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What would it take you to exercise just for the sake of exercising?  Your whole life you have been dieting and exercising with the goal of looking good.  What if you do it just to feel good and be healthy? 

 

Have you seen anyone waddling lately?  Have you seen older people dragging around oxygen tanks?  Have you seen people who have trouble getting out of their cars, up the stairs, out of a chair?  Could that be you one day soon?  Do you think exercise could help those people, or is it too late? 

 

If you’re not exercising regularly by the time you’re 50, is it too late to start?

 

What works for you?

 

The Look-Better-Feel-Better Connection for Women

 

Here’s a story from a woman who found herself single after many years of marriage:

 

“The best thing that ever happened to my closet was the day it got a divorce.  For years, in a marriage without much money, I had either “made do” or “done without.”  Suddenly, I found myself confronted with a closet full of clothes from the ‘80s, involving some sort of sweatshirt fabric, rhinestones, shoulder pads and/or puff paint, and business wear that was 15 years old or older.   I had never gotten rid of anything because I was afraid I would not be able to afford to replace it.

 

Faced with singlehood, I began to realize the best way to cull a wardrobe is to walk to your closet, pick up the first thing you see, and imagine meeting your next date wearing it.  Then walk to your dresser and do the same thing.   The fur will fly, surely, right along with the sweatpants, oversized T-shirts, baggy pants you wore because they were comfortable,  all white socks, dark socks, socks period (except footies), even old bras and panties.  Well, especially old bras and panties.  If you’re married, good for you.   Pretend you are divorced and do it anyway.”

 

The way you look has much to do with the way you feel.  Dress old and you’ll feel old.  Dress tired and you’ll feel tired.  Dress baggy and you’ll feel baggy.  You may even become baggy, because baggy clothes do not encourage good posture and salads.  This does not imply that you should dress like someone decades younger.  Just don’t dress like someone old; older maybe, but not old.  No one wants to see someone with a sun-damaged chest exposed, drooping breasts, or sagging tummy skin hanging over the waist of jeans.  Muffin tops only look good on muffins.   And if you’re over 50, your soufflé will surely fall.

 

To see how good you can look, dress yourself in best of everything you currently own, and take yourself shopping at a really expensive store.  Be sure you look good walking in the door; you’ll get much better service.  Try on some well tailored suits, designer shoes, and get expert advice on undergarments.   You’ll no doubt like what you see.  Less expensive clothes are generally less tailored, and are somewhat boxy and square, because they will accommodate greater variance in the wearer, which makes them more marketable to a larger audience, and, because they are faster and cheaper to make. 

 

You may not be able to afford the clothes at the expensive store new, so your next challenge is to find a really outstanding consignment shop.  Try several, until you find one with regular clientele who are wealthy and wear your sizes.  You’ll be able to pick up clothing at half price or less that will make you feel like a million.  Some will also carry brand new clothing with invisible flaws at a fraction of the regular retail price.  One of these suits is worth three or four off the rack of a discount store.  I know this, because many times I have purchased my clothes on one aisle and my groceries on the next. 

 

Shoes you can buy at rack sales.  Simply shop often, scope out shoes you like, and buy them at a reduced price.  Merchandisers must move merchandise.  It is the law of the silk and rayon blend jungle.  There will be a sale.  You simply have to be in the right store at the right time.  And what’s wrong with visiting a store you love frequently. 

 

Next, find a hair stylist who will work with you on a plan for color, cut and maintenance that you can afford but keeps you looking good.  A really good stylist will be willing to flexible, offering periodic color touchups, and ways to make it through to the next coloring.  And a great haircut goes a long way.  

 

Save money on things you can do yourself, like manicures, pedicures and facials, and spend what you save on nicer clothes, well-made shoes, and really good hair.

 

Give us your thoughts in the comment box below:

 

Is there a look-good-feel-good connection for men?  We’d like to hear about it.

 

What are the benefits of joining a gym?

 

How can you exercise regularly on a budget?  Gyms can be expensive!

 

Is a personal trainer worth the cost?

 

What is your personal fountain of youth?