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Original poster

Why is it so hard to get my socks on and off?

44 replies

SashaPearce · 23/05/2023 20:00

I feel ridiculous even typing this, but…

I am early 40s, reasonably active and I do a bit of yoga daily to help stretch me out as I’ve never been super flexible. I have gained some weight over the last couple of years that I want to lose, currently about a stone and a half overweight (sigh). I’m mentioning this for context as I wonder if it’s somehow linked, but can’t exactly see why.

Over about the last 6 months or so, I have come to find it such an effort to get my socks on and off that I actually dread it. I think part of it is that I’m finding the bending over more difficult, which is a flexibility issue, and I guess the solution would be upping my yoga practice. But even once I’m down there I am somehow finding it incredibly hard to get the socks off my feet. The socks just don’t seem stretchy or slippery enough, they cling to my feet, and I find it really hard to pull them down over my heels, and sometimes even once I’ve done that it’s hard to peel them off.

Am I going insane? I’m an apple shape and my ankles have always been the slimmest part of my body, so I really don’t think it’s the weight gain. It’s quite a while since I bought new socks, and I only wear each pair once before putting them in the wash, so I’m wondering if maybe lots of washing is the issue? Are they shrinking and getting less soft and stretchy in the wash?

Has anyone else experienced anything like this?! I’ve never had any problems before.

YABU - my socks flow nightly off my feet like rivers and so should yours, you’re a weirdo

YANBU - I, too, fight the nightly sock monster

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 23/05/2023 20:03

I'm very overweight although quite supple in other ways but also really struggle with my socks. I think it's because I have short arms and when I bend the stomach fat restricts me. I literally have to sit on a really low sofa to be able to do it. I help people all day with filling out disability benefits and a lot of people mention a gadget to help them put socks on so I might try and source one of those !!

Babyroobs · 23/05/2023 20:05

Sorry just realized you are talking about getting socks off ! I don't have a problem with that !

Toomanypots · 23/05/2023 20:08

I don’t have a massive sock issue but every time I bob down to get something from under the sink I feel like I might need to call the fire brigade to get me back up again. Not overweight but 50 and feeling it!

Winter2020 · 23/05/2023 20:08

I buy men's socks in a larger size than I need so they remain OK after shrinking in the washer/tumble dryer.

SgtCawood · 23/05/2023 20:14

Sounds like flexibility - maybe balance? DH has to sit down to put socks on or take them off - he can’t balance on one foot and bend at the same time.

RequiresUpdating · 23/05/2023 20:15

No idea about the sticking socks! Can't you use the toes on your other foot to take your sock off though? I sometimes do that when I can't be arsed to bend down and pull it off with my hands.

HappydaysArehere · 23/05/2023 20:17

I usually try pulling them off with the toes of the other foot. It’s often a bit of a struggle. Or bend a knee on the bed and pull a sock off from behind.

Magnalux · 23/05/2023 20:18

You mean people actually put them on standing up!! My 43 yr old mind is blown.. I’ve never seen people do this .. me and my family are always sitting. No weight or mobility issues, it’s just easier!

CindersAgain · 23/05/2023 20:18

Maybe buy some new ones and report back?

ADHDDDDDDDBOOM · 23/05/2023 20:18

You're not going insane.

I've just lost a stone and putting my socks on is so much easier.

The effort of reaching forward over your knees to tie a lace as well, fuck that shit.

I didn't appreciate what an issue it was until it went.

My fat literally pushed the air out of lungs so I couldn't breath.

HappydaysArehere · 23/05/2023 20:19

Think also that washing in too hot water might not help.

Northernlurker · 23/05/2023 20:22

It's a bit weight, a bit flexibility, a bit old socks and probably a bit your feet swelling during the day.

Original poster
SashaPearce · 23/05/2023 20:23

RequiresUpdating · 23/05/2023 20:15

No idea about the sticking socks! Can't you use the toes on your other foot to take your sock off though? I sometimes do that when I can't be arsed to bend down and pull it off with my hands.

I haven’t but I know it wouldn’t work, it’s like there’s no elasticity at the top of the socks any more so I can barely get them off with my hands let alone a foot. I guess new socks may be worth a try but it seems odd, you’d think they’d get more stretched out over time not less…

OP posts:
Alwaysworryingoversomething · 23/05/2023 20:24

RequiresUpdating · 23/05/2023 20:15

No idea about the sticking socks! Can't you use the toes on your other foot to take your sock off though? I sometimes do that when I can't be arsed to bend down and pull it off with my hands.

Yes I think this will help a lot. I also do this. I use my toes for quite a few tasks Grin

Original poster
SashaPearce · 23/05/2023 20:25

ADHDDDDDDDBOOM · 23/05/2023 20:18

You're not going insane.

I've just lost a stone and putting my socks on is so much easier.

The effort of reaching forward over your knees to tie a lace as well, fuck that shit.

I didn't appreciate what an issue it was until it went.

My fat literally pushed the air out of lungs so I couldn't breath.

OK hopefully this along with how fat I look in the pics friends took this weekend is going to motivate me to actually shift this weight.

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 23/05/2023 20:26

ADHDDDDDDDBOOM · 23/05/2023 20:18

You're not going insane.

I've just lost a stone and putting my socks on is so much easier.

The effort of reaching forward over your knees to tie a lace as well, fuck that shit.

I didn't appreciate what an issue it was until it went.

My fat literally pushed the air out of lungs so I couldn't breath.

This. 100%. One of the many reasons I’m trying to lose weight right now.

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 23/05/2023 20:26

Winter2020 · 23/05/2023 20:08

I buy men's socks in a larger size than I need so they remain OK after shrinking in the washer/tumble dryer.

Me too.
I bought some new womens socks idiot a couple of weeks ago on a whim. They'd now fit a small child. 🤦‍♀️
Oh, and I could do with shifting a couple of stones and the rest but can still bend down and touch the floor with the palms of my hands, so I don't think it's a weight thing.

pussycatinfluffyslippers · 23/05/2023 20:29

@SashaPearce you can get socks with a "flexi" top, so they're a bit more stretchy. DH used to have them for work as they were more comfortable in his site boots.

Luredbyapomegranate · 23/05/2023 20:31

Hmm, I am v v fat and quite old so I find it mildly awkward, but it’s surprising you find it so hard.

Go see a physio??

sonjadog · 23/05/2023 20:38

I am definitely both old and fat and I have no problem with socks BUT it does depend on the angle at which I approach them. Sitting on the bed is good. Putting one foot up on a bench/chair is good. Bending over to the ground is not impossible, but not good.

I suggest you try out different sock techniques.

Heartsnrainbows · 23/05/2023 20:40

Are you buying socks too small? My dad gets me socks in my sticking at Christmas and he ALWAYS buys size 4 to 7. My feet are 8s. I always struggle getting them over my heels.

Hairbrushhandle · 23/05/2023 20:45

Do you tumble dry them? I find the knit of the socks goes really tight if I do and then they are very hard to put on. I buy men's socks to give them shrinking room now.

girlfriend44 · 23/05/2023 21:02

Use a shoe horn.

Original poster
SashaPearce · 23/05/2023 21:05

Hairbrushhandle · 23/05/2023 20:45

Do you tumble dry them? I find the knit of the socks goes really tight if I do and then they are very hard to put on. I buy men's socks to give them shrinking room now.

I don’t but it does feel like this is what’s happened.

OP posts:
Original poster
SashaPearce · 23/05/2023 21:06

Heartsnrainbows · 23/05/2023 20:40

Are you buying socks too small? My dad gets me socks in my sticking at Christmas and he ALWAYS buys size 4 to 7. My feet are 8s. I always struggle getting them over my heels.

Mine are 7 but I wonder if they are swelling during the day as a PP mentioned, though if they are it’s not particularly visible

OP posts: