Stay young?

GalLaura · May 2015

Hi ladies! I'm SAHM with a toddler and # 2 on the way. I'm 41. I saw a picture of me from 3 years ago yesterday and wanted to cry. I look like a different person. I've aged so much in the last few years. I know that I'm not as healthy as I use to be and don't work out regularly. I do keep active and walk everywhere. Anyway, what do you do stay young looking?

niknak1208 · May 2015

I don't really do anything specific and I don't know what the definition of 'young' really is. People usually think I'm about 26-27 and I'm 37 truly. I don't drink and I don't smoke.. never have. I haven't worked out while pregnant but I normally do. I usually work out 7 days a week. I'm really into strength training and I always feel more fit when I concentrate on muscle. I do take care of my skin but nothing really specific. I wash my face a lot. I use moisturizers.. sunscreen etc.

Sleep would probably be a big one too but I've given up on that. lol With a 6 yr old, 2 yr old, and being almost 39 weeks pregnant.. sleep is like a fantasy to me. Something I dream about but never actually get to do. lol

xuxachi · May 2015

I know what you mean. I'm 40 with a 3.5 yo, 2 yo and newborn and my mother said I look "haggard". I do. I need sleep, more exercise and maybe some highlights

I'm only sort of kidding. My twin sister looked pretty run down for a few years while her kids were very young. They are a bit older now and my sister is well rested, fit, and highlighted and she looks fabulous now. There 's hope!

browneyes_326 · May 2015

Oh can I relate. Although I had my first @ 34 I think I aged a decade in the first year of his life. I gained a lot of weight due to big changes in medication I took at the time which had to stop during pregnancy, I never lost that weight.
Now I'm 39 and having #3 and I do feel like I will never feel like myself again. I have renewed my drivers liscence by mail for 6-8 years now and I feel bad every time I see the picture. If I ever have to show it for anything i nervously say 'that was a long time ago' or 'before & after kids' b/c it really looks nothing like me.
I really struggle with it. I try to keep telling myself it will get better after the kids are older ... Which I've just delayed by 5 or 6 years lol.
I try to focus on feeling young inside and hope it will translate. I used to be a head turner not so much now but I still find the right people are drawn to me for the personality and good nature I've always had

jerseygirl227 · May 2015

I think keeping moving helps keep me young. Drinking lots of water, too. And a good exfoliate and moisturizer.

I agree that sleep helps us look young as well, though it is lacking for many of us.

MaryJo&Heath · May 2015

Studies show that women who have children later in life live longer. Also, frequent exercise can make you look younger.

cneiding · May 2015

Well I get told all the time that I don't look old enough to have a 17 year old now or don't look old enough to be on baby 8 etc. I get told I haven't aged in years etc. I can't say I do anything anti aging specifically...but...

I keep a healthy lifestyle. Eat very well (loads of fresh fruit and veggies). Drink tons of water. Exercise regularly. Besides actual planned exercise, I just stay very active in general day to day life. I don't drink or smoke or any other unhealthy sort habits. I also put on makeup everyday. I don't wear like tons or anything....but I go for a very natural look...just an improvement on my actual natural! I also don't allow myself to wear dumpy sort of clothing even if I think I will be home all day. No sweats or pajamas etc. I usually try to be slightly dressy...wear a lot of skirts nice shoes etc. I think that when you go to the effort to do your makeup, hair, nice clothes etc it makes you feel better so you look better and also makes others view you as more put together.

sidey1 · May 2015

About 8 or 9 months after DS was born I went for my annual skin cancer check and after that was done asked my Derm is we could discuss lasers or other "treatment" options LOL... She told me to wait at least a year for everything to settle down a bit and then see where I was at before doing anything crazy, so just when I start to look a bit like myself again, here comes baby #2.. oh well...

GalLaura · May 2015

Thanks, ladies. I moved overseas to be with my husband. The move, having one baby 2 years ago, homesickness, no family support, and no support group have taken its toll on me. I walk everywhere but no longer have the ability to go to the gym 4x a week. I was silly and after my first didn't consume any caffeine. He was a horrible sleeper and so I ate sugar for a pep. I was only about 5 pounds over weight when I got pregnant with #2 but by no means the muscle tone I had before. I'm trying to change it all around. Stress wears on you and it's doing a number on me now.

ewenner · May 2015

GalLaura - I'm sorry to hear about all the stress your going through. Although I don't live overseas, my family is all on the east coast, while I am in the midwest, so I do have a little understanding of missing the family support system (although I'm sure not quite to the same). And I have also nearly burst into tears looking at pictures of myself before pregnancy.

Anyway, to me, it sounds like you are on the right track to start feeling better about yourself - walking a lot is a great thing, even if your can't go to the gym right now because of your pregnancy. I also try to walk as much as possible to keep myself feeling as close to "normal" as I can.

Are there any support groups where you live? For me, being able to talk openly about my stress helps quite a bit. Just letting it out and knowing I'm not alone.

I realize that none of my response has directly answered your question about staying young looking, but just reading your posts just reminded me of myself. You are right that stress takes it toll, and I think if you can keep taking steps to address your stress, you will start feeling younger. You can do it!

browneyes_326 · May 2015

@GalLaura I completely get it! I was 35 weeks pregnant with my first when we moved to Spain. No family, no friends ... Girlfriends in US on a 9 hour time difference made phone calls even difficult ... I'm sorry I can't give to much advice but I can give understanding

Looking back I do wish I would have accepted little offers of kindness here and there. I didn't want to burden anyone so it was hard to accept the occasional offer of help.

mindaa · May 2015

I've thought for a while that just having kids adds years - at least based on a very unscientific survey of my peers on FB. Seems like those who have remained childless look younger than those who don't

I absolutely notice that I look older when I haven't been sleeping well, so it actually makes a little sense.

Anyway, don't beat yourself up for past decisions and circumstances... hopefully you're in a more positive place now to start feeling better about yourself. Hey, studies have shown that just smiling can make a person look more attractive, maybe it helps to look younger too?

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