Pulled muscles.

Muscles don't just stay in good condition. If you just carry on with normal life (without regular toddler carrying) they will gradually weaken as we age.

Exercise is required to counteract this I'm afraid e.g. yoga, Pilates, or exercising at home (maybe with small weights) if you know the way to strengthen the muscle groups in your back etc.
It's boring to have to do it but my motto is that 5-10 minutes a day is much more effective than going to a class once a week.

Falcon part if it is sadly growing older. I do think we have to try to exercise muscles to keep them going as long as we can, as Jess said, yoga, Pilates and hand weights. If you can get a good gentle DVD for beginners or similar just a few minutes a day helps.

BUT also, think before you bend and pick up. I used to bring in trainers to show staff how to do 'Manual Handling' (picking things up) . There are ways to do it more safely so you don't injure yourself. Try to avoid bending and lifting together. Knees bent is best (! though you need good thigh muscles!) or get the toddler to stand on your sofa or similar when you lift him or her. If you can't do either of these then lift slowly and carefully, no sudden jerking movements.

Hope this helps.

Yes, very helpful. My DH husband worked for B&Q when he retired and he had manual lifting training.

I've pulled a muscle in my back (not too bad luckily) and I did it sitting on a bench during a school assembly. I did think of asking for a chair, I was easily the oldest person in the building. I was the nan, but didn't want to make a fuss.

Next time, I will definitely find a chair or stand by the wall

I'm wary of yoga and pilates because I know of friends who pulled muscles by being over zealous and that is one of my worst traits. I really go for exercise and can't seem to stop myself so I'm keeping away from it.

I can walk for miles, carrying heavy bags of shopping and that's not a problem. It's sitting in an awkward position or twisting awkwardly that does the damage. I always make sure the bags are of equal weight.

I think its use it or lose it as others have said but also careful lifting and moving of objects is so important.

Yes use it or lose it is important. However, I've pulled muscles in my back before by eg sneezing! cleaning my teeth! etc. Its so frustrating but just the odd awkward movement can do it. Oh well back to the Tai Chi!

Do we lose muscles for good through age and through not using them?

No Soon, you can build muscle tissue up at any age, and there is lots of evidence that regular gentle exercise helps to prevent falls and improve balance in older people, as well as improving quality of life by maintaining mobility.

training yourself to sit up straight, with beautiful posture, will strengthen some of your back muscles if you do it several times a day. In the end it becomes second nature.

I have to agree with, janeainsworth. My Chiropractor is always telling me that there is no reason why my back shouldn't be as good as it was when I was 18.

I think keeping your abdominal muscles in trim is the answer, they support your abdominal organs and your back therefore doesn't have to do all the work.
I can't talk-my back's aching from sitting down at university all day !

I walk my dogs daily, swim 20 lengths 2/3 times a week , muck out and carry water buckets daily and groom and ride several times a week as well as gardening.
MY BACK HURTS!!
It's worse after sitting or lying for any length of time but it has become an accepted part of my life I have a"bad back" .My physio tells me that at 64 it is an old back and has shown me exercises to strengthen it I only wish I had the discipline to do them.

Pilates would help your back muscles by training your core muscles and avoid any strain caused by the activities you undertake. I suspect the carrying of water buckets is one thing that causes a great deal of stress on your back muscles.

Water buckets?

Oh I get it. I hadn't read jenn's post when I queried "water buckets."

My aunt had a bad back and then was bent double for years. This was in the 1950s. Eventually she went to a chiropractor who sorted it out within minutes. Her GD my second cousin is only in her early 50s but suffers terribly from a bad back - so maybe it's hereditary.

I do try to be careful, but there's always that moment when you forget, start moving furniture or sit for ages on a low bench as I explained previously.

I did Tai Chi for the over 50s some years ago and I'm looking for something in my new area, so far without success.

Zumba?

Yes, I enquired about a low impact Zumba Group but it was on a morning when I was doing something else - just my luck.

Jenn,i am in awe of your physical exertion . Neither wonder you feel unable to add more to what you already do.

but all pleasurable, unlike the housework which doesn't get done that often as I am too tired and have lots of good books to read!!

I occasionally see a man who carries grocery bags at the ends of a pole across his shoulders-like a milkmaid's yoke arrangement . Wonder if there is a modern yoke that could help you carry those pails of water ?

not sure what the horses would think of that.

and you would probably get quite wet.

I've heard about a class near where I live which offers exercise for senior citizens. I can't go this week because my back is still a bit sore. It sounds very low key and I think some of the people are on the elderly side, but it sounds just what I want.

Watching your posture and making a conscience effort to keep good posture until you get used to it is important, also as mentioned exercises that focus on your core muscles will help.