I've "had a fall"

[topcat2014]

So, on the way to work today I fell over in the street. I'm wearing boots, so no laces to trip over. Pavement wasn't too bad - which is unusual for my town.

Cuts on hands and knees.

I lay on the ground for a bit then got up.

Fortunately there weren't many people around to see me :)

One pedestrian on the other side of the road had stopped, and waited for me to get up then we waved across the road etc.

Really of course, I fell over rather than had a fall - but is this the start..

I'm fine now - but it's not how you expect your day to go

I am 70 had quite a bit of shopping heavy in a rucksack plus a bag. Tripped over a paving stone landed on my face. Nose bleed face came up swollen immediately.people were very kind got carted of in an ambulance. They thought I had a broken nose. Luckily no. Face looked like a horror Halloween mask. Black eyes eyes etc. Bruised nose and bruised legs and knees. More careful next time and will take my trolley if I need a lot of shopping.The heavy rucksack did catapult me forward.

You've been given the gift of a warning without bad consequences. Time to get exercising to build muscle and reflexes. In a couple of years you'll be strong and sturdy and in no fear of a fall.

DH works in a hospital and they recently had some “falls education,”. As you’d expect the outcomes for falls get worse as you get older…. The main way you can make a difference is exercise. For those of us in our 50s, that means 3x a week. The balance exercises others have mentioned are important. I slipped last year on a wet metal grate and felt like an idiot. A nice lady checked I was ok… I was just embarrassed although I think it could happen to anyone. I do take hiking poles on some country walks.

55 isn't old!! I'm older than you and don't consider myself old. That's why most of my friends look older than me even though some are younger. Its more about having a young outlook.