Gone Case?....... Aging
By zandi458
@zandi458 (28102)
Malaysia
May 5, 2009 3:44pm CST
Have you ever look at yourself in a full length mirror and couldn't even recognize the woman staring back? Women are always conscious of their weight and facial beauty. Most women put on weight as they age. But wait, you say, you were always thin. Now that you are in your forties, fifties,whatever, you have put on ten pounds and just couldn't get it off. Lines are starting to appear and the face contour is going south. Once we reach this stage, are we no longer appreciated, desirable? Or considered rejects and write-off? A gone case?
You don't want to get used to your body as you age and you don't want to be the new norm. But, after a full day of eating, you feel bloated and look pregnant. Even if you try to lose a little weight but that stomach roll may just be there to stay. And now you're even hiding your body from your partner.
Getting older means we have to deal with change, and having a tough time taking off a few pounds is part of that challenge. Our metabolism is slower, so it is more difficult to lose the weight and keep it off. This doesn't happen to women alone, men are also seeing changes in their bodies as they age especially with that beer bellies, protruding like tadpoles.
We mourn the loss of the body of our youth while we welcome the body of a person who has lived fully. How do you face the prospect of aging?
6 people like this
18 responses
@salonga (27775)
• Philippines
6 May 09
Aging? Well it is a reality of life and whether we accept it or not it will happen. We all hope we remain youthful but no matter what we do we will all age except those who die before reaching the old age. The best the we could do is to delay it by healthy living perhaps but still the changes that go with age will still come. In my case, I've already accepted the reality. The best we could do is to age gracefully. And aging gracefully does not happen by accident. We have to work for it. There is quotation by George Dennison Prentice that goes like this "Some old women and men grow bitter with age. The more their teeth dropout the more biting they get." Well, I don't want to be bitter with life. I don't wanna be a difficult old woman later in my life. I think I have all the reasons to be happy with my life despite some problems that go with it. Yes old age is inevitable but that is only physical. What matters most is the spiritual side of us. So instead of worrying about the added wrinkles, I spend my time living a healthy life and even more time in keeping my spirit full and healthy.
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 09
"Some old women and men grow bitter with age. The more their teeth dropout the more biting they get." I like these words. A little humor for the senior citizens to ponder. There is no reason to fight against nature but to accept aging as natural phenomenon. I think people who are more into spiritual life and are prayerful remain ageless in their physical looks. They are always in the meditative state, like the nuns and priests.
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
6 May 09
Exactly and there is no point in worrying about it but so many young people act as though it is something they dread until they get there and discover that it is not that much different after all.
I am 52 and until I was 50 I felt very little different than I did when 20 but menopause and then illness changed that. There is not a lot you can do about menopause it is a fact of life for women and simply must be suffered. Life is about enjoying each moment you have but too many young people do not value their time. They are so busy wanting to grow up and then they do not want to age but it happens to everyone and the best way to deal with it is simply to enjoy every moment of life as it is lived.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
6 May 09
I'm 52 and yes...I see the changes and it isn't easy. I exercise and try to eat write and not think too deeply about it. I'm in good shape for my age. I still get asked out and often by younger men which always amazes me because...I see every single line in my face and every gray hair. To be honest...attracting younger men in a way is flattering but i really don't like it and don't buy into it. It's all cool until it comes to realizing that they are going to be very disappointed. I'd rather be with someone my own age that can relate to this stuff. I don't need to be competing with the 30 yr olds or even the 40s. 
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 09
LOL not beautiful but still have people turn their heads to have a second look. ha..ha..ha, maybe they are just curious to see a humpty dumpty with a well made-up face. I don't have wrinkles yet and no grey hair either at my present age(51). But mind you, I have really ballooned out lately. I hate it but can't resist good food.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
6 May 09
Oh trust me Zandi...it only looks youthful in clothes and then...only certain clothes. I mentioned the wrinkles and gray hair but I guess I neglected to mention that regardless of all the excersise and all...there is some flub and definitely some crinkles and cellulite that I never had before. The changes are there....it happens to all of us sooner or later. I'm sure your still beautiful!
1 person likes this
@Annmac (949)
•
6 May 09
I'm one of the exceptions to the normal rules as far as my body is concerned. lol.
I'm lighter now than I was in my teens and early 20's and have never varied by more than about 5lb either way if I've been healthy. (I tend to lose weight if ill or stressed)
However when I look in any mirror, I see this grey-haired old lady looking back and think, 'Who's that!' Being slim has disadvantages too. The skin ages quicker and the wrinkles are harder to hide. I don't believe in cosmetic 'enhancement' though so I just tell people they are laughter lines from having a full and happy life. lol
I'm a 21 yr old with 37 years of experience!
1 person likes this
@Annmac (949)
•
6 May 09
You could always tell people you are a devoted fan of the painter Rubens. His fondness of painting full-figured women gave rise to the terms 'Rubensian' or 'Rubenesque' for plus-sized women. The term 'Rubensiaans' is also commonly used in Dutch to denote such women. lol
1 person likes this
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
6 May 09
I do not worry about my age and make sure that I do not get really worried about how I look. It's all psychological and if I feel young inside, nothin can really stop me from having fun.
bourne
@bournecaindelta (2477)
• India
6 May 09
Exactly my point. I see old people having more fun than the youngsters who are always cribbing about not having what they want. The old on the other hand who have seen enough life learn to live with what they have and are very much happy. In fact there is nothing wrong in growing up because it increases one's life experience. Which can be used to teach the younger generation.
bourne
1 person likes this
@krajibg (11923)
• Guwahati, India
7 May 09
I am fast approaching my forty and it causes me immense pain to see one here and another there the white beard and the silvery hair glittering in the sun. And I seat upon the Time both legs folded and hands in meditational posture. Try look back the gone by days but lo and behold! They happened just the other day when the moon was climbing up the tree and my friends yelling pierced my ears.
Not now please, let me have some more days stay and take my skin to coarse and my face to contort I will accept them. The only consolation for me left is all who came with me are on the same route but when I see the young and thriving my heart aches. But I too had my days. But did I really get into it that it stares on my face and leaves a scar of doubt if I really did justice to my youth.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
7 May 09
Must you sit there and let regrets of your loss youth envelope your thoughts? At 40, you are still considered 'young'. They say life starts at 40 and you should not be unduly worried of lost opportunities as there are still ample time to catch up. It is only natural that the white beard and silvery hair make their appearances as it shows what a great thinker you are. It thrives on productive people. Time flies. It's up to you to be the pilot. Life's alarm clock has no snooze button. It doesn't do any good to "stand up and take notice" if you sit down as soon as opportunity passes by. Look at it, size it up, and make a decision.
1 person likes this
@sharra1 (6340)
• Australia
6 May 09
Actually when I look in the mirror these days I see my mother and that is scary cause I would hate to be like her. Personality I am nothing like my mother but as I grow older I see her face looking back at me.
I have been up and down in weight all my life. I was harassed as a child and that drove me to eat which only made the harassing worse. I managed to loose it all in my 20's but then I gave up smoking the first time and ballooned. I lost 25 kilos but am still struggling to get back to my ideal weight. As I get older I find my metabolism slows even more, it has always been slow, and weight loss becomes extremely difficult. It does not help that I am ill and find exercise very hard but I do what I can for my health.
I do not mind aging so much but I do find the aches and pains that have come with it harder to live with. I wonder why people want to keep making us live longer when it just means spending longer in sick aging bodies.
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 09
I don't have to look at the mirror but I know I resemble more and more like my mother
as I age. I am always mistaken for her or a sister. When the body start aching it is a sign that we are no longer spring chickens and no amount of exercise can bring back our strength. Maybe we can just maintain our aging body by taking supplements so there won't be too much sufferings to the end.
@littleowl (7157)
•
6 May 09
Hi zandi, for me I take it as it comes..ok I dye my hair to cover the grey but don't go out buying all these expensive products for anti-aging a good sensitive cream is just as good and I have one that is usuable for makeup removing moisturising etc etc, this does the job...as for dressing I wear what I feel comfortable in and its other peoples problems if they don't like it..I'm 50 but try and look after myself and age gracefully, ok am a bit heavier than I should be but am a medium build so aging doesn't bother me it is more your frame of mind eg if you think young you act young which in my mind keeps a more healthy mind,..littleowl
1 person likes this
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
6 May 09
Great ideas,, U do good,, I believe in what u say,, 100 percent,, RESPECT you,,,,,
1 person likes this
@mlh8087 (368)
• United States
6 May 09
Aging is inevitable. There's no way to stop it, even though people try. You know with all that plastic surgery, injecting poison into their faces and collogen into their butts and all that nasty stuff. We are going to get old and eventually die. That's the way of life. It has a beginning, a middle, and unfortunately, an end.
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
6 May 09
And I agree with u 100 percent,, U think like me,, I wish everyone can think the same way,, bless you
1 person likes this
@paula27661 (15811)
• Australia
6 May 09
There are two ways I look at it zandi, one is that after years of putting my looks so high on my priority list I can now relax a little and not put so much emphasis on them and the other is the sad realization that I am now a 'mature' woman.
Of course there's that precious wisdom that comes with age and I wouldn't trade that for anything.
I die my hair and make the most of myself and I will not consider plastic surgery or Botox, I am learning to love the way I look now and there's the fact that looking older is not something we should fee ashamed of; heck we're fortunate we have come this far!
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 09
I am always thankful to have lived this far and should complain no more of the natural process of aging. You're right we have experienced the spotlight during our youths and now should give way for the younger generations to feel the same and in turn welcome with open heart what nature dictate for us.
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
6 May 09
I lil extra wt on the belly is welcome,,It does wonders for many people I know,, But personally,, I have it under control,,Simple exercise,, Regularly,, eat the right kinda foods,, Enough liquids,, Mainly water,,go for more fruits not powder juice ,, u know what I mean,, well start now,, TOMORROW NEVER COMES,, and I still wish I coulda do better
@kawalnarang (1095)
• Trinidad And Tobago
6 May 09
Sure,, welcome to follow my ways,, Nothing to lose,,also I walk a lot,, used to be 30 minutes a day ,now at least 20 minutes a day,,although I am not happy with how I look,I am sure satisfied as I will not see doctors like other people do,, it's so simple,, I cut down on heavy foods,and also the coke and pepsi etc,,
1 person likes this
@globetrotter1 (94)
• Ireland
6 May 09
How do I face the prospect of aging? Not in a very dignified manner ! Mostly I panic when - on an especially bad day- I find another lines that has deepened overnight, and another gray hair, and when those jeans show off too much evidence that I had four babies !
What I always strived for though is to look ' good for my age', as in I'd like to look 50 when I'm 55, and 70 when I'm 85 ! Right now I am 45 but feel a lot younger, which helps. But you are right, its hard to accept that changes will happen no matter how hard you try and keep them at bay. You may be fit , but your skin tells the truth. You may feel like 28, but lines and dry and thinning hair tells the truth. When you look out of your body you feel as young as everyone around you, but then you see yourself with a younger person's eyes and OH MY GOD, there goes that middle aged woman! me! Oh my God, oh my God, HELP!!!
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 09
ha..ha..ha..you're so funny. Regardless of your chronological age, it's a fact of life that you are among the aging. We all are. Aging is a process that commences when we are born. But, until we reach the middle twenties or thirties, the aging process is a positive function. With the use of nutritional and fitness programs, we can halt the biological clock that is ticking away our years.
@stephcjh (38473)
• United States
6 May 09
I have noticed this quite a bit after having my daughter. My body and my looks have changed also over the years. I have gone through alot in my life and stress takes it toll on a body also. I have noticed my changes too and I like some of them and some not.
1 person likes this
@angel_of_charm (4134)
• Philippines
6 May 09
i guess that isn't a problem to me at all..i mean i don't always think about how i look, if i have wrinkles and more..as i age all i think about is how to work hard to have all the things i want..i became more focus with so much things with my life i cant focus enough with this aging matters..i guess I'm weird
1 person likes this
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 09
Angel, don't be carried away by this materialistic world. Keep sometime for your personal well-being for we only live once and we must always look presentable regardless of our age. And if you don't take care now when you are still young you might regret it later. Look beautiful till we reach '6.30pm.'
@zandi458 (28102)
• Malaysia
6 May 09
You make me roll into laughter when you mention you are seeing your grandmother when you look at the mirror. I was even mistaken as my mother when my mom's long time friend saw me. An unwelcome compliment. I might have similarity with my mom but definitely not looking as old as her. LOL.
@Ozarkgirl (774)
• United States
6 May 09
With full denial.....lol. I just sigh and try to re-calculate my life and my living habits, and see what I can change or do to make my outcome of life and age a little better. Apparently I am doing something right, the picture I have on here is current I has it taken one week before I joined mylot and I have only been here a month or so, anyway I am always being told I only look in my 20's and that I DO NOT look old enough to have a 18 and 20 year old sons, but I do and I am way past my 20's people. But I eat healthy by eating as if I wear a diabetic even though I am not (low carb no sugar-I use splenda-diet), I use mark kay makeup and night products and daily facial mask, and I exercise daily at home in our home gym.
