Want to cry 😢

Springsummer23 · 2023-04-07T13:50:44+00:00

I know it sounds so stupid but I feel like crying. I'm trying to do my garden. I need to remove lots of dirt /soil. When I use the spade even when it has nothing on it, it really hurts my shoulder. And feels heavy even though its actually not. And I get worn out very quickly. I have always done stuff on my own and like it that way but its like I have lost so much strength. As I said I know it sounds stupid but all I want to is shuff dirt into bags. I'm 45 I don't know if that has anything to do with it.

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 07/04/2023 15:49

Its probably too hot for ypu. My garden could do with a mow but I just CBA.
I haven't moved my fat arse off the couch all day. I'm 47 and I can't put it down to age or even the heat. ive always been a bone idol cow Ill hold my hands up 😂.

Original poster

Springsummer23 · 07/04/2023 16:04

Awwlookatmybabyspider · 07/04/2023 15:49

Its probably too hot for ypu. My garden could do with a mow but I just CBA.
I haven't moved my fat arse off the couch all day. I'm 47 and I can't put it down to age or even the heat. ive always been a bone idol cow Ill hold my hands up 😂.

Definitely not the heat. Its a physical thing . Just stressing me out because it's s7cj a simple thing

OP posts:

midgemadgemodge · 07/04/2023 16:05

Smaller spade
Couple of goes each day - few minutes
If it hurts stop
You need to build strength
Perhaps beginner weights programmes

Original poster

Springsummer23 · 07/04/2023 16:10

midgemadgemodge · 07/04/2023 16:05

Smaller spade
Couple of goes each day - few minutes
If it hurts stop
You need to build strength
Perhaps beginner weights programmes

Yeah probably. I shall look on amazon see what I can find. And also some basic weights .

OP posts:

Twazique · 08/04/2023 17:20

Is it just one side or both shoulders?

hamustro · 08/04/2023 18:04

I feel you. It's harder work than it looks. I'm 15ish years younger than you and I was knackered after doing a bit of digging etc. in the garden recently, and also felt the shovel was heavy even without much soil to lift, so your age might not have anything to do with it.

I also felt quite discouraged because it should be a simple thing but it took a lot out of me! After some thought, I'm not sure why I'm surprised because I lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle and don't do any lifting or anything to build strength, and gardening can be hard work! On the plus side, it's good exercise and if you keep at it you'll probably build strength fairly quickly and get used to it.

Clusterfunk · 08/04/2023 18:06

It might be because you’ve had the winter off not doing much and need to build your fitness. However, muscle aches and being easily exhausted was one of my first peri menopause symptoms.

TitoMojito · 08/04/2023 18:08

I feel you OP and I'm in my 20s. I'm physically very weak and get quite angry at myself for my total inability to carry out manual labour and lift things. Agree with PPs that it's best to try to use smaller/lighter tools and try to build up strength in other ways. I'm trying to do that with weights as well.

A34 · 08/04/2023 18:09

Could you pay someone to do this work?

Alternatively - pace yourself. Little and often - you will soon build up some stamina. As PPs have suggested, a smaller spade or even a trowel might make things easier.

leafygarden · 08/04/2023 18:13

I hear you OP. Try digging out loads of creeping buttercup and turning the soil when aged 58 with a bit of arthritis thrown in. And the noise I made went something like this - AAAAGGGHHH. Frustrating.

iwantawisteriathisyear · 08/04/2023 18:22

I'm glad I'm not the only one. I'm 61 and end up a sweaty heap after a short session of gardening. I have arthritis in my hands and don't have the grip or strength to pull up weeds. I get so frustrated as I have to ask my husband. He hates anything to do with the garden and huffs and puffs at the slightest gardening request

sunshinesupermum · 08/04/2023 18:40

I'm a fair bit older OP and I learnt to pace myself when gardening. Good luck!

Original poster

Springsummer23 · 10/04/2023 10:56

Twazique · 08/04/2023 17:20

Is it just one side or both shoulders?

It's one side. The side I'm lifting the spade and dirt with

OP posts:

Original poster

Springsummer23 · 10/04/2023 11:05

hamustro · 08/04/2023 18:04

I feel you. It's harder work than it looks. I'm 15ish years younger than you and I was knackered after doing a bit of digging etc. in the garden recently, and also felt the shovel was heavy even without much soil to lift, so your age might not have anything to do with it.

I also felt quite discouraged because it should be a simple thing but it took a lot out of me! After some thought, I'm not sure why I'm surprised because I lead a fairly sedentary lifestyle and don't do any lifting or anything to build strength, and gardening can be hard work! On the plus side, it's good exercise and if you keep at it you'll probably build strength fairly quickly and get used to it.

I think you may be right. Its just frustrating as I used to be quite strong. But last few years I have got weaker . Thinking about it used to carry my kids in a carrier for a long time I don't do that anymore, maybe that kept my strength up.

And yes exactly that I struggle with the spade with nothing on it . Also my kid's dad was kind of helping me and he was kind of pushing me to work at his pace. I don't think he meant to I think I was just picking up on his adrenaline.

Getting thre now anyway so hopefully the outcome will be worth it

OP posts: