to think that your body falls apart at 40?!

[Bogeyface]

9 months ago I was 40. Since then I have...

developed arthritis (doc says I had it earlier, I dont believe him)

started farting ALL THE TIME and (this is the important bit) being able to identify what made me fart "Oooh, sorry, that'll be the cauli"

started pulling up and placing my boobs in my bra, something I havent had to do since me breast surgery 13 years ago

waking up with a bad hip and saying "ooh that bed is going to do for me"

saying "I'd better not, I'll be up all night" if someone offers me a cup of tea after 8pm.

I hate being 40, its shit.

Bogey, so sorry to hear about your friend. I hope you are okay, it must be tough to get your head around a good friend having a diagnosis like that.

Oldbag, thank you. I've decided to see my diagnosis as a positive thing. A bit daunting, knowing that I'll have to live with it forever, but, I have what I have. I'd have to live with it anyway, a formal diagnosis doesn't change that. In fact, it's better really, because now I'm on medication and can learn to manage it.

I agree with you completely, btw. I lost 3 friends within a year of finishing secondary school - one to leukaemia and two to road traffic accidents. My Mum's little brother died far too young in an rta. My dear friend's fairly young dad is having major surgery this week. Much as ageing, feeling crappy, developing aches and pains and going grey is shite, worse things can happen. I'm very sorry for your losses.

Birdo, yes you are being rude. You are in good health. Enjoy it. But please don't pass judgement on others and assume that poor health or the effects of ageing are always self inflicted. You're just luckier than some of us.

Sauce, 'we should be thinking health and happiness and counting blessings rather than wrinkles'. Words to live by

OldBag You are absolutely right.

We are saggy, wrinkly, greying, farting, we wee a bit when we laugh, many of us eat and drink too much, we may not exercise as much as we should, but fuck it, we are still here.

Lets make sure that whatever else we do, we laugh, a lot :)

My friend with MS and I and our other best friend have just arranged a night of cocktails and laughs, and we cant wait!

But make sure you put a pad on before laughing.......just in case

:o

Does the same apply to men?
Is 40 the age at which they start to reap what they sowed in earlier years?

Given women's greater life expectancy I'd imagine that the negative consequences of a 'live for the moment' approach (and /or a not so strong constitution) would manifest at an earlier age for men?

Birdo I can assure you that I don't wake up with a slight hangover every day - sometimes it's a really bad hangover. Not entirely sure what being middle class has to do with it, and I can assure you that the slight hangovers are well worth it, because of the nights before :) I'm having a great time, thanks! Can't see the point of being perfectly preserved in my 50s - I'd rather be having fun!

40 is where my metabolism slowed down. I have to really watch what I eat now (sad).

I've led 2 separate lifestyles, in a sense. In my 20's, 30's and 40's I was pretty much a "teatotaller" who went to the gym, walked miles and ate pretty much sensibly. When I met my 2nd DH, this changed. I now drink more (not under the table, every night) and eat what I fancy. I still walk and now run, instead of the gym. Despite my pretty healthy "first husband" lifestyle I am now full of arthritis and menopausal (inevitably at 52) and feel like I'm "naturally" falling apart ageing. I think much of what we do is either good or bad for us but....we age according to our genetic makeup. IMO . Off for a half hour run now!

Eliza, is it not possible that the 2nd husband lifestyle has contributed to your current health difficulties?

No. Sadly, genetic, despite my attempts to stave off the inevitable. I actually have more (pain free) mobility now, than I did years ago. My various lifestyles haven't made much difference and I knew that I'd need to stay pretty active in order to "survive" my genetic inheritance. "luck of the draw" I keep moving. I've never smoked. My BMI is within normal limits. I eat well. I like a glass of red. Inevitable, if we're lucky, we all get old!

Yep same for men. I looked at myself the other day in the mirror and was not happy with what I saw.....

Men are lucky bastards with age, sometimes. A few facial lines make them more 'twinkly', salt&pepper hair is clooney-esque, a little tum (though not a beer gut) is just padding for our snuggles, and their interest in cooking and good wine makes up for their energy.

Like I say, bastards.

I am 39. Am finding it much harder to maintain my weight, and have to go to the gym more to stay remotely toned. My teeth are decidedly yellow. I have bingo wings no matter how many weights i do.

I have good hair and skin though, no wrinkles or grey....yet....

My back hurts when I get up in the morning, my knees creak, and my teeth are very sensitive to hot and cold...

And the skin on my hands is wrinkly

DH was feeling a bit old and portly - he's going to grow a beard! Instant update or daft? We'll soon see.

I'm plucking hairs from my chin, not quite the same hairy impact.

Can I ask something?

Is it ok to suspect you might have found a silver one, do your roots and still claim to not have a grey hair? Especially if it really pisses off your younger, richer, more successful and happier and super wonder, she is my best friend, honestly! sister?

super wonderFUL

Who is definitely going grey, I should add!

I got done fancy Dior primer yesterday with my Boots points - I don't look nearly so crap.

Some ! Fat fingers

I have just spent 5 minutes pulling at that damned chin hair! I finally got it, but it's definitely getting stronger. I also have quite a tache going on . I am getting old now aren't I? :( 3 weeks until I'm 50