I turned 40 on January 1, 2000 - the new millennium. Remember the countdown clocks that were mounted in every public building? Maybe you don't, but I certainly do. Imagine facing the countdown to the big 4 0 every time you enter a public building. Tick tock....bye bye youth in 92 days, 8 hours and 43, 42, 41 seconds. Fan-stinking-tastic (insert sarcastic tone of voice). Thank you very little - for the regular reminders! Thankfully, turning 40 didn't throw me over the edge and neither did turning 50.
"You're so lucky - you're still thin and young looking for your age". Yet another comment I hear regularly. Sometimes it sounds more like an accusation rather than a compliment. I'm now emphatically stating to the haters: "LUCK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!" It feels good to get that off my chest. If you are not too offended by my venting and are now a little intrigued - keep reading. This is how I do it:
Knowledge
1) I read magazines that give me good information. Fitness, Self, More, O and Cooking Light are my favorites. I don't waste my time or my money on tabloid-type magazines. They only bring me down. I see botox, personal stylists, nip tuck and bad behavior displayed in those magazines. I'm not learning anything useful by reading them. I get fitness, health and beauty tips from the publications I listed. More importantly, they motivate me to treat myself better. I love healthy recipes and they're chock full of solid, useful information. I honestly don't give a rat's ankle which self-destructive celebrity just got arrested. By the way, Cosmopolitan gives great advice (wink, wink) - nothing wrong with wanting to keep the passion in my marriage!
2) I'd rather watch Good Morning America, Oprah or the History Channel than watch 'reality' programs. Pah-LEASE! And, if I want to be entertained, I'd much rather watch a smart sitcom or Comedy Central - laughter is the best medicine. Again, I lean towards watching informative or funny programs. I like to learn and I love to laugh.
Willpower
1) I yo-yo with my weight like everyone else. I just do not let myself get to a point where I need to buy bigger jeans. Once those pants start getting snug enough to turn my mini-muffin into a jumbo muffin I get strict with my diet. I keep those too tight jeans on as a reminder - to eat less, eat better and get my expanding assets to the gym! I'm not wearing expandable Lycra - nope, not me! I need to feel like I'm fat to get back on the wagon and wearing jeans that cut off the circulation to my feet do the job.
2) While I'm eating a sensible meal, I'll flip through a Victoria's Secret catalogue or one of my favorite magazines. It's sounds a little embarrassing, but it honestly it works for me. I visualize myself with a more fit, healthy body - not the kind you see in high fashion magazines with emaciated models. Again, this motivates me to take better care of me and make better choices.
Style
1) I try to buy new clothes every season - not a whole wardrobe - just a few pieces that give me a current look. I look for sales and shop at outlets and discount stores (TJ Maxx and Marshall's) to save money. Keeping my wardrobe somewhat current helps me feel and look younger. Nothing spells old than out-dated clothes. Get jeans with a waist that sits on your hips, just below your navel. Higher waisted paints give the appearance of a belly bulge - even if you don't have one.
2) Out-dated hair styles can really 'age' women. For Pete's sake try something new! Hair grows in - it's temporary. Having bangs is a great way to hide brow lines - sweep them to one side for a more current look. I color my hair - grays make me look older. I have nothing against woman who choose not to color their grays, but to me it's like not wearing concealer under my eyes. I really do care about my appearance - if I look gray with dark circles under my eyes - I'm bound to feel gray and tired.
Attitude
1) Posture - stand up straight, shoulders back and chin up (don't forget a to smile and make eye contact). Nothing commands attention more than a person who walks into a room with purpose and confidence. They call it body language for a reason! I talk the talk and walk the walk. Let's face it, I'm a nurse so I have to smile a lot! If you smile enough you really will feel happier. It works for me!
2) Shoes - that's right.... I just said shoes affect attitude. If you're wearing shoes that are too high and uncomfortable, you're going to walk like a fool. Props to you if you can walk with swagger sporting high-heeled slingbacks! I have to wear a lower heel to walk confidently.
Cosmetics
1) Take care of your teeth and gums. A whiter smile can take years off your look and you'll want to smile more. I use whitening strips once or twice a year and brush with a whitening toothpaste daily.
2) Exfoliate and moisturize - not just your face! After using my facial scrub on my face, I slather and scrub my hands before rinsing. I have no brown spots on my face or hands! ZERO. I do this every other day. I use a body scrub and loofah for the rest of my person. I use moisturizer all over (I'll discuss the products I use in a future blog).
Why be defined by a number? I started writing this blog because so many people ask me how I do it - this is what works for me. I'll keep fighting the fight to defy my age because I enjoy how I feel. Care to join me?
