How to grow older without showing it!

Sure, we may feel as though we live in a loose bag, but let’s try to look as though we are trim, taut and terrific – walk tall, tummy in, shoulders back, head high. Make it difficult for others to estimate our age by the way we move; bounce along with a purposeful stride – walk like an athlete.

GOODBYE GRUMPY FACE

I make it a habit to quirk up the corners of my mouth – you may think that you look slightly inane, but you really don’t, just a facelift effect. Look in the mirror and see the difference this makes. Now smile, smile, smile.

HELLO PRETTY FACE

Make an appointment for some Botox and filler and smooth out a few wrinkles. I have a couple of injections of Botox in the top of my eyebrows now and again. This lifts and opens up the eye and brow area; lifts the sagging eyelids and deals with the eyelid creases so that your eye will open a little wider and, who knows, you could even see better. The result is so good that you will fall in love with yourself.

GOODBYE SAGGY FLESH

Contain the saggy flesh – try some elastic panties, shapewear, support hose under slacks, bra extenders.

HELLO POPULAR PERSON

• Only say how old you are for official purposes. Be mysterious and keep others guessing. Saying how old you are comes under the heading of fishing for compliments and as you well know, is quite common. Because I am often interviewed about my book, Health And Beauty Tips For Women Aged Between 60 & 80, I am constantly asked my age. I know that to give my book credibility, people need to know how old I am. My usual reply is that I am closer to 80 than 60.

• Boasting about how remarkable you are for your age displays self-absorption and very often has us giving replies that actually aren’t quite true.

• Keep conversations about health and illness brief (again, self absorption). Be polite, but try to change the subject and if you can’t, make your excuses and find someone else to talk to.  You haven’t time to be engaged in boring and depressing conversations and neither do I.

• Are you interested in other people? Show it and ask them about their lives and activities. Listen and ask questions – don’t top their stories with your similar experiences. Other people are interesting so let them do their fair share of talking, but steer them away from aches, pains and ailments. How often have you remarked after being bored stiff by someone “he didn’t ask me one thing about myself or my family”.

• Step outside your usual boxes and say “yes” to new ideas, new people and accept all invitations. Give new experiences your best shot otherwise you will be described as set in your ways. Make flexibility your middle name.

HELLO ETIQUETTE

If in doubt about modern social graces, restrain yourself; no scoffing – ask advice about what is expected. You can’t fight the modern ways so join them, but only up to a point. Maintain your dignity.

• Make a positive first impression when introduced. Smile and shake hands (both men and women). If necessary, introduce yourself, “my name is —————-”. Don’t be afraid to say “I can’t remember your name”. Be aware that they may have the same difficulty.

• Courtesy is always in vogue. “Good morning”, good afternoon”, “good evening”, “goodnight”.

HELLO BON APPETIT

When dining out, sometimes manners are so atrocious that it’s hard to enjoy the meal. Don’t let it be you who doesn’t remember the table manners your mother taught you.

I will never forget my mother’s constant reminders to eat with your mouth closed, not to speak with your mouth full, knife and fork parallel on the plate when finished, no elbows on the table and use your serviette frequently to dab your mouth and chin. To me though, most revolting of all, is to see another diner blow their nose on their serviette!

KEEP YOURSELF NICE

Coarse language and loud, rude behaviour is embarrassing – usually after the result of too much alcohol. I thoroughly enjoy my glass of wine, and find that alcohol is tempting me everywhere now. I am offered wine at the hairdressing salon, at the movies, in shops.  No thank you, just a glass of wine at day’s end with my dinner. There is nothing less dignified that a tipsy older person – sometimes it can be hard to know where to look.

TIP: If you, like me, enjoy a glass of wine, make your drink of choice a wine and soda water spritzer – half wine, half soda, half the  alcohol and half the calories which is a bonus. It is possible to do something similar with most drinks.

We are of a mature age and can’t look young anymore, but we can still look lovely and can always behave beautifully. Feel smug knowing that you are not showing your age; you are putting your best foot forward and, in fact, ageing gracefully.

For other great Health & Beauty Tips For Women Aged Between 60 & 80, Margaret Woodberry’s book is available for $12.50 here.