After measuring 5’10” all my adult life, imagine my shock yesterday when I was told I’m 5’8” now. “Huh? Are you kidding me? Two inches! Why is this such a surprise? How is it that I didn’t know this was going to happen?” The nurse laughed it off and told me it’s just the aging process. Listen, honey, losing height is no laughing matter! It makes me feel different and not in a good way.
Let me tell you a little about myself.
- I started ballroom dancing when I was about 20 years old. To begin with, I was an Instructor. As time went by I progressed to Junior Executive, Supervisor, Dance Director, Manager, and finally a studio owner.
- My professional partner and I were United States Rising Star Champions.
- At 50, I received a Black Belt in Tai Kwon Do.
- I have good posture, excellent balance, and I’m extremely proud of every one of my 70 inches. Oops, make that 68.
I have to admit I watched my dear old mother getting shorter as the years went by and she became frailer. But, I never, ever thought it would happen to me.
Read this post to learn more about the ages that people are feeling the happiest at.
What causes a person to lose height?
One reason people are getting shorter is, of course, gravity. In fact, the pressure that gravity exerts on the Earth compresses the spine, eventually resulting in losing height. Accordingly, one way to fight this is by using inversion therapy. Lying on an inversion table and hanging upside down (using at least 60% inversion for this to be effective) helps by stretching the spine thereby decompressing the space between the vertebrae.
Aside from everyday living, getting shorter can be the result of medical conditions such as osteoporosis, which causes bone loss.
What are the things we can do to prevent losing height?
We do the same things that keep us healthy and feeling good every day.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables
- Exercise
- Take your vitamins
- Avoid alcohol and tobacco
In addition, make it a habit to check your weight and height on a regular basis.
In closing, let me say that I’ll learn to accept my fate. On the other hand, medical professionals say a woman loses up to 2″ between 30-60 years of age. Then, she may lose another inch by 80. Oh well, at least now I know what to expect. Furthermore, you do, too.
Before you go, there are worse things than getting shorter. Check out this Dance Safari post, “Find Happiness When Your World is Turned Upside Down” for some inspiration on feeling better. I’m gonna read it myself!
You could always hang from your ankles for an hour a day! 😂🙄
DC, have you tried it? Bet it feels pretty good on the old back.
Barbara
I have. I bought one of those back pain relief inversion table things. It took a few times to get comfortable with hanging upside down for any length of time (the blood tends to rush to your head), but once I did, it was great. When you can relax that way for 5 to 7 minutes, the stretching of the spine and decompression is amazing.
I knew it. Thanks for confirming. I think I can give up 5-7 minutes to stretch my back.
◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
◇ I AM Getting Taller by Evolving, it’s Crystal Clear Clarity that Evolving is Really NOT!!! that Difficult EveryOne; it’s a bit like Pregnancy
◇ – Diamond Hard – ◇
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Writing helps with the process of evolving, doesn’t it?
♡ …oh, and when someone sez “No Laughing Matter” that’s the best time to “Laugh” then say the following; “I’ll stop laughing at you when you start laughing with me 😂🤣😅😆😁😄😃😀🙂
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I like it!
Would stretching backwards across a large yoga ball work too?
I’m not sure about the yoga ball. I like this video from a chiropractor in Michigan. Here’s the YouTube link. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IWHZJiTBvw
Thanks for visiting.
Barbara
Barbara, I took off my shoes, stood against the wall and asked K to help. I was 5 feet 1 1/2 inches (61 and 1/2 inches) tall last time I checked – yep, quite small. Well, that is I ‘was’ 61 and 1/2 inches. The wall now says I’m 5 feet 1 inch tall (61 inches). Yikes! At my height I haven’t any height to lose. I’m definitely going to continue with the stretching exercises I’ve been doing of late… And, come to think of it; learning the latin dances asks that I stretch between the bra line and the hips – something I try to do when dancing! Hopefully, this will save me shrinking much more!
At least your 68 inches is still very grand. I’m sure you look fabulous in heels!
Carolyn, that was the point of the post. I had no clue that this was happening. Now we know, don’t we? And, you’re right, I still feel kinda grand and love my heels!
Keep working that ribcage and that backward aging. Maybe you’ll get your 1/2 inch back. Lol
Barbara
“Maybe you’ll get your 1/2 inch back. Lol”
You know me, Barbara – I’m certainly gonna try!
♡ I’ve Stopped Following YOU!!! because YOU!!! Keep on DELETING!!! AnyThing that Gets Your Goat and that’s YOUR!!! Iron Clad Right; it’s also Crystal Clear Clarity that We ARE NOT!!! Good Dance Partners so I Bid YOU!!! Good Day and Farewell as YOU!!! No Doubt WILL!!! Delete This Too
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Aw, say it ain’t so!
Oh no, I’m sorry you’re closer to the ground than you used to be! You’re right, it’s no laughing matter. My parents, now both in their 70s, have got shorter. I’m not sure about my mum because she’s always been short in my mind, but I remember my dad being tall and strong and my superman. I’m sure he’s lost more than 2 inches.
I dread the idea of being shorter than 5’3″. I already struggle to reach anything on the higher shelves of the supermarket. Each time I go I end up climbing up the shelves, holding onto the edges as I give myself a boost to reach the bread or a tin of soup. Don’t even get me started on trying to see over my own dashboard in the car!
In all seriousness though, it’s an important issue so thank you for bringing awareness to it, how it happens, and the things we can try to do to help ourselves.
Caz xx
Thanks, Caz. It felt weird to write that post, but I really wanted to make people aware. It’s better not to be caught by surprise when it comes to shrinking. Lol
Barbara
I really like your beautiful blog. A pleasure to come stroll on your pages. A great discovery and a very interesting blog. I will come back to visit you. Do not hesitate to visit my universe. See you soon. 🙂