Avoid old age shrinking!

[MollyHuaCha]

Ok, so you opened this thread thinking I was going to give some answers...

The teens are telling me I’m actually getting shorter. No, it can’t be! I’m still only perimenopausal.

Any tips from anyone? Or once beyond normal child-rearing age, are women destined to just, well... shrink?

Yes, and it happens to men too, just a bit less than it happens to women.

If you are noticeably reducing in height already, get yourself off for a health check. If you are developing osteoporosis already, you need it investigating.
Alternatively, you just look shorter to your teens as they are still growing.

Miss, you are right. But you forgot to add tips to avoid the inevitable...

Viserion I had a bone scan a year ago (I’ve taken years of steroids for a health problem). Result was within normal range.

Anyone remember** the Mrs Pepperpot stories? The poor woman shrank regularly. But she always managed to return to her original size (lucky thing).

Posture? Many people stoop as they get older!
Pilates is my insurance policy..

HRT is the answer.

Yoga is mine and hanging upside down from the bars in the park every week

Mind you, my feet are bigger than they used to be, anyone else had this as they aged?

Yes, Whoareyoukidding, I now take a 6 instead of a 5 in shoes.

Yoga

Yes I'm shorter but with bigger feet. Great.

I’m trying to think how this could be a good thing?

Hmm... I know! I guess that means you’re less likely to fall over...

And not only that but I've gone up exactly half a size so can no longer shop in places that only sell full sizes. I guess I'll go up a full size eventually. Just around the time that my once fairly long legs become mere stumps.

DH has lost an inch. He is not impressed.

I think Pilates or Yoga should help. I know I am standing taller since starting Pilates.

When I was measured at 42, I had lost 3cm. I was horrified.
I started Pilates. After 10 years, I rechecked my height out of curiosity. I had regained 2cm!

Yoga.
It in perfect world it would be available on the NHS for over 50s. Or everyone.

Wow, interesting re Pilates and yoga.

Its something to do with the space (fluid) between the vertebrae.
As we age the space compresses and the fluid decrease. Pilates and yoga help keep your spine healthy and keep that space and fluid between the vertebrae. They also stop that 'hunch' forward you see in lots of old people. You definitely feel taller after class.

Gosh, Yoga is popular on MN right now.
Just... why??
My mother used to drag me to yoga when I was a teenager.
I think I'd rather gnaw my right arm off than go back.

I hated it in my 20's, couldn't see the point. Then after two children and a bad back I discovered Pilates. Amazing for core strength and injury prevention. I'll do it forever. Don't love yoga but go from time to time.

Do people quite like the meditation aspects, or the social side? Do those things keep you motivated?

Head space, flexibility, strength and a waist. A body that's a good 10 years younger than it was when I started. No woo or social side in the classes I go to.

You could get those things from other sports or exercise or activity, though, CaniBuffalo. So why Pilates/Yoga and not running, swimming or weights or Body Pump, etc.

I loved Mrs Pepperpot !

Yoga is ace for stretching every part of your body. Also for exercising you without you realising it as for me I'm so busy trying to get in the right position I don't get bored or feel like a hamster on a treadmill which I do in the gym.

I don't go to the spiritual type breathing yoga classes though. I like the active dynamic classes like ashtanga and vinyassa flow.

I'm nearly 50 and I can still do the crab so it must be doing my spine some good. I'm sure I heard once "you are as young as your spine is flexible..."