Losing Weight; Getting Fit

 Yes, it has been quite a while since I posted; in fact, it has been approximately 4 to 5 sizes ago!  Since January, I have been dieting and trying to get healthy, and I have succeeded somewhat.  I told myself that I was not going to go back to this blog until I had lost enough weight that I was happy with the way I looked!
I have currently lost approximately 33 pounds and I feel great!  I have gone from wearing a size misses 12 (sometimes 10) to wearing a size 4 in pants (occasionally a 6 in some brands).  I feel on top of the world!

 The weight loss was precipitated by my son who wants me to be able to climb mountains and be around while my grand-daughter, who is 4, is growing up.  One of the great motivators was his purchase of a scale which showed not only weight but the amount of water, body fat (cringe), bone density, muscle mass and a few other factors.  My fat percentage was way out of line with my weight and small bones.  I looked forward to weighing on his scale once a week to see if I had lost fat percentage (and I kept an eye on muscle I might be losing, too), and then looked forward to telling my son the proud results.  When he left in July for his post in Bulgaria, I continued.  It doesn't hurt that I live in a townhouse with 4 floors and am constantly running up and down the stairs all day. Because of the stairs, my thighs are hard as rock and I can see daylight between them.  Now I want arms just as hard!

 Below, you see a photo taken (with my darling Cluny) in the summer of 2012, just before we went to Paris.  The rest of the photos here have been taken in the last month. Below, the jeans are a size 10; above the jeans are size 4.

 One wonderful change has been in my face; I feel as though my face looks younger and my double chin has all but disappeared.

The only downside: I've had to buy a new wardrobe! It's amazing how many wonderful pieces I have don't fit any more! Even my beloved cashmere sweaters swallow me!  But it's a small price to pay for being healthy.
More on how I actually accomplished this in my next post. I did NOT adhere to any paid diet, but did this on my own with the help of one online app.

Beautiful Women Over 50

Everyone needs role models, not just young children and teen-agers. I have different role models for different qualities: spiritual role models, intellectual role models, and among others, role models whom I look up to for their beauty and youthfulness. These role models are beautiful older women who are aging gracefully. They eschew both the "grandmotherly" look and the "I'm a teenager look", and are comfortable in their own skins. I look for their beauty tips and secrets whenever I can find them.

Catherine Keener is a beautiful woman over 50 whose sparkling personality makes her seem much younger, as does her gorgeous long, straight hair, and fresh make-up.

Barbara Hershey is 63 years old! She has not succumbed to the trend of so many over 50 women to cut her hair. Note her fresh makeup with ample brows (very youthful looking).

Goldie Hawn may have overdone the sun at one time, but it's hard to tell now. The over 60 grandmother looks gorgeous and as glamorous as ever by playing up her big, blue eyes, softening her blond haircolor, and wearing a color that absolutely makes her glow!

Jaclyn Smith still looks angelic.Soft. long hair a lighter color than it was 30 years ago brightens her face.  Her round, flushed cheeks and bright eyes make her look well-rested and younger than her age. She is an excellent role model for graceful aging.

Susan Sarandon is on everyone's list for a beautiful woman over 60.

Jane Seymour cut her long, long hair to a slightly shorter length and went from stick straight to pretty waves and a lighter color which soften her face.

Geena Davis's smile is her signature. White teeth and minimal make-up give her a natural beauty.

Jerry Hall has been a favorite of mine since the 1970s.  She looks unbelievable!

I believe that Mary Steenburgen is one of the few women who is actually better looking now than she was 30 years ago. She credits her good looks to loving and being loved, always important, but I'm betting a good skincare regimen helps as does her great haircut, winsome smile, and slender form!
Who would you add to this list of beautiful women over 50?