look at you and assess your gait maybe and are good for pointers.

OP I do know what you are saying. It's my birthday this week and I will be 77. It only seems 5 minutes ago I was coming up to 70 and walked into the town just as I have done this morning and felt full of beans. Today I really feel more than 7 years older.

In the last 7 years I have had chemo treatment, DHs health has deteriorated and DD1 has suffered a major health problem. Didn't see any of this on the horizon at 70.

As NotSpaghetti says the falls clinic could be a good starter for some positive help. Also some of what I feel I am sure is down to this constant grey weather. But you are not alone.

I am going to borrow some walking poles from a friend to see if they help to give me a bit of steadiness in walking. Before I buy anything myself.

op, do you have health issues?

I shall be watching this with interest - as I know I've been walking more slowly than my own normal pace for a bit - and I'm only early 70's and hadn't expected a slowed walking pace ever.

Right now - I'm accummulating tags to YouTube videos about strengthening one's legs - as I suspect that's the problem (ie muscles having weakened in the legs and need to be returned to normal strength).

Also wondering about Tai Chi...and again I can see there's lots of YouTube videos about it.

I haven't got health issues that would affect my walking etc. I have mild arthritis in my knees but otherwise I would say I feel like I could do with a good spray of WD40

I'm slower now. I am overtaken by almost everyone.
I used to walk half marathons not so long ago.....or was it.
I have had a THR too and the pain leading to it was probably a factor.

I can't run for the bus anymore.
I try to exercise daily and go to dance and yoga classes.
I'm just home from 45 mins at the gym.

I'm 77 and want to keep active as long as possible. My ceilidh dancing teacher has just retired aged 80.

Mazgg

I'm 83 and until recently didn't feel my age and was told I didn't look (or act) it.
I've noticed that I'm walking slower and less confidently. In fact I'm doddery!
Have any grans found suitable exercises or equipment to help overcome this?

I had a year of very similar symptoms; with the addition of a lot of night cramps in legs wrecking sleep so making day tiredness worse, etc. My GP tested, refered me to neurologist who also tested ( bloods, exams, MRI's) and neither could find anything wrong. Creatinine level and lipids normal.

By then, my walking range had reduced from 5 miles to under 1, my gait was noticably shorter and slower; and "going for a walk" with people or my dog had become a frustrating trial to all . I was becoming wary on stairs , up and down, no confidence in my balance or leg power. Slow, doddering, infuriating :-(

Neurology Consultant questioned why I was taking statin; in her opinion my bloods did not indicate need . I replied virtuously " because my GP told me to, and its better to be safe than sorry". She suggested I might try stopping statin. I stubbornly kept taking it to be on the safe side. .

One month later, at home, standing perfectly still, felt as if a horse gave me an almighty kick in the back of my leg and I fell over. Unable to walk. A calf muscle had ruptured all by itself. confirmed by GP exam within the hour.

I've not taken a statin since that day.

It took about 6 weeks ice/elevation/rest to heal the muscle tear (huge bruise came out,) then physio. 8 weeks after tear, I was walking perfectly normally just like I always used to.

Doddering/slow walking/ short steps/ night cramps have gone for good. A year later my legs are still working just like they always used to ; I can walk miles with pleasure.

Last year I started to feel my age when stairs became difficult. That has now improved and although I feel very well overall, I am aware I am not getting any younger. I know my life is more sedentary than it used to be, which doesn’t help. I am still very active in all sorts of ways, with five regular commitments, so keeping mentally alert, but I do need to move more if I am going to keep my arthritis at bay.

The way you describe your symptoms whilst taking statins mirror mine exactly. I'm due for birthday 'MOT ' in a few weeks and will query necessity for statins.

A good spray of WD40 sounds great Mazgg Any form of exercise as we get older and are moderately fit enough to do it is good. Gentle walking, yoga or Pilates (both of which can also be done chair based). I am an advocate of Tai Chi which I find excellent for strength and balance.

My knees awful 😖 walking painful. And last year I had a fall since which I am so scared of falling again. I use a walking pole which helps a bit but walking so much slower 😫 😑 getting out of a chair murder and as for rising from the loo 🚻 well 🤔 that's another thing... I bow 81 yrs old.

Hi. Maybe see if there's a chair exercise class or chair yoga class near you. Or maybe you prefer to do a gentle class which is not chair based. I teach both to seniors and we have lots of fun and I think its more motivating when you have others around you. My chair classes also have a segment of standing behind the chair and balance techniques but not sure all classes do this. Do have a look around your area and see what's available. Good luck. X

There are physiological changes at this stage of life. Plenty you can do, eg balance exercises, walking, eating well, don’t drink alcohol, learn new things…

I have arthritis in both knees and one hip; I have to go upstairs on my hands and knees. Saw the doc, who said I can't have an op as I'm too old - I'm 80.

i had bowel cancer 6 years ago and they removed it all but i was left with only half of my bowel, they gave me the choice of having all the lymph nodes from my groin area, this has left me with lympoedema, in the last 2 years i have gone from being able to walk to using a walker and a wheelchair when my son takes me to any of the large shopping centres. the lymph veins in my legs burst open and they leak and have damaged the nerves, i have maybe 2/3 years before i am in a wheelchair all the time, i will need to move house as i have stairs. i feel 40 in my head and 80 in my body, i will be 63 this year, i am so glad i survived the cancer but when i am crying with pain, a tiny little bit of my brain does say....was it worth it, i never learned to drive and walked everywhere and i so miss that.

Lots of helpful exercise videos on YouTube

I am 83. I still do all the housework, cleaning, gardening, shopping, cooking - everything. We live in a big house, full of stuff. My husband is 89 and unable to help. I walk our dog three times a day. I can feel my age, aches and pains and I think my short term memory is going. I feel so very tired. I had a mini stroke a few years ago and am on statins.

Hi Sewingproso I know others have new hips/knees older than you is this a new plan? My mum was 94!!!! I'd think maybe it's on individual assessment and necessity. ( if you can recuperate afterwards )
Friend of 78 had THR and lost much confidence in fear and used stick constantly. Now amazingly not as had a few sessions with a personal trainer one to one . Given her such a confidence boost I'd think Thai chi is great for poise and balance 🤔 good luck.

nexus63

Masgg - ask your5 GP if there's a Strength and Balance run by the Physiotherapy section of your local community/hospital or even surgery - depends where you live. I go to one provided by the local NHS Trust and it caters for all people whose strength and/or balance is not what is was. Average age around 83 I guess in my class.

It’s well known that statins affect certain people badly, causing muscle weakness and pain.

Chair pilates and yoga are a great idea. Tai Chi concentrates on breathing and balance. Maybe try 45 minutes instead of hour to start off with.

Pilates, yoga and Thai chi are all gentle exercise and will make a noticeable difference.