Look After Your Legs

I can't speak for everyone, but as a rurally located fat person with mobility issues, just nipping off to the gym isn't that straightforward. Not everyone is lucky enough to be a racing snake like you possibly are. There are geographical, physical and financial implications for gym attendance/spinning classes etc, as well as significant mental hurdles.

This thread has been great for advice and techniques for getting up off the floor, walking more and remembering to moisturise legs and feet. That's a good starting point for some of us.

I think the secret to using your gym is finding something you enjoy doing. Most gyms run classes from yoga to HITT...sometimes you need to try different type of classes to find something you're willing to sign up to again.
I'm really badly co-ordinated so avoid anything like Zumba or anything dance related. I used to be an absolute nightmare in Step classes.
I'm better in classes where I don't need to move around to much such as spin, yoga, pilates, weights...and absolutely do not enjoy running so avoid the treadmill, but it can be used for walking too.

Why can’t you do that?

What have you come away with. You say no to spin. No to gym. No to weights.

What have you learned that will benefit you?

On the back of this thread I joined the gym, finally! Thank you.

Exactly! I can't do much that tires me out, due to CFS/ME and frequent energy "crashes" . I can't push through the fatigue to exercise or I have a setback, but if I rest and rest I eventually feel well enough to attempt some exercise.

It is enormously frustrating, I would love to be active every day but sometimes having a shower is a major achievement. I have had most success with pacing my activity using a pulse oximeter. If my heart rate is under 100 in the morning I know I can do more that day - on another day getting up and brushing my teeth pushes it to 130 so I have to stop. I do trot (trudge) up the stairs a few times a day to keep my legs reasonably useful, but like PP there is no way I could take a large step.

I have really enjoyed this thread, such great ideas. I have struggled with the getting up off the floor test. I was useless on my first try. I watched the video and tried again. I could get up with one hand and felt very proud! However, I tried again a few hours later and my legs weren't cooperating so will try another day...

In my situation every little helps, so this thread is very inspiring, thank you!

I only commented because you asked what we can do to look after our legs and I just mentioned what I do. This does not mean you have to ride 300km a week, do spin classes etc. Luckily for me I also do a very active outdoor job that I could not do at my age if I wasn't fit. Both my parents dies young so I'm trying to keep as healthy and fit as I possibly can.
However, there is a lot you could be doing and lots of walking would be a good start and there are also a plethora of youtube videos on beginners and at to-do-at-home exercise ides.

I read somewhere, that getting up and down from sitting on the floor 3 times a day is really good for your mobility, and maintaining it. That means bum on the floor to standing, 3 times. The same goes for crossing your legs when on the floor. That's good for your hips and knees to be able to maintain that.
I've always been quite good at that. Mostly because I work with small children a lot!

This is very true. A friend was once told by a health visitor that the best thing you can do for your legs is moisturize every day to keep skin supple. I guess the massaging effect also helps with circulation.

This is all so interesting. I'm nearly 56 and joined a gym after lockdown when I started working from home permanently, and not getting my steps in on my usual commute. I def feel stronger and fitter, although haven't lost any weight.

Love the classes and feel inspired by women much older than me who look fantastic!

Strong abdominals and thighs to improve balance for old age. Resistance straining and cycling. I'm 60 and obsessed with keeping strong for old age...fingers crossed. I cycle, spin classes and do resistance training.
I already see women and men my own age having mobility problems. My inlaws never did any exercise and I watched them fail in old age with simple tasks because they did not appreciate how important it was to keep fit and mobile.

If you have back problems then even getting a stationary bike and swimming will improve your mobility.

That must have been really scary.

I think we take kneeling for granted. It never occurred to me you could lose it until my neighbour (only in her 60s) told me she hadn't been able to kneel for years.

Getting up from the floor is logistically and mechanically massively more difficult if you can't weight bear on your knees. You're kind of running a different race from those of us who still take kneeling for granted (or even can do it in a pinch).

I can do it without hands but I'm completely reliant on being able to kneel on the way up. I can't get my weight far enough forward to go straight from cross legged to feet. My 15 year old does no exercise but still makes it look easy.

I have been inundated with exercise tips on Facebook etc. I think we are getting spied on! I need to go through them and whittle them down as I feel a bit overwhelmed at the moment.

Such an informative and inspiring thread, first one I’ve ever saved!
If only there was a focus on health promotion, information and support in healthcare.
There isn’t enough information to understand the little changes to lifestyle that can affect your mobility unless you work in healthcare or stumble across a thread like this.
Love the story of the old lady who does a daily walk up a hill. Something to aspire to!

If you are not enjoying your current weight training, try Caroline Girvan:

I joined a gym at 58, I don't love it to be frank, but I go 3 times a week and do weights. The aim is keep strength, hoping it will work.

I realised my legs were becoming weaker as I got older(largely due to Chronic fibromyalgia) and didn't know what to do. walking was becoming a real problem. I had seen the ad for the Electrical Muscle Stimulator called Revitive, the one Ian Botham advertises but remained very sceptical. However one day when I couldn't even get up a stepladder easily( I am short and need to to reach any thing) I decided I had to do something so I took the plunge and bought (not an easy decision because of the cost of Revitive about £350 - ouch!) a Revitive EMS. Best decision I ever made. After 6 weeks of use (your muscles need time to strengthen up) I can walk freely and easily, I can walk upstairs with no effort. Gobsmacked at the difference. Can I state I am not connected financially or otherwise in any way shape of form to the Revitive company but I am a very happy customer who is reaping huge benefits from investing in this product which means I can start to exercise again and regain fitness. I hope this helps some of you out there in Mumsnet World xx😄

This is such a great thread thank you @NoisySnail 🤩 . I recently started moisturising my legs properly and sometimes really massaging them, but this thread has made me do it much more regularly. I’ve also got the yoga mat on the floor and am planking and practising getting up without using my hands throughout the day. Thank you for all the great advice and links that have been shared here.

That's a good point too.
I've only ever moisturised my hands and face, but I'm now beginning to think I ought to do more. I had not thought about infection risk.

@NoisySnail I haven't read the full thread so it may already have been mentioned, but please take a look at Tom Morrison on you tube and his SMM and other programmes. I have a bulging disc in my back & regularly have sciatic issues but since doing a range of the stretching exercises he demonstrates it has really helped.

Also worth checking out his story, I believe he broke his back & it was unclear if he be able to walk much let alone go back to martial arts & I think his philosophy that it's whole body strength & flexibility that matters is pretty sensible.

I'm loving the fact that an overheard comment in a café has sparked a really helpful discussion and prompted so many of us to look after our legs better. Thank you random leg woman! 🦵 😄

I also managed to uncross to a wide squat position and stand up from there with no hands or knees.

@PaminaMozart thanks. I didn't use my elbows or knees at all actually. I used my weight/balance to swing up. These techniques do look easier.

This way is a bit easier: