At what age did you let yourself go?

[Anonymous]

The letting yourself down vs letting yourself go distinction really hit home. Thanks for making this point.

I've never been anywhere close to the 'ideal' and so I've never thought it was worth all the effort to come even somewhat close.

But I do know that when I feel put together, I have a different energy about me. In my 40s, I really did let myself go - I had a new skin condition and it really didn't seem worth making an effort.

On the one hand, I think it frees me to know that I'm not ever going to approximate an ideal. I do think, though, that I let myself down by not caring more about my appearance. I'm not going to start coloring my gray (early 50s), but I can start spending a little more on nicer clothes and making an effort to look less frumpy.

I think it comes down to whether you have the time/energy/finances to do a lot of these things (for example, finding clothes for me has never been easy, I'm 5' and overweight) so for OP, I suggest trying to find the balance of effort and getting the lift in spirit that the effort provides. Hope that makes sense. Good luck to finding a sense of peace about all of it!

[Anonymous]

50s. Stopped coloring my hair so definitely look older. Very few wrinkles though but lack of sleep makes me look haggard.

That being said, I eat well, exercise and run regularly (I can still outrun my teens!) and can do a 4 minute plank.

My priorities have changed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am 67 and still color my hair. I workout most days and weighed 121 this morning. No plans for surgery.

+1
No such thing as growing old gracefully. I'm going naturally, kicking and screaming. No surgery, no botox, healthy lifestyle and hair dye until I die. Oh, and I will always dress for my frame, wear make up, and a squirter of scent. I have given up the heels and uncomfortable shoes though - no point in those!

[Anonymous]

I feel like I’m close. I still get my hair done regularly and try to find complimentary clothes for my body frame. But it gets harder and harder to cover up my flab and I can’t walk around with my face covered up. And everytime I start a new workout program, something will derail me - family drama, fight with DH, work deadlines, monthly hormones, etc. I am so over everything and everyone and want to sit around sitting wine and cheese and being comfortable.