I am 43 and I have always been slim and youthful looking without the need for special diets or dedicated periods of exercise. Lately the years are starting to catch up to me a bit and I have noticed that things are not quite as tight as they once were.
Among the changes:
1. Jiggly thighs and the appearance of something that may be cellulite.
2. Something I can only describe as "love handles".
3. A small bulge over the top of my bra strap and a saggy sort of look underneath it.
Before you start to think this is some sort of a joke post let me tell you that I am 5'10" tall and weighed 135 lbs from high school until about 2 years ago when I hit 140. My figure has remained the same for my entire life, rebounding well after childbirth even. I am not in bad shape, I just don't go down to the gym, preferring to hike, etc. instead. I am one of those genetic anomalies that can eat anything I want without consequence. As such, I have no discipline when it comes to food and will eat whatever I want whenever I want. Eating a box of Ding Dongs every day for a week will yield a net weight gain of nothing, zero, zilch.
Considering the above, my questions are:
What changes should I expect to my body at this age?
How much of an effect does gravity have and is it realistic to think I can have an effect on it?
By working out harder will the jiggly and the cellulite go away, or is that just part of the over-40 landscape and I should not expect to see it go away at this point in life?
Should I stress about what I eat all of a sudden, since things seem to be starting to slow down a bit, or is a tad bit of weight gain inevitable and not worth the stress unless things get out of hand?
When I ask people I know these questions I just get joked. They don't take me seriously and say I shouldn't be complaining since I have the body of a 30 year old. That is an exaggeration, and I am feeling and seeing the effects of the years as they are, but it seems that without a seriously visible weight issue I am never part of the group when it comes to that kind of thing. Because of this I probably know less about how to maintain my figure than someone twice my weight!
Among the changes:
1. Jiggly thighs and the appearance of something that may be cellulite.
2. Something I can only describe as "love handles".
3. A small bulge over the top of my bra strap and a saggy sort of look underneath it.
Before you start to think this is some sort of a joke post let me tell you that I am 5'10" tall and weighed 135 lbs from high school until about 2 years ago when I hit 140. My figure has remained the same for my entire life, rebounding well after childbirth even. I am not in bad shape, I just don't go down to the gym, preferring to hike, etc. instead. I am one of those genetic anomalies that can eat anything I want without consequence. As such, I have no discipline when it comes to food and will eat whatever I want whenever I want. Eating a box of Ding Dongs every day for a week will yield a net weight gain of nothing, zero, zilch.
Considering the above, my questions are:
What changes should I expect to my body at this age?
How much of an effect does gravity have and is it realistic to think I can have an effect on it?
By working out harder will the jiggly and the cellulite go away, or is that just part of the over-40 landscape and I should not expect to see it go away at this point in life?
Should I stress about what I eat all of a sudden, since things seem to be starting to slow down a bit, or is a tad bit of weight gain inevitable and not worth the stress unless things get out of hand?
When I ask people I know these questions I just get joked. They don't take me seriously and say I shouldn't be complaining since I have the body of a 30 year old. That is an exaggeration, and I am feeling and seeing the effects of the years as they are, but it seems that without a seriously visible weight issue I am never part of the group when it comes to that kind of thing. Because of this I probably know less about how to maintain my figure than someone twice my weight!
I think that your body problems that you are currently experiencing are part of a post-40 metabolism slowdown. Now that you're at this age, you will probably have to start eating better and working out if you are not happy with having parts that jiggle, because that is going to become more frequent for you despite being a genetic anomaly. Hiking is very good, but have you eaten well at all, or are you used to eating whatever? Keep us posted on what you decide to do.
Hello 40 year old guest. I am 10 years older than you and i understand your plight. After having 5 kids, with the oldest being 33 i was able to wear a bikini until 2 years ago. All at once things started to go south, literally. So to avoid my ass from touching the backs of my knees or my belly button peeking out between my boobs i decided to do some serious excercises. I to am one of those genetic anomaly's who can eat whatever i want. It never bothered me to sit and eat a big bag of chips with 2 cans of coke. Not any more :-( as i feel my jeans getting tighter. People ask if i'm nuts because i look so good, listen, that's with clothes on. Peel off the jeans, take off the underwires and look out. These folks don't see me in my all together, i do, everyday. Our metabolism is certainly slowing down, but we have to be one step ahead of it at all times. I ride my bike every single nite after supper. When i first started, i thought my legs were going to fall off, but now it's not to bad. I see i don't have to stop so much. Walking is very important as well and it's great for the ticker. I also do squats and lunges for my butt, they have helped. My arse is getting tighter and i notice it doesn't wiggle much anymore. Soon i'll be able to open a jar of pickles with it. o.O
As for my boobs, well what can i say? I lift weights for them. 5 pounders in each hand every day for about 30 minutes have made an improvement.
Lay on your back flat out with a weight in each hand, palms down. Slowly lift each weight over your head but don't let the weights touch the floor. I do 10, then stop, 10 more, 10 times, totallying 100. Stand up holding the weights straight in front of you, slowly open your arms straight until they are stretched out on either side of you, do this 100 times with a break between each set of 10. When i say break, just about 20 seconds only.
My next thing is going to a pole. You can order one thru the internet. Get a DVD and do it. I have been taking lessons in pole dancing, it really works. I am at the point now wheremy legs are strong enough to flip upside down on the pole and slowly slide down using the muscles in my arms. Don't let go, you could break your neck. Also, if you have steps in your house do your pushups on them, my arms are gettting tighter and that flabby c**p is starting to get tighter cuz i'm building up the muscle. I have a meno muffin but with constant sit ups i see that i am starting to get a lady 6 pack. Get your self a DVD on lap dances and use a chair with or without someone sitting in it. This dance is very erotic and i do mine in the full length mirror, it really builds your self esteem. Do it to some rocking music, but slowly. Not this summer, but next for sure, i will get back into that bikini come hell or high water. Time will not get me. Keep your mind young and laugh at everything, don't let yourself be serious all the time. Don't get trapped in the sweats pants and t shirts, keep your appearance up, even if your only going to the gas station. When they stop looking, then you know your in trouble.
As for my boobs, well what can i say? I lift weights for them. 5 pounders in each hand every day for about 30 minutes have made an improvement.
Lay on your back flat out with a weight in each hand, palms down. Slowly lift each weight over your head but don't let the weights touch the floor. I do 10, then stop, 10 more, 10 times, totallying 100. Stand up holding the weights straight in front of you, slowly open your arms straight until they are stretched out on either side of you, do this 100 times with a break between each set of 10. When i say break, just about 20 seconds only.
My next thing is going to a pole. You can order one thru the internet. Get a DVD and do it. I have been taking lessons in pole dancing, it really works. I am at the point now wheremy legs are strong enough to flip upside down on the pole and slowly slide down using the muscles in my arms. Don't let go, you could break your neck. Also, if you have steps in your house do your pushups on them, my arms are gettting tighter and that flabby c**p is starting to get tighter cuz i'm building up the muscle. I have a meno muffin but with constant sit ups i see that i am starting to get a lady 6 pack. Get your self a DVD on lap dances and use a chair with or without someone sitting in it. This dance is very erotic and i do mine in the full length mirror, it really builds your self esteem. Do it to some rocking music, but slowly. Not this summer, but next for sure, i will get back into that bikini come hell or high water. Time will not get me. Keep your mind young and laugh at everything, don't let yourself be serious all the time. Don't get trapped in the sweats pants and t shirts, keep your appearance up, even if your only going to the gas station. When they stop looking, then you know your in trouble.