As the title explains, I am going out on a limb here. Because I am going to tell you all my secrets on how I keep my youthful appearance.
Photos
Don’t be deceived by pretty photographs: … for every published photo I discarded 30 photos because they made me look terrible.
Hair
My hair is awful. It is thin and I don’t have much of it. The trick is a good hair dresser. I go there every 6 week to have my hair dyed and cut. And in between those visits, my neighbour dyes my roots. I wash it twice a week and use all sorts of products to give it volume. Every day I brush and back-comb my hair.
Face
OK, I know I have wrinkles, but for age 58, almost 59 I am not doing bad, am I? There are reasons for that. Some people have good genes, but I have not. When I was 40 my eye-lids were sagging. They were leaning on my eyelashes. People inquired whether I was feeling allright. When I answered “Yes I am, thank you”, they replied: “Well, you don’t look like it. You look tired”.
I took a good look at my father and saw my future….. it was going to get a lot worse.
Plastic surgery solved the problem: big eyes again.
Ten years later, same sort of thing happened: I got a very sad and tired face. My skin was hanging below my jaws as if it was going to fall off. And my neck… like a turkey! (Thanks daddy, for those genes.)
Plastic surgery solved that problem too: half a facelift performed on the lower part of my face.
Figure
I never had a waist but last year that part of my body was bulging out instead of going in. Age thingy.
Plastic surgeon liposucked my waist and took off 7,5 cm.
Even after getting the waist I never had, I usually wear bodyshapers as they keep everything so nicely in its place. Nothing to worry about when you buy a tight, stretchy dress or jacket. I do pay attention to my lingery though. The whole picture has to look appetizing to my husband, bodyshapers or not.
And of course I am careful with food. I eat: healthy, home-cooked, very little sugar, no cookies (besides on festive occasions) etc. so I don’t gain weight. I have a whole wardrobe as incentive to keep the same size.
Suppleness
For 6 years I was doing tummy excersizes (620 to be precise) every day at 5.15 AM. Now I am down to 3 x a week (350),still at 5.15 AM.
I am doing fitness at the fitness school for the past 8 years, twice a week, an hour each time. Those are my secrets. I am very curious to know how you are going to react on this. Herewith a film of the brand Dove about models and photoshopping. Film (1 minute 14 s): Our distorted view on beauty. Because, believe it or not…. although I have done all of the above en although making myself more beautiful is my passion, I know, really I know, that the most important thing in my life is love. Call me sentimental.
Don’t be deceived by pretty photographs: … for every published photo I discarded 30 photos because they made me look terrible.
Hair
My hair is awful. It is thin and I don’t have much of it. The trick is a good hair dresser. I go there every 6 week to have my hair dyed and cut. And in between those visits, my neighbour dyes my roots. I wash it twice a week and use all sorts of products to give it volume. Every day I brush and back-comb my hair.
Face
OK, I know I have wrinkles, but for age 58, almost 59 I am not doing bad, am I? There are reasons for that. Some people have good genes, but I have not. When I was 40 my eye-lids were sagging. They were leaning on my eyelashes. People inquired whether I was feeling allright. When I answered “Yes I am, thank you”, they replied: “Well, you don’t look like it. You look tired”.
I took a good look at my father and saw my future….. it was going to get a lot worse.
Plastic surgery solved the problem: big eyes again.
Ten years later, same sort of thing happened: I got a very sad and tired face. My skin was hanging below my jaws as if it was going to fall off. And my neck… like a turkey! (Thanks daddy, for those genes.)
Plastic surgery solved that problem too: half a facelift performed on the lower part of my face.
Figure
I never had a waist but last year that part of my body was bulging out instead of going in. Age thingy.
Plastic surgeon liposucked my waist and took off 7,5 cm.
Even after getting the waist I never had, I usually wear bodyshapers as they keep everything so nicely in its place. Nothing to worry about when you buy a tight, stretchy dress or jacket. I do pay attention to my lingery though. The whole picture has to look appetizing to my husband, bodyshapers or not.
And of course I am careful with food. I eat: healthy, home-cooked, very little sugar, no cookies (besides on festive occasions) etc. so I don’t gain weight. I have a whole wardrobe as incentive to keep the same size.
Suppleness
For 6 years I was doing tummy excersizes (620 to be precise) every day at 5.15 AM. Now I am down to 3 x a week (350),still at 5.15 AM.
I am doing fitness at the fitness school for the past 8 years, twice a week, an hour each time. Those are my secrets. I am very curious to know how you are going to react on this. Herewith a film of the brand Dove about models and photoshopping. Film (1 minute 14 s): Our distorted view on beauty. Because, believe it or not…. although I have done all of the above en although making myself more beautiful is my passion, I know, really I know, that the most important thing in my life is love. Call me sentimental.
Me in 2008. A happy rubber ball with short hair. Bad photography can also make you look younger.
Greetje
All through my youth I thought when I aged I’d get wrinkles, but no, not me. I have almost no wrinkles. What I’ve got is droop. Droopy eyes, droopy jaw, droopy neck. I hate it! My dermatologist can fill me up with all sorts of silicone stuff, but it won’t help. What I need is a good, old fashioned, face lift! I love that you have talked about it. It’s such a taboo, and of course where I live I see a lot of too much “work”, but it looks like you’ve had just the right amount done. It’s very nice! Now I just have to save the money, but first I need to send my kids to college! Sigh…
I checked your blog again because I do not recognize your droopiness. So I looked at your face carefully and still could not find any droopyness. But they are photos. I know reality can be more tough. I looked allright on photos but when certain light hits me, I really look my age.When I decided to have plastic surgery done, I was very very careful in selecting the right surgeon. Fortunately I had a very good doctor (GP) who knew exactly which specialist was the best. When somebody is doing things to you, which you cannot hide, always try to illiminate as much risk as you can. I asked the surgeon not to give me “a plastic face”. He showed me some examples and I agreed. But I will not have anything in my face done again. Because then it would start showing.As far as Botox and fillers are concerned, that is where I draw the line. I don’t want any strange material or posion in my body. Suppose my body rejects it…. Brrrr.As far as money is concerned, my husband has one daughter and she is already 27. I don’t have any children by myself. So no costs here anymore. Apparently there are more reasons to get children at an early age than health. Hahaha
Greetje, my dear!!!!!What an amazing and brave women you are, exposing yourself. And with a unique sense of humor. My compliments!!!And you made me laugh with your reply to josep, haha.By the way I think you must cut your hair, you look great with a short cut!!! Well, but I can be bias, I’m all for short cuts, haha.Thank you for this post, you showed that we all are after all humans, with good and not so good “things”, except for LOVE.So, sending much love your way,xoxo
I always give information other people never disclose. The times somebody says to me: ” Stop. Too much information”, are countless. Nowadays I answer:” Braise yourself dear, there is a whole lot more coming.” LOLAnd I won’t cut my hair. This was just a lucky photo. The hairstyle I have now is much easier to maintain.
A sincere, brave and funny woman. Congratulations on being thus. Not everything he would dare with a post like this. I love the photo, I think short hair looks great on you.
The nice thing about always being honest is, you don’t have to remember what you said. And you can never be blackmailed. Even the milkman knows all of my secrets. Hmmm that is not true, he just knows a lot haha.
You are known for your openness and humor Greetje and that is what makes you so special. It’s a sensitive topic indeed, but I believe that if something makes YOU happy (and you only do it for yourself) then go for it. I also have a skin that wrinkles very quickly but my main ‘issue’ is sagging skin around the mouth, which makes me look permanently depressed when I have my mouth closed. It’s no coincidence that I smile a lot on my blog!
Smiling is good anyway. Those Japanese are not having Smiling workshops for nothing. It actually works. If you mimic laughing, you can fool your body into believing you are happy. That is if you keep it up for a short while of course.Don’t they have laser technics for wrinkles around your mouth? If you ever consider that, also be careful who you choose. You don’t want the man to leave the machine on too long and burn a hole in your face.
Wow, I’d never guessed that you had work done, so obviously your surgeon was a very good one. Like you said, who want’s a “plastic face”! I think you look very good for your age, and with your tall and slender figure you’ll always look younger than your years. I also think you looked great with the short hair! I’m blessed with fairly good genes and I have almost no wrinkles yet, just a few tiny crow’s feet when I smile. I do have that furrow between my brows which I inherited from my mother, so I’m considering fillers or perhaps Botox for that one. Otherwise I try to take care of my self with good skincare, a fairly healty diet and weekly exercise. I have an hourglass figure with pear tendencies, but ever since I started jogging and running, my legs have lost inches and my tummy has flattended, so I’m definitely keeping it up:) I’d like to age gracefully, but not to soon:)
Nanne, that is exactly why I keep up my exercise. Not because I like it (I hate all sports. I even hate watching it), but because it gives me so much: more muscles, less pains, no injuries, more suppleness etc etc.Enjoy your good genes. Look at women with wrinkles a lot and then gladly think : “I have not got those”, I have not got those”.People always tend to compare themselves. But usually to somebody who is better off. It makes you so much happier if you compare yourself to somebody who is less fortunate in a certain area.
Thank you, Greetje, for your candor. Your honesty makes your readers feel very connected to you. And all your choices have added up to a lovely appearance!
I keep forgetting to say that every operation is of course a risk. If something goes wrong, you’ll hate yourself for having done it. So you have to think it over really good. I tried to eliminate as many risks as I could and hoped and prayed nothing would go wrong.
Once again, your blog is a delight. Always puts a smile on my face. And the shirt and jeans you found confusing. I like the look too. Cute!
I am very grateful to have found a good styling for the shirt. Finally it will get some use. And as you commented on this page you now know all my dark secrets haha.
Great post dear Greetje! I now know why I can so relate to you: I am too very honest and open and disclose too much. I love not only seeing your outfits and the different ways you style them, but also reading your blogs. I enjoy your sense of humour and that you’re so open.
I will try to keep you happy.
Wow Greetje – this may be the most honest post I have ever read. I really appreciate your sharing that you have had a facelift. I am terrified of having anything injected into my body but I am thinking more and more that I might not mind having it lifted. LOL! My son has 2&1/2 more years of college and then I should have money to spend on me. Like you, I have never had a weight problem but I eat very healthy. I think that helps keep your skin looking younger too.I disagree with you about your hair. I think that is one of your best features – right up there with your smile. You have found the style and color that suit you. USA SuzannePS – you have a milkman? Does he bring milk to your door?
About 15 years ago my husband had Melanoma. It was one month after we had moved into our new house and I had already lost my dad and two brothers so I was afraid I would end up raising my children on my own. I gave up tanning, made sure I ate healthy, exercised, and did everything I could think of to ensure I would be around for a long time. I think all of these good habits were a bonus for my skin. Tanning beds especially scare me. I won’t let my children use them. I think the real sun can be a positive thing if used wisely.
I will be the first person to admit that sun couches and tanning are very bad for you and age you a lot. Still… cannot do without it.Furthermore I just have bad genes. Whatever I put on my face or how much water I drink per day… the aging comes fast. You should see my hair when the wind gets hold of it and it takes “its natural flow”.. Not a pretty sight.PS- no we do not have a milkman. But I am old enough to remember one. He stopped coming when I was 7 due to pasteurizing haha. Just always remembered the (Dutch) saying. Or perhaps I made it up.
You are so right. I am reducing my visits but I should stop. I know.
Once again, your blog is a delight. Always puts a smile on my face. And the shirt and jeans you found confusing. I like the look too. Cute!
I am very grateful to have found a good styling for the shirt. Finally it will get some use. And as you commented on this page you now know all my dark secrets haha.
Wow Greetje – this may be the most honest post I have ever read. I really appreciate your sharing that you have had a facelift. I am terrified of having anything injected into my body but I am thinking more and more that I might not mind having it lifted. LOL! My son has 2&1/2 more years of college and then I should have money to spend on me. Like you, I have never had a weight problem but I eat very healthy. I think that helps keep your skin looking younger too.I disagree with you about your hair. I think that is one of your best features – right up there with your smile. You have found the style and color that suit you. USA SuzannePS – you have a milkman? Does he bring milk to your door?
I will be the first person to admit that sun couches and tanning are very bad for you and age you a lot. Still… cannot do without it.Furthermore I just have bad genes. Whatever I put on my face or how much water I drink per day… the aging comes fast. You should see my hair when the wind gets hold of it and it takes “its natural flow”.. Not a pretty sight.PS- no we do not have a milkman. But I am old enough to remember one. He stopped coming when I was 7 due to pasteurizing haha. Just always remembered the (Dutch) saying. Or perhaps I made it up.
About 15 years ago my husband had Melanoma. It was one month after we had moved into our new house and I had already lost my dad and two brothers so I was afraid I would end up raising my children on my own. I gave up tanning, made sure I ate healthy, exercised, and did everything I could think of to ensure I would be around for a long time. I think all of these good habits were a bonus for my skin. Tanning beds especially scare me. I won’t let my children use them. I think the real sun can be a positive thing if used wisely.
You are so right. I am reducing my visits but I should stop. I know.
Great post dear Greetje! I now know why I can so relate to you: I am too very honest and open and disclose too much. I love not only seeing your outfits and the different ways you style them, but also reading your blogs. I enjoy your sense of humour and that you’re so open.
I will try to keep you happy.
Thank you, Greetje, for your candor. Your honesty makes your readers feel very connected to you. And all your choices have added up to a lovely appearance!
I keep forgetting to say that every operation is of course a risk. If something goes wrong, you’ll hate yourself for having done it. So you have to think it over really good. I tried to eliminate as many risks as I could and hoped and prayed nothing would go wrong.
You are known for your openness and humor Greetje and that is what makes you so special. It’s a sensitive topic indeed, but I believe that if something makes YOU happy (and you only do it for yourself) then go for it. I also have a skin that wrinkles very quickly but my main ‘issue’ is sagging skin around the mouth, which makes me look permanently depressed when I have my mouth closed. It’s no coincidence that I smile a lot on my blog!
Smiling is good anyway. Those Japanese are not having Smiling workshops for nothing. It actually works. If you mimic laughing, you can fool your body into believing you are happy. That is if you keep it up for a short while of course.Don’t they have laser technics for wrinkles around your mouth? If you ever consider that, also be careful who you choose. You don’t want the man to leave the machine on too long and burn a hole in your face.
Wow, I’d never guessed that you had work done, so obviously your surgeon was a very good one. Like you said, who want’s a “plastic face”! I think you look very good for your age, and with your tall and slender figure you’ll always look younger than your years. I also think you looked great with the short hair! I’m blessed with fairly good genes and I have almost no wrinkles yet, just a few tiny crow’s feet when I smile. I do have that furrow between my brows which I inherited from my mother, so I’m considering fillers or perhaps Botox for that one. Otherwise I try to take care of my self with good skincare, a fairly healty diet and weekly exercise. I have an hourglass figure with pear tendencies, but ever since I started jogging and running, my legs have lost inches and my tummy has flattended, so I’m definitely keeping it up:) I’d like to age gracefully, but not to soon:)
Nanne, that is exactly why I keep up my exercise. Not because I like it (I hate all sports. I even hate watching it), but because it gives me so much: more muscles, less pains, no injuries, more suppleness etc etc.Enjoy your good genes. Look at women with wrinkles a lot and then gladly think : “I have not got those”, I have not got those”.People always tend to compare themselves. But usually to somebody who is better off. It makes you so much happier if you compare yourself to somebody who is less fortunate in a certain area.
All through my youth I thought when I aged I’d get wrinkles, but no, not me. I have almost no wrinkles. What I’ve got is droop. Droopy eyes, droopy jaw, droopy neck. I hate it! My dermatologist can fill me up with all sorts of silicone stuff, but it won’t help. What I need is a good, old fashioned, face lift! I love that you have talked about it. It’s such a taboo, and of course where I live I see a lot of too much “work”, but it looks like you’ve had just the right amount done. It’s very nice! Now I just have to save the money, but first I need to send my kids to college! Sigh…
I checked your blog again because I do not recognize your droopiness. So I looked at your face carefully and still could not find any droopyness. But they are photos. I know reality can be more tough. I looked allright on photos but when certain light hits me, I really look my age.When I decided to have plastic surgery done, I was very very careful in selecting the right surgeon. Fortunately I had a very good doctor (GP) who knew exactly which specialist was the best. When somebody is doing things to you, which you cannot hide, always try to illiminate as much risk as you can. I asked the surgeon not to give me “a plastic face”. He showed me some examples and I agreed. But I will not have anything in my face done again. Because then it would start showing.As far as Botox and fillers are concerned, that is where I draw the line. I don’t want any strange material or posion in my body. Suppose my body rejects it…. Brrrr.As far as money is concerned, my husband has one daughter and she is already 27. I don’t have any children by myself. So no costs here anymore. Apparently there are more reasons to get children at an early age than health. Hahaha
Greetje, my dear!!!!!What an amazing and brave women you are, exposing yourself. And with a unique sense of humor. My compliments!!!And you made me laugh with your reply to josep, haha.By the way I think you must cut your hair, you look great with a short cut!!! Well, but I can be bias, I’m all for short cuts, haha.Thank you for this post, you showed that we all are after all humans, with good and not so good “things”, except for LOVE.So, sending much love your way,xoxo
I always give information other people never disclose. The times somebody says to me: ” Stop. Too much information”, are countless. Nowadays I answer:” Braise yourself dear, there is a whole lot more coming.” LOLAnd I won’t cut my hair. This was just a lucky photo. The hairstyle I have now is much easier to maintain.
A sincere, brave and funny woman. Congratulations on being thus. Not everything he would dare with a post like this. I love the photo, I think short hair looks great on you.
The nice thing about always being honest is, you don’t have to remember what you said. And you can never be blackmailed. Even the milkman knows all of my secrets. Hmmm that is not true, he just knows a lot haha.