Hips don't lie

[MandyFl0ss]

I will turn 50 in September. When I tell people they can't believe me because I look 12 or 13 years younger. My skin looks alright, I don't have a lot of grey and although I'm short and a little tubbier than I'd like, I keep myself looking alright. However, when I wake up in the mornings, I feel my hips. What I mean by that is that I feel this sensation of awareness of my bones, a stiffness, almost if I had been exercising lots the day before (which is never the case). So I'm wondering, this is age, right? Maybe on the outside I look younger but on the inside my bones are starting to feel my age?? Do any of you feel this sensation too? Should I start taking supplements and if so, what?

Weight lifting helps with bone density

Maybe look at a new or better mattress?

Cod liver oil or flaxseed oil if you're a vegetarian.

Its the same for me. Only it's the knees as well as the hips. The way I walk down stairs makes me look old.

My BMI is 19 and I'm 52. Metabolic age (done as part of health screening at work) is 36 years.
When I was about 40 I had a phase of waking up feeling really stiff - not being able to straighten up until I'd gone a few yards. I got a new mattress and it went completely!
I'm a bit stiff now in the mornings and I think it is simply getting older unfortunately.

I have a brand new mattress but to be honest I just went for price/reviews rather than giving any thought to my poor ageing bones!
OneFootintheRave I know what you mean about the stairs; when I walk down stairs at home I think a fall now will be a game changer.
I'll look into suggested supplements thank you everyone, and yes Inliverpool1, I really should start some weight lifting. Is there a good workout anyone could recommend I do at home?

HRT (patches) got rid of that early morning stiffness for me completely.

Also you could try Pilates.

Yoga will sort that out!

Try yoga or Pilates, they are brilliant for keeping you flexible. Thousands of YouTube videos if a class doesn't suit. I'm almost 50 and try to fit in 30 mins a day for either a walk or stretching.

Oh yeah I used to love yoga, I must try that again. I still have regular periods so I don't think I can go for HRT just yet...

Another vote for weight bearing exercise. Yoga, pilates, weights will all help. And lose that little bit of extra weight.

Oh, and don't believe the compliments too much, I'm fast approaching 50, look my age when I look at my friends the same age but I swear most people think 50 looks like this.

I get that, but always attribute it to exercise

It can be that you have really tight hip flexors?

Mine are tight, actually, age and exercise can make them tighter

My ham strings are too tight as well, making my back stiff (it's all linked)

Pilates and yoga helps, but it is finding the time!

Have you only had this awareness in your hips since you replaced the mattress or did it start before?

I used to have similar hip sensations when I was pregnant. A well chosen mattress that gave good support and didn't put too much pressure on my hips solved it.

And I also do yoga - it definitely keeps the aching hips at bay.

I know CountFosco!! I have at times caught sight of my own reflection on a shop window and thought to myself 'who the hell is that old bag staring me!'. Clearly deluding myself here .

Yeah weight lifting or strengthening exercises are what's needed, just get a few kettlebells, 6 or 8 kg and look on youtube for work outs you can do at home. Even 20 mins 2-3 times a week will have benefits for your muscles and your bones, much much much more beneficial than a pill supplement.

You don't need to have irregular periods to benefit from HRT. You are most likely peri-menopausal. Look on the menopause Board for some good advice.

Don't rule out Osteoporosis. Make sure you're getting enough calcium and vitamin D.