What age did you start really noticing signs of ageing? And, any tips to make it slightly less depressing?

[Trickymoments]

I'm 41 & would say that when I had my 40th birthday it was like the ageing switch was turned on!

I have always looked young for my age and my dh says I still do but I
don't feel as confident about my looks anymore. My skin is drier & occasionally spotty and I can see jowels and a turkey neck appearing!
Also the one or two grey hairs i had appear to be breeding!

I am conscious I need to make more effort to exercise too now but fitting that in is a juggle.

Any other 40+ year olds feeling similar?
I realise it's an inevitable natural process but it always seemed such a way off!

40. It's the line between my nose and my mouth that bothers me. Looking at a thread lift. When I find a grand behind the sofa.

Will be 45 in January. 45? How did I get soo old!

I stopped colouring my hair a few years ago, it became more fuss than it was worth. I wear make up maybe three times a year and only use soap and cold water on my face so my skins good and I have few wrinkles. My neck though, yup Turkey neck.

I think a lot of looking young is behaving young. I'm often found in a beanie hat scooting on dd s scooter through the park, I race trolleys through Tesco with dh. Ive never been a fan of mirrors so dont really see myself aging.

i started feeling old-ish at around 45 when my eyes started going, then when i hit the big 5-0 i hated it, the grey hair i can deal with but grey pubes ffs ! then the hot sweats started, that did my head in & at 55 it still does, though the boobs are still perky, & i still look fit, i have a few wrinkles & more aches & pains now. I'm fighting aging all the way & i plan to grow old disgracefully & i've been called a MILF & a GILF so i really shouldent complain lol !

Definatley for me once I turned 51...didn't mind being 50 so much as had amazing celebrations which went on for months. But had a couple of health issues and couldn't exercise as much so don't think that helped. Also noticed I thought my face looked older in photos...not helped by middle aged spread due to lack of running!

But then a friend said to me, that every birthday she just thought she was lucky to have another year under her belt. I have had a few friends who haven't made it to their mid 40s and beyond, and at the moment a close relative who has been told she has possibley until xmas..she is 46. Makes my middle age spread and sagging face (nobody else says it's sagging..just me..privately!) seem trivial.
How to stop and prevent...usual, stay out of the sun, exercise..in moderation works for me as it give me a confident and happy mind and don't care so much. I also work with teenagers..think that can work both ways...keeping you young and in touch but also making you feel older at times!!
I read somewhere you have to choose between a fat butt or a thin wrinkled face! So more champagne and cake for me!

Just turned 50 2 weeks ago. You are only as old as you make yourself out to be. I dont feel 50. I dont look 50 - Thank you oil of Ulay and my genes. I dress appropriately - IE not mutton dressed as lamb. I have few grey hairs - thanks Dad and do not dye my hair. My friends, when we went out for my b`day meal [am the baby of the group - last to reach 50!] everyone was jealous of how young I looked etc
Point of the waffle is that it it only a number! Embrace being 41!

Turning 40 last year. Always been lucky in that I haven't really had to watch what I eat, but the spread around the middle is starting to appear. And I am also gaining weight a lot more easily eating and drinking too much this summer hasn't helped

I also do that thing where I have to move what ever I am reading about a foot further away from my face to be able to focus.

And the strange hair that has started to grow on my neck this year.

I'm 49 and only realised how old I must look when I put a photo on that how old website and '56' came up
Having said that, I'm going grey and don't dye it and have never worn make up etc because I can't be arsed. I have good health and I'm glad about that.

Having children ages horribly, it's very obvious around me when you compare friends with and without children, and friends who had them late. A lot of it is due to lack of sleep, but I am guessing not only.

I agree, keeping fit and toned (and slim), good haircut and hair colour, reasonable clothes are the way forward. I have seens mums at the school gate looking awfully frumpy (thing these horrendously ill fitting M&S jeans) and middle aged then discovered later they were in their early 20s! You don't look younger by wearing teenage clothes either, but modern and well cut.

For me the menopause will be a complete slap in the face, once I am there, I am old. Not looking forward to it for a second.

I'm a few months off 44 and I seem to lurch between being mistaken for a 30 year olds mum and being told I don't look old enough to be the mum of my 19 year old.

In all honesty I'm not concerned about looking younger but looking good for my age. I do pay far more attention to skincare and diet plus have exercised more over the last year than I probably ever have before.

I toy with the idea of Botox but still not got any further than thinking about it

Facially late 40's, in all other respects at 50 I still feel youthful

oh god- do! Its fantastic

Def since I turned 40 and more so now I'm mid-40s. Grey is starting to get more prominent so the dye will be coming out soon and as for wrinkles, dry skin and the dark eye circles - a good skin & make-up routine is essential (not that I have it!). My body is ok on the outside, but I'm a slave to my back (someone posted ages ago about 'evolving' across the room, which is what I do). More money needed to see a chiropractor!! All that sorted & I'll be a few grand poorer, but look and feel 10 years younger.

Ok this has been an enjoyable thread but if we're starting to call each other 'mutton' and considering 'MILF' a compliment then I think it's time for me to bow out.

those of you who exercise a lot, how do you find the time? 41, 2 xDC under 10, job and dh who often works away. just curious as I'd like to fit it in but ant leave DC alone :)

oh and I've had grey pubes waaaay before grey hair

i exercise a lot
Its an HOUR fgs - everyone can spare an hour. For me having a class AT A TIME was better htan just ' oh i ill fit a run in'
Pay a babysitter if H away

Exercise, botox and teeth whitening.

I am also a recent convert to eyelash serums.

I also spend more on items of clothing.

I was at a work thing last year and someone guessed my age at 10 years younger than I am, so I suppose I don't look my actual age still (mid 40s).
It's nothing I do, I've got lucky with genes, my parents could both pass for 10 years younger. My skincare routine hasn't moved on from my teens!

I feel old though. I went to the docs with random pains which he put down to 'my age'. And there's nothing like working with a load of 20 somethings to remind you that you are not 20.

I look younger when I cut right back on processed sugar and cooked foods, and exercise. More smoothies and salads, no meat or dairy.
I also got a really bad haircut about six months ago which aged me - it's finally grown out and I feel younger-looking again. So - agree with a pp - find a young and hip hairdresser!

*Sorry, badly written! I look better when I exercise - not when I cut back on exercise! Though in my 40s now I do have that fat body vs gaunt face desicion to make! So maybe I was right in the first place!

I started to look a lot older last year (I'm 46) so made a real effort with skin care and have been told many times recently I look 10 years younger. I'm not convinced but others seem to think so, so I'll take that
I am however a couple of stone overweight and this year have the dreaded middle age spread around my tummy (a huge fat tyre) which has magically appeared as if from nowhere
So I've got the my fitness pal app which is keeping my eating habits in check. And I'm walking absolutely everywhere possible and buying new clothes with a cut that suits my body shape in a size 16/18. I'm 5' 6.
So I am pushing maximum density and need to action.

Wow loads of replies & some great tips thanks. Out of interest how do you know when you're at the menopause - is it a gradual thing or
do your periods just stop & that's it?

Trickymoments, seriously?!

You need to do some research babe! It's like puberty, but in reverse ... different for everyone. For most it is gradual though.

I've also always looked young for my age (I'm nearly 43) but after having a child at 38 I noticed my elevenses were getting quite prominent & I was getting lines on my forehead so I had Botox (not celebrity frozen face suprised look Botox) but a small amount in my forehead and can honestly say I won't stop getting it done now, I like looking fresh faced & it makes me feel good that I don't look like an old mum, each to their own though