49 and looking haggard. Is this just inevitable now?

[sharktractorbingo]

time I catch a glimpse of myself recently I just think how aged I’m looking. I don’t know if that just it now, I’m getting old and need to accept that my looks are fading. I really try to look after myself - these are the things I do: I rarely drink alcohol, I eat a healthy diet, I drink at least 2 litres of water every day, I run 5 miles 4 times a week, I always cleanse and moisturise my face twice a day, I take a multivitamin daily. My BMI is 20.6.
I have been more stressed than normal as I have teens doing exams at the moment.
Is there anything else I should be doing?

I looked fantastic until 48. And at 49 I look like shit. Started getting 11s, lined forehead, saggy face, bags, grey hair. I'm a stone overweight too so the face/arse choice doesn't hold.

Maybe gain weight?? You sound slim

But you have a cracking sense of humour and that counts for a lot :)

Life weights instead

I don't think it has much to do with the OPs BMI. She sounds fit and healthy and 20.6 isn't low at all, just normal, especially if she feels well.

SPF? Tretinoin? Weight-bearing exercise? Healthy fats? Maintain focus on having a strong body? Yoga? The yoga people in my class have a glow about them, but they do far more classes than me.

You’re probably right about mixing up my exercise routine more and adding weights. I’ve been meaning to but then just go for a run because it’s quick and easy.
Not sure if I’m underweight or not. I’m a size 10 but tall so maybe a few pounds would help. What’s a good BMI for approaching 50 do you think?

I don't think it has much to do with the OPs BMI. She sounds fit and healthy and 20.6 isn't low at all, just normal, especially if she feels well.

It's at the low end of normal. As you get older, it can help to put on a few pounds.

What’s a good BMI for approaching 50 do you think?

I don't think thinking in terms of BMI is helpful for the face. If you eat a bit more generously of good foods with healthy fats in them, like avodcado, nuts, olive oil, oily fish, and eggs, then your face will naturally fill out a little and have a bit more glow.

I probably look older than my 43 years, as stress has taken its toll on me (and, realistically, not looking after myself.
I definitely feel I look a tad 'haggard' at the moment.
However, I don't see my looks as fading, but changing. And, I don't mind my wrinkles, as they're just, I dunno, part of me. Maybe because I've never been what could be classed as pretty or beautiful (I have been referred to as ugly in the past), I quite like the character that wrinkles have added to my face.

Face yoga / exercise and gua sha for the sagging. Botox for the 11s. Its the only way asid from a healthy lifestyle, SPF etc.

In my group of mates, late 40’s, the oldest looking / most haggard is the fittest and slimmest of us all. She acknowledged this when we were all together talking about ageing. She runs and gyms, eats healthily, doesn’t really drink or smoke, and is absolutely lovely but when comparing our faces she has by far the most and deepest wrinkles. Possible genetics at play too, but she’s decided to put a few lbs on and indulge herself more as we approach 50. Good for her.

48 year old everyone thinks is 27……..

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

Surely, surely a person with a normal ego knows that when people say ‘gosh I never would have thought you were x age’ it’s polite? It’s never occurred to me people honestly thought I was much younger than I am - why would I look 25 or even 35 at 45, when nobody does?

I happen to know the age of every person I meet at work, and have done for more than 15 years. Thousand and thousands of people. Not one, not one 48 yr old looks twenty years younger. Not. One. Ever.

Doesn’t help you OP but remember mumsnet is full of deluded people so don’t feel too bad about all the people who think they pass for someone twenty years younger.

Good posts about diet here. I'm usually scared to say so on MN, but my long-ago anorexia recovery showed me this. I was only in my mid-twenties when my poor face started looking really dry & stretched, with what looked like early wrinkles. Had a sudden flash of insight - anorexics being Yoda-like when it comes to dietary content - and massively increased my fat intake. Skin plumped up like a toddler's.

OK, I was only 25 but it's an important lesson! Your skin can't lubricate itself if you aren't feeding it enough fat. Also agree about animal proteins. Collagen supplements are okay but not as good as what your body will absorb from meat (and bone broth if you want to be obsessive about it).

Focus on rest and reducing stress. What do you do to combat stress?

I came on to say the above.

I bet you can crack walnuts with your thighs but running is a on your face.

She runs...

@seawitchhair
Running is amazing for you but it isn't rest. I'm just suggesting some activities that are relaxing. I think an agitated nervous system can make you feel you're always in fight mode.

This is a lovely book on that topic

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rest-Reset-persons-pausing-purpose/dp/1783255277/ref=ascdff_1783255277/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=606653503569&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=4721969900666140624&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9045993&hvtargid=pla-1679057194971&psc=1&th=1&psc=1

I don't disagree! I was just mentioning that OP has stated this:

Runners face? This has crossed my mind! It keeps me sane though so really don’t want to stop.

Make sure you are using SPF on your face every day not just when you run.
It might be worth getting a facial / consult with a beautician and spend some money on specific products.

Eat the good fats not the UPF ones e.g. add some avocado to a sandwich or salad, seeds and nuts in their natural state, olive oils. I am always pro butter over marg, a smaller amount of a full fat product such as yoghurt.

Good on you for running, the weight bearing exercise will keep your bones strong as well as the stress relief which is essential in women as we age.

I was complaining to my mum about how old I looked and she said ”wait till you’re 90!!”
She died at 94 and she was old, but beautiful.

It’s all perspective, @sharktractorbingo.

I always said I'd grow old gracefully but in the space of a year my lower face just dropped and looked haggard. I had fillers around the lines from nose to mouth corners, and mouth corners down to chin. And a little along the top lip line but not actually in my lips. It made a huge difference, I'm delighted with it. Cost less than £1k and payment plan over a few months, it will last up to 2 years and would need topping up, wouldn't need as much again so will be cheaper next time.

Also, take collagen supplements

Mid 30s and suddenly have a spare tire round my middle (always been skinny), very long grey hairs streaking through all over but still breaking out in spots! Old? Young? Make your fucking mind up!

I agree it could be runner's face. High impact exercise stresses the body. I wouldn't give it up though when it's great for your physical and mental health. Worrying about looking older is a luxury compared to other worries you could have. Things you could try though include more protein and healthy fats in your diet (avocados, seeds, olive oil, oily fish) and also wearing colours that suit you. The latter can make a massive difference imo.

Re arse/ face choice, I'd say you are choosing your internal organs through running. This is surely a good thing - healthy on the inside even if your face takes a bit of a hit!

Agree about the arse or face sadly. I would love to be as skinny as I was in my 20s or 30s, but I know it would make me look really old cause of what it would do to my face and I'd probably still have a fat arse. My BMI is just over 21 I think

Taking collagen and staying out of the sun has been a game changer for me, I've noticed a considerable improvement in my skin and my face in general since starting liquid collagen about 18 months ago. I have also used a really good SPF on my face daily for the last few years.