I've changed shape! Have you?

Well, it's worse than I thought. Today a man on the bus (sitting in the seat for those who find it difficult to stand) actually stood up to give me the seat!!

I think we need to understand that our body changes shape naturally after the menopause and not expect to be able to stay looking the same. Once the hormone production from the ovaries diminishes, the abdominal fat takes over this role. So more fat collects in this area and less on the hips and bottom.
A weight gain of half a stone for every ten years over age 50 is normal. Trying to lose weight can lead to wrinkled skin, especially in the face, and loss of muscle. That is why older women need clothes that flatter their new shape, as discussed in a previous thread.

Yes for sure is my answer. I was size 8 my whole life even after my 2 DDs then hit menopause crept up to size 12 and stayed there. Nothing changed in my life style or diet to cause the weight gain just age and hormones. I do aqua swim and weight bearing exercises at home to stay fitter and healthier.

I'm more or less the same shape - like others I carry weight in the front. Currently six pounds over my preferred weight and it's all on the abdomen.

Like other health matters I think shape is a combination of lifestyle, diet and genetics. Later I'm off to my jazz dance class where the age range is 58 to 90 - the 90 year-old is slim, not skinny, ramrod straight back, and even has straight elegant fingers which are beautifully manicured.

I once got chatting to a woman in the park who was rolling up her yoga mat - she was in good shape in jogging bottoms and t-shirt and I could see she was around 70 but was astounded when she said she was 91 !

Eloethan

I am not particularly pleased with the changes in my body - varicose veins developing in one leg, patchy skin on legs and a crepe-like appearance, not to mention saggy arms. I think I need to do an exercise class and will look for one - but I believe to maintain the sort of body shape that Jane Fonda, and the like, have would mean exercising to exhaustion every day. I am not prepared to do that - I have other, more interesting, things to do.

I think it is important not to "let yourself go" but it is about moderation, in my view. To be obsessed with one's appearance does not make for a happy person, or one who is particularly interesting.

I agree, having a bit of pride in yourself is one thing but obsessing about looks isn’t a great idea. Most people, men included carry some extra weight when older. Being here and feeling reasonably well is the main thing.Dress doesn’t fit? Buy a bigger one.

AshleysGran

I have an hour-glass figure - as I got older, it sank to the bottom.

😂

I am not particularly pleased with the changes in my body - varicose veins developing in one leg, patchy skin on legs and a crepe-like appearance, not to mention saggy arms. I think I need to do an exercise class and will look for one - but I believe to maintain the sort of body shape that Jane Fonda, and the like, have would mean exercising to exhaustion every day. I am not prepared to do that - I have other, more interesting, things to do.

I think it is important not to "let yourself go" but it is about moderation, in my view. To be obsessed with one's appearance does not make for a happy person, or one who is particularly interesting.

AshleysGran

I have an hour-glass figure - as I got older, it sank to the bottom.

Too funny! My hour glass got stuck in the middle.

If it were not for an unfortunate slip on my stairs coming down from the loft (I fractured my lumbar/spine in two places) that little accident caused me to lose three inches of my height, thereby compressing my whole physique. Hmm… I don’t like it and I’m very careful about the style of clothing I wear now.

This on top of natural aging, more natural shrinking 🙄, what are you gonna do?
USA Gundy

AshleysGran

I have an hour-glass figure - as I got older, it sank to the bottom.

😂😂

LadyGracie

I was painfully thin at less than 8 stone when I met DH, 52 years later I tell him I tell him he has 25% extra free. Unfortunately it's on my hips, bottom and thighs.

I love the 25% extra free!!
I must remember that line.

I have to say , despite my alternate shape , my wedding dress still fits ,42 years and 4 kids later.
I really think genetics has something to do with it too.My brother and sister ( 2 and 4 years younger than me ) are both tall and slim and look fab in their 60s

You can certainly maintain some of your former figure with diet and exercise although it does take work.
However, due to hormonal changes later in life we do tend to lose muscle bulk ,even with workouts . Fat is also redistributed post menopause.
I weigh much the same as 25 y ago when I was a,definite pear shape.
Tall with small boobs , relatively small waist and a big bum .
I'm still tall but my middle is bigger and my bum smaller makes me more a straight up and down shape ( I actually prefer it to my big bum shape)
However, even though I do exercise, I find I am definitely flabbier than I was for the same weight.
Even the most beautiful older ladies have changed shape.
Helen Mirren ( no relationship!) has thickened round the middle and the lovely actress Penelope Wilmot who I saw recently in the film about " Harold Fry " is definitely apple shaped at 78 or so.

Of course like everyone there are days I look at myself in the mirror and sigh and wish I looked different ,but not too often. With my back problems and having had cancer, I am never going to be able to do enough exercise to really lose a lot. However as long as I can get about, am clean with clean clothes that I like and that are easy to get on and off etc , I am more concerned with what I am doing and music etc , and dont spend long worrying about it. comfortable flat shoes that let me keep moving as and when I want come high in my list. I dont really care or follow fashion - except to notice that something I have worn for years is now in fashion, but my main idea is to put on something suitable for what I am planning to do so that I can forget all about it and concentrate on doing whatever. I think women have been made to be concerned more about what and how the look like . It takes too much time from our lives to worry about it.

In the last few years I've lost almost 6 stones of my over 16 stone weight. I recently went over the line from 'obese' to 'overweight' with all the issues of clothes that don't fit any more. I'm getting experienced at alterations as I can't afford to replace everything, but I don't feel as if my overall shape has changed that much, though I have lost some height too.

Yesterday though I was at a memorial service with former colleagues I hadn't seen since I was at my heaviest. One said to me "You haven't changed a bit" and I was quite offended. I said "You've got to be joking - I've lost 6 stones since I last saw you!" I hope he meant I hadn't aged, but I was still shocked! I guess I should be relieved he didn't appear to notice the loss of much of my hair!

I have noticed since going over 60 that my bust is smaller and waist is bigger so same weight but redistributed . I'm not obsessed by it but it is as well to realise and dress accordingly!

I’m two inches shorter than I was I’m now 5ft 61/2, that half inch is very important 🤣 I’ve lost two stone in weight through healthy eating and exercise, my body fat is in good range, and I feel better than I have done for last couple years, some of my friends have had hip replacements in their early sixties and one late 50’s, I myself have osteopenia since last sept. I’m very happy with my body yes my waist has thickened but who cares I don’t. I’m still here and that’s what matters to me despite illnesses

I have gone from a fit hourglass to a pear shape. BUT I can still fit into the earrings I wore in school.

It is possible to tone up and look as you did when you were younger. I had the same issue. I am in my 60s and a year ago, I took up pilates. I take a 50 minute class 3 times per week. I now look better than I did at 35 although 5 pounds heavier.

I think we all thicken around the waist, it's inevitable, but dressing to suit helps a lot.
Judy Dench is my role model - she's getting on and like me is short and a tad dumpy, but she always looks so elegant and timeless.

I have an hour-glass figure - as I got older, it sank to the bottom.

I have lost 4” in height due to scoliosis, and things seem to have collapsed onto my abdomen. I still take the same clothes size as I did at 18yrs, but looking at my reflection I’m surprised I do.

grandtanteJE65 my face is also very asymmetrical now. One eye noticeably bigger than the other, a bit like Tony Blair. I’d hate a cartoon portrait 😁

My waist, bust and hips are slightly larger now than they were, but apart from that I have kept my figure.

I attribute this to genetic predisposition, as my father was only a couple of inches larger round the waist when he died at 89 than when he was 17.

But I have walked and ridden a bike and danced all my adult life, which doubtless has played a part too.

I don't think trying to tone musclesl up now will restore a youthful figure, although it will probably do quite a bit of good.

Strangely, my one eyebrow and eye are now noticably (to me at least) lower than the other - looking at photos of myself in my thirties and forties the difference either did not exist or was not so apparent. There is nothing I can do about it, so I try not to let it bother me, but alas, vanity still seems to be a factor!

I know someone over 70 who lost 3 stones in weight, was going to gym several times a week and rest of time getting suntan (last summer). This spring, shock horror: terminal cancer. Be happy looking like a barrel if you must but try and live healthily is my motto

Same weight and size (8 stone 4lbs-ish size 8/10, don’t weigh myself much) as when I was 18-I have a dress I wore then I still fit into (kept for sentimental reasons only, not to wear!). My bottom is somewhat flatter and my bust bigger. Never really worried much about my body, then or now. It is what it is, although a bit wrinklier! And at nearly 67 I’m half an inch shorter too!