. . . AND AS YOU GAIN CONFIDENCE

StArt with ten repetitions of each every day, and increase as the exercise becomes easier. 1. SIT TO STAND SIT in a chair with your feet on the floor and arms crossed over your chest. Bend forwards until your head is above your knees, then push down into your legs and raise yourself to standing (without pushing up on your hands). Sit and repeat. 2. STEP-UPS STANDING at the bottom of the stairs, step up with one foot and bring the other up alongside, then step down again. Repeat by leading with the other foot. 3. PICK-UP PLACE an object on a low chair, then, standing in front of the chair, bend your knees, hips and back forwards to pick it up. Bend the whole of your spine — don’t keep your back braced straight. Then try to lift the object from a step, then the floor, using the same method. 4. BALANCE STAND and lift each leg off the floor in turn, seeing how long you can keep your balance. Then try with your eyes closed. 5. WEIGHTED WALKING WALK around the house holding a gym weight or can of tomatoes in each hand, swinging your arms back and forth.