Looking my age more every day

STOP THE CLOCK, SOMEBODY!!!  Every day when I look in the mirror, I notice that I do not look as happy as I used to when I was younger.  Just by looking in the mirror, I thought I looked good.  But nowadays, unless I actually smile at me in the mirror -- I don't look good.  Does that sound familiar?  So I think I am in a love/hate relationship right now - I don't like my body being out of shape, as I am 30# overweight since menopause.  I cannot eat like I used to...duh.  I don't like the sagging of my face when I bend over...so don't want to bend over :)  Other than that, I love me.  I am going to join a gym here soon so that I make a commitment to losing 30# in 8 months.  That sounds reasonable to me.  I am 5'1", 152.8 lbs today, and have mostly been 125# all my adult life.  So that still is the goal - 125#.  GOOD LUCK TO YOU AND ME!  Happy October!

I just think we should not be so hard on ourselves.  I work with a couple of younger girls, sporting tatoos.  Talk about feeling your age.  

I just keep working - I can't imagine life without PremPro.

Does the HRT make us gain weight.  I'm not very over weight - but I'm not a size 7 anymore either.   We are about the same weight & height.  I also have a membership to LA Fittness near work -  Don't beat yourself up when the age kicks in and you just don't want to go.    But it really does feel good -  if you don't go - you really start to miss the action.

It surely can't be the beer - (work related of course). 

I notice that I don't feel like I have aged but everyone around me got older. As for the tatoos I got one when I lost weight last year. Even us old folks like the body art, within reason.

I have a lot more aches and pains than I use to. Exercising hasn't stopped the aches but it has made it easier to get up and get moving to work them out. I also joined a fitness club last year but it is not conveniently located to my home so I don't go much, but I did really enjoy it.  Now I treadmill at home for 2 miles each and EVERY morning, work on my Wii Fit Plus for another 30 minutes strength training. I also find time to walk another 30 minutes daily and on tuesday I belly dance for an hour.

Some days I really have to kick myself in the hind end to start my routine but when I have it finished for the day I feel so proud and satisfied. I weigh myself daily and get exhilerated watching even the smallest weight come off.

I don't much like my mirror image any more, either, but I'm not into a lot of cosmetics.  That's certainly what keeps many women my age looking more attractive.  I have finally purchased some of the powdered "mineral" products, and now use a daily all-over product, plus blush, plus the stuff that brushes on under my eyes to cover dark circles.  The bifocals don't help, either.  So the weight I am working on will help (10# to go!), but my scoliosis has worsened, making my trunk look thick.  My husband still loves me, I have good friends, a mortgage paid off and many more gratitudes.  I ride my bike to work and around my village - THAT makes me feel younger and better.

I don't know how many times the words from that Aerosmith song plays in my mind, "Everytime I look in the mirror, are these lines in my face getting clearer"  (Dream On).  I don't like what the combination of age and weight loss have done to me either. I'm 58 and lost about 100# about 2 years ago.  At times I think my skin looks like a latex balloon that was fully inflated for a long time and has now shrunk to about half of it's previous size.  (I think you can picture it LOL)

Time and gravity are relentless enemies, so all I can do is make what I have look as good as I can and be grateful that wrinkles and sags are the worst of the effects of aging I have endured...so far. 

Good luck on your weight loss, your goals sound reasonable but beware the wrinkles. (I was heavy for over twenty years so my skin really was like the long time inflated balloon)

Original Post by kendalldeming:

Time and gravity are relentless enemies, so all I can do is make what I have look as good as I can and be grateful that wrinkles and sags are the worst of the effects of aging I have endured...so far. 

Well said!  Thanks!   

We are what we are. I know what you mean about looking in the mirror and seeing sagging and wrinkles. When that happened to me, I wondered where the young, youthful me went--and when did I leave--I didn't remember it happening. Then, I take my eyes off of myself and start looking around.

I just left a job that was very bad for me. The stress ground me down and made me look and feel much older than my 51 years. I look in the mirror now, and the lines are still there but softer. Maybe your externals are getting to you?

I, also, watch two women that I work with that are 20 years younger than me. They both have conditions that make them ache and hurt on most days. I realize how fortunate I am to be heathy. My b/p is low, heart rate in the 70-80 range. I have some mild scoliosis that I believe could be remedied with yoga and pilates. My weight is over "ideal", but I am strong and solid, not flabby.

Both my daughters have graduated college and successfully launched out of the nest. My husband loves me and sticks with me no matter how wrinkled I get. Next year we will celebrate our 27th wedding anniversary.

No, I am not the young, tight, skinny woman I used to be. I am definitely older and more used. However, I am wiser, funnier, smarter, and stronger than I ever have been--you have to be to look like this . Like a good wine or a classic car, I am vintage and damn happy to be that way. I earned every wrinkle on my face--thank God most of them are around my eyes and cheeks from smiling.

J-mom