50 years old and fed up of trying to look nice :(

[RoyCroppersOldBag]

Why is it all so hard now ?? 50 years old and post menopause and I'm so fed up of looking crap all the time - it just seems so much hard work to even just look reasonable :(

When I was younger any old skincare, makeup and shampoo seemed to work, slapped it on and I looked good(ish) NOW I buy good stuff and spend twice as long getting reading to just look vaguely passable!! I'm totally fed up and feel and look awful. Should I just accept it or carry on fighting a battle I don't seem to be winning?

Thanks for reading this far - rant over :)

I wish I didn't crave sugar so much But I also am giving up sugar - most of the time. Next weekend is MILs birthday, so I will eat a little of the sweet stuff. I know dinner on the Friday (we're traveling down for the whole weekend) will be pizza, Saturday night I think we're going to an Indian restaurant, so hopefully I can choose something suitable. The rest of the time will be difficult - usually very carb heavy!

I haven't written here before but have been reading this section with interest. I will be 50 in November, post (surgical) menopause about 7 years ago and on HRT, but still feel young until I look in the mirror.
Things that work for me are running (40+ miles a week), a bit of swimming, cycling and a few exercise classes. They keep me more toned, strong and able to eat loads of (healthy) calories - I'm 172cm tall and weigh 56 kg.
My problem areas are everything else - I dye my hair which makes it look dry/dull, my face seems to be ageing quickly, possibly from exercising outside so much although I always wear sun protection. I have horrible frown line on my forehead which, I think come from years of wearing glasses - now looking into the possibility of changing to contact lenses or having lazer eye surgery to correct my long sight. (advice please?)
I also share the same problems as some other ladies here and often find it difficult to find good quality clothes in the high street that are both fashionable and age appropriate. I would love to see some pictures the ladies here wearing outfits you love which work for women of our age. Also, I would appreciate skin care tips and I would love more youthful skin.

For those who are on HRT, can I ask what sort you use? I was using patches but they aggravated my skin badly and probably weren't therefore working very well so I am now on gel and I must say I find it much better. And I love the lack of HRT patch constantly stuck on my arse as a reminder of what stage of my life I'm at!

I'm back on Elleste duet after a disastrous month on the conti tablets, when I had a 32 day bleed.

I've definitely noticed a difference in my skin and energy levels etc. since I really gave my diet an overhaul. Partly in an effort to lose 2st and partly because I got absolutely fed up with feeling like shit. Part of the overhaul involves juicing. Not fruit juice. 80% vegetable juice, 20% fruit juice. Not as a meal substitute but to complement. Every other day I have a green juice (half a bag of spinach, cucumber, lime, ginger, celery, apple juiced and then blended with an avocado). On the days between I have a red juice (beetroot, ginger, orange, mint). Yesterday I worked out I had had 10 of my five a day by lunchtime (make a large juice and have half first thing and half mid afternoon). I would never eat that many veggies in a day and I would never eat beetroot at all for example (beetroot is excellent for blood health/circulation).

I guess my point is the whole you are what you eat thing.

On top of that I try to drink 2 litres of water a day. Eyebrow maintenance makes a big difference. Simple make up. Good hair. Like so many have said.

For me I know I will feel, and look, so much better when I've lost the weight I've gained over the last 2-3 years. I feel like I shuffle along like an old lady sometimes. But I've been training 4 to 5 times a week, mainly heavy weight training and also do Pilates which has made a huge difference. I can feel I am really firm under the flab, which is slowly melting away.

I just got to the point where I thought fuck living like this. I want to reclaim my life. I'm not on a diet per se. I just changed my attitude to food and try to eat mindfully etc. etc. Read a couple of excellent books. Found a woman who runs a PT business in the US on FB who just writes the most inspiring stuff.

Lots of little things that add up to a big change in attitude/looks/how I feel.

As I said up thread, exercise has made a massive difference to my life.
better skin, better mood, weight loss.
To the poster who lamented high street shops for women of our age,I hear you
as I said earlier,my weight loss and change to body shape has seen me look towards different shops, I find Mint Velvet,some Whistles, Jigsaw,Reiss dresses in sale or ebay,
boutique brands such as Sandwich, best fir me.
The better I feel about my body, the fewer clothes I buy,if that makes sense.

ODDD - obesity dementia depression diabetes.
yy!
and also re the better I feel, the fewer clothes I buy.
can't believe the rubbish I used to waste money on.
Much more confidence now, and capsule wardrobe!

Exactly, Catherine

Can I just ask those who have lost quite a bit of weight, did your skin tighten up? Something I am paranoid about although only (!) have 2 stone to lose and am doing lots of weights work.

I have ditched the more cosmetic type skincare in favour of La Roche Posay because I have incredibly sensitive skin and very very mild roseacea that I want to keep mild. My skin is looking and feeling really good atm.

Bit of wrinkling on my tummy but otherwise fine,newbie
It's taken me since January but have list over 2 stone,gone from 10 stone plus to 8 stone 5.

A confession reality check thread!
I'm almost done with wading through my 40's, having been perimenopausal for the last 6 to 7 years -anyone challenging that has a scar as proof and I've forgotten all about it!
I have gained and lost enormous amounts of weight; I had people looking at me when I was slim, look at me when I was fat, look at me again...I feel the sexiest I've ever been.
Make-up is a minefield: a good primer helps with lines but a foundation on its own can work better on a few major blemishes...
Clothes are just there to enjoy and this year's collection should play to our advantage: It's long and It's short; It's flowing and It's clingy...with the knit back in, in block colours (black and silver with an hint of autumnal is the new black ) and We're in. :)

I just love science...A scientist would tell you that accuracy is paramount and therefore science can't prove anything (can only accurately records what it has disproved - in triplicate copy, please). Add to the equation nutritional sciences and accuracy or accurate models go out of the window -the mice and rats behave really well, but humans!!!!

Well done georgina. Good for you.

Wish I'd done it years ago

have 2 stone to lose and am doing lots of weights work. Sorry Newbie, I didn't see your post in full. It depends on the weights , I used to lift weights when younger (close to serious competitions) and it's my biggest regret apart from the joints and back problems that followed. For some people skin does tighten up, I was a lucky one having lost almost 5 stone and I'm left with only a few minor complaints. Eat to moisturise your skin from the inside: veg, veg, some more veg, fruit, fat to absorb your main (fat soluble) vitamins and your regular protein.

I find having lost weight hasn't done the skin on my upper arms any favours. I've been hiding them all summer even though they are now slim.
Dismaying, actually.

I reckon the only thing to do with arms is to try to lose the fat but gain some muscle to fill up the skin. Not sure I'll manage it in practice but lean muscle is good to have as you get older.

Yes, Errol, I was wondering if I started lifting weights, would it improve things, or would I just have muscular wrinkly upper arms.

This autumn is as good a time as any to start upper arm weights. Maybe by next summer I could wear sleeveless.

would it improve things, or would I just have muscular wrinkly upper arms. It's the latter. Try extensions strength instead.

I do things like carrying heavy things every day. I always seem to have boxes and boxes to carry and take to the tip and people seem surprised a women can carry those weight. I think women used to do a lot more heavy work and we have got lazy and leave it to men which is actually counter productive for us. I also have hanging straps over the bannisters where we can hang from. The boys can do pull ups which I can't quite but I certainly use those every day. I also do handstands every day. Just carry heavy shopping every day for a long distance. Do a lot of clearing out oft he house. lift furniture. Use the muscles as part of every day life. I like my upper arms and it's part of the fact I actually use them.

I use hand weights and do push ups most days.
One of things that inspired me to lose weight was seeing a picture of my upper arms side on!
I gave worn sleeveless vests alot this summer

Georgina, what exercises do you do with hand weights and how often? I read about the dips on the side of the bath for bingo wings and they seemed good.

Try resistance bands my arms are toned but not bulky I have a couple of pilates dvds which came with the bands but you can get them from E Bay. I can' lift weights due to surgery.

I think exercise does work for arms but it's also an area where fat tends to stick- mine does! I am under 8 st ( 5 ' 3) but my upper arms are really quite thick and getting very flabby. I hate them.

I use 1kg-2kg weights and do bicep curls, or half push ups ( kneeling.)You can also do tricep dips and something called a half-row.
I did see some improvement but didn't keep going so it's now my mission for summer 2015!

I'm not there yet (thanks Mum, for having a late menopause) but this thread is bloody terrifying! I'm 50 next year and really actually very scared of all this.

I do weights at the gym and intend to keep those going as although no other women seem to do them, I do believe that keeping muscle tone is important. It seems to me that weight is the main thing that causes people to look older - is that the case?

Also, can anyone tell me how much most people put on with menopause?

You don't have to put on any weight with the menopause.
I haven't- apart from around 3-4 lbs heavier than I was in my 20s.