Anne D

Jun 15 · Replied

Community post

Just popping back to say thank you, especially Orla. I read all of these with a cup of tea and had a little cry, in a good way. This community is such a relief sometimes.

Jun 15 · Posted

Right, I want to ask about resistance bands because they keep coming up whenever I search for beginner strength stuff and I genuinely cannot tell if they are actually useful or just something people buy and shove in a drawer. A bit of background. I'm 55, postmenopause, and I've been trying to ease back into some kind of movement after a long stretch of doing almost nothing. I'm not interested in the gym, I've said this to myself many times, the whole vibe of it makes me want to immediately go home and sit down. I've been doing short walks and that has honestly helped my mood more than I expected, but I want to add something that works on strength because I know that matters more now and my joints have been complaining. I've been looking at beginner strength videos online and a lot of them use resistance bands. They seem low-impact, you can do them at home, and they don't require me to stand next to someone half my age doing something impressive. That appeals. But I've also bought things before that seemed like a good idea and then became very expensive guilt objects on the back of a chair. So, has anyone actually used them consistently? Are there particular types that are better for someone whose knees and hips are a bit unhappy? I've seen flat ones and looped ones and tube ones with handles and I have no idea what the difference is in practice. I'm not looking for a full programme, just something I could do for ten or fifteen minutes a few times a week without needing a lot of equipment or space. Honest experiences only please, including 'don't bother, here's what actually worked instead'. I'd rather know x

Jun 10 · Replied

Community post

Just popping back to say thank you, especially Orla. I read all of these with a cup of tea and had a little cry, in a good way. This community is such a relief sometimes.

Jun 10 · Posted

Is it just me or does 'start strength training' sound completely fine until you actually try to start it and then suddenly you're on YouTube at 11pm watching beginner videos and feeling more confused than when you began 55, postmenopausal, joints that creak like an old door. I know it's supposed to help. I know bone density is a thing I should care about now. But every video is either too fast or too intense or features someone half my age doing things my knees would genuinely refuse. What I've actually managed is three short walks this week. Round the block, nothing dramatic. And I brought a boiled egg and some cheese to have when I got back because I read somewhere that protein after movement is worth doing. No idea if it's making a difference yet, it's been four days. I've got a GP appointment coming up and I want to ask about getting back to exercise properly but I'm a bit worried she'll just say 'yes great' without actually addressing the joint stuff. Last time I raised it she was lovely but vague. I want something more specific. Something like, here is what to watch out for, here is when to stop. Is that a reasonable thing to ask for? Anyway. Four days of walks. That's where I am. x