There was a time when stretching felt good, but now I worry that I'll get a cramp or that something will lock up, given that both of these things occur often. Even when it doesn't, it's as likely to be painful as relaxing.
@Ken Anderson @Denise Happyfeet IMO stretching SHOULD feel good. If it's implementation results in derogatory aftermath, something important is, again IMO, missing. I believe that the adequately exercised body, meaning most important muscles beyond the blood-flow and respiratory ones, are being forced to do their designed work by the orders received from the brain. The <MASTER makes demands, move, walk, run if you can, swing and raise arms, even while seated in a chair at rest, the lower legs need work by being raised and lowered. I base these incantations on my experiences of finding aching muscles, "Charley-Horse" calf lock-ups, shoulder's inability to lift utensils up into overhead cabinets in the kitchen, etc. My wife pointed out my weaknesses in this respect perhaps a year ago, as I struggled to raise the stacked bowls up into the cabinet. She recommended I start using the weight machine out in my shop. I now easily perform those feats of arm and shoulder dexterity she expects of me. How? Accelerated work on the vehicles, jacking them up, sliding in and out from under them, the hydraulic jacks require much shoulder and arm movement, under load. I've become convinced that, in "old-age", the surest way to the grave is lack of physical activity. Will I therefore live to 100? Hell, no. Frank
Yes I started stretching a while back but stopped due to cramp, I'm hoping magnesium will sort that out Stretching is a very good idea
My only problem is my lower back...legs and arms work just as well as they always did. Only thing I've noticed lately is my fingers hurt at the end of the day...too much typing maybe? Not really typing...touching is more accurate.
I've been told that our muscles need water. We should drink more water, before stretching. Most people are under hydrated.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and have to force myself to walk & stretch for exercise or the stiffness and pain gets worse. I believe endorphins has something to do with it.
That's sort of what I do with a baton, in order to keep my fingers from stiffening up. It hurts when I twirl the baton at first, but it does loosen them up.
I have known people that lived well into their 80's, even a couple of seniors in their 90's, and none of them actually exercised. They did yard chores, gardening, or just light stretching. I've checked google out on the subject of light exercising verses many that of heavy, and I was surprised at the data out there that sited so many athletes dying at early ages. It seems that light exercise or just doing your household and yard work is the best way to go for most. Whenever I try heavy exercise I generally end up paying the price. My doctor was the one that told me to check out the stats on the benefits of light verses heavy exercises. He told me, "If it feels like you're pushing it, then more than likely you are. Your body will tell you how much movement it needs."
I think that this makes sense to me, too, @Ina I. Wonder . When I go to the fitness center, I do enough that I feel like I am helping my body, but not so much that I am overworking it. It has taken me over a year to get where I am at with the exericise. When I started, I could barely swim the length of the pool, and had to rest before I could swim back. As I progressed, i started doing water exercises with the float-weights, and leg exercises in the water. Again, I could only do a few at first, and gradually, I added a few more. Finally, this summer, I got the short training swim fins to help build up my leg muscles even better. I had lost so much of my muscle strength over the years due to the heart failure, that when i fell, I was like the proverbial "beached whale" and had to have help getting back up from the ground. I am still a long ways from perfect, or even to where I want to end up being; but at least i can get myself back up if I fall now, and can go up and down stairs better, too.
I've found this to be true with my aches and pains @Ren Tanner If I start hurting, I know I'm not walking, stretching, doing enough physical activity. And, if I am feeling good, sleeping well, no aches or pains (only muscle aches doing the exercise right) I feel 10 years younger! Now, if I could just do those dang "face muscle" exercises, LOL!
That's a good reminder @Ken Anderson My hands really get locked up, but only like in the a.m. when I first wake up. If I "exercise" my hands, it only makes sense they will hurt less. I know they used to use a tennis ball in therapies Hey, we need a smiley scratching his head with an idea
I live near 2 ladies in their 90s, both are active, still. Antoinette is one, she's my hero/mentor If I live that long, I'd like to feel as good as she does I know genetics come into play, but we can try hey