ageing programe

Based on the cross leg test, I was dead several years ago. I couldn't even get down, yet alone up. Apart from that, an interesting programme.

If only I could cross my legs!

Always a good thing to be able to do*Jane10*

Is there a Zumba Gold near you Filly. ? It is for us older people and is part dance part excercise.Really good fun, Great music to.

I thought I was a fairly fit (walking, Pilates) and healthy (vegetarian) almost 70 year old until I watched that programme - no way could I budge off the floor after I managed to get down there with crossed ankles!

thank you Bevan I have not heard of zumba gold will investigate. Cangran at least you managed to get down there!

If you want to do the dance exercises at home, there are dozens of videos on you tube. Because you are at home you can go at your own pace.
It's better if you have YouTube on your TV rather than the small screen on your laptop.
My keep fit class is dance based. Don't worry about what your going to look like.
In my class we have the young Lycra clad goddesses, women in their 80s, young girls from the special needs school near us and a Muslim woman In her Niqab.

fillygumbo put the radio or something on, and just boogie!

You don't need a class, or a exercise video. Just do your own thing.

just make sure your curtains are closed first!

I'm pretty sure I'm fit, but no way can I do that cross legs things without falling over. It's more about balance than fitness. The two things are completely separate.

Programme sounds rubbish.

I can get all the way down no problem, but I can't put my bum down without falling over. That's dangerous. . These 'experts' are so daft. Makes a programme though.

Get a cheap exercise bike from Decathlon, and some upbeat cd's. Body and soul!

Or dance with a small weight in each hand, to said music.

Start with brisk walking give yourself a target, maybe 15 mins , then build up. Go to Pilates, which if you have a good teacher should show you how to exercise in a controlled way to build up your strength. My Pilates teacher has shown us how to do the sitting challenge thing safely. It's about your core strength not your knees. And if you hold a weight outstretched in your hands it is easier.

There is no way on earth my knees or my hips will bend far enough to do that sit down never mind get up again. It wouldn't matter how strong my core muscles were if the joints won't bend then you are beat before you start. I just hope when my second THR is done things will be a bit better..

Surely that cross leg test must take account of age too? I wouldn't dare even attempt it as arthritic knees and ankles make getting any further than crossing one ankle an impossibility. My knees won't bend far enough to sit anywhere near cross legged. I do do daily exercises to maintain the bendability I do have.

I am 66, I can do the sitting challenge.

but only after being shown how to do it properly.

Do tell Suzied there are dozens of us sitting here trying to get up off the floor and refusing to give in!

The cross-leg test is impossible with a replaced hip. No, I haven't tried it .

For a start you need to wear trainers to give a good grip on the floor. Put a cushion or yoga mat down to sit on. get two very small weights such as weights from kitchen scales, mine were 1lb and 8 oz,( I expect this is cheating but this is how I learned to do it, and now I can do it without the weights). Hold weights in each hand outstretched, cross your legs at the ankles, inhale, then lower yourself slowly to the floor whilst exhaling. You should now be sitting cross legged. With your trainers flat on the floor, your ankles still crossed, shift your centre of gravity forwards whilst holding the weights out in front of you. inhale, then exhale, pushing your body forward and up, using your abdominal muscles.
I honestly could not get up at all when I first started to do it, despite doing lots of yoga and pilates etc, now I can do do it with relative ease. I am thinking of making a you tube video of it, but no doubt there are loads of them already out there.

Dare I try it with my flat feet and lack of balance? I might fall over and smack my face on something.

Angela Rippon was a dancer and has, I think, always kept herself fit.

I need to get fitter .....

I still fell back on my bum ! Trainers, weights and effing all! It hurts! That'll be a bruise. I went back more on one buttock than the other.

#giveitup

OOPs sorry! hope you remembered the cushion! You shouldn't drop down but it should be a controlled descent! Concentrate on the abdominal muscles to go down, then its not about the knees. Obviously need to do the Youtube video.

Oh shi-e! Forgot about the cushion!

I think I would have missed it though. That bit was definitely not controlled.