has anyone turned their looks around after 50?

I have not read back through the history in this thread, so I hope I don't upset anyone inadvertently.

But, since turning 50 I certainly turned my appearance around, unfortunately the emphasis was on the "round". It all went downhill when my hip failed, never seemed to get back as active after having it replaced, even though it went very well. We have been trying hard to get fitter lately, but it is slow progress.

I had my ears pierced at 50yrs and let my hair go grey 2 years ago-although with streaks of colour. I lost 2 stone three years ago and have kept it off. I now wear size 10 or 12 and am not going back to my old weight.

Beware ladies! Losing lots of weight brings out the green eye in other women. I lost 3 stone in 6months..men I know including hubbie said I looked great..but women ,even best friends were appalled.."Too much too fast" "you look old", common remarks. I have put on a stone, keeping an eye on it...one drawback to putting the weight on, is my slight stress incontinence has returned, which is a b.....!

Careful, notso, I started gradually and ended up two days ago climbing 600' up a very, very steep track. It can be addictive, you know!

DH and I have both put on 4lb in four days owing to (a) terrible weather and (b) lots of delicious, naughty food and drink during old friends' three night visit. So this morning DH went to the gym and then went for a long walk and I went for a swim.

It's always the same when we put on weight - too much food and not enough exercise. Such a shame. I love food and adore lolling about with friends. You reap what you sow ... but at our ages (73 and 65 respectively) I sometimes think watching one's weight is an absolute bore, even though we all know it's important to keep it in check.

So we'll be on strict rations for the next few days , hoping to make room for two weeks' worth of lovely holiday food!

The amphetamines prescribed to lose weight was almost 40 years ago Greatnan, I'm sure GP's wouldn't prescribe them now?
I started Nordic Walking a couple of months ago.Just once a week for an hour, but it's a good work-out for the whole body. I'd like to think my upper arms are a smidge firmer than they were.

I exercise and eat well but my weight is heavier than it should be although stable. I've taken the bull by the horns and gone for larger sizes in more fashionable clothes and lo! people think I'm smaller than I am which is most gratifying and which I should have accepted in the first place. I also had my hair cut into a more gamine shape which looks better too. It's how you feel about yourself I think. I'm in my mid 60's [say it fast and it doesn't sound so bad ]

I was very concerned to hear that a doctor had prescribed amphetamines.
My daughter's first bout of mental illness was 'speed psychosis' - her drugs were given to her by a 'slimming clinic'.
It is well known now that most people who go on diets put the weight back on - two weeks on cabbage soup do not change your eating and exercising habits.

If you walk with Nordic poles, you will develop firm upper arms!

I know that I look a lot older since I have lost weight but as I feel a lot fitter that does not bother me.

I thought it was only the hair vests they never took off! Can you imagine it? Crawling with lice as well. Ugh!

they would have been smelly? But isn't that the thing - mortification of the flesh?

Mine is about as white as you can get, but I never died it anyway. Cba as my dd says!

a lady in the hairdressers had beautiful natural white hair. mine is such a dirty grey, hair dye is a must.

jessM I don't think it used to take the nuns at the convent I attended a fortnight to change a habit. They would never have found time to cane us if that were the case!

Anagram...would you agree that this thread was perfectly proper until I paid it a visit?

I have - lol - but not for the better. 50ish is when my thyroid gave up the ghost, undiagnosed - and I started piling on the weight.
I al so glad though I've stopped colouring my hair and cut it short - I love my short salt and pepper hair - wash, a bit of mousse and a tuzzle, and that's it.

soop!

...that's the bike, you understand!

anma Well done
I've a spare tyre that weighs a stone. Any tips?
I do have a meagre excuse. I've not been active for ages - arthritis - and hip surgery. On the other hand, I still enjoy my food and G&T [at weekends, high days and holidays only] Have a second-hand exercise bike that begs to be pedalled. Will ask surgeon, when I see him on Wed, whether or not I may safely mount the blighter...

i've lost a stone but still have a spare tyre! any tips?

Suspect fat farms a rip off. They are just going to feed you lettuce aren't they, not help you learn new shopping, cooking and exercise HABITS. It takes a couple of weeks at least to change a habit - I always mention the toilet paper in Greece thing at this point - you know, you have to put the paper in the bin instead of the loo. First week it is really hard to remember, but by the time you get back, you look around for the bin.
Do women lose weight because they want to look better of because they are concerned about the health implications do you think grans?
Upper arms whether thin, fat or flabby will look better if more muscly.

To get back to the original question, I have not turned my appearance around but accepted that it is MY appearance and I'm happy to live with it.

I'm very definitely overweight and have the most appalling varicose veins (only on one leg and foot )

But, I look young for my age, have few wrinkles, can now cope with my hair (after 63 years! ) and generally know what suits me clothes wise - but not for going to daughters' weddings!

I so must join the diet club I hover around this weight 13 8 for at least the past 10 years

thanks a lot for explaining Notso, and huge congratulations on finally beating the problem yourself after all those years, it must be such a relief. I'm always beating myself up mentally about not having control of my eating, it gets boring, and the older I get the more I think I'm a hopeless case, but you've done it!!!

I know it's all in the mind, and getting the right mindset. I've tried hypnosis but that didn't reasly work. Will try your suggestion myself. I'm not the greatest at visualisation, but understand the more you do it, the better.

If I could afford it I'd go to a "fat farm" for a week, to get started, but they are very expensive.

Well done again

DH is trying to lose weight. He was very skinny as a young man and fit from cycling and martial art tai chi. Sedentary job, a nature disinclined to physical exertion, and bad eating habits (starve and stuff, bascially!) means he has put on a good deal weight over the last twenty years. He is currently waxing lyrical about a book called The Diet Delusion by Gary Taubes, which is helping him to change his approach to eating. He's keen for me to read it too and I probably will at some point, just out of interest. We've got it on kindle.

He has lost about 4kg since he started. About ten more to go....

I'm afraid my weight is creeping up again and I've got 2cruises to go on. Glass is great but it's not working. I'm trying to eat sensibly but it's still increasing!
I don't know of I'm or