I was taught at a very young age to cross my legs when seated and this became an automatic action throughout my life. Working from home, whenever I sit down my right leg would instinctively cross over my left and stay there.

A couple of weeks ago, I noticed one morning while getting out of bed and walking across the room, that the top of my leg below the hip was stiff. It took longer than normal for it to move fluidly and I noticed myself limping my way toward the kitchen until it loosened up. After doing some research, it made sense to find that crossing our legs is hard on our hips and can cause misalignment.

This is a difficult habit to break and it’s more like training my body not to do something it has done for over 50 years, but the effort is paying off.

The first thing I did was increase my liquid Calcium, Chondroitin and Glucosamine intake. I usually take it before bed because it contains magnesium, which enhances sleep, but now I take it in the morning and at night. I pay attention to my body every time I sit and my right leg still attempts to cross over my left, but I’m catching it quicker to place both feet on the floor. By increasing my liquid nutrition, plus extra walking, the stiffness has subsided.

My elderly neighbor, Mr. M, who no one knows his exact age, but by looking at him you can tell his body is failing him. One day after a walk, I stopped to talk with him and complained about it getting to humid to be enjoyable. He said, “Well, Barbara…at least you can still walk the neighborhood. Those days are long gone for me.”

I was saddened by his comment, but grateful at the same time. If we don’t use our God-given flexibility, we’ll lose it and the body may begin by showing us something as simple as….the time has come to uncross our legs.