OMG, I could actually cry.

[YouDontKnowBoutBenom]

Took dog for a walk and just had some Leopard print wide leg pants, black sandals and a black band tee.

DH took some candid photos of me and just sent them over whatsapp.

Jesus Christ :( I look awful. I look so old. So tired.

I'm 41. 5ft5. 9st.

I look ill, I look hunched. My hairs a state.

I look about 60 years old.

What the hell has happened to me :(

Even celebrities who usually look incredible, can look terrible when snapped out on dog walks……

I’m surprised not many people are saying this but, starting lifting weights. Lift heavy. Build muscle. 9st for 5’5” is very normal, but if you feel chubby or soft it’s lack of muscle. This will improve composition and posture as well as bone density, improved mood. You’ll sleep better and eat more without worrying. Sweating and excercise will improve your skin over time as it increases blood flow. When you’ve got a good muscle base you can wear a bin bag (or nothing 😉) and look great. Then just a new hair do will do ❤️

Right. In last few hours I've thrown a dye on my hair. Found my 'skin & me' bits and bobs and actually used them. Cleansed and moisturised and put some funny serum on. Had a shower and shaved my legs.
Blow dried and straightened by hair (been a long time since I've done that)
Put some nice body lotion on and laughed at a lot of the messages on here.

No, I'm not 30 anymore, no I haven't been looking great. I've been neglecting myself. My looks and my health but I feel half way human again at the moment so maybe all is not lost.

And I am going to do some weights tomorrow. My son practically has a gym set up in his room so no excuses.

Whale? Really?

I’m 5’ 0” and ten stone. I thought I was just a bit overweight but not too bad until this thread. I’ve been nine stone three before and quite happy with it 😳

Husbands are shit at taking photos. Get a friend/ daughter/ sister etc to take one and I bet you look beautiful.

I am SO tempted to upload a pic of a celeb walking a dog with the obligatory circle of shame (cellulite, wrinkle, delinquent fringe) ala Heat Magazine circa 2002 so we can all feel better about life.

But this is 2026 and we're better than that. <Resist, must resist>

I think 40's are hard on a woman. I remember looking in the mirror and seeing my big sister and was horrified Luckily my 40's were very busy so I didnt really have time to grieve the passing of my youth

50's and I accepted youth was long gone and this was left

So I glammed up

After not wearing cosmetics or doing skin care - I started to learn what suited me and made me happy with the results

I got a hair style that suited this new face

I got underwear that gave more support in the right places, bras that kept everything in place without bulging everywhere ( Im not fat - flabby ) , knickers that covered the flabby apron without bits escaping from the sides

Tamed the eyebrows

Great hair style that I can deal with and I keep up with hairdressing appointments

Cosmetics that suit my skin and lifestyle - and whilst brightens, doesnt cake or settle . I also started to use a mirror and I keep on top of the chin hairs , redness, dryness

And bought clothes that actually fit properly and suit me

Now I feel aged 61 Im the best version of me I have been for 20 odd years

Oh and I now watch my diet, exercise etc

And I dont do "candid" photos because I have totally convinced myself Im looking good, I dont want proof other wise :)

Mate it’s the wide leg trousers, they look hideous on everyone.

What did you do to lose 9 stone if you didn’t do any exercise? Diet only?

I don’t let my DH take photos of me, as he always manages to take them at the most unflattering angle. I’m 62, but he makes me look far older.
I look passable in photos taken by anyone else (and in real life).

Do you have children? I’ve aged about 20 years since DD (8 years) was born.

I'm 41 and about your height& weight but have always taken a terrible candid photo, couldn't believe some my friend took on a mountain walk last year (and then sent me on my birthday, for reasons best known to herself). Facially on them I look like Peter Mandelson (I'm female) but cross/confused and with a withered double chin! And sort of hunched and with spindly, gamey legs. I don't look like that in posed photos so have just told my friend not to do that again and moved on! I have worked on my posture/strength and tone in key areas since too.

Brilliant 👏 well done OP x

I’m the same age and weight but 5’2 I really do have to make an effort these days , things started to change once I hit 41 , I look horrible in pics but better in real life ha so I don’t stress I’m just not photogenic at all, if you do one thing go get your brows professionally waxed and tinted they frame your face and make you look abit more awake.

Everyone gets a bad angle pic from time to time!

I am 68.
I thought I looked quite good in my capri jeans and layered tops- smart and trendy.

Went to the local Asda and caught sight of this frumpy,mis-matched woman in a random mirror.

I looked like a bag lady.

Swift departure home and complete outfit dumped into charity bag.
Following all the advice on here with interest!

It gets easier! Ny body started changed in weeks

Maybe you do look lovely? From your description you’re not overweight (are you maybe a little underweight for your build? That can be ageing.) It’s really windy here and I look mad when I walk the dogs, usually have headphones in so either laughing at what I’m listening to or talking to the dog. I’d hate to see a picture of myself!

Oh no! I don't think you could really have looked bag lady in your capris - they are very bag lady'ish!

Its usually those cameras at the self check out that get me.

What are they trying to do? Distract shoplifters with a momentary loss of self esteem so strong they accidentally pay??

Yes I have to agree with this. Worse still are the barrel legs. I cannot fathom how that trend caught on except maybe even the models look so awful everyone feels model-like?

But those high waisted wide legs are really not that flattering, unless your legs really are quite heavy, in which case I guess maybe they cover well.

Haha they are the worst. We’re just trying to go about our day, only to be confronted with that! 😭

I used to be quite 'alternative' but I just grew out of it and anytime I try and get back there it feels like a costume now, rather than me.

Agh.
This is me, OP.
After kids I couldn't wear the same style outfits but was determined not to be "boring". But that was too hard and now I'm boring and look shit with it as well!!

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