Needless to say 40 has turned out a lot differently than I’d imagined, but that’s turned out to be not such a bad thing.  Who says that if you haven’t gotten it done/figured out/accomplished by 40, you’ll never figure it out? Check out this great video by Mike Kravinsky, who runs one of my new favorite sites, Nextnik.com. The video, All Hail The Late Bloomer, serves as a reminder to us all that it’s never too late to be who you might have been…

The past year has been quite a journey – for me and The Women at Forty Project.

On a personal level I took on a health challenge to become fit at 40. I’ve hit a few speed-bumps along the way (most recently a busted knee which I’ll tell you about in another post), but guest contributor Rachel reminds me that I’ll be 40 for an entire year and so technically still have time to meet that goal.

And the little idea I had for a story-telling project/lifestyle blog about women on the verge of 40 has taken on a life of its own. Women at Forty has been featured on CNN.com, CNN Radio, More Magazine and is frequently syndicated in The Chicago Sun Times. It was also voted by WE Magazine as one of the 101 Women Bloggers to Watch in 2010. Whew!  But what I’m most proud of is the community of diverse women who’ve come together through this project to share their stories. The site’s had dozens of guest posts, thousands of visitors, and women – and men – tuning in from over 100 countries! That’s a long way from September 16, 2009 when I asked what’s your passion, and six people – two of them my sisters -saw the post. It’s been a blessed year.

A thousand thanks to all my guest posters, all the women who’ve commented, sent emails, photos and words of encouragement over the past year. This week is dedicated to you, your contributions and our most popular posts. And please, stick around for another year – after all, we’ve still got a lot to say about our fabulous 40’s!

Grace

For years I prided myself on being one of those women for whom things like wrinkles, crow’s feet and gray hairs just did not matter. To me, they were all signs of wisdom and beauty.  And as a conscientious objector of today’s “youthification” movement that says women should immediately rid themselves of all signs of aging, I’d loudly declare that I was never going to color my grays. So…what’s up with my reaction to these darn grays? (photo credit: Piedrastudio)

After I yanked that sucker out at the root (I sure did), I sat down and thought about my reaction. I realized, it’s not the gray that bothers me – it’s what it represents. For me it represents getting older, but not the getting older that society focuses on – not the wrinkles or the changes in our bodies.  It’s coming to grips with the fact that what’s 40 today will be 50, 60 and God willing 80 one day. It’s the thought of losing loved ones along the way. And it’s facing the reality that there are some really great things in life that I’ll never get to experience.

Don’t get me wrong. I don’t have a morbid fascination with getting older or dying. In fact the opposite is true – these days, I’m more determined than ever to enjoy my life and do the things I once only dreamed of doing. But there are moments – fleeting moments like the one I experienced when I saw that gray hair – when I come face to face with my own mortality, and frankly, it makes me a little sad.  And something tells me nothing they sell in a bottle can do anything about it.

Are you ok with the gray? Not just the changing color of your hair, but what it represents? Share your thoughts in the comment section or on our Facebook fan page.

Over on Facebook a lively discussion started on dying gray hair, growing old gracefully and good genes.  On the site a few of you even commented that you’d already had some work done – and saw no problem with that. Here’s a little of what you had to say on dying gray hair, aging gracefully and cosmetic surgery…

I’ve decided against plastic surgery. I like how I look even as I get older. Yes, I see my little fat cheeks dropping a little, and I notice more lines under my eyes…but I remember that they are there because I laugh a lot and that’s a good thing, right? -E

For me, aging gracefully means accepting myself and loving myself as I am. I am fortunate that my only telltale aging sign is gray hair, which I’ve had since my early 20s. While I do color my gray, I highly doubt that I would or will ever have plastic surgery/Botox/Restalayne/etc.. -R

I would consider having plastic surgery, in fact I admit that I started doing fillers and botox about 1 year ago. What does aging “gracefully” mean anyway? Does it mean we have to accept the fact that we just don’t look like 20 anymore? I get that! I don’t want to look like 20 because I feel different now than I did 20 years ago. But that doesn’t mean I can’t try to look my best, does it? – S

I had procedures done as well, Botox, Sculptra, Chemical peels and I might consider more “drastic” measures in the future if I feel I have to. I will turn 40 this year and although I know I am now considered to be a “middle aged woman” now, I will not let myself go. – Sun

Join the conversation – Take our “plastic surgery” poll, share your thoughts in the comment section and sound off on our Facebook page. We want to know what all of you have to say about aging and beauty in today’s culture.

Super Foods are foods which are so nutrient-rich that they can help fight aging and illness. For years experts have touted the benefits of super foods for helping to prevent wrinkles, memory loss, vision problems, thinning hair and more.  From heart disease preventing salmon to bone building broccoli, super foods have more “bang for their buck” than your typical fare. If you’re anything like me, you might be struggling with weight and how much to eat. And while that can be a life-long battle, incorporating at least some of these super foods into your diet can be an easy way to help improve your health and well being, one bite at a time.

Spinach – The super food for your eyes – Squinting at my screen has made me that more conscious about taking care of my eyes. Known as the super food for eyes, spinach is rich in folic acid, vitamin A, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, copper, magnesium, vitamin C, and iron. It also contains lutein which acts as an antioxidant, protecting the macula tissue from oxidation and absorbing damaging UV light.  If you’re buying it fresh, choose spinach with deep green leaves and stems free of yellow or brown spots.

Salmon contains omega-3 fatty acid which is shown to help prevent heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish like salmon twice weekly. If you’re not a fan of salmon, canned tuna also contains omega-3. As for mercury content? Experts say that the benefits of eating salmon far outweigh the risks. Pregnant and lactating women should consult their doctors before consuming fish.

Almonds – Although high in fat, almonds have the same type of heart healthy fats as olive oil. Almonds provide magnesium and potassium and have been shown to lower cholesterol. One serving of almonds provides half of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) of vitamin E. If you’re one of those people who find themselves eating more than a serving a time, pre-pack a handful of almonds in a small zip-lock and snack on it throughout the day.

Blueberries – Blueberries are a low calorie source of vitamin C and fiber and are a rich source of phytonutrients or plant compounds.  Blueberries can also help prevent urinary tract infections and have been shown to improve short term memory.

Broccoli – Broccoli’s packed with calcium, folate and fiber and also contains phytonutrients. Phytonutrients may help prevent chronic illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease and some cancers.  It’s also a great source of vitamins A and C. Besides being a good source of calcium, potassium, folate and fiber, broccoli contains phytonutrients — a group of compounds that may help prevent chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers. Broccoli is also a good source of vitamins A and C.

For a list of 27 Anti-Aging Super Foods and their benefits, click here. Is there a super food that has worked miracles for you? Share your super food story in our comment section.

Why I Love Queen Latifah
by Margaret Barney

This woman is amazing.

I *love* Queen Latifah. She’s intelligent, funny, incredibly talented. I see her on talk shows, and I just adore her–I want to *know* her because I get the sense that she’s just got so much love and goodwill emanating from her…and that she shares that with the people around her.
So, she was on Ellen the other morning. (I am also a huge fan of Ellen, for pretty much the same basic reasons.) And she’s talking about this being the year that she’s turning the big Four-Oh. Ellen asked her what she thought of it, and I was so thrilled to hear her say that she’s not all worked up about turning forty. That she’s sort of looking forward to it, and that she feels good about it.

I actually think that I really *love* that woman. Because her attitude about getting a bit older is right on! I guess it doesn’t hurt that I happen to be feeling the same way. But I’m thrilled to see my contemporary say loudly and proudly that, “Hell Yeah! I *am* getting older!” Older, better, growing and learning. My concerns, my quiet little “frettable” thoughts (I made that word up–’frettable’–meaning something over which I will likely fret) are shifting. I worry less about appearances, more about substance. I feel as if I’ve only just begun (yeah, I know you hear the strains of The Carpenters when you read that!) and that there is opportunity awaiting me–mine for the taking.

Turns out…Queen Latifah’s birthday is the day before mine. She is exactly one day older than me (and shares the birthday with one of my older sisters). I always thought of her as younger than me, not that it mattered all that much to me, but I somehow was a little bit thrilled at how close in age we really are.
I’m kind of excited about turning 40. And admittedly, I’m also doing a bit of reflection–there’s quite a few more wrinkles than when I got married 10 years ago. Definitely more grey hair. I’ve not taken to covering those greys, either, and boy are they prolific! My feeling is, “Damn it! I earned those!” They’re my badge of survival. Not just survival…success!

And I’ve changed. I’ve grown. I’ve soldiered through some serious challenges in my time on this planet. And with Forty on the horizon, I decided to spend a bit more time focusing on my own health

and well-being. Since August, I’ve been exercising 4 or 5 days a week. You’d be surprised at how much better your outlook on the world is, when you get the endorphins pumping on a regular basis. I sleep more soundly, and feel more rested when I get up. I feel optimistic as a general rule, not as if some gloomy cloud is following me around. And, I found that in focusing on exercise as an activity unto itself–something that simply makes my head feel good–the rest just followed.

I have lost weight…about 25 pounds. I feel so much healthier, just climbing the stairs! And, speaking of climbing, my ass is climbing back up the back of my thighs and looking perkier–my legs are getting firmer & stronger, and those weren’t even my goals. As I said, the goal was to tend to my head (specifically, endorphins!)   I have some serious bicep and ab action going on as well. What happened? I’m not sure…all I know is that I finally stopped focusing on the external…and focused on the real me. The me inside. For better or worse, I’m me–so why not make sure it’s a ‘better’ version?

So here’s to my fellow Piscean, Queen Latifah…and all you wonderful ladies out there who embrace the you that you are, or are working toward that end…and a special ‘cheers’ to those of you turning 40 this year. They say 40 is the new 20…I say, 40, 20, 60–doesn’t matter, as long as you’re good with where you are!

Margaret Barney is a writer and blogger who only just recently began to feel as if she’s coming into her own, and is turning forty this year.   She lives with her husband and kids in New England.  You can read more at her blog, Just Margaret.

One of the most effective facials for over 40 skin or premature aging is Galvanic Therapy. Nothing has been shown to provide the results of Galvanic without shots, pain or invasive procedure, yet so few women have heard of it. Galvanic cleanses, purifies, tones, tightens and lifts as well as reduce signs of aging such as wrinkles and fine lines. When I was working in a spa this was my favorite treatment to perform.

So what is Galvanic Therapy?

Galvanic Therapy is a low level electric current that is applied to the skin with a specifically designed devise for use by Estheticians. It’s been in use for over 50 years in facial services. Sophia Loren has known about it for a very long time, and that lady has some pretty amazing skin for a woman of a certain age.

Galvanic has the ability to stimulate the circulation of oxygen and blood in the facial skin supplying an elevated level of nourishment. Galvanic also creates an environment in the skin that allows for up to a 70% increase in the efficacy of the skin care and anti-aging products you use after the treatment for up to 24-48 hours.

During a facial procedure a negative charge is used to deeply cleanse and purify the skin. This first part of  the treatment is called Disincrustation. A negative charge in the instrument will repel a negatively charged cleansing gel and push it deep into the skin. Toxins and impurities are neutralized.

The second and positive charge cycle is called Iontophoresis. This positive charge pushes positively charged anti-aging ingredients into the skin where they can do the most good. Deep in your skin, in the dermal layer you have something called a fibroblast. This is where your collagen and elastin is produced like a little youth factory, I like to say. And that is where you want anti-aging and cell communicating ingredients to reach. Having a product just sitting on top of your skin isn’t even close to as effective.

Getting this done in a spa can get quite costly especially since the treatment needs to do be done regularly to see and maintain results. Spa costs can range from $150-$220 per treatment and each treatment needs to be repeated at least 1-2x per month. Home versions of Galvanic Therapy are available and are more cost effective.

As an Esthetician, I’ve done my research and use and endorse a particular at home Galvanic Therapy product that has a patented ingredient in the positively charged gel that attacks an enzyme in the skin that causes aging. It’s excellent for all ethnicities and skin types. I use it regularly and absolutely love how my skin looks and feels.

To learn more about Galvanic Therapy, check out this article at Beauty and the Blog. You can read the whole thing or just scroll to the bottom to learn about the ingredients and see a video demonstration.

Jeffrie Ann Hall is an Esthetician specializing in Anti-Aging Skin Care for women 40+.  Through her blog Beauty-and-the-blog, and sales of innovative science based skin care, Jeffrie focuses on helping women stay fresh and vibrant at all stages of life.

Lying about our age is certainly not unique to this generation. Our mothers did it, and their mothers before them. But in a time when turning forty is embraced more than ever, many of us are still hesitant about embracing it.  If forty really is the new thirty, why hide it?

I’ve always been one to embrace my age. In fact at age 28, I was telling everybody I was 30, so convinced was I that 30 would be my best year ever (more on that later).  But around age 28.75, to be exact, I began to notice hesitation when responding to the question, “how old are you,” particularly if the inquiry was coming from someone younger.  It was just a moment’s hesitation, but it was there nonetheless, and I was shocked that I, of all people, would succumb to the deadly age embarrassment syndrome. But the thing is, I’m NOT at all embarrassed about turning forty. In fact, I’m one of the ones looking forward to it.

I’ve recently realized, it’s not turning forty that concerns me, it’s other people’s reaction to me being forty that does. And by other people, I mean other know-it-all thirty year olds like I was. I remember thinking at thirty, that I had ten good years left. Ten years to cram in the fulfillment of every wish, dream and fantasy I’d ever had. That’s how convinced I was that once I turned forty, it was all over but the shouting. Don’t ask me where I got the stupid idea that life (at least a fun life) ended at forty. But there I was in my early thirties, restaurant hopping, spending borrowed money, taking salsa lessons, karate classes, playing tennis, pool…a whirlwind of activity, convinced that staying active would keep me thirty forever.  Then my mid thirties happened, and my dream of a perfect decade crumbled under the reality of lay-offs, credit card bills, a broken toe (I’ll tell you about it another time) and, well…reality.

Now, as forty quickly approaches I realize that I need it as much as I needed thirty.  I don’t need it to be the new thirty. I need it to be forty – full of the same hopes and dreams that thirty was, but with a dash of wisdom born from life lessons.  No, I’m not embarrassed to say I’m turning forty. And when a young thirty year old gives me that “bless her forty year old heart” smile, I’ll smile back, knowing that one day, she’ll be here too.

What’re your thoughts on hiding your age? Share them in the comment section above.