You usually notice that you look old in photos, because your mind thinks you are still young. When you look old in photos, start going to old people's restaurants because your taste and sense of smell are gone, you can't remember stuff and don't want to learn new technology or make changes.... you are old.

It happens in incremental steps, just like anything else

45

Growing old is required; growing up is optional.

When I turned 35, honestly

I am 44 and feel my age mostly because of some weight gain. I am on my way down, lost 10 and have another 20 to go. I feel like an old frumpy lady at this weight. It's not even a physical thing because I can still run a 5k and feel ok otherwise.

I am 57. Apart from the obvious signs that I am old — I look like an old man in photos — I found I could no longer deny the stage of life I am entering when my high school peers began posting pictures of their grandchildren on Facebook.

My own kids are teenagers. I remember when they were little they took swimming lessons and then as they got a little older we would swim together and race each other for fun in our community pool. I used to “let” them keep up or catch me or beat me. Now they can both blow my doors off in any race. They are getting bigger and stronger, I am getting older and my body is breaking down.

Apart from starting to celebrate their successes more than my own, and ensuring that my will is together and in a safe place, I have not taken any action reflecting the fact that I am now undeniably old.

We use to hike for a few hours with no problem. Now at 65 we can only handle an hour. Also, we use to bike ride a lot but when you hear about injuries from falling, at 65 you don’t bounce well. Getting up off the floor after playing with grandkids has gotten harder. Thankfully, we are still able to do one thing that keeps us young!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Outside of setting up retirement financing.

Recently took our kids on a hiking type trip, I had trouble keeping up and staying up late with them. My teens are 16, 15, and 13. Both DH and I are 59. I’m glad we did the trip but this was our last one like this.

I never felt or accepted that i was old but with 60 around the corner, I now do. I’m still getting botox and fillers but i’m thinking of stopping; two of my kids told me not to stop! To keep doing it until they are done with college, how do you like that!

Instead of admitting defeat, why not use the hiking trip as motivation to improve your physical health and fitness? I'm a coupke years younger than you with same age kids and I hike weekly. I consider it part of parenting as an older mom to keep myself in shape. I've never messed with botox or fillers because being fit is a fountain of yourh.

I am 49 with kids the OP's age and recently went hiking and am thinking of starting botox. . So I identify in many ways. I could not keep up on the hike but they periodically stopped for me to catch up. I do not stay up late and have no issues with that! So I feel older, certainly, but my current thinking is to see where I can improve as the PP suggested. So I lift, but don't do enough cardio. I need to add more flexibility. I agree that being fit is the fountain of youth but it does nothing for my 11s. (I'm surprised your kids tell you not to stop botox; my daughters tell me not to start - most teens seem much more accepting of their parents' natural states than when I was a teen)

My parents are in their 70s, we are in our 40s, and they still go hiking with us in Maine every summer. Part of it was you were trying to keep up with the kids who were probably racing through rather than taking the time to enjoy the hike. Age is mostly a state of mind

What was the issue? Do you need to lighten the load and lose weight, increase flexibility through yoga, strength train, etc.? Maybe all of those. You have to be able to keep up with the kids if you can. Go at their pace, not force them to slow down to yours.

As for the botox, i think there are a lot lessons in beauty standards, women's health, and body autonomy you can teach your impressionable teens that will serve them well in life

Anonymous wrote:Outside of setting up retirement financing.

Recently took our kids on a hiking type trip, I had trouble keeping up and staying up late with them. My teens are 16, 15, and 13. Both DH and I are 59. I’m glad we did the trip but this was our last one like this.

I never felt or accepted that i was old but with 60 around the corner, I now do. I’m still getting botox and fillers but i’m thinking of stopping; two of my kids told me not to stop! To keep doing it until they are done with college, how do you like that!

Instead of admitting defeat, why not use the hiking trip as motivation to improve your physical health and fitness? I'm a coupke years younger than you with same age kids and I hike weekly. I consider it part of parenting as an older mom to keep myself in shape. I've never messed with botox or fillers because being fit is a fountain of yourh.

I'm 43 and consider myself middle age. I'd say I'm "early middle age" if that makes sense and 59 is "late middle age". I don't think you're "old" yet OP.

I never did Botox. But I keep going on trips and hiking and spending time with my kids.

Outside of setting up retirement financing.

Recently took our kids on a hiking type trip, I had trouble keeping up and staying up late with them. My teens are 16, 15, and 13. Both DH and I are 59. I’m glad we did the trip but this was our last one like this.

I never felt or accepted that i was old but with 60 around the corner, I now do. I’m still getting botox and fillers but i’m thinking of stopping; two of my kids told me not to stop! To keep doing it until they are done with college, how do you like that!