Growing old gracefully? ????⌛

summertime_girl

The hell with growing old gracefully. I will fight it by whatever means necessary (that I can afford), as long as I stay natural looking.

And frankly, I think it's working. No one ever guesses how old I am. I get away with a lot younger.

JaneAero

Well, its an interesting topic which has really made me think about all the angles involved. Im 54 next month and I want to get slim and healthy again as my first priority. That aside, being hygenic and being well groomed are100% non negotiable essentials. Nice clothes help too..My hair is washed and styled everyday. But for some reason when it comes to make up Ive never liked it, my kids are always urging me to buy the stuff but it doesnt hold much appeal. My routine is wash my face with soap and water, slap on the cheapest face cream , then a dust of loose translucent powder only too prevent a shiny nose and a slick of rose coloured lipstick. Even that wears off after the first hot cup of tea. My skin is in fabulous condition for my age, hardly any signs of ageing but that will come sooner or later to all of us. I look my age, again that means nothing to me as I expect to look my age. Im much more addicted to perfume than makeup as I love to smell good. I just assume if I feel good on the inside ie happy, content, cheerful then I assume that comes across to people. Other people dont care what you look like anyway theyre more interested in what they look like. Im the same with clothes, if its clean and got no holes in then I wear it, whether its this weeks purchase or ten years old Im afraid I wear it till it falls apart, I know I said nice clothes are enjoyable, thats if you can afford them as theyre so expensive, to me a new outfit is from a thrift shop, I hate wasting my money on new clothes, theyre so expensive, well maybe I make exceptiosn for shoes and handbags, everything else I like vintage.

VeganLexi

I didn't care when I was 33 either.

This is my point, my friends are all pretty much my age and they are obsessed with it...

Life is too short for this crap.

My point is, when I was 33 I simply couldn't imagine being 50. It's easy to not care when you're young, your skin is firm and taut, you have no wrinkes, gravity hasn't found your boobs yet, your body hasn't started drying out yet, the menopause is something that happens to other people.

Then suddenly you wake up one day, you're 50.

I'm lucky, my hair is still full of colour, and having lost so much weight I've lost years off my appearance, and feel great. But it still comes as a shock, and the changes that are happening to my body are alarming! I used to have a jaw like a knife! Sharp and firm. Now I've started to grow jowels like my dad had. The skin on my neck has started to look loose and crumpled. My hands are no longer smooth. And everything is getting dry.

I've never had any cosmetic procedures and I wouldn't. But I will admit that things that never used to matter are starting to matter now, and I look back at my younger self and wish she'd drunk more water, not gained all the weight, took better care of her skin, kept herself better toned, and valued what she had much more than she did.

What I'm saying is, you don't know what you've got till it's gone. So take care of it while you have it. You don't need to be violent, surgery and injections and all that rubbish - but you do need to love yourself and look after yourself as an investment for the future, that's how to grow old gracefully.

I get you and thank you for this perspective the last sentence rings particularly true for me, I look after myself, I don't smoke, rarely drink and don't eat processed foods. The reason for my thread wasn't to judge (as per someone's ridiculous misunderstanding) it was to gain insight in to people and their perspectives and priorities. Thank you :flowerforyou:

VeganLexi

The hell with growing old gracefully. I will fight it by whatever means necessary (that I can afford), as long as I stay natural looking.

And frankly, I think it's working. No one ever guesses how old I am. I get away with a lot younger.

How old are you? If you don't mind me asking.

VeganLexi

I was smart enough (scared enough?) to stay off of drugs when I was younger. I do believe that has a lot to do with my health now at 43 years old.
However, I was stupid enough to spend a LOT of time in the sun and my skin cancer has the proof.
The only time I am reminded of my age is when I have the shoulder and knee pain as a result of the Army and being invincable.

In my opinion, as a man, aging gracefully means acting your age.
For example, as a 43 year old married man, I am not going to go out and buy a used Honda Civic with a fart can and lowered suspension.
I might however go out and buy a 1967 Camaro....

I am not going to go surfing just to hang around the teenage girls but, I will admit that I cannot help but smile when I hear my daughter very proudly tell the young people on the beach "Thats MY Daddy" as I am coming back out of the waves...

What's a fart can? :laugh:
It must be a lovely feeling to have a daughter who is so proud of you!

james6998

At age 42, I have a plan to keep people from looking at my face by keeping my body in extreme shape. Love me for my body I don't mind :P maybe it will work for awhile at least.

randomtai

/shrug... Doesn't bother me, agelessness runs in my family.

VeganLexi

/shrug... Doesn't bother me, agelessness runs in my family.

Likewise

rml_16

I'm watching a programme called "How Not to Get Old" at the moment, the usual crap about wanting to look younger.
I was wondering, am I the only one that doesn't care? I'm 33 next and all of my friends are obsessed with creams/potions/lotions and they spend a fortune!!
Then we have the poor sods who feel so bad about themselves or feel some kind of pressure that they are having god knows what injected in to their faces...it makes me wince!

What are your opinions on the inevitability of getting/looking old?

Personally, I'm just going to stick to eating a plant based diet and only using natural ingrediants on my skin, I don't have wrinkles yet but when I do get them, I won't give a fudge!

:drinker:

I JUST commented on a friend's FB status about this.

I honestly think the obsession with youth is more about a fear of death than it is actually about appearance.

Personally, I don't like the idea of looking old. But at the same time, I'm not going to take extreme measures to stop the aging process. I have a friend who at 40 looks about 25 -- great! But she also will NOT go in the sun for even short periods of time. At the beach, she's covered in sunscreen, clothing and sitting under an umbrella. She won't go in the water because she doesn't want to expose her skin to the sun. It isn't worth it to me.

I put on lotion every day. I don't smoke or drink much and I exercise and eat healthy. That's the best anyone's getting out of me.

X3MM

Just staying on the gym wagon and EAT healthy most of the time..

VeganLexi

I'm watching a programme called "How Not to Get Old" at the moment, the usual crap about wanting to look younger.
I was wondering, am I the only one that doesn't care? I'm 33 next and all of my friends are obsessed with creams/potions/lotions and they spend a fortune!!
Then we have the poor sods who feel so bad about themselves or feel some kind of pressure that they are having god knows what injected in to their faces...it makes me wince!

What are your opinions on the inevitability of getting/looking old?

Personally, I'm just going to stick to eating a plant based diet and only using natural ingrediants on my skin, I don't have wrinkles yet but when I do get them, I won't give a fudge!

:drinker:

I JUST commented on a friend's FB status about this.

I honestly think the obsession with youth is more about a fear of death than it is actually about appearance.

Personally, I don't like the idea of looking old. But at the same time, I'm not going to take extreme measures to stop the aging process. I have a friend who at 40 looks about 25 -- great! But she also will NOT go in the sun for even short periods of time. At the beach, she's covered in sunscreen, clothing and sitting under an umbrella. She won't go in the water because she doesn't want to expose her skin to the sun. It isn't worth it to me.

I put on lotion every day. I don't smoke or drink much and I exercise and eat healthy. That's the best anyone's getting out of me.

I spent a year living and working in Taiwan (got back in April this year), they don't go out in the sun (cover up/high SPF/umbrellas) because they a) don't want to have tanned skin and b) they don't want to look older than their years....
I don't "sunbathe" per se, I live in England :laugh: but I think it's fine to get some SPF on the skin and get a bit of sun...it's so important to get some sunshine, everyone needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus from their diet....
I'm with you regarding the fear of death...I'm much more fearful of dying than if a get wrinkles...

rml_16

I'm watching a programme called "How Not to Get Old" at the moment, the usual crap about wanting to look younger.
I was wondering, am I the only one that doesn't care? I'm 33 next and all of my friends are obsessed with creams/potions/lotions and they spend a fortune!!
Then we have the poor sods who feel so bad about themselves or feel some kind of pressure that they are having god knows what injected in to their faces...it makes me wince!

What are your opinions on the inevitability of getting/looking old?

Personally, I'm just going to stick to eating a plant based diet and only using natural ingrediants on my skin, I don't have wrinkles yet but when I do get them, I won't give a fudge!

:drinker:

I JUST commented on a friend's FB status about this.

I honestly think the obsession with youth is more about a fear of death than it is actually about appearance.

Personally, I don't like the idea of looking old. But at the same time, I'm not going to take extreme measures to stop the aging process. I have a friend who at 40 looks about 25 -- great! But she also will NOT go in the sun for even short periods of time. At the beach, she's covered in sunscreen, clothing and sitting under an umbrella. She won't go in the water because she doesn't want to expose her skin to the sun. It isn't worth it to me.

I put on lotion every day. I don't smoke or drink much and I exercise and eat healthy. That's the best anyone's getting out of me.

I spent a year living and working in Taiwan (got back in April this year), they don't go out in the sun (cover up/high SPF/umbrellas) because they a) don't want to have tanned skin and b) they don't want to look older than their years....
I don't "sunbathe" per se, I live in England :laugh: but I think it's fine to get some SPF on the skin and get a bit of sun...it's so important to get some sunshine, everyone needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus from their diet....
I'm with you regarding the fear of death...I'm much more fearful of dying than if a get wrinkles...

If you're wearing sunscren, you're not absorbing the vitamin D. But you only need something like 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight a day for the benefits, which shouldn't have any real detrimental effect unless you have already had skin cancer or something.

I wear sunscreen if I'm going to be out for an extended period, especially midday. Mostly it's because I have fair skin and while I'm not so fearful of aging, it's not comfortable wearing a bra when you're burnt to a crisp! lol

But there is no SPF high enough to keep me from getting some color if I'm out for a while. And I like swimming in the ocean A LOT and in pools, too. I just enjoy being outside and enjoying myself. I'm in Florida, so lots of sun and HOT. Covering up in the summer isn't comfortable, either.

sally_jeffswife

I think when I get old I will care much more about how I feel than how I look. But I do think when you are doing what this site says and you are staying active and eating healthy there is no doubt that will for surely help you to look in your best shape and feel in your best shape. I don't go all out with the fancy products to prevent aging. I just use a simple witch hazel bar soap to clean my face and it gets it very clean and prevents any type of breakouts. rarely do I get acne. And I use a simple $10 Mehron Celebre Pro foundation that is like a cream base you put on with a sponge. And I wear light makeup. I do in the winter time add fragrance oil from the health food store to my bath water and that will keep your skin from being dry and in good shape. And taking a good multivitamin will help hair and skin quite a bit as well and drinking lots of water.

Greywalk

Nope not planning on growing old gracefully...wait a moment I am old compared to many here. I am however growing old and will grow older. I plan to enjoy every moment of my growing. So I play futbol (soccer) with 20-30-40 year olds, run with my daughter who is on cross country team and am working on my master's degree. My mind and body are active and I take care and try to not break things (bones especially) as they take longer for the body to repair. So far I seem to be enjoying life (good parts and bad) and find it all very interesting. Forget the creams I have earned every wrinkle (good experiences and bad) and my grey hair is mine...until my wife dyed it. <grin>

Carl01

<

---

will be 49 in a couple of months....screw growing old.

skinnyinnotime

ok, so I'm really starting to see a little crows feet when I smile. What'sa guy to do about that? I wanna stay babyfaced forever!!!

Stop smiling

VpinkLotus

This why I have decided not to age. 36 has been my best year yet so I've decided ill just stay here .
I believe if you feel young then you are.

mommy3457

I'm 23. I hope to look as beautiful as many of you do. I hope I look good when I'm older.

CassandraBurgos83

I'm almost 31, a mother of 2 so therefore my money goes to my children and not magical creams and plastic surgeons. However, I moisturize, drink tons of water, DO NOT TAN, exercise and eat pretty well.... Sooo it is what it

Unknown

This content has been removed.

VeganLexi

I'm watching a programme called "How Not to Get Old" at the moment, the usual crap about wanting to look younger.
I was wondering, am I the only one that doesn't care? I'm 33 next and all of my friends are obsessed with creams/potions/lotions and they spend a fortune!!
Then we have the poor sods who feel so bad about themselves or feel some kind of pressure that they are having god knows what injected in to their faces...it makes me wince!

What are your opinions on the inevitability of getting/looking old?

Personally, I'm just going to stick to eating a plant based diet and only using natural ingrediants on my skin, I don't have wrinkles yet but when I do get them, I won't give a fudge!

:drinker:

I JUST commented on a friend's FB status about this.

I honestly think the obsession with youth is more about a fear of death than it is actually about appearance.

Personally, I don't like the idea of looking old. But at the same time, I'm not going to take extreme measures to stop the aging process. I have a friend who at 40 looks about 25 -- great! But she also will NOT go in the sun for even short periods of time. At the beach, she's covered in sunscreen, clothing and sitting under an umbrella. She won't go in the water because she doesn't want to expose her skin to the sun. It isn't worth it to me.

I put on lotion every day. I don't smoke or drink much and I exercise and eat healthy. That's the best anyone's getting out of me.

I spent a year living and working in Taiwan (got back in April this year), they don't go out in the sun (cover up/high SPF/umbrellas) because they a) don't want to have tanned skin and b) they don't want to look older than their years....
I don't "sunbathe" per se, I live in England :laugh: but I think it's fine to get some SPF on the skin and get a bit of sun...it's so important to get some sunshine, everyone needs vitamin D to absorb calcium and phosphorus from their diet....
I'm with you regarding the fear of death...I'm much more fearful of dying than if a get wrinkles...

If you're wearing sunscren, you're not absorbing the vitamin D. But you only need something like 10-15 minutes of direct sunlight a day for the benefits, which shouldn't have any real detrimental effect unless you have already had skin cancer or something.

I wear sunscreen if I'm going to be out for an extended period, especially midday. Mostly it's because I have fair skin and while I'm not so fearful of aging, it's not comfortable wearing a bra when you're burnt to a crisp! lol

But there is no SPF high enough to keep me from getting some color if I'm out for a while. And I like swimming in the ocean A LOT and in pools, too. I just enjoy being outside and enjoying myself. I'm in Florida, so lots of sun and HOT. Covering up in the summer isn't comfortable, either.

I wore sunscreen in Taiwan (insanely hot in the summer)...not so much here in England. I only wear it when spending a sufficient amount of time outside (which isn't often during the week). I miss the sunshine...

rml_16

I wore sunscreen in Taiwan (insanely hot in the summer)...not so much here in England. I only wear it when spending a sufficient amount of time outside (which isn't often during the week). I miss the sunshine...

When I exercise outdoors, I'm usually out an hour to 90 minutes (usually in the early morning or late afternoon) and I don't bother with sunscreen then. But we were at the beach for three hours Tuesday. I put it on before we went and reapplied after every dip in the water and still ended up with a bit of a burn.

LorinaLynn

I'm 41, and still more worried about pimples than wrinkles. But I will color the hell out of my hair.

VeganLexi

I wore sunscreen in Taiwan (insanely hot in the summer)...not so much here in England. I only wear it when spending a sufficient amount of time outside (which isn't often during the week). I miss the sunshine...

When I exercise outdoors, I'm usually out an hour to 90 minutes (usually in the early morning or late afternoon) and I don't bother with sunscreen then. But we were at the beach for three hours Tuesday. I put it on before we went and reapplied after every dip in the water and still ended up with a bit of a burn.

I'd love to live near the beach...so good for the soul.

digitalbill

I was smart enough (scared enough?) to stay off of drugs when I was younger. I do believe that has a lot to do with my health now at 43 years old.
However, I was stupid enough to spend a LOT of time in the sun and my skin cancer has the proof.
The only time I am reminded of my age is when I have the shoulder and knee pain as a result of the Army and being invincable.

In my opinion, as a man, aging gracefully means acting your age.
For example, as a 43 year old married man, I am not going to go out and buy a used Honda Civic with a fart can and lowered suspension.
I might however go out and buy a 1967 Camaro....

I am not going to go surfing just to hang around the teenage girls but, I will admit that I cannot help but smile when I hear my daughter very proudly tell the young people on the beach "Thats MY Daddy" as I am coming back out of the waves...

What's a fart can? :laugh:
It must be a lovely feeling to have a daughter who is so proud of you!

A "fart can" is that stupid huge exhaust that the kids put on the small Japanese cars to make them obnoxiously loud.

Macstraw

Aging doesn't bother me in the slightest, I've never been somebody who has the looks that make the difference anyway. Even what I'm doing here isn't about appearance, it's about getting healthy........

rml_16

I wore sunscreen in Taiwan (insanely hot in the summer)...not so much here in England. I only wear it when spending a sufficient amount of time outside (which isn't often during the week). I miss the sunshine...

When I exercise outdoors, I'm usually out an hour to 90 minutes (usually in the early morning or late afternoon) and I don't bother with sunscreen then. But we were at the beach for three hours Tuesday. I put it on before we went and reapplied after every dip in the water and still ended up with a bit of a burn.

I'd love to live near the beach...so good for the soul.

I do love it. Though we're not as close as I'd like. The nearest really decent one is an hour and a half away and that's the Gulf, which doesn't always have great waves (I love diving into them!). We went to Jacksonville for a couple days, though. My best friend lives there and it's on the Atlantic. There's a storm offshore and the waves were insane, though. No time between them and a strong current. Still tons of fun.

And we met a guy from England while we were there. lol He apparently spends six weeks here every year.

VeganLexi

I wore sunscreen in Taiwan (insanely hot in the summer)...not so much here in England. I only wear it when spending a sufficient amount of time outside (which isn't often during the week). I miss the sunshine...

When I exercise outdoors, I'm usually out an hour to 90 minutes (usually in the early morning or late afternoon) and I don't bother with sunscreen then. But we were at the beach for three hours Tuesday. I put it on before we went and reapplied after every dip in the water and still ended up with a bit of a burn.

I'd love to live near the beach...so good for the soul.

I do love it. Though we're not as close as I'd like. The nearest really decent one is an hour and a half away and that's the Gulf, which doesn't always have great waves (I love diving into them!). We went to Jacksonville for a couple days, though. My best friend lives there and it's on the Atlantic. There's a storm offshore and the waves were insane, though. No time between them and a strong current. Still tons of fun.

And we met a guy from England while we were there. lol He apparently spends six weeks here every year.

The nearest decent beach to us is down south (St. Ives and Carbis Bay), its a good 7 hour drive

rml_16

I wore sunscreen in Taiwan (insanely hot in the summer)...not so much here in England. I only wear it when spending a sufficient amount of time outside (which isn't often during the week). I miss the sunshine...

When I exercise outdoors, I'm usually out an hour to 90 minutes (usually in the early morning or late afternoon) and I don't bother with sunscreen then. But we were at the beach for three hours Tuesday. I put it on before we went and reapplied after every dip in the water and still ended up with a bit of a burn.

I'd love to live near the beach...so good for the soul.

I do love it. Though we're not as close as I'd like. The nearest really decent one is an hour and a half away and that's the Gulf, which doesn't always have great waves (I love diving into them!). We went to Jacksonville for a couple days, though. My best friend lives there and it's on the Atlantic. There's a storm offshore and the waves were insane, though. No time between them and a strong current. Still tons of fun.

And we met a guy from England while we were there. lol He apparently spends six weeks here every year.

The nearest decent beach to us is down south (St. Ives and Carbis Bay), its a good 7 hour drive

That IS a hike! I didn't grow up near the beach. I didn't see the ocean until I was 12. We were probably at least seven hours from any back (aside from lakes). I'm making up for it now.

And I want to live in Cornwall someday. It's just so beautiful! I want to live there and write novels.

jlapey

I'll be 43 in a couple weeks and I'm just beginning to wrinkle. My first and only (besides a few eye crinkles) is a deep one between my eyes caused by squinting. Ladies, wear sunglasses... and sunscreen according to my dermatologist .