Real stories from real people about what happens to aging bodies.

Elise Bauer

I’m 51. One of the surprising body changes for me is night vision. It’s gone. They tell you to expect to need reading glasses over 40, so that one at least is expected. But unless every light in the room is on, or it is broad daylight, I can’t make out faces or signs. I’m convinced that every designer of new airports and retail spaces is in their 20s. Otherwise, why would they put up signs with tiny white text on gray backgrounds?

Here’s another thing. Kneeling down to pick something up. I’m in relatively good shape. I do martial arts that require a lot of tumbling. I walk. I swim. But don’t ask me to squat down to pick something up. I won’t be able to get back up without a lot of effort.

Lastly, gas. That one is too embarrassing to talk about.
Elise Bauer Simply Recipes

Gabrielle Johnson

Oh My God!  Where do I start?  I am 49 yrs old and up until maybe 45 yrs. old, I was in pretty decent shape, at least where my stomach and arms were concerned.  Well, I recently noticed that not only am I getting hair on my chin, saggy arms, ridges on my toe nails, muffin top (which by the way, I have always had a flat stomach, so this alone freaked me out), achy knees and body, but my “BIGGEST ISSUE” is Back Fat!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have never had back fat nor muffin top, so when I noticed by accident that I have back fat it freaked my out.  I turned to the internet for help.  I found exercises specifically for your upper arms and back fat.  Amazed that there are actually exercises for back fat, I of course began my quest to eliminate the fat.  I lift my arms with hand weights and include back exercises with that routine.  So far, I have noticed a slight difference in my back, but not my arms yet.  I also changed my diet to include more protein and
I eliminated dairy, sugars and white carbs altogether.  This has resulted in weight loss in my stomach, Yay!  I also found that MSM sulfur is beneficial in body aches, skin, hair, nails and even depression; which by the way came with everything else.

So what I am doing to combat all these changes:  I found holistic measures work best for me in getting answers for these issues when doctors don’t always know.  I have found natural supplements have helped tremendously.  I found exercises to help with my specific areas of concern and now try to implement them on a daily basis. I have found Acupuncture to be awesome in many different facets.  Because I noticed my skin on my face becoming a little rough, the MSM helps tremendously with that and I have noticed a tremendous difference in the softness of my skin.

I continue to research remedies and enjoy finding new ways to combat my aging dilemas!   I hope this helps and thanks for allowing me to share!  Sharing is also quite theraputic as well!

Gabrielle Johnson, Playwright

Marcia Singer

I’m Marcia, newly 67, seen many changes in my appearance, and in my body’s functioning, although I am fit, and look younger than my years. I am ‘religious’ about diet, exercise, supplements –the ususal. Used to be in show biz, still am narcissistic about my appearance, but think good lifestyle habits are most important, in truth.

I’d love it if you mention to your readers, that the number one most important thing to do about aging -IS NOT STRESS OVER IT. Stress robs us of our life force. Look to the Beauty within and let it shine, helping you stay vital, and look great, too. The whole “anti-aging” idea that aging is bad is the first ‘problem,’ and can badly hurt you –if only from the angst, anxiety, anguish it will cause.

No matter what the physical aging ‘issue,’ DRINK PLENTY OF H2O EACH DAY –pure, filtered is best –not in plastic bottles. Half your body weight in ounces. (I weigh 120 — need 60 ounces. When I don’t, I pay for it in fatigue, reddened eyes, brain fog, less effective digestion –etc.)

For your brain, memory: Stay creative, active, learning. Avoid sweets with aspartame: a neurotoxin.

For your skin: Avoid mineral oil in your skin products! It’s a petroleum product –our bodies cannot ‘use’ it. Many organic lotions or body butters are available –or try a good olive oil, or coconut oil.

For teeth, gums: Brush with a mixture of baking soda, sea salt (or pink salt), adding a pinch of clove and or myrrh powder. (I lost three teeth the past two years, even with my great habits: these are new discoveries). Rinse 1-2x daily with a dilute of hydrogen peroxide and water. Scrape your tongue each morning, put a couple drops of tea tree oil on your tongue, first. Use a good, absorbable source of calcium and magnesium.

Marcia Singer, M.S.W. Director, Love Arts Foundation

Marcia Singer’s blog

Mikaya Heart

I just turned 60, and I have made friends with my body as I got older. Iused to ignore its needs, just forcing it to do whatever I wanted. Now I check in with it regularly and make sure I give it what it wants – cream, rest, love, whatever. I am very fit, and I exercise a lot but I don’t push my body around any more; if it wants to rest, then I rest. I am also careful what I eat and don’t eat nearly as much as I used to. I simply find my body doesn’t need a lot of food. It tells me what it needs when I make space to listen.

Menopause for me was a wonderful and slightly frightening time, because my emotions were so powerful and immediate. I worked out that I had to allow them when they came up and not try to ignore them, and certainly not try to rationalize them, because they didn’t seem to arise from any rational source. If I had had a nine-to-five job it would have been very difficult. I found that I was really no longer able to lie about what I wanted any more. I couldn’t pretend anything! This is a profound gift, but of course it sometimes meant that I wasn’t able to be socially appropriate, and I can see how that would be very difficult for many people. I was able to embrace it and appreciate it, just because of the kind of person I am. If I hadn’t done that, I would have been in a lot of conflict and I think that is why so many women have a hard time with menopause.

Mikaya Heart is an award-winning author and a life coach Mikaya Heart.org

Dislaimer:  Above are the views and opinions of our readers and are not endorsed in any way by the owners or staff of AgingBodies.com or Family Money Enterprises, llc.