On a recent visit to a hospital in preparation for a minor procedure I had my height measured and when the nurse called out 5ft 8 inches I nearly fainted. I used to be nearly 5ft 10 and a half inches. I had lost almost 2 and a half inches. Where had it gone? Had I lost 2 and a half inches elsewhere? Well yes I had lost almost that around my waist due to weight loss. But what of other parts of my body? After all 2 and a half inches is a lot to lose particularly when there might have not been much there in the first place. I might add hat I am now 60 and I was taller some 40 years ago but still losing 2 and a half inches is a little upsetting and I do hope this loss of height ETC will not continue.
Hmm, interesting. With pencil in hand I shall try and mark a wall and take a measurement. Edit: I am definitely 68" so the hospital record is correct and looking at an old passport and Royal Marines discharge papers I was 5ft 10 and a quarter inches so I am out a quarter of an inch. My height is also confirmed by my Royal Marines sign up papers and one would assume it would have to be right as it would affect the size of the uniform issued. So I am still missing a sizable bit of me.
Were you the same height when you got out of the Marines as when you joined? I know of a couple of people who had their spines compressed while in the service from humping heavy rucks. And if you don't know what that means, don't go there.
I can remember what a heavy ruck was/is (shudder) but I do think I would have noticed in the last 30 odd years the missing height.
Lol that's the perfect answer! It could be that you might have a slight curvature in your spine due to age?
To borrow a line from a guy I used to know... "I've got plenty of lead in my pencil, I've just got nobody to write to"
I thought everyone shrinks as they get older (after reaching a maximum height)? My grandfather certainly seemed to get smaller.
Tell me about it. Though when I take my glasses off to clean them whilst walking down the street I feel much taller, put them back on and I shrink. I assume this is a perception issue or I am going mad.
People typically (but not always) lose about 1 cm (0.4 inches) every 10 years after age 40. Height loss is even more rapid after age 70. You may lose a total of 1 to 3 inches in height as you age. But it is OK as you make up for it in nose and ear hair length. lol