If we didn’t have enough to think about as we get older – aging parents, empty nests, new jobs, etc. we also have to deal with changing bodies and how to clothe them. Don’t despair all is not lost, you can look great after forty and not have to sneak into your daughter’s closet to do it. Many women who are not sure how to deal with thick waists and bulging tummies head straight for the baggy rack and try to conceal their bodies with shapeless clothing. And to make matters worse, they wear their makeup and hair the same way they always have. The key to looking great after forty is to make subtle changes in your clothing, hair and makeup that will equal a facelift and a trainer – well, maybe not that much difference. Here are some tips that you can put into practice right away.
1.Wear your skirts at the knee with a great pair of shoes to show off one of the most ageless and flattering parts of your body – your legs- they stay looking younger longer.
2.Wear tailored clothes, such as shaped jackets that glide over your tummy and waist. Stay away from boxy, baggy jackets and tops that hang from the bust and add five pounds.
3.The easiest way to put pizzazz into your outfit without looking overdone is to update your shoes and purses. If you carry a purse that looks like your grandmother’s – square and boring you’ll look outdated. Choose purses in different shapes and colors that will add interest. There are lots of styles and shapes available, the most flattering being a shoulder bag that fits nicely under your arm.
4.Stay away from clothing that has ‘old lady’ written all over it, such as huge shoulder pads, narrow pant legs, tiny prints, sweaters with embroidered flowers and big fancy buttons. If it’s something your mother would wear then it is not something for you.
5.To look fashionable you don’t have to wear the latest styles. Stick to classic lines that suit your body type and develop a look that reflects your personality and lifestyle.
I have local Combat Endurance Training classes - a home based fitness course designed to use one's body weight to improve core strength and better fitness in general. There's a 7 pm class on Monday and Wednesday and a 5:45am class on Tuesday and Thursday morning. There's a large number of folks in both classes.
I'm finding it very exciting that I have many people in the over 50 year old age group. It seems that there is a growing number of people who are realizing that they are going to be on the planet for quite a number of years, barring any detours, and they are opting to spend their golden years in good health and feeling strong and healthy. What a great decision.
Health and fitness is a lifestyle. It may be difficult to get to a class or get out of bed in the morning but it's good to think about the results if you make the sacrifice. Good health, good attitude, and looking forward to each day are wonderful things to strive for. Disciplining yourself to do the things necessary to have them is a life style choice that will reap you tremendous rewards.
I had another wonderful surprise a while back when I got an email from one of my Karate schools saying that an old Karate acquaintance of mine was in town and had left his phone number. This gentleman is a highly respected Black Belt who really was a role model for me as I was coming up through the ranks in the martial arts. He and I have always been friends and I immediately called him and brought him back to my house to meet my family.
The old times and old stories began to flow and I reminded him of the story that he had told me many years ago about his grandfather who made it a habit to walk on his hands across the kitchen floor and back every Christmas. He said that he remembered seeing his grandfather do that when he was 80 years old. His grandfather told him as a young man that being healthy is free and easy so it's a good idea to take care of your health. His grandfather lived to be 97 years old.
Choose to be healthy. Choose to do the things that others may not have the desire or commitment to do. The good choices that you make to stay healthy will continue to reward you as your years move on.
Both Sheila Dicks & Fred Nicklaus are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Sheila Dicks has sinced written about articles on various topics from Modelling, Women and Modelling. Sheila Dicks is a wardrobe and image consultant who teaches women how to look slimmer by dressing to suit their body type. Visit her at