Feeling old

[Anonymous]

I turned 37 in March. My face looks different...My face is simultaneously narrower but also more bloated? my eyes look smaller.
I suddenly have chronic shoulder pain from a barre injury and my body just feels...not young. I feel a shift, for the first time in my life into being "older."

My face no longer looks fresh and youthful. its a weird in-between...not young but not old.

I interestingly lost 10 lbs due to grief and eat mostly well. I am in the process of IVF but no kids yet.
Is there anything I can do to feel /look better?

[Anonymous]

It’s probably the hormones. They really suck. If you drink, stopping can help.

[Anonymous]

Accepting aging as it comes is one of the keys to happiness. Now that I'm 50, I don't quite remember how I looked or felt when I was in my 20's and early 30's.

I believe in the three pillars of health in this priority order: Sleep, Exercise, Eat Healthy. They are all critically important to maintaining your body's warranty which, according to my doctor, begins expiring around age 45. After that point, there may be nothing you can do except manage your health conditions.

As for cosmetics, I did the bare minimum: avoid the sun, wear sunscreen, begin retinol cream in my 40s before bed, wear sunglasses, manage stress, dye my hair with non-permanent dye from a box every few months.

I'm older. I look older, I'm OK with that.

Good luck on your IVF journey, I promise your kids won't care what you look like if you're a good mama.

[Anonymous]

Over 35 is when our faces change. Get used to it, or see a cosmetic derm or plastic surgeon.

[Anonymous]

Managing stress is absolutely key. My mother is late 60s and people have always thought she was 15 years younger than her actual age. Always. She's always known how to manage stress. Never had any work done. Only ever drank water, herbal tea and seltzer. Never coffee. Always ate healthy but even when she'd splurge, it was just a bite of dessert.

[Anonymous]

If you’re actively doing IVF, the hormones are probably making you feel like crap.

[Anonymous]

I did IVF. The hormones are messing with you big time. I remember gaining weight from them. I also figured out I am estrogen sensitive, which is good to know for perimenopause. Also I was dairy free and gluten free during my cycle since I had immunological issues and lean PCOS. So do take a look at your diet. I don't know if it helped or hindered but I was grateful I did everything possible to have a successful FET cycle. And I eventually did (IVF no transfer and two FETs)

Be kind to yourself! IVF is tough all around.

[Anonymous]

Children are going to make you age faster. The physical toll of pregnancy and sleepless nights, day care and school stress...it's not for the vain.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Children are going to make you age faster. The physical toll of pregnancy and sleepless nights, day care and school stress...it's not for the vain.

+1,000,000

[Anonymous]

Cardio exercise
More water
More walking
Highlights if you don't already have them

[Anonymous]

52 year old here. I did IVF. No fun. But I disagree with the warranty expiring at 45 mindset. Keep drinking lots of water, keep moisturizing, keep finding ways to laugh and keep moving your body, Even if it’s light stretching and gentle walking during IVF. My kids are now 14 and 12 and I feel great. Yes, I’m older but I don’t feel “old.”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Over 35 is when our faces change. Get used to it, or see a cosmetic derm or plastic surgeon.

No that makes it look worse

[Anonymous]

Meet me at the bar

[Anonymous]

I turned 60 a few months ago.

But I feel great!