.....at what age did you look in the mirror and start to think

[mum2samandalex]

sh**t i look old what happened and when did this happen i didnt look this bad yesterday grrrrr

within the last year or so.
I'm now 40. My hair has gone horrid as well - too much dye to hide all the grey!

And the worst of it is that it's only going to get worse. Not there's a cheerful thought

Have to say that my body is better than it had ever been (well possinly better in my teens ). I've lost weight and toned up. Probably got a few lines on bits of it but as I'm nearly blind I can happily ignore those. But facially..... it's just scary. I've even got all the same facial lines that I remember from my mum when I was a child. And she never moisturised! But then she never smoke, drank heavily (at all really) or stared at a computer screen all day for years on end.

I have no grey hairs!!! Result!

oh DRN, is the gala on Monday??

Message withdrawn

I'm still waiting, some days I look tired but have no wrinkles as yet and am 33 at the end of the month. Not doing to bad, though am dreading the day it happens!

After the birth of my 3rd child. He wrecked my face and body. Stress, veins, hairs in all sorts of places....all after number 3! Poor kid....

28, but recently I've thought that i look seriously old -I;m 38 and look at least 5 yrs older......sob!

And I was 34.

I was 38 when I had my 'mature student' graduation. As I proudly paraded my enlarged graduation photo at work the following week, people kept saying 'WHAT a good picture of you!!'

I honestly thought it was how I really looked in daylight..... but it was all flattering lights and the graduation gown covering up all my lumps and bumps....

Perhaps I should keep it in the attic, like Dorian Grey....

Oh me too! I feel so old and tired looking at 35 and it has only happened recently. It's the second child that has done it to me I swear. My face reminds me of a potato.

not yet....touch wood..have no real lines yet (36) but thats prob cos I have a chubby face..I do look in the mirror and think I look whale like though

Yes FMF - look out for me in my gren wellies and high vis jacket!!

I am 43 and in the last 2 yrs Sometimes catch sight of myself in a mirror when out and think WHO IS THAT???????

Had dd when I was 42, and things haven't been the same since. I'm heavier, my feet are bigger (wear a different shoe size now), and I love a slightly stretchy/wobbly tum with a caesarean scar.

Dd's birth coincided with when I stopped working in an office so there was a big lifestyle change. After dd, I started eating differently, stopped exercising for fitness (though walking, carrying/lifting increased), started dressing differently, and grooming habits changed (no more non-negotiable daily hairwash and makeup).

I'm due to have brunch on Sunday with someone I haven't seen in 14 years. While I know I have changed dramatically for the better in my lifestyle/general happiness, I fear he will think I have 'let myself go'. In reality, my age has caught up with me and my priorities have changed.

Body early 30's
Face in the last year or so.

I am fighting hard on the face though - and lots of potions and lotions and judiciously applied make up might buy me another year or two max.

I gave up the fight for the body a long, long time ago - but rather wish that I hadn't!

Last December, when I turned 33, 6 weeks after DS1 was born... I swear I never had any lines, wrinkles or grey hairs before the little blighter started keeping me up all night.

ah, good plan DrN, that florescent yellow will give your ageing skin a really lovely reflective glow!

You'll mostly find me stood in the ginourmous queue for the go-karts on behalf of the boys who will be eating themselves into a sugar-coma at the candy floss stall. Sigh.

I hope I don't spend the rest of my life as a single person (though have been remarkably content so far). I must admit to feeling slightly envious of all you Mums who found your partners early(ish) in life, and thus can grow older with some degree of confidence that you are loved/accepted for who you are/how you appear.

The idea of actively putting myself 'in the singles market', and being judged (at least initially) on appearance is daunting.

About 36. I didn't age at all. Still looked mid twenties at 33 - was told so many times - had my kids and suddenly the years piled on.

My Mum told me that she looked young until she was in her forties and then suddenly everything went, body, eyes, chin etc - so thats something to look forward to.