How to not “let yourself go”?

[Anonymous]

I am 32 years old and am pretty well preserved. What can I do to not let myself go?

[Anonymous]

Stay in shape, maintain personal hygiene. That’s pretty much it. Hair/clothes/makeup can be changed in an hour, you can’t change your body so easily.

[Anonymous]

Don't give into the "comfort above all" look.

[Anonymous]

A dermatologist and a gym is really all you need. Wardrobe updates a couple times a year.

[Anonymous]

I’m 37. I’ve let myself go. Here’s how it happened and you can see what you can avoid. I used to eat healthy and work out regularly.
I have 3 kids between the ages of 4 and 9 (I had them when I was 27, 30, 33). After each pregnancy I basically held on to 8 lbs that I never lost, so now I am up 25 lbs on my 2008 pre kids weight.
I work part time while the kids are in school but that doesn’t mean I have free time - it means I’m with kids, then working, then with kids.
I’m really tired. I don’t work out - I try to walk some but it’s not enough. I eat fast / easy to prep stuff and I have a sweet tooth.

Despite all this I could still theoretically put care into what I wear, wear contacts, blow dry my hair, wear make up and I would look at least 50% better but most of the time I can’t even muster that.

Other people do look better than me who work and have kids. They are just better people than me!! Or maybe I’m wasting too much time volunteering at kids activities and they’re saying no. Idk.

[Anonymous]

Why do people say make-up makes you look better? It just makes you look like you put purchased products on your face.

[Anonymous]

Nothing is more aging than having children. Simply learning how to use birth control is 50% of the battle of not letting yourself go. The rest is diet and exercise, plenty of water, plenty of sleep. When you look good from within, the rest is just window dressing.

Have clothes tailored to fit. A $10 garment made out of the most plasticky polyester, but which fits perfectly, will look a million times better than more expensive pieces that billow or gape or ride up.

Lay off the makeup. It's counterintuitive. You're probably thinking...I'm letting myself go...shouldn't I be wearing *more* makeup? NO. Caked-on makeup is not a good look at any age, but it's particularly heinous once you exit your 20s. Most women don't seem to realize that full makeup adds about 10 years to your face. Think about it. You did it to look older when you were 15. Guess what? It still makes you older when you're 30+.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m 37. I’ve let myself go. Here’s how it happened and you can see what you can avoid. I used to eat healthy and work out regularly.
I have 3 kids between the ages of 4 and 9 (I had them when I was 27, 30, 33). After each pregnancy I basically held on to 8 lbs that I never lost, so now I am up 25 lbs on my 2008 pre kids weight.
I work part time while the kids are in school but that doesn’t mean I have free time - it means I’m with kids, then working, then with kids.
I’m really tired. I don’t work out - I try to walk some but it’s not enough. I eat fast / easy to prep stuff and I have a sweet tooth.

Despite all this I could still theoretically put care into what I wear, wear contacts, blow dry my hair, wear make up and I would look at least 50% better but most of the time I can’t even muster that.

Other people do look better than me who work and have kids. They are just better people than me!! Or maybe I’m wasting too much time volunteering at kids activities and they’re saying no. Idk.

Gyms have childcare. Being with your kids is no excuse. And since you know being out of shape is making you more tired it’s really no favor to them.

[Anonymous]

Don't go through menopause.

Don't have any stress in your life.

Be wealthy.

[Anonymous]

I don’t know anyone IRL who has a serious career and kids, and who hasn’t let themselves go to some extent, even if it’s just ten extra pounds they can’t seem to lose. There isn’t enough time for everything, something has to give.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 37. I’ve let myself go. Here’s how it happened and you can see what you can avoid. I used to eat healthy and work out regularly.
I have 3 kids between the ages of 4 and 9 (I had them when I was 27, 30, 33). After each pregnancy I basically held on to 8 lbs that I never lost, so now I am up 25 lbs on my 2008 pre kids weight.
I work part time while the kids are in school but that doesn’t mean I have free time - it means I’m with kids, then working, then with kids.
I’m really tired. I don’t work out - I try to walk some but it’s not enough. I eat fast / easy to prep stuff and I have a sweet tooth.

Despite all this I could still theoretically put care into what I wear, wear contacts, blow dry my hair, wear make up and I would look at least 50% better but most of the time I can’t even muster that.

Other people do look better than me who work and have kids. They are just better people than me!! Or maybe I’m wasting too much time volunteering at kids activities and they’re saying no. Idk.

Gyms have childcare. Being with your kids is no excuse. And since you know being out of shape is making you more tired it’s really no favor to them.

Putting your kids in gym childcare is not the same thing as spending time with your kids enraged in their interests and activities.

[Anonymous]

It isn't having kids that will doom you. It is having kids and not having the money for new clothes and food because of childcare. Contacts and going to get your hair done costs money. If you don't make 200k dont have a child.

[Anonymous]

You have to prioritize it when there are significant competing demands on your time and money - work, house, kids, family, sleep, etc. Sleep is a big one for me. At 32 I could function on much less sleep than I need now at 42. I could wake up earlier to exercise, but I am freaking tired. I could spend more money on my wardrobe, but we always either just finished or are just starting a house project, and the kids keep outgrowing their clothes, while I’ve just grown bored of mine...

I don’t think I’ve completely let myself go, but I have let a lot of things go, because they’re just not as important as the other stuff.

Discipline helps too. And money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 37. I’ve let myself go. Here’s how it happened and you can see what you can avoid. I used to eat healthy and work out regularly.
I have 3 kids between the ages of 4 and 9 (I had them when I was 27, 30, 33). After each pregnancy I basically held on to 8 lbs that I never lost, so now I am up 25 lbs on my 2008 pre kids weight.
I work part time while the kids are in school but that doesn’t mean I have free time - it means I’m with kids, then working, then with kids.
I’m really tired. I don’t work out - I try to walk some but it’s not enough. I eat fast / easy to prep stuff and I have a sweet tooth.

Despite all this I could still theoretically put care into what I wear, wear contacts, blow dry my hair, wear make up and I would look at least 50% better but most of the time I can’t even muster that.

Other people do look better than me who work and have kids. They are just better people than me!! Or maybe I’m wasting too much time volunteering at kids activities and they’re saying no. Idk.

Gyms have childcare. Being with your kids is no excuse. And since you know being out of shape is making you more tired it’s really no favor to them.

Putting your kids in gym childcare is not the same thing as spending time with your kids enraged in their interests and activities.

Yes that’s why one generally only uses it for say 90 minutes 4-5 times a week to stay healthy and energetic. Or one can make mommy martyr excuses then complain about it. Different strokes!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 37. I’ve let myself go. Here’s how it happened and you can see what you can avoid. I used to eat healthy and work out regularly.
I have 3 kids between the ages of 4 and 9 (I had them when I was 27, 30, 33). After each pregnancy I basically held on to 8 lbs that I never lost, so now I am up 25 lbs on my 2008 pre kids weight.
I work part time while the kids are in school but that doesn’t mean I have free time - it means I’m with kids, then working, then with kids.
I’m really tired. I don’t work out - I try to walk some but it’s not enough. I eat fast / easy to prep stuff and I have a sweet tooth.

Despite all this I could still theoretically put care into what I wear, wear contacts, blow dry my hair, wear make up and I would look at least 50% better but most of the time I can’t even muster that.

Other people do look better than me who work and have kids. They are just better people than me!! Or maybe I’m wasting too much time volunteering at kids activities and they’re saying no. Idk.

Gyms have childcare. Being with your kids is no excuse. And since you know being out of shape is making you more tired it’s really no favor to them.

Putting your kids in gym childcare is not the same thing as spending time with your kids enraged in their interests and activities.

“Enraged”? Freudian slip?