Out of Shape

...so what does that mean? The person who says "Oh, I'm so out of shape, I don't think I could even jog around the block." I think in terms of, can I get to my feet to trim my toenails?

I once worked in a furniture factory where we made upholstered furniture. I used to lift 80-to-100 pound bolts of fabric, all day, five days a week. Nothing to it. (Okay, I was 22, but even so.) I'm 55 and I have trouble lifting a 10-pound sack of potatoes.

I've started walking. I'm up, 6 AM, every morning (yes, every morning, even the weekends) - if it's not raining, I'm outside; if it's miserable out, I'm on the treadmill (thanx to DH, who is supportive in more ways than one). Why do I walk so early? Because I'm only half-awake, and if I have time to think about it I won't get started, let alone walk 30 minutes.

I've been doing this for a month now - I started walking about two months ago, but not every morning and only about 10 or 15 minutes. I worked my way up to this gradually, but now I notice my legs ache... my hips ache... one ankle is giving me trouble, as is one knee.

Is it down to weight - and presumably will improve as I lose more? Is it down to arthritis or something - which I'll just have to take painkillers and adjust? Is it down to age - and we all know there's only one alternative to aging! Or am I just out of shape?