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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To want to do a handstand (aged 50)

29 replies

anappleadaykeeps · 08/08/2021 23:32

I've been steadily losing weight, and enjoying the feeling of clothes being looser.

Exercising more, lots of walking, some swimming and some Pilates.

I really, really want to see if I can still do a handstand against a wall, like I used to do as a teenager. Is this bonkers?

OP posts:
Original poster
anappleadaykeeps · 08/08/2021 23:34

(probably watched a bit too much Olympics over the last 2 weeks)

OP posts:
LemonRoses · 08/08/2021 23:34

No. Go for it.

Letthelightoflove · 08/08/2021 23:35

Please let us know how it went….

Roundearth · 08/08/2021 23:36

haha I get the urge sometimes..
hang off the end of your bed and see if u can support your weight that way first before you try ? might save u collapsing in a heap first go!

OwlinaTree · 08/08/2021 23:36

Be careful!

stickygotstuck · 08/08/2021 23:37

Not at all. Go ahead

I do it sometimes when the mood takes me. Never stopped. Late 40s here.

Perhaps be a bit cautious if you haven't done it since your teens, but do have a go safely.

XenoBitch · 08/08/2021 23:38

Be careful. You might be feeling better after all the positive steps you have taken, but your body has still been aging and wont bounce back like it did as a teen.

OneMoreForExtra · 08/08/2021 23:38

I'm 53 and do cartwheels across the lawn sometimes. (and very very much the opposite shape to a gymnast. ) Definitely not to old for a bit of joyous movement OP!

Xmassprout · 08/08/2021 23:38

I love handstands! Make sure you warm up your wrists first and your shoulders, but go for it! Make sure you know how to bail out first, just in case it doesn't go to plan

CliffsofMohair · 08/08/2021 23:38

Wrist support. Guards. Your bones aren’t what they were.

30degreesandmeltinghere · 08/08/2021 23:39

We all did headstands last year!! Dc were stunned!
I was 49!
Dh was 39 and about 20 stone and he stayed up the longest!!

PegasusReturns · 08/08/2021 23:39

I’m going to follow because I want to too!

I used to (20 years ago) be a pretty good gymnast. Occasio lay in the park i think oh I’ll just do a cartwheel or a flip. Then I remember I sprained my ankle last year whilst gardening Grin

I’ve been doing headstands in yoga - which are definitely much trickier than they were in the past 😂😂

Good luck!

SkiingIsHeaven · 08/08/2021 23:40

Do it up against a door first.

EBearhug · 08/08/2021 23:41

I am not quite 50, but last time I did it in a yoga centre, I started by facing away from the wall, and then walking my legs up it, if that makes sense. That meant I knew I could support myself on my arms without having to just push off the floor, which was initially a mental block. I then did a normal handstand with the yoga teacher beside me to catch my legs. I did find it harder mentally than physically. When I was a child, I had no worries about possibly injuring myself, and now I'm aware if I fall, it might hurt. Doing it a couple of times without falling helps.

SynchroSwimmer · 08/08/2021 23:41

Maybe get a snorkel mask and try out your moves in the swimming pool first?

It doesn’t hurt in there when you fall - seriously.

(Also good for trying yoga moves that I can’t manage in the actual class 😂)

Badgerstmary · 08/08/2021 23:41

I understand. I’m 49 & did a cartwheel 🤸🏽‍♀️ last week.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 08/08/2021 23:42

Dm did cartwheels in her 50s sometimes. I regret not learning!

ItzANoFromMe · 08/08/2021 23:42

Be careful. I hadn't done one in years, got the urge last year, crumpled into a heap, and really hurt my back. I'm a few years younger than you.

Rainbowshit · 08/08/2021 23:44

Ha ha. DC were watching the 2012 olympics and trying to do cartwheels. I said I'd show them how. Strained my groin!!

Ringsender2 · 08/08/2021 23:47

I did one a month or two ago against the wall (am 50). Just because. Go for it OP!

Original poster
anappleadaykeeps · 08/08/2021 23:48

Ooh - 20 replies already. In just the time it took me to lock up downstairs and do my teeth. Wow!

You guys are the right mix of encouragement and caution. I think I will wait until someone else is in the house, but will give it a try against a wall first. How do I definitely know if my arms and wrists are strong enough to hold my weight?

I'm off to bed now (every athlete needs their beauty sleep( but will update tomorrow.

Thanks for all the advice.

OP posts:
Whirlywooo · 08/08/2021 23:56

I recently tried to do a cartwheel (I'm 47). I used to be so good at 1-handed cartwheels, thought it would just be like when I did them when I was younger.

Plot spoiler - it was NOT just like doing them when I was younger. Couldn't walk properly for 2 days afterwards.

You know when you see really young children trying to do cartwheels - they just throw their 2 hands on the floor and then just sort of fall in a heap sideways on the floor...yes that was me.

But go for it OP, you'll never know if you don't try! That's my motto.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 09/08/2021 00:05

I’ve never been able to do a handstand or a cartwheel in my life! Very jealous.

I can do a shoulder stand but not really the same.

EBearhug · 09/08/2021 00:52

How do I definitely know if my arms and wrists are strong enough to hold my weight?

By trying it with support, I.e. against the wall. You'll soon know!

Wingedharpy · 09/08/2021 01:51

Be sure to tuck your skirt into your knicker legs OP.Smile

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