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 :)

It's not my ' view and belief ' or a lack of open-mindedness, just intellectual rigour.

To go back to the OP, it does indeed raise many philosophical questions. Must remember to tell my DH that's why I spend so long on these threads!

I am not in too bad shape - but mainly because I just have more confidence now. Also do a fair bit of exercise (not gym type stuff, hate that) cycling, walking etc and laugh a lot. So even if I look a sight, I am having a good time

'To just only believe what science tells us a bit naive in my opinion.'

i'm going to giggle about that all day!

Well there are equally schools of thought that would say that many people have died because of misguided beliefs in scientific say so. Science is based upon what we know presently and in weeks, months, years from now that knowledge will change and what was believed to be right and true will be found inaccurate as new evidence comes light. So there is no definitive answers only opinions gathered from scientific data that is presently available.

To return to less serious topics, or in my opinion more serious topics,
The lower to mid High Street ranges are not for me in the main.
I gave wasted a lot of money coming to this conclusion.

That said, I do buy long layering vests and the occasional ain navy grey or white stretchy tee in Primark.
sainsbury s also good for stretchy plain tees and also yoga/gym stuff and sone denim.
my boyfriend jeans were the grand total of £12 during one of their discount weekends, and are a lovely soft denim.
otherwise I find I cannot do the likes of Dorothy P's,Oasis,Warehouse,Topshop,Next etc.

My worry regarding scientific studies is that they may be sponsored by companies such as Coca Cola, Nestle, Weight watchers ... anyone with a vested interest in seeing certain results.

Zoe Harcombe has spent a lot of time researching how carbs and fats affect our bodies, it makes for very interesting reading. She is a qualified nutritionist.

Milly

You cannot have a 'misguided belief in science'.

Science is based on facts that can be proven.
A belief is something you chose to believe and which cannot be proven.

So there is no definitive answers only opinions gathered from scientific data that is presently available.

People don't form 'opinions' from data. Data are facts.

Would you say you believe the world is flat? Even though science and data show it not to be? You can have that belief or opinion but would it be accurate?

I think what you are trying to say is that as new evidence comes along then it overrides previous evidence. But what you cannot argue is that new research has- in order to have validity- be peer reviewed and conducted through rigorous trials with large numbers of people.

I dislike our local Primark with a passion - it's like a cattle market

I like brands like The White Company, Hobbs, but can't afford them new, so tend to look on eBay. The only problem I have is their garments are often made of wool, which I can't wear due to sensitive skin.

Anyone can become a 'qualified nutritionist'. You need a registered dietician.

agreed

dido I got 2 lovely pairs recently in the Coast sale, both slim leg.
here

I had to size up to an 18 blush because of my huge problem area belly they are made small.

wildthong I think I love you. (because I have a belly too)

There is always some uncertainty associated with scientific conclusions; science never absolutely proves anything.

No, you're right: the circulation of the blood, the solar system, the genetic variants associated with Huntington's Disease, the effects of smoking, the connection between insulin and diabetes....all utterly up for dispute, absolutely.

dido you're welcome

There is always some uncertainty associated with scientific conclusions; science never absolutely proves anything.

There are some right giggle inducing comments here today :)

I think the world is flat; I don't think it has been scientifically, absolutely proved.

Your post just before this sums it all up eloquently and succinctly, pinkfrocks.

marking place so i can come back and join in

(eddielizzard - fab name!)

I'm loving this thread. It's nice to know that other late 40/50 somethings are having the same dilemmas as me!

Like others up thread I am lost from the neck down. I haven't quite found my style which means I have too many clothes that don't mix and match and loads of stuff that doesn't get worn. I came across Looking Stylish which has made me determined to change my eclectic shopping habits

For me dietary changes came two years ago when I developed type 1 diabetes. After much research including scientific papers and studying how other diabetics around the world were treated, I decided to drastically cut carbs out of my diet. I had great support from a fab NHS dietician who explained about replacing the carbs with fats and protein. The result was I lost 2.5 stones. I still eat carbs including cake and sweets but just not very much and I only drink high days and holidays which helps. By eating plenty of fat I don't feel deprived and it hasn't affected my cholesterol which is closely monitored. I am now a size 8/10 and eat pretty much what I want.

sid sorry to query this but you have diabetes type 1?
It's rare to develop this as an adult.

Yep, definitely type 1, I am a medical marvel lots of other stuff going on as well. Basically I hit 40 and started to drop to bits.

What's frustrating is that I'd know exactly what I'd wear if I were thin. And I'd look fabulous.

you can be thin if you want to be :)

Lots of good advice here but thought I'd add my thoughts. I had a baby at 43 and reckon that kept me pretty young into the 50s when I went back to uni. But now I'm 63 and even the youngest has flown the nest so I've more time for myself. I took up swimming two years ago and now swim 50 lengths three times a week. I've lost weight, dropped three sizes and feel better than I have in years. My advice is to find something you really enjoy and do it. Often.