Body Image Over 50: How to Change Your Focus

As over 50 ladies, we are all pretty much the same.  We rise in the morning…stand in front of the mirror…and our eyes go first to what we feel are the “problem areas.”  We may see the wrinkles…the bags under eyes…the moles…or, in my case, the rolls in the middle.

Here are some of the ways I have improved my body image over 50:

  1. I try never to say, “Someday I will lose weight and be thin and then care about my dress.”  Instead I have learned to dress the body I have to look its best as it is and then focus on healthy eating and exercise.
  2. I do not spend time looking negatively at myself in the morning, but spend time getting myself ready and focusing on the total style I want for that day.  The focus is on the outfit building…no time for negative thoughts.

I could’ve put this classic Talbots outfit on and spent the entire time looking at the tire….but instead, I spend my dressing time putting different accessories with it and trying different styles.  At one point, I was looking at multiple necklaces and navy shoes.  But I felt more confident in this fun, long necklace which pulls out the pink and the nude shoes which compliment both (and seem more summery for a darker outfit).  Eventually, I became busy about enjoying my wardrobe and not spending my time with a negative “I Can’t Look Good” focus.

Again, I spend my dressing time putting the entire ensemble together and do not dwell on the negatives I might think I have.  It a much more positive focus.  I want to leave the house feeling confident so it is all about creating my style to achieve that end.  If you tend to be down on you, then switch your focus each morning and see if that will help.

I love to shop Talbots for quality, classic pieces.  The skirt has been in my closet for a few years, but the navy cardigan and sleeveless top are new purchases from the most recent Red Hangar Sale…which is an incredible sale, by the way.  I selected some pieces from Talbots below which currently have my eye!

Keep Smiling, All!

Linking today wit TURNING HEADS LINK UPKatherinesThursday Link Up

25 Comments

  1. Great message, Pam!

    I was surprised to read that the skirt is several years old. I’m seeing lots of large florals in the new fall offerings, especially ones on dark backgrounds. I like the way you’ve styled it.

  2. Hello,I have never read your blog before and was looking at pinterest for style ideas for 58yr old’s.
    Yoor lovely personality & infectious positivity shines through in just this one article!
    I was out with old school
    friends at the weekend & after the ubiquitous group photo felt terrible about myself I was the fat friend with no style and have been on a downer since … I need to change my negativity about myself and improve my fashion sense … thank you for helping… I have signed up 🙂
    Caroline from Bedfordshire, England

  3. It is Elaine! I think florals are always in style and navy is a great option for black. Thanks for stopping by

  4. Caroline…I am so happy you are joining in and how cool that you live in Bedfodshire! I hope you will begin to think positively about yourself soon…this is journey it is fun and rewarding. Let me know if I can help you in any way! You got this!

  5. Your philosophy is so inspiring! I’m learning to dress the body I have, not the body I want. Great advice, Pam. Great outfit, too!

  6. Love this classic look Pam, and your comments are so important. I am one who looks in the mirror and yes, my eyes go to the problem area! But more and more I am accepting that our bodies change as we get older, and we aren’t going to look like we’re 20 or 30 or 40 because we’re not!! I do eat well for the most part and I exercise daily to be healthy. I’m not down on myself even though there is an area around the middle I’d like to see go away!! I LOVE Talbots! I got a gorgeous yellow sweater jacket at the Red Hanger sale and have added a lot of spring and summer pieces. I love their classic yet modern look in their clothing. You hit on a winner with this outfit!!

  7. Thanks for your comments, Karen…you are so right…we are down to the point where time is smaller and it is important to love who we are today! Somehow, though we have never met face to face, I knew you would be a Talbots-lady…you always talk about your love of the classics and they do it well! Thanks for being here.

  8. You are so right, Neti. I have worn this to many places…including work and when speaking for groups. It is a great skirt.

  9. I do love their clothes…I like this better than the top I previously wore with this skirt. It is fun to mix things up! Thanks for stopping by!

  10. Hindsight…I wish I started younger…but at least I am practicing healthy thinking in many ways now. Thanks Susan!

  11. You look awesome! The negative talk with me comes and goes and I’m working on having it gone forever. I do find that when I take my time and put an outfit together, with accessories I feel much better.

  12. It took awhile for me also, Sandra…and occasionally rears its ugly head. But for the most part a new focus has destroyed the negativity. Thanks for the kind words.

Comments are closed.