The Best And Worst Things About Getting Older: The Art of Healthy Living

They say that age is just a number, but the act of growing old and the many transform’alter s it brings with it is often viewed in a negative light. One thing in/with regard to’concerning’regarding sure is that cosmetic surgery aside, there is literally nothing we can do with regards to’concerning’with respect to it. As each second ticks by eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully single one of us is acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older and so it is time in/with regard to’concerning’regarding us to embrace this fact and stop misgiving’fret ing with regards to’concerning’with respect to something we cannot transform’alter .

I m 40, so hardly of an age considered old (aldespite’in spite of’albeit having said that if you asked a teenager I m sure I d be considered positively prehistoric!), but now that I m in these midlife years I find myself reflecting back on how I looked and how I felt when I was younger. I see photos of myself looking slimmer, fresher, crease free and without any scraggly white hairs and I sometimes wish that I could possess’own’nurse just a teeny tiny bit of that body back. And yet simultaneous’synchronous I look at that gangly teenager, with her crop top, pierced belly button and toned tight skin and claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate do you know what, there s nothing in this world that would see me trading places. Because with age comes undergo , and with undergo comes wisdom. And quite frankly I d take both those things over a toned midriff any day.

With the help of some of the members of The Art of Healthy Living Facereserve group, I ve put toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her some of the best and worst things with regards to’concerning’with respect to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older and combined it with some cold hard facts.

Let s start by looking at the worst, simply because the best is yet to come 😉

The Worst Things About Getting Older

Of course there are downsides to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older, but lets try and put a positive spin on them. And so to kick us off, let s address what most of us claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate of first when it comes to the downsides of ageing

Our Looks

Wrinkles; saggy skin; age spots; dry, dull, thinning hair; turkey neck; the list is with regards to’concerning’with respect to as long as the hairs growing out of my moles. As we acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure older gravity takes hold and eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfullything heads south. And it really acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure s us down:

Physically things are changing, and I’m not happy with regards to’concerning’with respect to that! Grey hair in/with regard to’concerning’regarding example sucks. (Claire Waller)

Turkey neck. (Helen Manuel)

Skin, especially my knees! (Cathy Searle)

Stubborn Grey Hairs. (Anupreet Attridge)

I notice my skin losing elasticity, my nether regions are in need of surgical intervention and I possess’own’nurse struggled with perimenopause symptoms. (Caroline Elen Cannons)

Random aches and random hairs! (Karen Gadd)

It s such a tough one to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure our heads around, because we look in the mirror and spot these so called flaws , and yet inside we feel exactly the same as we did when we were younger. And this is precisely the reason why some individual resort to cosmetic procedures to try and cling onto their looks in/with regard to’concerning’regarding as long as possible, in a futile attempt to feel rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent with regards to’concerning’with respect to themselves. When ultimately that isn t really the problem. The problem is that we possess’own’nurse become programmed to believe that looking old is wrong. That it means we re past it, we re no longer desirable, we re spoiled rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent s. And that s bollocks. Just because I ve got a few lines on my face does not make me a lesser person.

However, it s all well and rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent me saying this, because of course I still dye my hair to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure rid of the white hairs, I still pull and stretch my skin when I look in the mirror and I 100% still look at my hands in disbelief to check whether these aging Cocoon-esque mitts can actually be a part of my body. There is no acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting away from it and so we must learn to embrace eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully single white hair, e grossly wrinkle, eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully new fold of skin and consider ourselves to be sophisticated and mature like a fine red wine, rather than some manky old chunk of mouldy, ripened cheese!

There Are No More Firsts

If I sit and claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate with regards to’concerning’with respect to this one too much it makes me feel really sorrowful’distressing’woeful’heartbroken’mirthless’dejected’dismal’lugubrious . Because at some point in your life, probably at that midlife crisis point, it dawns on you that you ve had all your firsts. First word, first step, first crush, first kiss, first time having sex, first baby, first time on a plane, first holiday without your parents, first husband ( 😉 ), first job, first house etc. etc. You ve been there, done that, got the t-shirt what s left!?! And life suddenly starts to lose that shiny, grubbish’trash y coating that our childlike eyes looked out with, because nothing s new, we ve seen it all bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e.

But it needn t be like that. What s stopping us from appreciating the simple things in life? Why should we be any less amazed by puddles, shooting stars and ladybirds than we were when we were five? And as in/with regard to’concerning’regarding all this business with regards to’concerning’with respect to never having any more firsts poppycock! You re telling me you ve literally done and seen e grossly thing the world has to offer? I don t claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate so missy! The merely’barely thing that s transform’alter d is our outlook. We just need to keep a hold of that zest in/with regard to’concerning’regarding life and do the things that take us out of our comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding t zones, the things we ve secretly always wanted to do but not quite had the courage to do bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e. To explore eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully inch of the globe while our health still allows it and to keep creating those first moments until we take our intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully last breath. One shot individual , one shot.

Our Metabolism Slows Right Down

This one s a right bitch and is especially hard in/with regard to’concerning’regarding women. As we acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure older our bodies transform’alter both in terms of appearance as well as the inner workings. Our metabolism slows down and so we possess’own’nurse to work harder at staying fit and keeping the weight off. We can no longer acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure away with eating all the junk without the risk of it heading straight to our trunk. It s got a one way ticket and it plans on sticking around!

As we age, our muscle mass decreases and the amount of fat we store multiply s and it is this that slows down the metabolic rate. We re no longer growing at the accelerated rate we were when we were young and we definitely don t possess’own’nurse or need as much energy. So whereas we could easily scoff ALL the ice cream when we were teenagers and burn it off almost as quickly as we consumed it, when we eat all the ice cream now our body hangs onto it as back up fuel.

A slower metabolism is an inevitable component of the aging process, however it s not all doom and gloom and you won t be expected to survive on salad leaves alone in an attempt to keep yourself feeling fit and trim. There are some steps you can take to help your metabolism from slowing down even further:

Get abundant’ample’plentiful sleep
Exercise
Eat a balanced diet
Get your hormones checked out

These four factors, either on their own or in combination with one another, are abundant’ample’plentiful to throw your metabolism out of whack and so it is significant’essential’critical’vital’crucial’indispensable’imperative as we age to try and keep them in check.

We Become Emotional Wrecks

Periods, pregnancy the peri-menopause, the menopause hormones possess’own’nurse got a LOT to answer in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ! And aside from all the other stuff that comes with each of these things, emotionally it just acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure s worse and worse the older we acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure . You find yourself crying at EVERYTHING, shouting at EVERYTHING, moaning with regards to’concerning’with respect to EVERYTHING and fearing EVERYTHING. Remember when you were younger and you d go on eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully fairground ride going? Ha, rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent luck with that when you re older! Talking from personal undergo , where once I loved a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent rollercoaster I now possess’own’nurse an irrational fear of anything fast, anything that involves flying, heights, and fundamental ally anything that could possibly result in death. I feel way more anxious these days and really the merely’barely thing that prevents me from becoming a jittery nervous wreck is the fact I possess’own’nurse to hold it toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her in front of the kids!

But when you stop and possess’own’nurse a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate with regards to’concerning’with respect to it, of course we re more emotional when we re older we ve got more emotional undergo , we care with regards to’concerning’with respect to stuff more, we feel more, and we re intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully aware of the clock ticking away in the background. It goes without saying we re going to cry more, we ve got way more to cry with regards to’concerning’with respect to !

Stress, loneliness, disturbed sleep, hormone imbalances, depression are just a few of the factors influencing our emotions. And so as the years go by you can fully expect to break down at children singing, X Factor sob stories, abandoned dogs, and pretty much any film you watch OK, so maybe that s just me.

4 Funerals And A Wedding

I love a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent wedding. When else do you acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure to dress up, acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfullyone toacquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure her at someone else s expense, drink free flowing champagne and possess’own’nurse a rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent old knees up? I remember a time in my late twenties when it felt as despite’in spite of’albeit we had a wedding to go to more or less e grossly weekend it was amazing. And then all of a sudden there was no one left, e grossly one we knew had got married and suddenly the wedding invites started to dry up. Then there s a dry spell and bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e you know it your kids are acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting married and suddenly you re in the spotlight again, perin/with regard to’concerning’regarding ming your role marvellously as the mother of the bride.

But then what .?

Well, I m sorry to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure all morbid on your asses, but it s bloody funerals ain t it. And, well, somehow they just ain t the same!

As you acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure older, the individual around you embark on die off. Grandparents, parents, friends, partners and a enormous’vast’massive’tremendous burst of reality comes rushing in and smacks you round the chops with a enormous’vast’massive’tremendous reminder that no one is invincible. We are ALL going to die. And knowing that at some point you or your partner will be left on your own without the other one, well it s just fucking depressing isn t it? But we mustn t dwell on the inevitable shit that happens,we must focus on the here, the now, the today and relish eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully waking moment we possess’own’nurse with one another.

Not Quite Sure Where You Fit In

Talking from personal undergo , I feel as despite’in spite of’albeit I know myself more than I ever possess’own’nurse and this feeling of being comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding table with who I am strengthens with each passing year.  However, there can be moments (and I m totally blaming it on those mid-life crisis vibes) where I embark on question my purpose and what I possess’own’nurse , or more likely what I possess’own’nurse not, achieved in my life. What if I had studied something different at university? What if I hadn t moved in with my first proper boyfriend? What if I had been more assertive in my first jobs? What if I d gone back to work after having kids instead of being a stay at home mum? Seriously, those what ifs are abundant’ample’plentiful to propel a woman crazy.

And then there s that sense of no longer feeling desirable, of almost feeling invisible in society, and as someone (who wishes to remain anonymous) in my Facereserve group said:

I don t know what to wear! I feel like the clothes I like are too young in/with regard to’concerning’regarding me. What I do wear is safe and dull’tedious’frayed’monotonous .

I totally acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure this. Sure there s no age limit on being allowed into Top Shop and Miss Selfridge, but a pair of hot pants and a bardot crop top just ain t the way in/with regard to’concerning’regarding ward in/with regard to’concerning’regarding me any more. Equally, I don t feel anywhere near ready to start shopping in/with regard to’concerning’regarding twinsets and comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding table shoes! So what the hell do we wear and where on earth do we shop when we re in these middle years?

The Best Things About Getting Older

Rightio, let s move onto much more positive matters and explore some of the best things with regards to’concerning’with respect to growing old (dis)gracefully. Despite the niggly health problems and slowly deteriorating looks that come with age, I like to claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate of myself like a fine wine expensive, full-bodied, mature, yet still has a lot of life in me yet. The best things come to those who wait and so here I present to you the intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully best things with regards to’concerning’with respect to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older no honestly, there really are some perks . just maybe not in the boob department!

We Have No More Fucks To Give

Seriously, hunt all you like, there s none left. We ve used up all our fucks and now we literally possess’own’nurse no more to give and that feels pretty damn epic let me tell you. And my Facereserve groupies be consistent with’be in line with’correspond to/with’with one accord me:

Really not caring with regards to’concerning’with respect to what individual claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate and the invention of HRT patches. (Sonia Poulter)

No longer giving a flying fuck. (Helen Manuel)

No longer giving a flying fuck where once I would possess’own’nurse cared far more. (Cathy Searle)

Mentally I feel no different a little wiser and less fucks given. (Claire Waller)

It seems we re not merely’barely older but far wiser too. We care less with regards to’concerning’with respect to what other individual claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate of us, with regards to’concerning’with respect to what we weigh, with regards to’concerning’with respect to actions we may possess’own’nurse considered embarrassing when we were younger, we say what we claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate , we embrace our weirdness, and we positively own that shit.

We Want Less

Youngsters want it all don t they? The latest bit of tech, the flyest kicks (pretty sure they don t say that any more but heck that s another token of my age!), detoken er handbags, etc. and not merely’barely that but they want it NOW! But as we acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure older it suddenly dawns on us that we don t need all of that materialistic crap to make us happy and instead we are actively advised to decrease our possessions in a whirlwind of Kondoistic hedonism.

The logic is simple really what use are possessions when we re 6 feet under!?!

We Are Thankful For The Small Things

Really appreciating the small things. (Karen Gadd)

As you and the individual around you acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure older and as health starts to deteriorate you embark on become much more grateful in/with regard to’concerning’regarding being alive. It becomes a privilege to be granted more time on this earth, to be able to spend more precious time with your loved ones.  And we truly appreciate that not e grossly one acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure s the chance to grow old; many die way bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e their time, which makes us thankful in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the smallest of things.

Knowing Me, Knowing You

By far the greatest thing with regards to’concerning’with respect to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older is that feeling of truly knowing yourself. We ve touched briefly on it already, but I claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate my Facereserve group possess’own’nurse summed it up eye-catching’good-shaped’appealing’charming’fascinating’gorgeous ly!

Confidence. I may look older, but I feel like I fit better in my (flabby) skin now. (Kathleen Vanoppen)

The feeling of totally winging it doesn t transform’alter but I am more comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding table with that and the realisation that I am most definitely not the merely’barely one! Definitely more comin/with regard to’concerning’regarding table in my body and in myself as I acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure older, even despite’in spite of’albeit it s the most unkempt body I possess’own’nurse ever had! (Michelle Richardson)

Experience and Wisdom. (Anupreet Attridge)

I LOVE acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older!! After hitting 50 and perimenopause earlier this year, I m feeling free!! I am no longer bound so tightly by other individual s expectations of me. I refuse to conin/with regard to’concerning’regarding m, I refuse to age gracefully, I refuse to dull my sparkle, dim my light or be bullied any more. I possess’own’nurse a new found assurance and possess’own’nurse intensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully much turned inward to be really true to myself. My children are grown and I possess’own’nurse time in/with regard to’concerning’regarding me. I m so much more me than I possess’own’nurse ever been and I m loving it. (Caroline Elen Cannons)

On some things, I feel like I care a whole lot less what ‘other individual ’, whoever they might be, claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate . I also feel like I can take up my rightful amount of space in the world more easily. Both of these realisations help me be far more tolerant of others’ inadequacies, as I see them. I also realise that I’m much more confident than I used to be, and freer with regards to’concerning’with respect to my general existence, sort of a ‘what you see is what is here’ kind of thing, much less shame with regards to’concerning’with respect to myself in essence. Yep my body is acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older, but with the new assurance that is emerging, that makes a lot less difference. Yes, I’m slower than I used to be, but I can keep running in/with regard to’concerning’regarding grossly long periods just finished my first ultramarathon three weeks ago. I never would possess’own’nurse allowed myself even to attempt that even 5 years ago because I would possess’own’nurse scuppered my chances by telling myself bein/with regard to’concerning’regarding e I’d even tried that I wasn’t able to do it. Passing 50 feels like I sort of grew up and let go of the death grapple I had on trying to control myself all the time. I feel like this will be read as an evangelistic plug in/with regard to’concerning’regarding acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting older, and maybe it is. But it really has been like this in/with regard to’concerning’regarding me. (Caroline Nairn)

What an awesome bunch you are!

So yeah, growing old can really suck, but my rosy’remarkable’fabulous’terrific’preeminent ness there are so many lovely things that come as part of the package. At the risk of sounding disgustingly clichéd and sickeningly self-help quotey life is a journey and this is part of it. Enjoy eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully bump in that road, eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully sight that passes you, eintensely’extremely’extraordinarily’enormously’awfully passenger that hitches a ride, because you ve got a one way ticket in/with regard to’concerning’regarding the best ride EVER!

How do you feel with regards to’concerning’with respect to acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure ting old?

We’d love to know what you claim’insist’maintain’hold’argue’consider’contemplate’speculate , so please leave us a comment below or acquire’obtain’attain’procure’secure in touch via our social pages:

Facereserve – @thisishealthyliving

Twitter – @ArtHealthLiving

Instagram  – @arthealthyliving

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