Really fed up......

Why not get a pedometer and join in the 10,000 steps a day club. No, we don't usually get there and I must confess to only 1,245 on Thursday, and we all have poor days - quite a few poor days if truth be told.

But the thing is, we fess up and try again

Even if you just start at a couple of thousand, or whatever you can manage, and then as you do more and the weight starts to come off and you get fitter your back and knees should ease up.

Hi everyone. I am a newbie here so hope you don't mind me butting in. I too put on weight when I retired. Pilates is great for the spine and core if you get a good teacher, but the thing that helped the weight to come off was the 5:2 diet. If you can stick to it, it does work, honest! You do need to be scrupulous and watch what you eat, but it's a good way to lose the weight and helps you to feel in control again. Try it, you have nothing to lose! ��

Re Pilates: I did try it; however the room was very very cold so that may be why the next day my joints were stinging and painful , and I have not been since.

I lost 2.5 stone last year but it is creeping on again; I thought summer would be a good time to lose weight with all the salad etc but it hasn't worked out like that.

Swimming is a good idea as your joints are supported.

I threw out all my size larger clothes so have to maintain my weight!

So sorry for all of you suffering pain all the time. It takes courage to just get on with each day.

Same here JaneRowena except for me a long walk is from my chair to the kitchen.
I'm fed up with it as well.
The pain is always worse the next day.
But, one just has to grin and bear it.

I'm a big Pilates fan too goldengirl. Aches and niggles have disappeared since I have been doing it and I feel much fitter and stronger. Feel almost evangelical about Pilates and think everyone should be given a course free on the NHS.

I'm the same, I know I can only exercise every other day, or go for a long walk, anything really. I have to take a painkiller before I start to move or go out for the day, to keep the swellings down. Afterwards is too late.

I suffer with similar muscle and joint pain and im overweight. I couldn't sleep last night with pain in my arm from my shoulder joint. I would like ot know why does the pain come on the next day. If I do any excersise at all, I feel a bit tired afterwards but by the next day Im utterly exhausted and in agony, I'v been like this all my life which has put me off all excersise.

hilda another crcoheter I see!
Doesn't give you much exercise though does it?

I'm always banging on about Pilates but as someone who doesn't really like exercise I highly recommend giving it a go. With the right teacher who understands what you can and can't do but gently helps you train your muscles to work as they should at your appropriate age you will feel not just better in yourself but your whole body will benefit.

When I started I had back problems and bowel problems and last year I sustained a leg injury but with Pilates I'm much more confident and relaxed about myself and my leg and back are so much stronger and there's also been great improvement in my leg muscles.

I also swim but there's always the hassle of getting dry.....

Since retiring I have put weight on too. I am almost two stone heavier than when I got married. In the autumn I am going to see if my local pool has any water aerobics on in the afternoon. Also to get myself more supple I am looking for yoga classes, I used to enjoy yoga when I was younger. All classes have to be in the afternoon as I go to bed really early in readiness for work at 04.00.

I have spent the last few days wandering, very slowly, round the streets of Barcelona. I didn't lose any weight, probably due to the calorie dense diet we seemed to follow. I didn't gain any weight either though.

I do think it's possible to lose weight just by eating less. I think the exercise bit is over-rated.

Galen, I've just bought a new wardrobe too. It's got two tops and no sides.

#effingjohnlewis

That's the main thing isn't it? Eat drink and be merry because tomorrow is weigh in day

I've been swimming most days as well as doing some aquafit moves, during my caravan holiday with the family in the South of France. I thought it would help my back muscles to get back into some kind of form but it hasn't. And the French bread, cheese and wine have done my shape no good at all. But I had a great time!

I've been swimming most days as well as doing some aquafit moves, during my caravan holiday with the family in the South of France. I thought it would help my back muscles to get back into some kind of form but it hasn't. And the French bread, cheese and wine have done my shape no good at all. But I had a great time!

True - and at this time of year it gets worse. My feet are like weather forecasters. I can tell when it's going to get rainy and cold well in advance.

Yes, to the swimming, but even then you have to be careful what stroke you use. I have to use breaststroke for the arms combined with crawl leg movements, otherwise my shoulders and hips won't move the next day.

Keeping active may stop my joints from seizing up but it doesn't stop them hurting.

If I were you I think I'd go back to my GP, nanapug, and ask them what they can do to help as well as suggesting you try to lose weight. You are quite right that not being overweight does not prevent one being in pain from some causes. I speak as someone who is not overweight but has been taking strong painkillers daily for over thirty years to deal with arthritic pain.

Thank you all for your kind words and support. I don't go to my GP as all they talk about is my weight causing my problems, and as much as I know it certainly doesn't help I know quite a few skinny people with bad backs and bad knees. That makes me sad and angry so I just try to sort it myself. A little bit of support from here will go a long way x

Not a lot of advice nanapug just and a hug from someone who knows how much support there is available on GN!

I'm overweight but all most of my bits are still more or less working, thankfully, but I do feel for you, it must be awful.

Hello nanapug from another fatty.
I've just given up as a bad job, drawn money from my savings and bought a new wardrobe.
What can't be cured must be endured.
One evening jacket
One pair evening trousers
2 tops
All from just last season for under £75 total.

I'm not saying how much the phase eight evening dress was.

Hi nanapug I have pm'd you with something you may find interesting. glamma x

Hello again "Mishap", lovely to hear from you too. I will google the things you have suggested, thank you. How are you now?

I love swimming but sadly the cold water makes my back muscles go in to spasm and it is excruciating Yes, I am walking as much as possible, which I agree is so good but it is limited and I then need to sit down for quite a time to recover. Golly gosh I hate this old age thing. I just want to be able to play with my GC and take the dog out for long walks and cook and clean. Thanks for listening ladies, I know it will improve in time but I am impatient (and fat!!)