Anyone find their looks/health had a dramatic cliff drop at 40?

[pastabest]

A few weeks ago I was 39, but could pass for 28 on a good day, 35 on a bad day. People frequently expressed surprise when I told them my actual age.

I expected this to continue for a few more years and a gradual ageing process to occur, but pretty much in the weeks since I've turned 40 wrinkles have appeared from nowhere, my grey sprinkles are now proper grey roots and things ache. My eyesight has gone a bit funny and my hearing has become... problematic and when I'm staring back and myself on Microsoft teams I suddenly look drawn and lined.

I've had my 40 NHS health check and in theory I'm in tip top condition for my age, but I've visually aged about 10 years in less than 2 months.

Is this a thing!?

Oh and I wear reading glasses now 😆

I'd say my drop is starting mid-40s, coinciding with peri. No real wrinkles yet (genetics-mum was same) but the start of jowls, greying wild hair and a bit of a scraggy neck. Eye sight is shocking.

It has also coincided with me no longer giving a fuck, so that's worked out nicely.

Like others, my 30s were prime. God I looked good. Way better than 20s!

I fell off a cliff with a serious illness/injury. Suddenly unable to exercise. Awful.

Hydration
Sleep
Yoga

All make a huge difference.

I remember this as well. Sudden dips rather than gradual.

Sometimes you bounce back a little bit too.

Try getting more sleep, new skin products, better diet and vitamins. Can't hurt!

Yes. I’m 45. A timeline picture came up just now of me looking pretty damn good 5 years ago. I look and feel much much older now. It has coincided with menopause (actual, not peri) for me, so that must have had a big impact

Thanks to those reminding me to lift weights - always used to feel amazing when I was younger - somehow all-round happier, not just stronger... Of course, joints are creakier now, and the rewards take longer to manifest... it's like my 'muscle memory' has got dementia... 😄

But still worth doing, I know. In fact, even more so now! Thanks for the inspo! 💪

Thanks for the reminder to give fewer fucks too... 😁

So do I!

Ancient and brave wild collagen. I tried bovine too but the marine had a more visible impact. Totally flavourless in y black coffee or squash (I personally don’t like how it changes tea).

I'm 58, and don't feel like it suddenly went downhill in my 40s. Yes, I have some wrinkles now, some grey hairs, tummy isn't quite so firm, but rest of my body is where is was in my 20s. Actually fitter now than I've ever been and last time I saw a doctor was 17 years ago. Last age ID'd when I was 53. Guess I'm lucky, if only in mindset.

Op

i feel you - a similar thing happened to me and I realised they lied when they said life begins at 40!

no it does not, at 40 your body starts to ache, your metabolism slows, you sprout grey hairs and even one appeared under my chin! Then the wrinkles start arriving along with some crepey skin on the hands

i could go on but you get the gist!

I take magnesium and vit d

Could you share the routine please?

Absolutely not. But I panicked and got hair extensions which I tolerated for about two months and got fed up with all the faff. I’m 48 now and have wrinkles but I still felt like a whole life is ahead at 40.
Now I’m doing an undergrad degree with people who are closer in age to my children… THAT makes me feel old. 😁

Sally gunnell posted a great routine I saw yesterday

It just shows how much is psychological.
Drinkable collagen doesn’t have any effect so it’s a placebo that you feel you look better.
and you turning 40 OP doesn’t make you suddenly age, no.. just the negative thoughts about the age 40. You sound very down on yourself.

I don’t feel that my looks went down hill. I’m late 40s now and think I look better now than when I was 40. Kids are adults now and I have more time! 😆. More time to do make up, to exercise, to get my hair coloured.

But my health has been horrendous. I feel 80yo. Been diagnosed with a couple of permanent conditions which affect my mobility. Spend a lot of time in the gym trying to combat this.

Clinical studies are mixed but I’ve had others notice the difference (and I can see and feel my skin is different).

Well that’s good to know! I was thinking about starting it but kept seeing doctors and nutritionists say we don’t absorb it in liquid form. I might start looking into it again

It was for me. I look ok in photos taken on my 40th but every photo since is horrendous.

I’m honestly a very cynical person so tried it expecting to think it was a waste of money!

I bet you really don’t.

It is horrible but you do change. I feel I am barely recognisable to the young woman of my earlier years.
When you are 35 you possibly look at bit different to 25. But not masses.
By 45 I found I looked markedly different to 35. And by 55 the difference is significant.
Everything goes south. Your facial features coarsen as well as sag. Your eyelashes change. Your ability to lose weight as quickly goes. But sadly, your skin can start to break out in spots. Your teeth get less white. Your eyelids get hooded.
All that can be done is to seek to maintain a sort of groomed look. Finances permitting. And to smile. But the ease of being young and looking good has gone.
Health wise, also you get more ailments as your body ages. Or as stress catches up. From eyesight, to aches and pains, less energy. Years ago walking up a mountain was something done. Not a chance now. I couldn't manage it.