Whoa!!! Something odd has happened and I can’t get my legs apart!!!

[Thistlepicker]

Not like I used to anyway! I had to climb over a low fence yesterday, just above knee, and I couldn’t lift my legs high enough!!! What’s going on? I haven’t injured myself, I’m 50, is this old age?

I got over the fence in the end but I was far from gazelle-like...

I am with you. I don't know what has happened to my flexibility in the past couple of years. I feel like an old woman.

At least you won't have to worry about unwanted pregnancy

I think it is old age. You go through middle age not needing to get your legs apart, due to endless demands of children, work, then just when you get some leisure time back, you can't anymore.

Nature's little joke....

I got on my (unused usually) bike yesterday and I couldn’t lift my leg over the crossbar - my dh just looked at me in bewilderment.

I don’t know why I can’t move my leg up and over anymore!! I’m only 43. Stiles are also a challenge.

Crikey! At least it’s not just me!

I bet Liz Hurley isn’t texting her mates with problems like this. How can I get my bend back???

Stiff arse syndrome 😁

Time to start exercising if you don't is my advice.

I’m 55. Sometimes I sit down on one of the seats dotted around shops for a rest when we’re out and about (obvs not currently).

litthefirealready I read STILTS are also a challenge

Those too!! I do a yoga/Pilates type exercise class so I thought I would be more supple - but no.

At least you won't have to worry about unwanted pregnancy grin

Perhaps when this current pandemic is a memory you can get an Xray to see if it is one of your hips starting to wear out.

I was gormless enough to see if I could still stand up from a cross legged sitting position on the floor. I ended up faceplanting the chair I'd tried to use to help me stand up after giving up on trying to sit cross legged

I don’t know when these things happen but it’s so disconcerting to suddenly find yourself unable to do something that you’ve done a thousand times without thinking. While on holiday a few months ago I decided to demonstrate a cartwheel to my children while we were on the beach. It was just at the point when I was upside down that I realised I couldn’t remember how you continue and finish the cartwheel and felt quite certain I was about to die. I spent my entire teenage years doing gymnastics at a relatively high level. I thought I’d be older than 35 when I became unable to cartwheel.

The grand kids made me a lot fitter, so much time on and off the floor, now I am seizing up again.

@NastyOldBag last time i attempted a cartwheel (aged 37 I think) I did something to my wrist and couldn’t use it properly for a good 8 weeks

I was climbing over a stile today and actually had to take hold of the top of my welly to hoist my leg up and over! Meanwhile my Mum, in her 70s, positively leapt over.... so there is hope.

It’s not old age, just fitness. Yoga for flexibility and resistance exercises like squats / lunges for strength.

Tight hamstrings OP, you need to stretch those out to get your flex back!

Yeah, it's all about practice to keep up or achieve your natural level of flexibility. I was very flexible as a child (that's the only upside of hypermobility), and managed to regain it after taking up taekwondo at 46 - I can now do the splits again, or rather could up to last week (haven't done any stretching since, so may well have your difficulties if I don't start again soon!). Some pilates exercises may help, like lying clams - I'm sure there are details online.

I discovered this last year! I was in a huge crowd watching a bike race and things suddenly started getting really scary and people were climbing over the barriers to avoid the crush. I passed over the kids and then I couldn't get over the barrier myself! It was bizarre. I really need to and I just couldn't. (Someone lifted me in the end). I started pilates shortly afterwards as it scared me so much.

It comes to us all/most of us eventually, unless we actively try and maintain our flexibility.

The NHS recommends flexibility exercises 2 or more times a week. If you do some exercise,you could do some stretches at the end and that would count. If you already do some, try and do them for longer or take them further. www.nhs.uk/live-well/exercise/strength-and-flex-exercise-plan/

I spent my entire teenage years doing gymnastics at a relatively high level. I thought I’d be older than 35 when I became unable to cartwheel.

I was about 37 when I thought I'd show my dd how to do a handstand, realising I hadn't done one for years I did a head stand against the wall first, thank god I did, took me about half an hour to recover from the wooziness of being upside down 😂

It’s yoga time. I started a year ago. It’s astonishing how flexible I am now when I could barely touch my toes before. (I’m 49)

What is this thing called 'legs apart' of which you speak? It'sounds like an alien concept to me.

I second the Pilates suggestion, I can do at least 10 sit ups now.