Every day lately, I seem to be sofa wrestling! I know people think I’ve been overeating as seen in my last post, but this is part of growing older. Inside my head, I’m still 17, honestly, I still think like a teenager most of the time and I think it shows too, especially when I want to get on the PlayStation!
My Brain Says…
Back to this sofa wrestling, I know I’m not alone in this with people of a certain age, but a simple thing like getting up off my backside turns into me seemingly looking as though I’ve been set on fire. Arms flailing about, hips going from side to side with the face contorting like I’ve eaten a bumble bee. My brain says to me, “let’s go into the kitchen and make a cup of tea.” Body replies, “I don’t think so son!!” Certainly not without a fight.
Repair Shop
I know things wear down, just like a car, our ball joints get a little thin and need replacing or the air filter wants cleaning. Maybe I should go to Halfords and see if they can squirt something on my parts. The Postman knocked on the door earlier and by the time I got there, he was almost back in his van ready to drive off. He gave me the ‘you silly old sod’ stare!
Neighbours
One of our neighbours called in the other day and although wifey let her in, I offered to make a cup of tea. Then the foreboding doom of fear came over me as I thought about how I would get off the sofa without looking like a complete pleb in front of her. With two hands and a solid steel determination, I willed myself upright. Have you ever looked at anyone with a smile on your face, yet the pain you’re feeling is excruciating? That’s what I did. Although I spent the next two hours standing and getting strange glances from our neighbour, I wasn’t going to risk sitting again knowing I would have to wrestle my way up later, to see her out.
Off To The Circus
I think part of the problem is the sofa is lower than the last one we had. Add that to the fact my joints are getting rusty and you can see why life is slowly turning into a circus contortionist for me. I would do a lot more walking and simple exercises if only I could get out of the damn sofa in the first place! So, from my cushioned prison I will wish you all a great weekend. Arrrrrggggghh.
If you are interested in Physical Activity for older adults, here’s a website from our national health service.
Looks like I’m in good company, trying to get off the sofa. A rule I learned early on was “nose over toes.” Get your feet as far under you as the sofa allows and/or scoot forward until your nose is more or less over your toes. It really helps in a lot of situations. Needless to say, I spend a lot of time on the sofa.
Thanks for the tip, Susan. You sound like an expert. 😊
I can’t even get on the sofa. I am probably one of the few that have to set the alarm for my after lunch sleep on the bed.
Thank you. I have to admit that these days, I am napping more than ever. 😊
I can so relate to your predicament, Trev… doing anything these days is a trial by fire!
I know the feeling so well. Thank you 😊
Muy bueno. Si olvidas el sentido del humor , estás perdido. Me ha encantado. Un abrazo y que el sofá no te rinda.
Having dismantled my bed on Tuesday, prior to receiving a new one today, I have been sleeping on my mattress on the floor. I am thinking of making my fortune by selling videos of my attempts to go to the loo in the middle of the night!
Oh my, I doubt I would be able to get up again let alone go to the toilet. You should make the video though. Thank you, Peter 😊
My old sofa is high enough and firm enough that I can still get off it though I do have to use the ‘nose over toes’ technique Susan R describes. My daughter’s is loxer, deeper (with the cushions removed it is a single bed) and squishier. Not a chance!
Sounds like you have it all sorted! Thank you 😊
😁😁 Trev, your honesty tickles my toes. Good luck, mate; Australian Sheila laughs 😅 again 😁
Thank you very much. I’m glad the posts tickles you. 😃
Hi Trev, I smile every time I see your blog name come up, it is just so full of humour.
Your wrestling with the sofa, I would have loved to see a film of it. Maybe you have to start your training from e.g. dining room chair.
Try Alexander principle. :)) you can look it up.
Alternatively continue the twisting and funny dance up from a low slung sofa.
As long as you remain our – silly odd sod–.
miriam
Thank you very much, your kind words are very appreciated. Glad the blog brings a smile to you. 😊
Me too, in my head, I’m still twenty years old, and I often wonder where the other fifty have fled to.
However, I think that the problem for you is all in the sofa: too low, too soft, too uncomfortable😘
You’re probably right about the sofa, Luisa. And yes, I wonder where all those years went. Thank you 😊
Not to mention the increasingly difficult and inelegant struggle to get into and out of the car …
Indeed!! Especially getting out after a journey. Thank you 😊
These are the things, you know you’re getting old even though you would otherwise feel young…
Yes, sometimes I don’t feel so old, other day I feel quite young. Thank you 😊
My aging relatives all gave demonstrations of this so I know exactly what you mean and sympathize. My furniture came with the house and fortunately is of the shape and size older people can manage yet is still comfortable. The strange thing in my case is that despite arthritis and a messed up spine I have become more supple now than when I was young. I suspect it’s that my body shape has changed so much and that I stretch all the time to avoid seizing up. Would you consider a different sofa? I don’t like to think of you in contortions. You could strain yourself and that would not be good. Best wishes Trev.
Thank you, Carolyn, I think a higher sofa would be the best answer. 😊
Haha – I’m not quite there yet. Fortunately, our visitors do give us advance warning so we can have the kettle already boiling and they find us suitably perched at the front of the sofa ready to leap into action.
Thank you Eileen. Sounds like you have a plan 😊
I’m 17 also and I have the same problem.
Haha, I am not looking forward to 18. 😊
You need one of those chairs that can lift you to almost the standing position, Trev! Have a good weekend. 👍🏻
I think you’re right, John. Thank you. 😊
I bought Len an electric recliner several years before he died. Also an adjustable bed with memory foam. That’s the easy part for me. My 17 year old mind has to work with a swollen right knee that wants to drop me to the floor. Yes life at our age can be a challenge 🤬
I did have a recliner and it was very comfortable. Unfortunately, I had to leave it go when we moved house. Thank you, Susie 😊
It doesn’t get any easier either! I sympathise, Trev, I have the same problem on my sofas too. The kitchen also has a recliner with a higher seat. I’m seriously thinking of replacing one of the upstairs sofas with a similar one. 🙂
Thank you, Sue. I did have a recliner before we moved here, but I had to leave it behind. 😊
Amazing how our mind stays at our magical age while our body does its own thing 🙂 Some sofas are just not meant for aching backs and knees 😀
Thank you, Rosaliene. It is quite amazing how our minds differ completely from our physical side. 😊
I think the number in our heads is more accurate then the one we see on paper when we add the years together. I insist on turning 60 years young this year.
Absolutely!!! Thank you 😊
Wife and I had this very conversation just this morning. We bad-mouthed our sofa with great abandon, accusing it of not keeping up with our advancing physical challenges. We are convinced it is conspiring eventually to consume us utterly. Someone will enter the room and the sofa will emit an indiscreet belch.
And yes, as musing75 mentioned – getting in and out of the car! Mercy!
Yes, it’s all a conspiracy. Thank you 😊
Growing old is not for the faint-hearted!
Keep on going you silly sod. That cuppa is worth the effort!
Thank you as always, Josie. 😊
I probably shouldn’t ask about getting up from the floor.
Haha, I haven’t quite got that bad yet. Thank you, Jim. 😃
I know exactly how it is. My head is saying “What is the issue? You’re only 67 FFS!!” but my body is saying “WTF … you’re nearly 68, so ease off you old f*rt!!”
Yep, that’s sounds about right 😊
This made me laugh 😂
Thank you. 😀
I sympathise Trev… Hope you enjoying your day… Have a good meal, music and movie 😊
This post made me laugh out loud ✨
Maybe a new sofa is in order, a low one plays havoc with the best of us 😉
You’re right, Cheryl !!! Thank you 👏
❤️💛💙
I can relate to most of that. Isn’t being 17 wonderful? It also reminds me of a performance Billy Connolly gave on Parkinson, talking about the myriad of noises he found he was making doing the simplest of things – like getting up from a chair, sitting back down again, an’ all. It was hilarious.
Thank you, Mike. 😊
Health can encourage the bottom to gravitate toward the comfy chair. We try to ignore all of those creeky bones!
Thank you, that’s a very good reply. 😃
This hit a nerve, Trev, thinking of investing in a mechanical hoist! Think I use my arms, heaving myself up, as much as my legs.
Thank you, Dave. I have no idea why this took so long to get through. Yes, I know exactly what you mean about the mechanical hoist. 🙂
😂😂😂😂 I enjoyed this post so much. I am inspred to take care of myself a little bit more. I hope you find a more comfortable chair and take care of yourself.
Buenos días. Aquí con nuevo perfil por problemas técnicos. Un saludo.
Since I turned 70 it is like a switch has been flipped… I avoid the sofa like the plague and also the other chairs in our living room. I am thinking of getting one of those Upright armchairs with the seat that propels you into the middle of the room.. glad I am not alone.
You’re definitely not alone. I try and walk and keep as active as I can, so when I get home the first thing I do is sit down on the sofa and wham. You know the story. Thank you and thank for sharing the story. 🙂
Great post
Thank you. 🙂