How to not look middle aged

[Justtakeatowel]

I've seen a few pictures of my recently and I look frumpy. I don't mind looking my age (mid 40s) but I just look uurgh.

I've started curly girl and I think curly hair ages me loads! Where do I need to buy from to make myself a bit more with it? I've a tendency to buy cheap supermarket stuff which I think isn't always cut the best and I'm willing to spend a bit more.

I'm 5 ft 7 and 9 stone 9 if that makes a difference but a definite apple and have a bit of a belly which I think adds to the frumpiness

Thanks!

You have the most amazing figure

Use it
Let us see it

Stop hiding in those baggy stripes and snick tops

Highlights and good hair cut, find a good hairdresser

Teeth and hair take years off

Clothes that show your fabulous figure will give you a great big umph

During lockdown I've really upped my exercise. I'm doing a mix of online classes - aerobics, toning and weights. I only have 2kg weights but although I haven't lost much weight my body feels stronger and fitter than I have done for years. The strength training has made a massive difference. I feel lighter and fitter and my posture is better. I'm in my 50s and now feel years younger.

Would you mind posting links to the classes you are doing Stella? I think I need to do weights too.

The collagen linked above is Bovine so not suitable for vegetarians or vegans. I would not be too keen on taking collagen extracted from cows !

Dontlooktwice I've just been doing a mixture of workouts from YouTube, following some recommendations I found on here. Mr and Mrs Muscle, Popsugar, Yoga with Adrienne. I was quite unfit so I found some of Jenny McClendon's workouts a good place to start as they're aimed at seniors and very gentle. I also really like Leslie Sansome's Walk at Home workouts which a friend recommended to me. Very easy to build up from a short walk to a longer one with more aerobic challenges and very easy to do at home.

stella Thanks. Will take a look!

Sorry, can’t link, but there’s a good article in The Times Magazine today by Anna Murphy which includes lots of things mentioned in this thread.

Men have to drink protein shakes and eat loads of chicken and broccoli and lift really heavy weights to get muscly - it's basically impossible for women to get really bulky unless it's your full-time job. Doing squats, deadlifts, bicep curls and bench press won't make you bulky, just toned and will help you lose weight better than cardio.

@Frankiemintz

Sorry, can’t link, but there’s a good article in The Times Magazine today by Anna Murphy which includes lots of things mentioned in this thread.

Thank you for the tip off. What a great article, there’s nothing I disagree with. A woman who really knows what she’s talking about.

Littlepurpleflower mine's just been delivered - i opened it had 2 tablespoons in a glass of fruit juice and come on to tell about it and seen your post Oh well - if i start fancying nibbling the lawn later ...

So the one i bought is the wellgard gold standard one and i can say it has ZERO smell or taste. And i'm a fussy bugger very very sensitive to smells and flavors. It has the texture of fine baby milk formular. I wet my finger and stuck it in and for a minute expected it to actually taste of milk But there's nothing. I honestly thought it was going to be like bovril or something.

Also inspired by this thread (and my own advice) i've bought a new dress (choc brown knee length vest dress) and i've started to low carb again. I've done it before and the weight does drop off. It's all about sticking to it now.

I add protein powder to yoghurt for breakfast as it is hard to eat enough protein every day. I'm looking to lose more body fat and build lean muscle.

@dkl55 I’ve been watching a lot of doesmybumlook40 videos and she did one on slogan t shirts. I do think that a few better cut t shirts would make a big difference. I’m now on the hunt!

There was a program on iplayer about weight and they said weights are best for toning etc.

Thanks laiste. I’m not a fan of the Great Lakes one TBH and the tub has lasted me 2 years. I prefer to buy organic chicken / beef and make my own stick - sorry, bone broth from that. I am late 40s and have very good skin (no lines at all) but I out that down to good genes as my great aunt had zero face lines at 75. Being overweight helps 😳. Who was it who said Face or Bum After 40?

Who was it who said Face or Bum After 40? Catherine Deneuve.

Very naughty question - I know I should sign up to Times if I want to read it, but would anyone be willing to summarise the Anna Murphy article? I'm thinking of subscribing but reluctant to for one article...

It’s too long to summarise properly so I do recommend accessing it, I’ve tried to share it but it’s not playing. Essentially it’s

Don’t look too try hard or polished
Wear white trainers, ankle boots or brogues of any colour as much as possible
Bright lipstick, out there sunglasses and jewellery are good
Loosen up you hair - a good cut and slightly dishevelled is the way to go
Ditch the handbag - cross body is more practical and “now”
Don’t dismiss things you’ve never tried, eg a jumpsuit, a wonky hem or cropped trousers
Wear one thing that’s a bit bonkers, eg a brooch or socks

I agree that the most ageing thing is too-tidy hair.

Closely followed by extra weight...

Sadly, the dishevelled hair I can do. The weight is proving slightly more of a challenge.

I always think these ‘do this’ or ‘don’t do that’ lists are a part of the problem.
That said I’ve often sought tips on here, so we’re all susceptible to a wobble!

But where do these mantras even come from?
They change annually anyway - wear a scarf, don’t wear a scarf, look french, no, look Italian, etc, etc.

Personally I favour a simplified look. Sleek and at ease, clean and vibrant. I prefer minimal fuss, somewhat casual, but really healthy looking. I don’t really like glamour.

We’re all different.
Neither curls or anything else really age a person. To me, it’s an over-all thing, something somewhat undefinable, an energy, a glow.

That said, I get tired of trends, and right now I always Associate women of a certain age to have a lob, highlights and those weird spiral waves created with GHDs.
But it’s the trend I don’t like, the women’s age is just fine.

To LOOK healthy you need to BE healthy! No amount of make up can be a substitute for early nights, not eating late, good sleep, plenty of organic fruit on an empty stomach (looking after our guts by eating fresh salads with an olive oil\lemon dressing) every day.

No smoking , only a very little good red wine, certainly not every day! Green\mint\ginger teas filtered water is best. Exercise is helpful (especially outside) but it can't be instead of good diet. As we age we get more sensitive to junk food.

Good shout on monki, will keep an eye on it, thank you pp!

Railingsono I'm paranoid you don't like my Cezane picks now!!

@Heygirlheyboy

Good shout on monki, will keep an eye on it, thank you pp!

Railingsono I'm paranoid you don't like my Cezane picks now!!

Oh sorry!!! I meant to reply and then got distracted. I thought they were lovely. Have they arrived yet? Sezane has beautiful things, I just find the overtly sexy poses a bit irritating!

My problem is I have lots of tops but struggle more with the bottom half. I hate tight waists but low to mid rise looks so dated now.

Lol. I'm the same weight and in only five feet tall. People must look at me on horror

I agree, where DO these mantras come from?

Personally I find having mantras on style a bit of a middle aged thing , ditto getting your colours done, wearing scarves, trying to look “French”, having a capsule wardrobe

The youngest looking 50 somethings I know are very laid back and comfortable looking, rather than “done” or anything

I think the most aging look at the moment is women in maxi dresses with white trainers and a biker jacket.
Seems to have become the new mumsy looking uniform .