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Feeling younger than I’ve felt for years

(66 Posts)
Primrose53 Mon 28-Oct-24 20:45:41

I spent my 60s looking after my elderly Mum which I would do all over again but those years just disappeared and I felt tired, worn out and seemed to have no time for myself.

Mum passed away nearly 4 years ago and I reached 70 last year and felt about 90. No energy, no real interest in very much and lots of aches and pains appearing. I had no time or inclination to cycle or walk which I did a lot in my 40s and 50s.
I felt I was heading fast to old age.

I kept catching sight of myself in shop windows and seeing a worn out old lady. I decided to try and get rid of her!

Recently taken up aqua aerobics and I love it. Also bought some light weights which I use every morning. Some days I have a walk or do a short workout. I feel re-energised and so much better in myself.

I get to the pool at 8.45 now instead of laying in bed reading or watching breakfast telly and my body appreciates the exercise!

I know I am very fortunate that I have no major health issues and can start exercising again but I just thought I would share this.

AGAA4 Thu 23-Jan-25 14:14:54

So sorry Primrose. Similar thing happened to me. I was enjoying life and feeling good then DH was diagnosed with a terminal illness so life wasn't rosy any more.
I hope life will get better for you eventually as it did for me but you won't be able to see that now. 💐

whywhywhy Thu 23-Jan-25 13:43:11

Well done you! I’m going to try it! You have inspired me!

Katyj Thu 23-Jan-25 13:36:46

So sorry Primrose life is so cruel sometimes and unpredictable one minute everything’s fine then it’s not. Hope you can both enjoy some things together no matter how small. Take care flowers

Witzend Thu 23-Jan-25 12:43:44

fancythat

Well done you.

It is on my "to do" list to get fitter.
I havent known where to start[when I do].
I did decide swimming is likely the route to go. Never thought of aqua aerobics.

How good a swimmer is it necessary to be?

I don’t do it myself, I just do my 20 lengths and scoot off, but I’ve seen the end of the (evidently very popular) Aquacise class at my David Lloyd twice now.

There’s no actual swimming. Most of the women are at least 60+, some could be quite a bit more, and quite a few are ‘large’, to put it politely!
An ex colleague of mine has been going for years now - she really enjoys it.
The DL pool, BTW, has no deep end.

Cossy Thu 23-Jan-25 12:36:17

Oh no! I should just read all the way through posts and note dates.

Sorry Primrose 🙁😢

Homestead62 Thu 23-Jan-25 12:35:28

Primrose, you are very fortunate. We have no swimming pool and none nearby apart from one that needs a car to get to and is always mobbed. Enjoy and make the most of it.

Cossy Thu 23-Jan-25 12:35:04

Well done! I’ve done Acqua in the past, it’s such fun. Weights are also great at our age and can easily be done at home.

Keep up the great work flowers

mum2three Thu 23-Jan-25 12:32:17

Feeling well really does make a difference to your mental outlook.
The effects of Covid have dragged on for many of us, and it's such a relief to feel well again.

PiscesLady Thu 23-Jan-25 12:29:49

Primrose53

Who would have thought just one month later my life and my husband’s would have changed completely.

I have just read this post and would literally give anything to feel how I did at the end of October.😥

Primrose53 So sorry to read this. I cannot begin to imagine what you are going through.
Have you read the Soop's Kitchen thread? I'm a 'lurker' on that thread but you will find a lot of gentle loving support on there, and many who can relate to your situation.
Sending you flowers and hope that life improves for you & your DH.

Primrose53 Mon 20-Jan-25 09:52:14

Who would have thought just one month later my life and my husband’s would have changed completely.

I have just read this post and would literally give anything to feel how I did at the end of October.😥

Nannylovesshopping Fri 22-Nov-24 08:13:17

Well done Primrose so pleased to read your update, it’s such a great feeling being so positive and getting the rewards! 😀

FriedGreenTomatoes2 Tue 19-Nov-24 20:07:09

What a lovely inspirational thread Primrose! You sound happy. That’s wonderful and much deserved by the sounds.
😊

Esmay Tue 19-Nov-24 19:59:27

Madmeg .
They are great for some people ,but not that great for me .
I've had one for about three plus years .
It's useful for walking ,but since I've used it-my balance is not as good as it was .
I doing yoga exercises to restore it .

Madmeg Tue 19-Nov-24 18:43:40

Esmay, do not dismiss a rollator. I was forced to buy one when I had serious internal damage to the bone marrow in my foot, and found it helped me to walk further and with longer steps - with the chance of a brief sit down if I needed to. As a result I was able to take my GS to his rugby sessions and do the half-mile walk from the carpark, and another half mile back again. Along with other exercises I lost 3 stones in weight and no longer need the rollator. You can hire one from various charity mobility places to see how it might help, before buying one.

bikergran Tue 19-Nov-24 18:05:02

Lovely post that also has given me hope. I have just gone 69 I still work 16 hrs a week. But also looked after my dad who's just gone 89 since my mum died 4 yrs ago. He has health issues.

But will be inspired with your post.

Macadia Mon 18-Nov-24 17:54:23

Primrose, your lovely post warms my heart and makes me feel that this carer should follow your lead. You are an inspiration to everyone.

Patsy70 Mon 18-Nov-24 17:48:22

And Esmay. 👏👏👏😊

Patsy70 Mon 18-Nov-24 17:47:42

Always good to read these positive posts. Well done, Primrose, you are an inspiration. 👏👏👏😊

Katyj Mon 18-Nov-24 17:02:34

Well done Primrose. You sound absolutely buzzing ! Me on the other hand, i still haven’t made a move. My excuses are having a bad cold and now an eye infection. Could do better.

Esmay Mon 18-Nov-24 16:00:51

Primrose
I know that it's hard work and Christmas is nearly upon us -but it's worth it !
I'm dreaming of a nice neat little bum and a flat tum .
At the moment, putting on shoes and socks is uncomfortable .
We mustn't give up !!!

Primrose53 Mon 18-Nov-24 14:31:20

Esmay

Primrose -
Very well done !
I am thrilled for you.
My story is similar to your history .
Unfortunately , before I could get to grips with my health -I caught one chest infection after the after leaving me weak inbetween .
But I've started exercising with my walking poles ignoring people telling me to get a rollator or a mobility scooter .
I look at the church ladies and they can hardly walk from their walking aids to the loo .
That's the way - I was going using a walker .
So now I use the walking poles as often as possible .
I am very tired - but tired in a good way .
I battle with IBS , migraines and a damaged knee , back and neck .
I'm not giving up .
I am slowly getting more energetic .
Chair yoga helps too .
And unbelievably , I've attracted a couple of men at church !!!

Wow! You go girl!! 👏👏Esmay

It definitely is a case of use it or lose it.
It is so much easier putting socks and shoes on and not feeling so breathless. I can feel much less fat around my middle too. My backside has disappeared as I carry my weight on the front.

Esmay Mon 18-Nov-24 13:01:11

Primrose -
Very well done !
I am thrilled for you.
My story is similar to your history .
Unfortunately , before I could get to grips with my health -I caught one chest infection after the after leaving me weak inbetween .
But I've started exercising with my walking poles ignoring people telling me to get a rollator or a mobility scooter .
I look at the church ladies and they can hardly walk from their walking aids to the loo .
That's the way - I was going using a walker .
So now I use the walking poles as often as possible .
I am very tired - but tired in a good way .
I battle with IBS , migraines and a damaged knee , back and neck .
I'm not giving up .
I am slowly getting more energetic .
Chair yoga helps too .
And unbelievably , I've attracted a couple of men at church !!!

Primrose53 Mon 18-Nov-24 12:14:09

Shinamae

Well done Primrose 👏🏻👏🏻
Up to a few weeks ago, I was doing kettlebell and weights but having hurt my shoulder. I haven’t done anything for awhile and the weight is gradually creeping on.
I realise that is no excuse,there is plenty I can do including walking, I work three afternoons a week in a high high dementia care home but obviously that is not enough exercise
I am going to look on YouTube for some either yoga or Pilates and really need to get out and walk more
Thank you for your inspirational post 🦋

Thanks Shinamae. Just very gentle stretching exercises may help your shoulder. I used to do yoga classes regularly and loved them. The yoga teacher moved away and I wasn’t so keen on her replacement.

However, I carried on with the stretching and balancing exercises at home and have been doing them every morning for a couple of years. I just made up my own routine which now includes some light weight lifting.

Shinamae Mon 18-Nov-24 10:02:41

Well done Primrose 👏🏻👏🏻
Up to a few weeks ago, I was doing kettlebell and weights but having hurt my shoulder. I haven’t done anything for awhile and the weight is gradually creeping on.
I realise that is no excuse,there is plenty I can do including walking, I work three afternoons a week in a high high dementia care home but obviously that is not enough exercise
I am going to look on YouTube for some either yoga or Pilates and really need to get out and walk more
Thank you for your inspirational post 🦋

Primrose53 Mon 18-Nov-24 09:54:36

UPDATE!

I last weighed myself on my birthday which was beginning of October. Since then I started aquafit, do daily weight lifting (nothing major just lightest weights) and gone on to smaller portions. I have cut out chocolate, biscuits (just about) and alcohol which wasn’t hard as I only ever have an occasional drink.

Weighed myself this morning and I have lost 1stone 1 lb! I am really pleased with that as when I did SW I weighed in weekly and it was a pound on, half a pound off, 2 lbs on etc.

I have been out for several meals and an afternoon tea during this time but eat smaller portions and I do ask for half portion of chips for example.

Off to Aquafit this afternoon!