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Have my arms shrunk?

(108 Posts)
MissAdventure Thu 14-Mar-19 13:11:06

I'm having more and more difficulty reaching things!

Not just things which are far away, but my own feet, and (ahem!) other areas.

I think my arms have shrunk, and my middle has grown.

Have you noticed this happening to you?

Greyduster Thu 14-Mar-19 13:14:09

Tyrannosaurus Rex had longer arms than I have - I can’t afford for them to shrink any more!

MissAdventure Thu 14-Mar-19 13:16:16

grin
Its really annoying, isn't it?

A friend of mine decided to get fit, put on her swimming costume and realised her bikini line needed sorting out.

Because her arms had shrunk, she bent over too far to see what was happening and put her back out.

EllanVannin Thu 14-Mar-19 13:47:06

Taking off my jumper in two " go's " instead of one which has never happened before ? It's not knee-length either.

MissAdventure Thu 14-Mar-19 13:50:00

Do you have to rest once it's at neck level?
I do.
Then muster up some strength to do the next stage.

M0nica Thu 14-Mar-19 13:58:20

My arms haven't shrunk, but my height has shrunk by nearly 2 inches. I can no longer reach upper shelves the way I used to.

MissAdventure Thu 14-Mar-19 14:00:11

My mum couldn't get her rollers into the back of her hair for her last few years.
Her arms wouldn't stretch far enough.

gulligranny Thu 14-Mar-19 14:15:51

The other thing about shrinking arms is that all the jumpers/tops/blouses I try to buy have sleeves that are far too long. I've had to resort to only buying stuff that has 3/4 length sleeves, and some of those do actually reach my wrists.

BlueBelle Thu 14-Mar-19 14:21:31

My height has shrunk by 2 ins plus as well but it’s shrunk off my back so I ve still got long legs I ve recently lost half to three quarters of a stones and it’s not gone off the little pod I call a belly but off my legs and arms bah humbug However although I ve got arthritis in various joints I m still very flexible always sit on the floor for relaxation (why I have a sofa and chair I have no idea) and can still do a full lotus and put my foot on my forehead, touch my toes with straight legs etc etc so that pleases me

lovebeigecardigans1955 Thu 14-Mar-19 14:22:48

The sleeves on many items in the shops would fit a giraffe as those hems often reach my knuckles.
Anyone having problems in the toenail department? It seems to take more effort to cut them than before - I expect my big round tummy being in the way doesn't help.

MissAdventure Thu 14-Mar-19 14:30:54

Yes, toenails are an issue, particularly my little toes.

EllanVannin Thu 14-Mar-19 14:39:53

Just a pause MissAdventure smile

EllanVannin Thu 14-Mar-19 14:43:28

Toenails-----yes. No trouble reaching them as I bend in the middle ( lucky me ) it's the nails themselves ! I'm seriously thinking of visiting a farrier because my nails have got so tough to cut. Nail clippers have all broken.

BradfordLass72 Thu 14-Mar-19 15:05:37

Reading these comments I realise how lucky I am.

Despite being a very big woman, I've always been supple and can still touch my toes.

I had 2 car accidents and a hip replacement (over 16 years, not all at once smile ) and each time my goal was to get back to my normal flexibility.

Until I had my hip replaced, I could even sink into a graceful splits. I wish I could still do that but I don't dare try in case the Titanium fights back! grin

There's a US company, Amplestuff, started years ago by friends of mine, who do a variety of items for those 'hard to reach' places. One of their best sellers is a sponge (replaceable each time) on a stick for toilet use.

They ship Internationally too.

MissAdventure Thu 14-Mar-19 15:09:49

Very tactfully put, BradfordLass smile
I think being supple is the key; it helps reduce falls, too.

Greyduster Thu 14-Mar-19 15:18:12

BradfordLass isn’t that what the Romans used to do, but they dipped their sponge on a stick in vinegar (not sure whether before or after?!!). Nothing new under the sun?

JackyB Thu 14-Mar-19 15:22:41

I am trying to work on stretching and increasing suppleness. Just 10 minutes a day each on shoulder joints, including arm strength, and hips, including thigh strength.

Even as a child, I couldn't reach my toes. Because I was never any good, I hate all forms of sport and exercise, and nowadays with the added spare tyre, it's exhausting tying shoelaces - never mind cutting toenails!

shysal Thu 14-Mar-19 15:48:48

My arms haven't got shorter but it is stiff shoulders and expanding waist that limit my reach.

Gonegirl Thu 14-Mar-19 17:00:10

I can longer reach the frying pans I keep on top of my kitchen cabinets. Have to stand on a chair now. I have always had long arms. It's the middle bit of me that has moved downwards and outwards. I think my legs might be shorter now too. confused

RosieLeah Thu 14-Mar-19 17:08:38

The trouble is, as we get older, we restrict our movements. If you watch children, they move every inch of their bodies, but adults restrict their movements and this causes the body to stiffen. The longer we keep moving as children do, the longer we will have full movement. Get down on the floor with your grandchildren and join in with their games.

EllanVannin Thu 14-Mar-19 17:10:58

Ooooh, I do "arm chair " exercises for my middle. It involves getting up from an armchair without resting on the arms. Keeps the abdominal muscles strong and thighs too as you wrestle with your balance.
I've got it off to a fine art now.

Juliet27 Fri 15-Mar-19 09:45:05

I thought my waist had got higher but then realised its the bust that's got lower!

Gonegirl Fri 15-Mar-19 09:46:21

Remind me what a waist is?

Juliet27 Fri 15-Mar-19 09:50:27

Bradfordlass
I had a hip replacement at the end of August and I know what you mean about worrying about 'disturbing' the titanium. I'm having the other hip done on Tuesday so restricted movements again will give me plenty of time to read Gransnet!

Juliet27 Fri 15-Mar-19 09:54:07

EllanVannin. ? Re farrier!