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LuckyCharms

(21,585 posts)
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:05 PM 3 hrs ago

When did getting up off the floor become such a freaking problem?

I laid down on the floor to pet my dog.

Thought I was going to have to call the paramedics to stand back up again.

I've been working out too.

It apparently isn't working.

65 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
When did getting up off the floor become such a freaking problem? (Original Post) LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago OP
I roll on my side pfitz59 3 hrs ago #1
I do something like that. LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #6
The body, sometimes, does not listen to the brain. OAITW r.2.0 3 hrs ago #2
Now that I think of it... LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #5
Aging is not a binary thing NewLarry 58 min ago #61
Oh, I hear you, my dear LuckyCharms! CaliforniaPeggy 3 hrs ago #3
Yes! Please make sure you have someone with you Peg! LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #14
Sounds familiar! some_of_us_are_sane 3 hrs ago #4
Even when I get up out of a chair... LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #12
LOL! Yes, and even some_of_us_are_sane 3 hrs ago #17
My knees sound like bubble wrap. Ocelot II 2 hrs ago #30
If I bend over (or fall over), I try to take care of anything at the ground level while I'm there. erronis 2 hrs ago #24
Lol. Yup. May as well make the best use of my time down there... AloeVera 2 hrs ago #27
😃 BlueWaveNeverEnd 1 hr ago #53
Practice Luman 3 hrs ago #7
My problems started at 57... LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #15
Welcome to DU! Ziggysmom 2 hrs ago #45
Movement is medicine!!!! BlueWaveNeverEnd 1 hr ago #52
Just don't tell us True Dough 3 hrs ago #8
Was that wrong to do? LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #10
Urine your own home, Lucky True Dough 2 hrs ago #33
Can I do it in your own home? LuckyCharms 2 hrs ago #34
I'd be willing to compromise True Dough 2 hrs ago #38
In this weather? LuckyCharms 2 hrs ago #39
How long True Dough 2 hrs ago #41
This message was self-deleted by its author LuckyCharms 2 hrs ago #42
You do True Dough 1 hr ago #47
hey Skittles 3 hrs ago #9
Skittles... LuckyCharms 3 hrs ago #11
STOP SCREAMING OR I'LL STOP!!! Skittles 3 hrs ago #13
73 and chainsaw day cleaning up dead ash tree mess. Will update getting out of bed tomorrow..... IA8IT 3 hrs ago #18
I do daily exercise that sometimes includes pilates Skittles 3 hrs ago #19
Daily is my problem. Slacked off exercise after Thanksgiving. Now my jeans are too tight. IA8IT 2 hrs ago #32
OK I am challenging you Skittles 2 hrs ago #37
Deal!! IA8IT 1 hr ago #54
outstanding! Skittles 1 hr ago #55
I'm 76 and care for my baby granddaughter The Blue Flower 3 hrs ago #16
The kids in my neighborhood kneel/lie directly on the sidewalk to chalk it BlueWaveNeverEnd 1 hr ago #50
As I got older (79), I noticed that the floor is farther away than it used to be. patphil 3 hrs ago #20
Planks! GreenWave 3 hrs ago #21
Time is a bitch NotHardly 2 hrs ago #22
I watch this and marvel. "Sit To Rise". Only in my dreams. erronis 2 hrs ago #23
The first time it happened to me PatSeg 2 hrs ago #25
I know, right? reACTIONary 2 hrs ago #26
I'm 81 AverageOldGuy 2 hrs ago #28
I always make sure I'm near something i can use Figarosmom 2 hrs ago #29
Yep, you've got to crawl to a straight-backed chair and grab the seat to help pull yourself up. LudwigPastorius 21 min ago #65
A few months ago, I was thinking of putting a block and tackle lift thing, attached to the ceiling. chouchou 2 hrs ago #31
Your mind makes a promise that your body can't fill.... pbmus 2 hrs ago #35
I've loved this song for years. LuckyCharms 2 hrs ago #36
When I saw my father at 85 dance like this, I almost lost it pbmus 2 hrs ago #44
Stretchs for hip flexible help a lot with that--and yoga squat poses. xuplate 2 hrs ago #40
I make a point of getting down on the floor at least once a day dflprincess 2 hrs ago #43
Good plan. I do floor exercises, lying on my back, kicking legs in the air BlueWaveNeverEnd 1 hr ago #51
Getting out of the bathtub is quite a dance too. IcyPeas 2 hrs ago #46
NEVER get down on the ground/floor..... lastlib 1 hr ago #48
Highly recommend better bones and balance Tree Lady 1 hr ago #49
Since forever buzzycrumbhunger 1 hr ago #56
When it is cold I have to get down on HappyH 1 hr ago #57
Books! Dear_Prudence 1 hr ago #58
Do squats. A lot and often. Maybe 10 reps 3 times a day. phxjurist 1 hr ago #59
Gotta get up the 'old folks' way... Joinfortmill 59 min ago #60
76 with balance issues plus lousy feet Golden Raisin 50 min ago #62
Just Got My First Cane! 👩‍🦳👩‍🦯 Well, At Least I've Lived ... ColoringFool 49 min ago #63
We all need to practice getting up. Laffy Kat 40 min ago #64

pfitz59

(12,288 posts)
1. I roll on my side
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:08 PM
3 hrs ago

curl my knees. then roll halfway over. enough to get one knee and a hand down. then push upright. no more springing up.

LuckyCharms

(21,585 posts)
6. I do something like that.
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:20 PM
3 hrs ago

All kinds of contortions that involve using arm strength to get up. Arms are good. Legs are good. Back is not good.

LuckyCharms

(21,585 posts)
5. Now that I think of it...
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:16 PM
3 hrs ago

My serious back problems started in 2015, when I did a ton of remodeling on my house.

I had the brush attachment on the vacuum, and there were about 20 pairs of shoes on a shoe rack in a closet near where I was working.

The shoes were covered in construction dust, so I'm sitting cross-legged on the floor vacuuming them.

No one was home.

I got stuck on the floor for 2 hours until my wife got home. I tried everything. No dice.

Now I'm depressed thinking that I was old 10 years ago.

But as I think more...I've had periods since then where I did fine.

Weird how aging works.

NewLarry

(125 posts)
61. Aging is not a binary thing
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:57 PM
58 min ago

where one day, wham, you're old! It's a roller-coaster with up and down slopes, curves, and the occasional moment of terror. But still, I'd rather get old than not.

CaliforniaPeggy

(156,080 posts)
3. Oh, I hear you, my dear LuckyCharms!
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:11 PM
3 hrs ago

Strength is important but so is balance and knowing how. I've seen YouTube tutorials on this topic. I'm afraid to try them without someone really strong to help me in case I can't do it!

Best of luck.

LuckyCharms

(21,585 posts)
14. Yes! Please make sure you have someone with you Peg!
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:30 PM
3 hrs ago

nothing worse than getting stuck on the floor.

Hey, you might surprise yourself though on how well you do with the tutorials!

Good luck, Peggy.

some_of_us_are_sane

(2,719 posts)
4. Sounds familiar!
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:12 PM
3 hrs ago

I have to get up on my knees, then crawl to somewhere so I can put the palms of each hand on two things stabilzing and higher...... then PU-L-L-L myself up.... (knees yelling and creaking all the while like OLD DOOR HINGES THAT NEEDS OILING.) ROFL!!!

some_of_us_are_sane

(2,719 posts)
17. LOL! Yes, and even
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:43 PM
3 hrs ago

in restaurants, to rise out of a booth the creaks are so loud I'm afraid people will think I'm farting!

erronis

(22,578 posts)
24. If I bend over (or fall over), I try to take care of anything at the ground level while I'm there.
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:02 PM
2 hrs ago

Maybe look for things under the bed or furniture.

AloeVera

(3,956 posts)
27. Lol. Yup. May as well make the best use of my time down there...
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:10 PM
2 hrs ago

Since it will be a while before I can get back up again...

Luman

(1 post)
7. Practice
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:23 PM
3 hrs ago

Tried to get up when I was 55. Started practicing that and stretching. Move it swing it or lose it.
75 now practice every day! Good luck with your new hobby!

LuckyCharms

(21,585 posts)
15. My problems started at 57...
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:34 PM
3 hrs ago

I try to do all kinds of stretching exercises now.

Welcome to DU!

Ziggysmom

(4,027 posts)
45. Welcome to DU!
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:50 PM
2 hrs ago

Yes, practice crawling on your hands and knees to eventually pull yourself up to something very sturdy is definitely helpful. After I had a hip replacement my surgeon stressed doing that type of exercise daily. It makes you feel less fearful and more confident if you do actually fall, knowing you can help yourself.

True Dough

(25,728 posts)
33. Urine your own home, Lucky
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:31 PM
2 hrs ago

It's up to you to decide what constitute acceptable behavior!

Response to True Dough (Reply #41)

Skittles

(169,355 posts)
9. hey
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:25 PM
3 hrs ago

make it a daily thing, lay down on the floor and get up

seriously, it will do ya good

IA8IT

(6,339 posts)
18. 73 and chainsaw day cleaning up dead ash tree mess. Will update getting out of bed tomorrow.....
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:46 PM
3 hrs ago

If I remember or can.

Getting off floor seems a bridge too far.

Leftover lasagna and some wine and now over and out for the evening.

Skittles

(169,355 posts)
19. I do daily exercise that sometimes includes pilates
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:53 PM
3 hrs ago

getting up and down is pretty standard stuff......well, for now it is

IA8IT

(6,339 posts)
32. Daily is my problem. Slacked off exercise after Thanksgiving. Now my jeans are too tight.
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:28 PM
2 hrs ago

Making family size casseroles living alone in cold weather is tubby season for me.

Skittles

(169,355 posts)
37. OK I am challenging you
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:34 PM
2 hrs ago

new year starting - get back in the game! You don't have to go all out - just get moving

Skittles

(169,355 posts)
55. outstanding!
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:21 PM
1 hr ago

I think a big problem with New Year's resolutions is people go all out, from nothing to overwhelming, and give it all up in short order

just start with a 10 minute walk or so, ease into it! It's good for the body and soul, yes indeed.

The Blue Flower

(6,323 posts)
16. I'm 76 and care for my baby granddaughter
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:40 PM
3 hrs ago

Last year I could get down on the floor to play and then get up without thinking about it. This year, she can run out of the room and be all the way across the house before I can manage to get back up on my feet. I'm also having balance issues. I'm not as active as I once was, but I am working on strengthening my legs.

BlueWaveNeverEnd

(12,728 posts)
50. The kids in my neighborhood kneel/lie directly on the sidewalk to chalk it
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:02 PM
1 hr ago

No padding under the knees. My knees scream just seeing this.

Those bouncy young joints..I had them once.

patphil

(8,692 posts)
20. As I got older (79), I noticed that the floor is farther away than it used to be.
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 08:53 PM
3 hrs ago

It must be, because it takes a lot longer to get down to the floor, and then get back up again.
If it gets any worse, I'll have to pack a lunch.

PatSeg

(52,014 posts)
25. The first time it happened to me
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:02 PM
2 hrs ago

it was such a shock. It was like certain muscles just quit working. I don't think anything quite prepared me for getting old. Inside I am pretty much the same person, but my body doesn't agree.

AverageOldGuy

(3,297 posts)
28. I'm 81
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:13 PM
2 hrs ago

Old soldier, ran marathons for 20 years, moderate workout 5 days a week.

Getting up off the floor is the most difficult thing I do. In fact, I returned this afternoon from grocery shopping. Had to kneel on the kitchen floor to put groceries in fridge, real struggle to get up — walk on my knees to the kitchen island and pull up on the counter.

Figarosmom

(9,676 posts)
29. I always make sure I'm near something i can use
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:15 PM
2 hrs ago

For leverage. Falling would be a problem though. Last time I fell I did consciously try to land in a position and place that would help me get up though. Don't know if I could always do that though

LudwigPastorius

(14,104 posts)
65. Yep, you've got to crawl to a straight-backed chair and grab the seat to help pull yourself up.
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 11:33 PM
21 min ago

(I know, easier said than done, sometimes.)

chouchou

(2,766 posts)
31. A few months ago, I was thinking of putting a block and tackle lift thing, attached to the ceiling.
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:27 PM
2 hrs ago

My husband usually has a great sense of humor....not that day.

dflprincess

(29,143 posts)
43. I make a point of getting down on the floor at least once a day
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:43 PM
2 hrs ago

to make sure I can get back up. Somedays it seems easier than others.

My favorite scene in the latest "Freaky Friday" movie was when the teenager inhabiting Jamie Lee Curtis' body discovers she can't get up from the floor. Says something like "I want to, this body won't."

BlueWaveNeverEnd

(12,728 posts)
51. Good plan. I do floor exercises, lying on my back, kicking legs in the air
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:03 PM
1 hr ago

All sorts of movements

lastlib

(27,492 posts)
48. NEVER get down on the ground/floor.....
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 09:59 PM
1 hr ago

...without a DEFFINITE plan for how to get back up!

For me, it started 6-1/2 years ago when I broke my leg. It never healed right, and I walk like a Neanderthal man.

Tree Lady

(12,983 posts)
49. Highly recommend better bones and balance
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:00 PM
1 hr ago

Class. My funky older teacher even funkily videotaped a class on YouTube look for Gary Shade.

He is almost 78 and teaches our class, when he forgets a step we remind him and laugh.

Life is too short to be stuck on the ground

buzzycrumbhunger

(1,632 posts)
56. Since forever
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:28 PM
1 hr ago

I shattered my left knee—working as a unit commissioner for the Boy Scouts, of all things… When they say their insurance covers “everything,” they mean $1000 max.

But I digress. I had reconstruction and a looooong rehab. Have basically no cartilage left at this point, so I usually wear a hinged brace to keep the upper and lower halves walking in the same direction.

Needless to say, I haven’t been on the ground since (except for the time I fell on our effed-up driveway and miraculously didn’t break anything else except skin) because I can’t kneel and sure as hell can’t get up unassisted.

I obviously exist so that people like you can feel like you’re in pretty good shape in comparison.

HappyH

(168 posts)
57. When it is cold I have to get down on
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:32 PM
1 hr ago

the floor several times a day to tend to our little woodstove. It is considerably harder this winter than last. There is a small table close that I can use to push myself up. I have learned that I cannot use the dog or the woodstove to push up.

Dear_Prudence

(1,035 posts)
58. Books!
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:39 PM
1 hr ago

I have artificial knees, so getting off the floor is really tough. One trick I learned off Youtube helped. If you fall, you slither your way over to the book case. You sit up on the floor. You place a book under one buttocks. Then you lean over and slide a book under the other buttocks, then lean back over to stack a book atop the first book, and so forth until you are elevated enough on the two stacks of books to stand. Well, crazy, but whatever works. (I read all your ideas, just in case I fall with no books nearby!) 📙+📘+📙 = 📚

Joinfortmill

(19,973 posts)
60. Gotta get up the 'old folks' way...
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 10:56 PM
59 min ago

Roll over onto your hands and knees. Reach up and hold onto the sofa with one hand, or both hands if needed, pull yourself up, and quickly flop onto the sofa. Voila! Now, don't do that again! Lol.

Golden Raisin

(4,748 posts)
62. 76 with balance issues plus lousy feet
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 11:05 PM
50 min ago

and a lot of huffing, puffing and mental/physical planning getting up/down from the floor. But I still get down (slowly and deliberately) on my hands and knees to clean the kitchen and bathroom floors. Perhaps foolish/stubborn but proves to myself that I can still actually do it. I live in Manhattan and the same goes for negotiating subway stairs and getting on and off trains or buses. Stairs anywhere have become a major hurdle. Thank God for banisters!

ColoringFool

(224 posts)
63. Just Got My First Cane! 👩‍🦳👩‍🦯 Well, At Least I've Lived ...
Tue Dec 30, 2025, 11:05 PM
49 min ago

Long enough to need one, haha! 😆

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