How to look 'younger'. It's a tall order but a question I've started to ask myself as I start to approach my fifties. I'll be 47 this year so 50 doesn't seem that far away. Not that I'm overly worried about reaching the half century benchmark but I'd like to preserve what I have, and do so as naturally as possible. 

So after reading a book review my interest was piqued by the new publication from New York Times bestselling author, Dr Sara Gottfried, 'Younger'. The tagline? 'Turn back the clock 10 years. The Breakthrough Programme to Reset our Genes and Reverse Ageing'. I went into Waterstones and promptly ordered 2 copies! 

I'm always flattered and accept the compliment gratefully when people comment that I look younger than my years or look good for my age. Until now I've believed it's mainly down to being blessed with good genes, my mum doesn't look a day over sixty, but she's in her mid seventies. However Dr Sara Gottfried claims the 'scientific reality is that 90 per cent of the signs of ageing and disease are caused by lifestyle choices, not your genes'.

I've just picked up my order so can't give you my own book review but I can tell you more about my own fitness and skincare regimes since hitting my mid forties, for anyone that's interested, and then tell you what adjustments, if any, I make after reading it.

Exercise: 

I'm lucky enough to have the time and income to invest in personal training sessions. My personal trainer and I have been building up my muscle and lowering my metabolic age, rather than focusing on weight loss since I read somewhere that women in their forties should concentrate on weight resistance, HIT (high Intensity training) and core strength exercises. Read more articles below.
 
https://www.topfitnessmag.com/workouts/best-workout-women-40/

http://www.earlytorise.com/fitness-over-40/

I've found I need a personal trainer as I'd still be pushing the same weights that I did 3 years ago instead of pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I try not to look at the LBs on the dumbbells, as I'd be inclined to exclaim 'how much?', and mentally refuse to pick them up.

My PT just subtly increases the weight and now and again will applaud me for lifting/pushing a personal best, whilst I'm sweating, oblivious to the achievement. Also it's amazing the extra incentive you have to train when you're paying some else to be there with you.  

I train twice a week and finding the right trainer is essential. I'm not a serious fitness fanatic, so don't want a sergeant major type, but I do like to know the science behind certain exercises and what muscles I'm working on. I'm not training for anything in particular and definitely won't be signing up for half marathons or 'tough mudders'. Therefore I want someone I can chit chat to easily, laugh with and who makes me feel relaxed, understands my limits whilst also stretching me, so the gym isn't a chore.

I'm also very lucky in that my mother in law is a Pilates teacher and we get together once a week for a one to one session ever since my core strength was shot after undiagnosed abdominal separation, during pregnancy, too common and not highlighted enough by midwives, then having my eldest by emergency C section. Apart from the obvious, building up my core strength, pilates has made me more supple and I recommend it to anyone and everyone, especially if they complain of any back pain.

​Skincare:

My skincare regime is fairly standard, cleanse and moisturise. I find toner too strong, but I have switched up my night cream to Estee Lauder's Resilience Lift Night, and swear by the L'Oreal Revitalift Laser Renew range, now on offer at Boots with 1/3 off selected products, and use both the super serum and day cream. In the Summer I also like Avene Light Hydrating cream with SPF 20. See links below.

I also like the Superfacialist facial oils and exfoliators by Una Brennan and am religious about using suncream on holiday, using a minimum SPF30, to gradually build a sun kissed look, rather than a deep bronze.   

Lifestyle and Diet:

Okay, so I admit to never, ever having smoked, not even so much a drag at college. That also goes for any recreational drugs, although I grew up in the era of house music and have been to my fair share of raves; even being asked at one such nocturnal affair what I was on, Coke was the reply, meaning the soft drink rather than the hard stuff!

Working in the fashion industry drugs were common place but again I resisted, having seen what damage addiction and reliance on substances could do from growing up near an affluent area and hearing of acquaintances being admitted to rehab at sixteen or writing off their first car under the influence. 

So before sounding like the muse for Adam Ants number one hit 'Goody Two Shoes' I do drink. An odd glass of wine on a week day, several glasses of Prosecco when out with the girls, or gin based cocktails on date night. My rule of thumb now is not to drink on my own, as I went through a period of excess after my youngest was born, and knew I had to curb the habit of winding down with a few glasses of sauvignon blanc.

My diet could be improved. I try to eat fish 3 times a week and I've cut down on my portion sizes of bread and pasta and increased protein on my plate. I mainly eat dinner with the children so I'm eating my largest meal as early in the evening as I can and I don't skip any of the three meals a day, but can't ever manage to eat the recommended 5/6 times a day, as I'm just not that organised and the thought of chowing down on a peeled boiled egg makes me wince!

I supplement my diet with Centrum Women multivitamins and Seven Seas High Strength Cod Liver Oil and a regular Ferrous Sulphate tablet since a routine blood test confirmed I had anaemia, also common among women of child bearing age and beyond, but not always detected.

So now I've written an essay I may actually get around to reading 'Younger' and keep you posted on any changes I adopt or the best 'take away' facts that make me reassess my current regime. You may even be inspired to grab a copy of the book yourself or fancy trying my tried and tested skincare links above and see if they indeed make you feel or look 'Younger', no guarantees given.

​As always thanks for stopping by.
​

Have you been hankering after the sell out Chloe Nile Minaudière bracelet bag? At an eye watering price tag of £1,010 you may be glad that the temptation is now out of sight as it's almost impossible to bag one.

Well if you want a similar style at an affordable price then look no further than the 'New In' Saddle bags at & Other Stories, the high end sister brand of H&M.

In three sizes, the clutch, mini and flap over, the saddle bags are crafted from premium leather. They scream expensive without breaking the bank and the golden hardware nods towards the signature styling of the Chloe Nile without giving away their true label origin.

I predict these will  sell out just as quickly so decide on which colour you prefer and click on the links to shop.

As well as & Other Stories my other go to sites for great leather bags are from Inditex labels Uterque and Massimo Dutti, brands that are from the same stable as Zara.

Coccinelle is another favourite of mine, with a very strong SS17 collection; this Italian accessory house may be pricier than the high street but still not as expensive as some designer brands.

If you're still tempted by a Chloe Nile bag then then the Small Nile Bracelet bag below, in tan smooth and suede calfskin, is still available, yours for £1,055! 

Click on the links to shop and thanks for stopping by.

Nothing that the hubby should worry about obviously, but I've gone back to wearing my boyfriend jeans. After a lengthy romance with my khaki cargo trousers and long standing love of my skinny jeans I've neglected this ankle bearing style for a while.

Since it felt warmer, well mild, I wanted something lighter and looser. So it was back to my boyfriend jeans and a basic look of flowy mac, yes this is the sell out Mango one still going strong, Zara white cotton popover shirt, last season, Calvin Klein jeans, old from TK Maxx, Next Animal Pixie boots, last season and Lulu Guinness umbrella, from the designer outlet store in Gunwharf Quays. 

I've got bright red nails, courtesy of Nails Inc One coat nail polish in 'Chelsea Court', which match back to my Adidas Originals Hamburg shoes, when I wear those, and I'm sporting my usual set of silver bangles and Alexi London Plain Kiss ring. I'm also wearing a Reiss leather belt in Midnight, which you can't see, but I've added a new style Jigsaw belt, which I think is great, in todays outfit builder, as most boyfriend jean styles require one.

I've chosen this Selected Femme shirt from John Lewis for two reasons, the considered, origami inspired, cuff detail and because it's versatile enough to be styled with a skirt and brogues for the office or as I've shown it below, for an off duty look. 

The AND/OR Venice boyfriend jeans, exclusive to John Lewis, are currently sold out but you can request an email alert for when they are back in stock. They add an edge and interest to what would otherwise be a very classic look. I've also swapped my Leopard boots for a Spring ready block heel pair of shoes from Mango and chosen a Pearl ring from Alexi London, to tick the pearl trend box.

If you'd like a similar look click on the links to shop and thanks for stopping by.