In the "How tall are you?" thread, a lot of us posted that we've shrunk a bit. So now I'm wondering...

When did you shrink? In your 40s? 50s? A bit more each decade? Does it level off or do you shrink faster as you age?

And how much have you shrunk so far?

And do you have any health conditions, such as bone loss or arthritis in the knees, that would explain it?

And if you're 60 or older and you haven't shrunk, we want to know that, too!

ROFL. I have no idea when we start shrinking. My mom is or was barely 5 foot and now she is 4'11". She is 79.
I am still 5'5" and not shrinking yet. I am 54. This will be fun to keep watch on. Hope we hear alot of good things. LOL Do you remember "The incredible Shrinking Woman"? Or the Shrinking Man. Old b/w movies.

Actually, I remember The Incredible Shrinking Woman as a Lily Tomlin movie from the early '80s. I had no idea there were old black & white movies of that name.

Yes, it will be interesting to see what people write.

I'm 69 and still the same height that I've been since about age 13 or so.

It may be that I'm heavy and it's my fat that's holding me up. :?

Our bones press more tightly together as we age due to gravity, thus we shrink. Osteoporis can make it worse in some cases.

I was just googling this and found it interesting that even in one day we are taller in the morning than the evening. This has to do with the water in your spine being compressed by gravity.

I will be 67 Nov. 1st. I was 5'7" as a teenager, 5'6 1/2" in my 50's & now back up to 5'7". I try to get a lot of exercise, eat calcium rich food, etc. I think petite women are more prone to bone loss as they age.

I think my spine is compressing...I know I've lost height..I'm 73

I am 56 and still 59 1/2 inches so haven't started shrinking yet! My hubby on the other hand was 6' 1" and is now around 5' 11". I am petite and get lots of exercise and eat well, so who know if that helps.

I'm 60. I was 5'7 1/2" in highschool. I know that about age 50 I was 5'5 1/2" and now I was measured yesterday and I'm now 5'4 1/2". I know my grandmother and my mother lost many inches. I think this latest loss is due to the 2 discs deteriating in my back. The loss sure explained why I was having trouble reaching the cupboards I used to be able to reach easily!!! :shock:

Was 5'5" at age 18 now at age 61 I am 5'4". I have been an exercise nut all my life, but still have the beginning of osteoparosis (SP)

I am 49 and for all of my teen and early adult years I was 5' 5 1/2". A couple of years ago I measured at 5' 4 1/2". I seem to be holding steady at that right now.

I got my drivers license at 14, I was 5'2", went last year at 52 for a bone density test and she asked how tall I was so I said 5'2", she put me on the scale and measured me at 5'1". I do have degenerative disc desease. I come from a family of short people but seeing some of my aunts and uncles a few years ago and I swear they can't have been more than 4'!

gravity gets most of us. our spines compress, etc.

As I told you, my DH calls me the incredible shrinking woman. At about age 38 I had a serious back injury at work. I think that started my shrinking. In the almost 30 years since then, I developed scoliosis, kyphosis, degenerative disc disease,and have had 5 herniated discs. It is no wonder I have lost 4" in height! Up untill the last couple of years, I remained very active. When a disc in my neck herniated, that slowed me down. I still do a lot, but no longer cut the grass.
A few years ago, I put skylights in my kitchen by myself....cut the holes in the roof and all....I wouldn't attempt that now!! :D

I started out at 5'4", now am 5'3". Guess that's pretty good for a 72 year old with arthritis in her spine!

I like this. It gives me hope that if I start doing stretches and get the weight off (the stuff that's weighing me down), I might get back up to 5'2". I was very happy with that height.

Had an Sweetie of an aunt, seemed like she got shorter each year, and not over 5 ft to begin with. :)