Feeling old, fat and stressed!!!

[sms]

I'm 43 years old and I have gained about 50lbs in the last few years. I'm very upset with myself for letting myself go. I am a single mom of a wonderful 7 year old, own my house and my own business but I'm just so disgusted with myself. I'm getting wrinkles, brown spots and moles! I know how to lose the weight, but I'm struggling with other stuff. Anyone know any great products out there to help wrinkles etc??? I'm finally getting motivated. Ready to start taking better care of myself!!!

 

[disneyhand]

No product advice sorry, but I know how you feel.

It's so easy for woman in general to put any and everything first, before our own well being. Sometimes we just need a reminder that it's so very important to take good care of ourselves too!

Good luck with your new plan.
PS vitamins and calcium are also helpful!

 

[themilesfamily]

I just wanted to recommend getting glycolic facials. They do wonders for brown spots and wrinkles. They make your face glow.

I'm 41 and mother of a 5 year old. I also gained a lot of weight after having my baby -- not the baby's fault, I just ate too much and didn't exercise. So I understand that whole "letting yourself go" concept. It sure is easier to let yourself go than it is to get yourself back!!! When I have extra money I always want to put it toward something for my DD or for the house, when really I should be putting it toward new clothes, or a haircut.

I hear where you're coming from. It's a struggle.

 

[smidgy]

sounds like you had a lot to stress out about lately.!! there is nothing wrong with trying to be healthier. but don't put yourself down so much!!! I'm sure you're beautiful.
If it makes you feel better, work on the weight, for health reasons. but you are wonderful just as you are!

 

[a1tinkfans]

I'm 43 years old and I have gained about 50lbs in the last few years. I'm very upset with myself for letting myself go. I am a single mom of a wonderful 7 year old, own my house and my own business but I'm just so disgusted with myself. I'm getting wrinkles, brown spots and moles! I know how to lose the weight, but I'm struggling with other stuff. Anyone know any great products out there to help wrinkles etc??? I'm finally getting motivated. Ready to start taking better care of myself!!!

Sounds like someone had an Xtra Stressful Day!
You are BEAUTIFUL and overwhelmed, so Relax, take off that Xtra weight cause its good for you, And Ultimately Good for your little one too! Take some small steps, both literally and figuratively, you know what you can do and how you can do it, You're already a "SuperMom", so sounds like you need some time for yourself..... to RE-generate and feel good about all that you have accomplished and all that you will CONTINUE to accomplish.
From one Mom to another Hang in there, don't be so hard on yourself, your last line said it all!
By the way, I swear by Dove and Olay Regenerist and everyone always tells me I look younger than my age
Have a Wonderful Day!

 

[Christine]

I am 46. First let me state--there are no products that will help you. Many of the anti-wrinkle creams do have ingredients that will help but I find from talking to people that they seem to get the best results on 30 year old skin; i.e, when the wrinkles/lines/sagging are JUST starting. They don't *cure* anything, they just improve the appearance. Once you hit your 40s you really need the "big guns" to see any improvements and that means a visit to the derm for some presription stuff or the use of lasers.

I have started to get sun related aging spots but only on my forearms. I hate it. I've tried some products that claim to work on this but they don't. My best bet is going to be a Fraxel laser and I will do that when it gets to the point that I really can't stand it anymore.

BUT...I think if you can manage to start exercising and drop some pounds you will, naturally, see a noticeable improvement in your face.

Due to a foot injury this past January, I have basically been on the couch for 6 months. About 3 weeks ago, I started eating a bit better and exercising because my foot was improving AND I had been feeling just like the title of your thread.

I can tell you that I generally HATE exercising and have never been athletic but I have tried over the years to keep moving. Anyway after 3 weeks, I feel SOOOO much better. I haven't lost any weight really (maybe a pound) but my stomach is much less bloated, I feel better/firmer and my skin on my face looks a lot better. Probably just from increased bloodflow from exercising.

So I encourage you to try to find some time to do something. I started out with a few DVDs that were not high impact and that I could do in my house. I ordered the Gunnar Peterson tape from Shape so I could build muscle and I also ordered Skinny Sculpt so I could build muscle. Both were only $14.95 through Collage Video and have been great. The 10 minute solutions Pilates is good to for some quick stretching. For cardio, I get on my treadmill. Last night I walked the dog for 3 miles. So, I'm feeling TONS better and I think I look better and look less "old" if that makes sense?

 

[Otimon]

I'm not 43 (been there, done that, and I don't play one on TV either) but if you need someone to chat with on the Boards and listen - I'm here!

Best wishes.

 

[OceanAnnie]

sounds like you had a lot to stress out about lately.!! there is nothing wrong with trying to be healthier. but don't put yourself down so much!!! I'm sure you're beautiful.
If it makes you feel better, work on the weight, for health reasons. but you are wonderful just as you are!

What a nice post! I agree with smidgy.

I don't know about products. But I do know being proactive is a great step and you can start any time.

I highly recommend sunscreen every day. Put it on your face before you put on makeup. You will be glad you did. It won't help with the brown spots you have, but it will keep you from getting more. I try to remember to put sunscreen on my neck and hands too. Sometimes I'm too rushed.

Drink lots of water. It is so good for your body and skin.

I take off my makeup every night before bed, and moisturize. I don't think it matters so much what moisturizer you use, just a little lotion goes a long way.

 

[punkin]

I am 43 and feel exactly the same way sometimes.

 

[tink_lover]

I agree with many of the previous posters. In my 40s and definately seeing the signs of aging with my face and body. Like Christine, I had a foot injury last year and haven't been able to exercise for months. That has made me feel icky. I know I feel a lot better when I'm moving my body.

I also think in your 40s, the loss of estrogen definately changes your facial skin. I have been visiting a good derm for years (started at 41) and the changes are amazing. Last week, I stopped in to check out a new one where a couple of my friends were going and ended up having a microderm abrasion. My skin looks a lot better, but I definately pay for treatments and products. Most of the people who don't know how old I am guess I'm in my mid-30s. I also agree with previous posters who said that products are only going to do so much for wrinkles - at some point, interventions with Botox or fillers will be the only things that take care of those.

 

[sunnyday123]

Stay out of the sun. Seriously, go by any and all creams and lotions with sunscreen-especially for your face. Sun is the #1 cause of wrinkles.

I have lost 41 ( that one is important!) lbs since the end of March. I've literally worked my butt off. It isn't easy and there and are days where my house looks like a tornado went through it, but it's worth it. I ride 3 miles a day on my recumbent bike, and work out with weights. I do it all in front of the tv, and I also walk the dog most days at least a mile. I've lost THREE sizes, and the size I'm in now is getting loose. I'm a single Mom, I get the guilt and wanting to put everything into your kids, but guess what? Those little buggers have the audacity to.....Get Their Own Lives!!

I feel better than I have in years, have more energy and my skin looks great-I only drink water. Any maybe a few diet cokes and rum.

Once you start, I swear it's easy to find the time. Throw dinner in the oven and get on your treadmill/bike. Between that and eating well, the weight will come off.

 

[NatashaDisneyCM]

I just turned 49, and I have seen a difference every year since turning 45! My eyes finally started to go last year, I now need reading glasses. It does not seem to matter how much exercise or diet, it is just something that happens to everyone. It will also depend on genetics on how things progress for someone, so there is only so much you can do! unless you are into the surgery! lol
just gotta deal with aging with grace! As for weigh, just eat healthy and exercise and the rest should fall into place! I have lost over 100 lbs with out trying!

 

[sms]

You guys are great! Thanks so much for sending such "positive energy" my way. I really needed it! I knew I could count on ya'll!!

 

[RebeccaB]

I'm just a young'n here....38 next month....I'm 37, you hear me, THIRTY SEVEN Ahem...
However, I've been using Olay Regenerist since I was about 30 and noticed those pesky eye lines, and forehead lines. I have to say, I don't think they've changed much in those years, so I have to vouch for Olay. Also, I really think genetics plays a role in it too, bc I've always been mistaken for alot younger than I am.
I have had to watch my weight in the past coupla years too, darn that age thing....I used to be able to eat everything in sight and use to want to GAIN weight
I love Jillian Michaels 30 min shred, and walking. Every little thing you change adds up. As a mom, it's hard to take the time to take care of you, but if you don't, who will?

 

[fiveforall]

First, hugs to you. I had a similar feeling in April. I was so tired of being fat and tired! I have three kids, and I felt like I had lost "me" in the years of being their servant! I joined Weight Watchers and have lost 25 pounds since April 4. The meetings are "my time," and so important. I also started taking better care of my skin. I've always used sunscreen everyday on my face and neck, but I extended it to my arms too. I also coat myself in moisturizer after showering. I have very dry skin, and one day I asked a lady at work (who wears no makeup) how she looks so great. I thought she was 40, but she told me she's 67! She uses walnut oil on her skin. I bought some and have been putting it on my face before showering and then rinsing it off. It has really helped my skin. I bought a huge bottle for about 7.00 at my local health food store. I also decided to try to walk everyday. I walk on the treadmill or at the park. I am doing the couch to 5K, and I'm excited. I feel stronger and have so much energy now.

Good luck to you. Take time for YOU. You deserve it.

 

[cocodog]

I am right there with you... I am 44, and have gained 50# in the last couple of years. I have a stressful job that I hate, but have to stick with for now. My husband and children always seem to come first, even though dh does not mean for it to be that way. I am sick of looking the way I do now, and have just starting trying to drop the pounds. GOOD LUCK to you, and please check in and let us know how you are doing.

 

[java]

Step one- Go to the Dermatologist. It will make you feel better and they will take care of the moles. My "mole" turned out to be cancer. So I am grateful that I was vain enough to go in.

I started with that. It inspired me to take more care of myself. I went for my first ever pedicure. And I just signed up for a 5k- I figure I might not be able to run it but I know I can at least walk it. I'm goaling doing one a month- trying to build up to a 10K by the end of the year.

Make little goals for yourself. And don't beat yourself up if you fall off - just get back on the next day.