I don't care what Madison Avenue says or what Hollywood says, I think that by the time you're 40,

[raccoon]

as far as Mother Nature is concerned, you're old.

[Kahuna]

1. Tell me about it. I woke up on my 40th bd and noticed many changes

from the day before. :scared:

[Frances]

2. I thought 40 was old when I turned 40

Now I think 40 is young!!!

[Kahuna]

25. Everthing is relative. I noticed immediate physical changes when I turned 40..

but now, 15 years later, I feel maternal towards 40 year olds the same as I feel towards under 40. Go figure. :shrug:

[MineralMan]

3. How about what I say?

Forty-year-olds are mere children. Babes in arms...well, at least some of them are babes.

[Donnachaidh]

4. and you are in direct contact with Mother Nature?

:rofl: :rofl: ridiculous flamebait.

[Avalux]

5. Really? What about what I say?

I'm 43 and although I realize my body isn't as it was when I was 23, I am certainly not old. I eat well and exercise and feel good.

Nope, I'm not old.

;-)

[Sanity Claws]

6. And the basis of your opinion is what?

With life expectancy in the 80s, you're only half way through life. Why would Mother Nature consider that old?
Also, could you explain the need you felt to voice an opinion without stating any basis? How would this enlighten me or any other reader of your post?

[skooooo]

11. I'd say it's probably...

...youth and inexperience.

[The_Casual_Observer]

7. I guess then we have about 20 good years,

[cosmik debris]

8. That depends on whether you are looking forward or backward. n/t

[panader0]

9. Try 58

I'm in good shape and health, but I'm starting to feel it. I still work construction. I'm not sure if it's building me up or wearing me down.

[skooooo]

10. You'll feel differently when you hit 40..

By that time life and Mother Nature will knock some of the snot out of you too, and you won't feel be so arrogant to make grand pronouncements about life.

:hi:

[raccoon]

19. I already hit 40. I'm in my late 50's now. After I turned 40, my body started breaking down. nt

[skooooo]

21. Sorry to hear that...

That's not everyone's experience though. Hard to tell from your initial post. Good luck to you. :hi:

[baldguy]

12. I would disagree with you, but my knees wouldn't.

[cpamomfromtexas]

13. I disagree, I had rough 30's so I feel like a million bucks now.

I tell everyone, I'm just getting started!

[Child_Of_Isis]

14. I'm 49.

I can honestly say that this is the best I have ever felt.

[sarge43]

15. "Old is anyone 15 years older than yourself". Bernard Baruch n/t

[xiamiam]

16. ha...thats so cute...nt

[ellie]

17. I don't agree

40 doesn't mean the same thing it did when our parents were 40. I think old is 90ish and age is just a number.

[raccoon]

20. It's not just a number when you start developing arthritis, tendinitis, plantar fascitis, and other

stuff.

You can have plastic surgery, a personal trainer, dye your hair, bleach your teeth, etc., but those ailments I mentioned (and others) are still going to rear their heads.

I'm much happier now in my 50's than I was as a child and young adult. However, like most of us, I have physical limitations that I didn't have when I was younger.

[madrchsod]

18. being 62...40 was the "best" years of my life

[supernova]

22. I'm 46 and feel great

I don't feel any different than I did in my 20s and 30s actually, as far as zest for life goes. I still got it. :D

I don't have any ailments like arthritis, or creaky joints, or no-reason-for-it sore muscles. My eyesight is still good; don't need glasses.

I am overweight at the moment, but I do exercise and expect to correct that by the end of this year.

Sorry, you're feeling broken down, but it's not my experience.

40s feel very damn good to me. ;-)

[D-Lee]

23. That age-ist position is really "old" -- here's a nice take on age

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/12/opinion/12collins.html (free registration required)

Very cute Gail Collins op-ed, including the observation that Geither lacks gravitas -- and comments on the old dog winning the Westminister dog show top award.

Raccoon, seriously, there is a lot you can do about physical aging. The best thing for you is probably going low carb (my hobby horse, be forewarned) because the "white stuff" of sugar and starches adds to the inflammatory processes of your body.

Here's a Google search on the words carbohydrates and inflammation:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4GGLM_enUS309US295&q=carbohydrates+inflammation

On the age thing, it used to be "don't trust anyone over 30" (LOL).

[Warpy]

24. "Old" is always 15 years older than you are

at whatever age you happen to be.

Mother Nature has wisely determined that women's lives are to be lived in distinct stages, with the rigors of pregnancy and childbirth restricted to relative youth. She doesn't make us obsolete in the final stage of life as she realizes we have achieved wisdom valuable to our species by that time.

Not that anyone ever listens to it.

[HuckleB]

27. A lovely post!

[HuckleB]

26. From what we now know about brain plasticity. I greatly disagree!