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When I was 30 I dreaded the thought of turning 40 - it was going to be terrible...I just knew it. Well 40 is here and quite frankly...it was no big deal  In fact my life is better than ever - I've recently had my first baby and I feel and look great...other than some of that baby fat that is hard to get rid of around the midsection.I'm secretly afraid that someone will ask me someday if I'm her grandma but thankfully people always just ask me if she's my "first." I keep reading all the time in beauty mags and even on the bulletin board that 40 is some type of major threshold - you shouldn't wear sparkly or shiny makeup, you should cut your hair, not wear short skirts or shorts and on and on. I love to sparkle, I love my long hair and I would wear shorts every day if I could. So is 40 really a big deal? I don't think so. What about you? Do you feel and/or look 40? I sure don't feel it! How about you?
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Posts:
333
From:
Michigan
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(1 of 38)
Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 12:48 PM
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When I was 30 I dreaded the thought of turning 40 - it was going to be terrible...I just knew it. Well 40 is here and quite frankly...it was no big deal In fact my life is better than ever - I've recently had my first baby and I feel and look great...other than some of that baby fat that is hard to get rid of around the midsection.I'm secretly afraid that someone will ask me someday if I'm her grandma but thankfully people always just ask me if she's my "first."
I keep reading all the time in beauty mags and even on the bulletin board that 40 is some type of major threshold - you shouldn't wear sparkly or shiny makeup, you should cut your hair, not wear short skirts or shorts and on and on. I love to sparkle, I love my long hair and I would wear shorts every day if I could.
So is 40 really a big deal? I don't think so. What about you?
Do you feel and/or look 40? I sure don't feel it! How about you?
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Posts:
4,390
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(2 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 12:56 PM
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I was the same way; read all this stuff about "turning 40," then poof, nothing. I had my 4th child at 40. 40 for me was all about trying to find a comfortable way to get some sleep at night.
Right now where I am at is I want to do what I want to do. I am so tired of all the wear this, don't wear this, don't do this, do that . . . and then I read women in their 40's are so much more comfortable with themselves . . . phooey!
Good grief, how can you be more comfortable with yourself when you have so many RULES you have to follow!
I want to be comfortable with who I am, not what other people want me to be.
Now, I am going to go plaster some glitter all over my eyes and put on a miniskirt!!!
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452
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(3 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 1:00 PM
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I don't feel it, I don't act it but I'm afraid I look it!
Think back to how our mothers looked at 40, though.....we all look pretty darned hot in comparison!
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(4 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 1:02 PM
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Well, I passed 40, 21 years ago....so let me think.....hum, the good thing about 40 is you just start to realize (it is a slow progression) that...hey! I don't give a da*n what anyone thinks, I'm doing things my way. By the time you reach my age, you have to write it down and go back to it (memory starts to fade) but you finally realize that life is short so enjoy every minute of it, be happy for what you have, tell the people around you you love them at least once a day, and.....Oh! Yea!.....Don't forget to at least once a day thank God for all of your good blessings he's bestowed upon you. Phew! Now my head hurts, I'm using too many brain cells here.....must rest......need a candy bar to refresh........
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Posts:
8,542
From:
southeast PA
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(5 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 1:20 PM
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I agree with Antlers, 40 now is very different than it was when we were growing up. I think there are many things that factor into that. I think our generation is handling "midlife" more proactively than our mothers did. We have better options for skin care, health care and fashion than they did and we embrace all of it.
For me, 40 was nothing...50 is another story. I still look younger than my age, for the most part I feel good but I'm learning the hard way at work that I can't "run with the big dogs" anymore  10 hour and double shifts take much more out of me than they used to and I don't get enough restortative sleep because my inner child is up all night playing with matches (I forget who uses that line here on the board, I need to find out to give credit for it but I LOVE IT!)
So I guess if you think of it from that perspective, 50 really is the new 40!
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51, blonde/blue/med-beige/warm/combination skin
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(6 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 1:30 PM
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Turning 40 didn't bother me. I passed 40 a long while ago and people still think I'm in my thirties.
But to me it was a big change physically with perimenopause and that dreaded overnight weight gain that you can't get rid of anymore like when you were younger, needing reading glasses and started having dental problems with root canals, etc. There's definitely alot more maintenance involved.
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Posts:
1,177
From:
New Jersey
Registered:
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(7 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 1:42 PM
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I did not feel any different when I turned 40..( 8 years ago, WOW) I still look 30 something & Dress,,Way Younger..Attending College keeps me young! However,I think I had a wakeup call at 40 and did change my Life..Changed careers, had same job since age 18..I left Hubby...Still in my own Pad..But,Hubby here all the time...lol...The Best thing about turning 40..is althrough,,I still am not sure What I want in life, I sure know what I DO NOT WANT!!!
"NO", became my new favorite word at 40!!! It is all about "ME" now!!! I truly have not one Guilty feeling about that!!!!
I am still do not have any peri-menapause symptoms..Body acts like it did in its 20's..In fact Better!!! Skin never looked Better!!! Plus with all the makeup Tips from all of You!!WOW!!! Never looked this Good!!!
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Dogs are our link to paradise.They don't know evil or jeolousy or discontent.To sit with a dog on a hillside on a glorious afternoon is to be back in Eden,where doing nothing was not boring-it was peace.
-Milan Kundera
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Edited by buford the pug at 02/16/2008 10:43 AM
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Posts:
59
From:
Southern California
Registered:
12/27/07
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(8 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 4:09 PM
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I am so glad to see this topic and all the POSITIVE & ENCOURAGING words from you lovely ladies!
I am not quite at 40 yet...but it is around the bend. I will be 39 next month. I remember turning 21 and thinking it was all down hill after 30- YIKES! That's ignorance for ya!
I married at 24, had my 1st child at 27, 2nd at 29 and 3rd at 31. I was very happy with my family life, but was extremely unhappy with my body. I was very obese. I had 3 large babies and was never able to get the weight off in between pregnancies. Then I was so busy raising 3 kids 4 and under, I made no time for myself...except when it came to feeding my face!
In the last 7 years, my dad has had cancer TWICE with a massive heart in between the two cancers (first time was prostate cancer & second time was cancer of the esophagus). He survived all 3 with flying colors...thank you Lord! Then in September of last year, I lost my mom to pancreatic cancer. My younger brother (age 35) is also unhealthy. He has a huge addiction to sodas (about 8-10 cans a day), is overweight, has ulcers, acid reflux and had stomach problems for years. He wouldn't touch a piece of fruit or a vegetable if his life depended on it and is about as sedentary as you could possibly be without being in a coma! Needless to say, eating healthy, being active and taking care of ourselves was not something that my parents never instilled in us growing up. Well it was up to me to change that!
2 1/2 years ago I had gastric bypass surgery. For me it was either that or leave my kids with a dead mom at an early age. The surgery was successful. I have lost 140 lbs. with 50 or so pounds to go. I have the energy and lust for life that I have always wanted. My husband and I will be celebrating our 15 year anniversary this year. My kids are amazing and VERY healthy! They have proper bedtimes, eat right, are very active in church and do well in school. I am VERY blessed! I had to take my "old ways" of life and bury them once and for all. Every bad habit I had, I did a complete reversal! In a personal way, I had to prove it to myself and everyone around me that "things were going to be different" for my family. I put a lot of pressure on myself to be the "perfect" mom. I know after 11 years, there is no such thing, but I must say I've done my best...and my kids appreciate it. Everytime I see a news report on obesity in kids today, sleep apnea in kids and kids being bullied at school due to their weight...it breaks my heart! I was one of "them". Now, I'm not saying I don't allow my kids to have treats like fast food, dessert and candy. It's just done in moderation. So to them, it really is a treat! I do not reward my kids with food, I do not allow them to have soda (my oldest is 11 and he has never had one), they drink only water or milk with homemade lemonade as a "treat" once in awhile, I never miss a doctor check-up, eye appointment or dentist, take daily vitamins, wash our hands constantly, eat balanced meals with lots or veggies and fruit, we take long walks with our 2 dogs and take everyday as a blessing and try to enjoy what God has given us. Watching my kids lose their grandmother to cancer was heart wrenching. We were all VERY close...they only live 5 minutes from us. Since my dad has already had cancer twice and still eats like cr*p...we have no idea how long he will be with us. In my opinion, he is a walking timebomb with just another heart attack waiting to happen. He is only 66. With a list of unhealthful problems with both of my parents, I knew that I had to make a change for the better or I would be doomed the same fate. I keep praying that my brother will wake-up and see the path he will face it he doesn't make some serious changes.
I feels as I get closer to the age of 40, it will be the best part of my life! I feel great! I take much better condition of my skin, my hair (thanks to this BB board and all you informative ladies!  ), drink a lot of water and generally take care of myself. If I don't...who's going to! I feel AND look better than I did at 25 & 30. It's all what we make of it! I keep hearing that 40 is the new 30...I sure hope so! I am looking forward to 40, 50... 90 for that matter!
I know I have gone on and on with this topic, but it has been a real eye opener to me. I hope there is someone out there that can take even just a smidgen of this message and apply it to their life. You ladies that are out there in you 40's, 50's and 60's are a real inspiration for me. Please keep the positive reply's coming! I learn something everytime I get on this board. 
Hugs and MANY healthy years to all of you!
--
~*~*~ Within the heart of every stray animal...
Lies the singular desire to be loved. ~*~*~
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Posts:
2,364
From:
the psychiatric ward
Registered:
1/14/07
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(9 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 4:16 PM
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40 is the new 30
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Posts:
786
From:
Hoosier
Registered:
10/6/04
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(10 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 4:21 PM
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I turned 51 today. I feel and look much better now then I did when I turned 40! Love it! I say it's just a number!
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Posts:
1,762
From:
The Beautiful Hudson Valley region of NY
Registered:
8/5/07
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(11 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 4:31 PM
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Weimaraner, you have made my day! No, you have made my week, month, and last few years! I will be turning 40 on October 1st and I have been dreading it. But reading your post has made me truly realize that 40 is just a number.
I am in a better place than I have ever been! I am much more comfortable with myself, who I am, what I want, and I am in the best shape of my life. I certainly don't look 40. People guess early 30s, and that's fine by me
And you know something? Life is good!
Age is a number that has too much emphasis placed on it. With all the advances in medicine, anti-aging, and all we know about staying healthy. 40 is YOUNG!!!
yipee.....................
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Posts:
4,390
Registered:
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(12 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 4:49 PM
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Happy Birthday SmokeyJoe!!!
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Edited by Love2Laugh at 02/16/2008 1:49 PM
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Posts:
786
From:
Hoosier
Registered:
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(13 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 4:55 PM
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> Happy Birthday SmokeyJoe!!!
>
> --
> Edited by Love2Laugh at 02/16/2008 1:49 PM
Thank you Love2Laugh -- you're a sweetie=)
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Posts:
4,390
Registered:
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(14 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 5:02 PM
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Aww, SmokeyJoe, you're welcome!! I just hope you are having a fantastic day!!
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Posts:
1,141
From:
California
Registered:
6/8/07
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(15 of 38)
Re: Why all the hype about age 40?
Feb 16, 2008 5:51 PM
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What a great thread......definitely one of the best Ive read here! You all have such great stories, as well as outlooks on life. Thanks for posting!
oh.....and.....another birthday wish for SmokeyJoe!
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