Those over 40 - stiffness / less flexible

[flumpybear]

Hi - does anyone else have experience of becoming stiffer and less flexible since they reached their mid 40’s?
I’ve been pretty flexible most of my life and pretty healthy with pretty good on and off exercise regimes - I’ve been a bit less active over the last few years since having kids as it’s been so hard fitting so much in but still doing swimming and bits of exercise
I am a bit over weight - but goodness I’ve become really stiff and where I used to say bounce in and out of the pool edge, never using the steps, I now need to use the steps so I’m not creaking and stiff getting in the pool!! I do loosen up when exercising eg with personal trainer sessions but I’ve noticed a big difference over the last few years

Anyone else of a similar age or experience?!

[slippermaiden]

I’m 44, in the mornings I have stiff ankles, I can go to the loo okay, but when I go down the stairs I have to walk sort of sideways so I don’t use my ankles. Strangely by the time I’ve been up and about a while I can still zoom up and down them like a gazelle!

[MoonlightBay]

Yes. I find it a huge struggle to put socks and shoes on

[ScreamingValenta]

Yes - mainly affecting my legs. I have found cod liver oil capsules help a bit (just supermarket ones, nothing expensive).

[juneau]

Yes, I'm 43 and am quite stiff in the mornings. I had a good mattress, which helps, but not entirely. I think stiffness is just another symptom of getting older. Mine eases up once I'm up and about. I find I get a lot of benefit from stretching exercises and classes that increase mobility like pilates.

[missyB1]

Yes I’m 49 and getting very stiff, it’s scary actually I do exercise, waking miles with the dog every day. I suspect we need to be doing Pilates and Yoga, but for me it’s finding the time.

[flumpybear]

Cod liver oil sounds like a great idea - anyone take magnesium?

[ScreamingValenta]

I take magnesium as well, funnily enough, although that was because I read it could help with anxiety.

[flumpybear]

I may try both and see how it goes !! Sounds perhaps like it’s another lovely thing we have to embrace as we get older then

[RapunzelsRealMom]

Me too. I’m 47 and have had hip surgeries in the last few years. I’m now totally recovered but I am left with awful stiffness. When I stand after spending an hour in an armchair, I hobble and limp a bit till I loosen off.

I have no ‘bounce’ - couldn’t land well if I jumped off a low wall, for example.

I need to lose a bit of weight and get stronger in my leg muscles because it feels like I’m becoming an old lady!

[Growingboys]

Can I be really annoying and suggest yoga?

I spent 40 years of my life dissing yoga, and thinking it was for faux-spiritual snowflakes, until a personal trainer told me I needed to do it as I was plagued with running injuries.

I now go twice a week (more if I can, less if work is a nightmare), and it has changed my life. I still (mentally) roll my eyes when we have to chant OM at the end of the session, but it's worth it for the physical and mental benefits.

I used to spend a fortune on physio as everything was crook, but no longer.

I don't want to bore you, but please if stiffness or inflexibility is bothering you, do go and look at yoga. You don't have to 'believe' whatever it is proper yogis are meant to believe, just get off on the incredible things it does for your body while calming your mind.

[Gingernaut]

Hip and thigh on one side really hurt.

Dr Google is suggesting trochanteric bursitis.

Really hard to bring myself up steps and stairs.

I thought I had at least another 10 years before I started looking at Stannah Stairlifts!

[LakeFlyPie]

I'm 43 and since starting Yoga and Pilates a couple of years ago am more flexible than I've ever been and the chronic stiff / tense neck and shoulder I was plagued with previously has pretty much disappeared. Definitely intend to keep them both going.
My Mum who is in her 70s does weekly Pilates and still crawls about in dens with my DC 🙂

[Vitalogy]

Yes I get this too.
Growingboys I agree Yoga is a good answer. I wish I could get into it. I'm lazy there's no two ways about it. Been to classes a few times. Just 10 minutes a day at home would do it, aarrgghh.

[thecatfromjapan]

I noticed this and I'm sad to say I think it may be menopause-related. I do think it's worth seeing your GP, though. 40 is quite young to be experiencing stiffness/loss of flexibility. I didn't experience it until the menopause really kicked in and I went through a period of extreme stress.

It might be rheumatoid/inflammation stuff - and you should get that checked out. It could be oestrogen levels falling, which means pain is not masked. It could be an osteo-thing. All of that is worth getting checked out.

And, yes, yoga is great, as is pilates for core strength, and swimming for stretching/exercise with your weight supported.

[RapunzelsRealMom]

Thanks Growingboys. I’ve been meaning to start yoga for AGES! I will definitely try my local class this week

[May50]

Oh yes, I'm 48 and so stiff, my hips are fixed and I find it hard to put socks or tights on. I have a yoga DVD and feel better when I do it but I'm basically lazy. I used to do gymnastics competitively, you'd never guess!

[LoniceraJaponica]

"Can I be really annoying and suggest yoga?"

And/or Pilates. I am 59 and am fortunate not to suffer from any form of arthritis. I do Pilates regularly and am nothing like as stiff as some of you.

[PrincessoftheSea]

No stiffness. 40 and even 50 sounds very early to experience stiffness. My mum is her 70s and still bouncy. Do you do any sport?

[ArgyMargy]

No. And I’ve been through menopause and cancer. Lose the weight, do some yoga and keep moving. You’ve got at least another 40 years to go, so if you’re going to enjoy those years you need to put some effort in now! Supplements are not enough.

[flumpybear]

I did used to do both yoga and Pilates - think ill book it in my gym this week and get back on that track!

I have a mirena coil which I think masks menopause

[flumpybear]

I used to be a gymnast not that good! So used to be both sporty and very flexible but was back in the day when we literally ripped ourselves apart to become more flexible rather than doing it more gently ... I think this perhaps has done a bit of damage

[flumpybear]

I am up and training again I just feel shit compared to my 20’s and 30’s ... in 45 now

[May50]

I will aim on doing my yoga DVD twice a week. Also trying to lose some weight which would help , I need to lose about 2 stone. I would love to go to classes but can't because of time. Just got to force myself at home.

[Whyiseveryonesoangry]

Can someone recommend a good Yoga dvd? I can’t get to a class as I have horses to do in the evening so can’t commit to a set time. Fed up with gym at the moment, after 15 years of going three times a week before work. So a yoga dvd that I can do at home sounds good.

[rizlett]

I stopped doing my lazy yoga daily at home in March and my joints are terrible! I don't even hold the positions for very long either but it certainly made a huge difference even with my early menopause at age 42.

I restarted 2 days ago and can hardly do my old positions but I'll keep at it and maybe in 8 months time be back to where I was 8 months ago.

I first started in my 30's and couldn't believe the difference it made.