has anyone turned their looks around after 50?

I've done it in my 60's. Does that count?

I would say so nots you have totally changed yourself over this last year.

I have turned my looks around after 50. I now look ten years older!

A shadow of your former self, notso!

anagram me too!

I don't think age matters. If you have support and if you can get your head in the right place, anyone can do it.

I'm new here - have you lost a lot Notsogrand? What worries me is the thought of loose skin (I'm 15stone and 5'8", so should really lose at least 3 stone), have you had any problems? I've been struggling with this for years, but never really got anywhere, and would appreciate any tips on what got you started.

Hello, sonearsofar and welcome!

I was nearly 14 stone about 10 years ago, and managed to lose 4 of them. I have to say that I looked quite drawn at that weight, but a little more suited me.

It more or less stayed off, though after my junketing round the world in the last few years, a stone has crept back on, so I'm working on that! Ideally I should be about 10 1/2 but at 11 st I feel OK; I think my face would be more lined if I was too thin now. As for loose skin, well yes, it happens, but my stomach's been like play dough after a very big twin pregnancy 42 years ago! Never a sylph!

And - the only message is - change your eating habits for good; eat less, move more. (I've been vegetarian for over 30 years but you can still put on the weight!)

Good luck - you can do it!

sonear - glass does a great thread on here - Monday Weigh In. Take a peek. You'll get loads of support and advice.

I have lost just over two stones in the last year or so - I am 71, now weigh just under 10 stones. I used to be 5'6" but I have probably shrunk by an inch. My BMI is about 23. My waist has shrunk from 35" to 29" and my hips/bottom from 46" to 41".
I didn't set out to lose weight for cosmetic reasons, but because my bp was a little high and I had some arthritis in my knees and hips. I probably look older because my face has thinned and there is some crinkly skin on the inside of my thighs. My appearance is not important to me and I gave up on cosmetics, hair colouring, high heels, conact lenses, etc. when I retired 12 year ago. I live alone (by choice!).

I am lucky in that I don't like sweet things so I have never eaten cakes, pastry, biscuits, crips, sweets, etc. There are no take-aways or fish and chip shops where I live in the French Alps and I never fry anything. I rarely eat out unless I have visitors or am visiting my friend in Switzerland. When I do eat away from home, I have a normal three course meal and even have the lovely, thin, crispy chips you get here At home, I drink only one glass of wine with my dinner, and I dilute it with about one quarter water.

I eat whenever I am hungry, mainly chicken or fish, lots of salads, vegetables and fruit, yoghurts. I probably need more carbs -I have one slice of wholemeal toast with a boiled egg, sardines, or slivers of cheese, or one medium baked potato with baked beans for my lunch and a proper meal of salmon or chicken with a big bowl of spinach, or chopped cabbage done with some butter and black pepper for my dinner.
My 'treats' are a small bowl of coffee ice cream with a little 'creme legere' and one square of very dark chocolate and a small handful of almonds.

I should add that I walk up very steep mountain paths for a minimum of one hour a day unless it is pouring or snowing hard - this often stretches to two, three or even four hours on a lovely sunny day. I don't know how much of my weight loss is attributable to this and how much to my healthy diet. It has certainly virtually cured my arthritis and irritable bladder.

Be careful what you wish for! Barbara Cartland said that after 40 you can choose either your face or your figure - she recommended choosing your face and sitting down a lot. Think of Nigel Lawson, and how his drastic weight loss aged him. My weight dropped off at first, but now I seem to have reached a plateau and I don't want to lose any more. It is very tempting to keep setting new targets - I would have been happy at 10 st. 7 lbs - I really enjoy my walking and my present diet but if I lose much more weight I will start to increase my intake of carbs - two slices of toast, perhaps!

I have told the story of how my daughter's life was ruined by a botched lap-banding operation so I hope nobody will consider this route without doing a lot of research into the risks involved and the statistics about long-term success.

when I was 47 managed to lose about 21/2 stone through diet/gym and an active job..at 50 my 26 year marriage broke down and I dropped another 10lbs,4mths after that my daughter died and the weight dropped off yet again all in all must have lost a good 31/2 stone but I was only 10st12lbs to start with so from a small size 16 went to a skeletal size 8 and looked so haggard,when things where more settled I gradually put it back and now at 59 I am a small size 16 at 5'2'' and I dont weigh my self but guess its around 11st 5ish but have an hour glass shape and in proportion I never had any spare skin but have always had a 'cesarian/hysterectomy belly',I dont diet,but I dont overeat either I have read that you either sacrifice your face or your bum....I think a fuller face is bette

whoops....I think a fuller face is better,and I cant see what is behind me

nellie that's a great notion - given that my bum has disappeared for ever, perhaps that means the face can only get better? No? Oh well, back to the Oil of Olay

I forgot to mention that my very firm, 38C bust has virtually disappeared , leaving a couple of little empty sacks - probably about a 35B.

I've lost four and a bt stones and had my hair cut short. Look much better and arthritis is better too. Im 59

I cant be too bad I have to a once over before being let out these days by a critical 13 year old
whenim have said before beauty is just skin deep...I am just wearing my face inside out

I lost weight in every decade... and put it back on in every decade. At present steroids are doing their worst and I could be at least another year on them. I do try to control myself - honestly - but sometimes my friends Ben and Jerry insist on visiting.

I've lost 4.5 stones in the past year, all with the support of glass and the other ladies on the diet thread. This time last year my clothes were size 28/30, they're now 18/20, so I'm still big, but no longer gigantic. About another 2.5 stones to lose I think.
Loose skin isn't really a problem, maybe because I've lost the weight gradually. My upper arms don't bear very close scrutiny, but that's what sleeves are for. As well as completely changing what I eat, I've also increased my levels of fitness with various forms of exercise.
I agree with Butternut's suggestion to take a look at the diet thread on here. Lots of support, and I find the weekly 'reporting in' provides a discipline and focus.
It's all about making the decision and taking the first step. Good luck. See you Monday on the new diet thread maybe???

Not a lot, but my derriere has decreased in size for some reason - I think it has slipped round to the other side just below my belly button ; I do feel far more confident these days and feel far better about myself than I did say in my 40's/50's.

Wow notso that is a lot! Congratulations!

Notso - That is awesome!

As for upper arms - 'dare and go bare' I say! I have fairly hefty upper arms - (washerwoman's arms as my Mum used to say - and they are just like hers used to be too) but love going sleeveless in the summer because I find it cooling and comfortable.

I am so impressed notso. If only I could have your willpower

me too - I wish I could get addicted to exercise/walking etc as some do.

Butternut I have the reverse – what a long ago boyfriend called ballet dancer's arms. My biceps are smaller than my elbows.