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Home › Style

Question of the Day | 09/26/2008 12:00 am

What are the biggest changes, positive or negative, your body has been through in the last ten years?

© iStock
Candice Bergen

Candice Bergen | 09/26/2008 12:00 am

Candice Bergen's Freakish Body Part

Easy. For starters, 30 pounds.

Twenty-five at least. I took off ten in the last month or two but am still Blimpola. Then various chronic things. Daily medication. But my back is better since I work much less. My feet, however, are bigger … by half a size in the last ten years.

And two whole sizes bigger over the last 40 years. Which seems a tad freakish to me.

comments16 Comments
Liz Smith

Liz Smith | 09/26/2008 12:00 am

Liz Smith: The Pros and Cons of Aging

NEGATIVE: Well, this old body which remained 118 pounds for thousands of years, suddenly, after about age 60 grew to be a bit fluffy around the middle. And though I try, I don’t seem to get rid of that. My belt size went astronomical. I have minor but irritating arthritis and there is no cartilage left in my right knee, but I refuse to give in to it. I keep on dancing and climbing stairs and trying to work around it and to ignore it.

POSITIVE: Well, they say the legs are the last thing to go and I admittedly still have those and they don’t look too bad. But my arms aren’t in sync, so I usually wear long sleeves which my friend Mary Tyler Moore did not do at the recent Emmys, much to observant dismay. I would say I look better now than when I was much younger, except for my wrinkles. Becoming a "natural blonde" and learning a little bit about how to do my own makeup, after years of observing how the TV artists do it, has helped me a lot.

Click here on this text to read my New York Post column.

comments4 Comments
Read more about: Aging, Beauty, Biology, Body Image, Health, Humor, Lifestyle, Style

143 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

Babette dYveine
About ten pounds too many, but it’s all in my waist. A few little aches and pains, but nothing serious (knock on wood!). A couple more wrinkles and grey hairs. I guess you would consider these negative. On the other hand, growing older makes the ridiculous remarks I make more acceptable. Others put them down as “cute” or “feisty.” My personality hasn’t changed, but others’ perception of it has.
By Babette dYveine on 09/26/2008 9:19 am
J B
Ah, where to begin? Arthritis in my back, knees and wrist…weight gain…though the hot flashes are starting to wane…Thank God! Emphysema…so my energy level plunges around eight p.m each evening. On the up side, I still have a waist I can identify, and my boobs still rock…always look for the silver lining!
By J B on 09/26/2008 9:23 am
Chrome Toe
Postive changes - I’m probably stronger and in better condition today than at any time of my life. don’t hate me for it! i’ve worked my ass off to be strong. I haven’t missed more than a few days at a time of exercise in 20 years. I hike hills in the columbia river gorge. 4 miles up hill then back. swim for forty minutes. lift weights an hour at a time. I’ve started hating running again so now i choose to walk fast for 5 miles or so at a time. Negative - something is wrong with my feet. haven’t ever had them looked at. but i’m crippled in the mornings. they hurt all the time. my joints hurt. my wrists my ankles my fingers. My boobs are sacks of coins lol and my least favorite is my skin. My mom told me about 5 years ago that i was going to destroy my skin riding a motorcycle and she’s right. and as you know… it doesn’t rebound anymore. My chest is looking the worst as it had the most direct sunlight on the bike.
By Chrome Toe on 09/26/2008 9:29 am
phyllis Doyle Pepe
Kelly: It sounds as if you may have arthritis. Have you talked to your doctor about these pains? It might be a good idea to pick straighter paths for hiking–––especially going down hill is murder on your joints. Have you tried Aleve? An older woman friend of mine has severe arthritis in her hips, and phalanges and although she has tried other more expensive medication she claims Aleve works the best for her.
By phyllis Doyle Pepe on 09/26/2008 2:15 pm
Chrome Toe
Ya… i probably do have arthritis. Agneyss replied to me about some supplements that help joints that i’ll probably start taking. My mom had arthritis. From what i’ve read it’s mostly genetic…
By Chrome Toe on 09/27/2008 12:44 am
Agyness O
Kelly, your first paragraph is GREAT and good for you. But, as to the second, Phyllis may be right. In any case, you could use a joint health dietary supplement. I learned this years ago while on a rowing team. I take glucosamine HCI 1500 mg with MSM 1500mg. It is for optimum joint health and health and mobility and helps build cartilage. I like to stay healthy through exercise and this helps so much. It takes about a month to feel results but wow, I do see and feel a big difference. Also, I have had friends give it to their aged dogs with arthritus and they see amazing improvement. I also take calcium twice a day for bone health and one before bed helps you sleep. As to your skin…I hope you are wearing a good strong sunscreen, hat, and moisturizer. I have also loved having a humidifer in my room at night since I now live in dry Colorado. I have a suppliment pill box that I fill once a week and have done so for years. I know that it works. My sister who hasn’t done this is a good gauge for me, too. She is 4 years younger and I am much healthier and physically in shape. Mind you, I am not perfect but I do try to do the best I can.
By Agyness O on 09/26/2008 3:43 pm
Step away from the BLOG!
Agyness, Kelly, Phyllis—I thought I knew alot about supplements as interested since teens and read everything. But went to a nutritionist when shattered my foot and the docs were threatening surgery with a one yr recup period. The woman told me to take dessicated powder form calcium as pill forms are not absorbed—very little so most flushed down the toilet w/no benefit. And to be sure contains D3 and MSM. Was getting foot xrayed every month to see progress. Before took this, they were saying not getting better then had me stay in bed 80% to try to heal. The next time after I started the powder Calcium etc…the bones were healed. Also, try Alive from Whole Foods or online. http://www.herbalremedies.com/alive-shake1.html When I put this in blender AM with OJ/walnuts and either banana, strawberries, fresh pineapple or kiwi feel 1000% percent better. Am back on my health routine….have been extremely depressed over my brother’s death of two months ago and my mother said doesn’t help him or you. She, like our Dona, is being very courageous. She was crying all the time so went on Paxil for a few months and a little easier but she’s really working at it. Unfortunately, we don’t have an off and on switch. I can be super fine and happy and having a blast in San Francisco one minute, next I’ll spot a tall lanky fellow walking his dog and looking like my brother and then undone. So I think exercise and ultimate nutrition are good solutions (walks by the beach etc) But the nutrionist said after 40 do not digest pill form vitamins go for powder…..but make sure if soy based Non-GMO and also look for sugars etc. Alive is all plant/greens based etc. I feel 100% energized after blender drink and get most of fruits/greens just in that.
By Step away from the BLOG! on 09/26/2008 9:14 pm
Agyness O
Step Away….I didn’t mention that I do Green Vibrance that I get at Whole Foods that sounds much like your Alive. It is not very tasty so I eat a handful of dried blueberries and almonds afterwards. My doctor who is both eastern/western recommended it. I know it has been a difficult time for you and your parents but it sounds as though all of you are “soldering on” as my English grandmother would say and exspect. Don’t forget to try the big gym ball!
By Agyness O on 09/26/2008 10:58 pm
Chrome Toe
agyness and step away - I’ve been thinking it’s time for me to start taking some supplements. i’ve never even taken a multivitamin. Especially that glucosimine stuff. i’ve heard a lot about that over the last couple of years as my husband’s parents both have severe arthritis and take it. my husband also just got diagnosed with osteoarthritis. It’s morning so i’m crippled lol…
By Chrome Toe on 09/27/2008 8:52 am
Agyness O
Kelly, honeychild, try, it you’ll like it and never look back. Arthritus or not, it will help and do no harm. You will continue to enjoy all that great excercise. This disease runs in my family, too, and even my younger sister is showing signs. Since you have never been a supplement person, I have a suggestion that might make it easy. Everyday take the extra strength glucosamine along with a muitivitamin and drink one of the green drinks…I do Green Vibrance…that are loaded with anti-oxidents and all the daily fruits and vegetables that you need. It is easy, to the point and will address the problems you have mentioned. Go for it and good luck! Oh, remember this appoached does not work overnight…it will take a few weeks to a month.
By Agyness O on 09/27/2008 9:49 am
im p
A word of caution… I was taking a glucosamine condroitin supplement. My rheumatolgist wanted me to have a blood test as she said it raises your cholestrol level. I did and mine was up to 254… I went off the supplement and within a week it was down to 190. So if you are taking it, please have your blood tested. My regular doctor said it also raises blood pressure in some people. I now take Aleve once or twice a day… it works better than the supplement did for me.
By im p on 09/28/2008 3:21 pm
Agyness O
Thanks im p….I have been taking it for 12 years and can tell a difference. I have my blood checked regularly…just this summer. My doctor knows that I take it but I am going to have her research this as well as do a little myself. For years, my cholestrol has been a little on the high side but my good is very high so she did not feel there was any concern. I have no joint problems at all and take this mainly as protection but I’m glad that you pointed this out.
By Agyness O on 09/28/2008 6:59 pm
Ms. Dee
My eyes are the worst part. They clog up and don’t drain, and I get these big puffs around them. Not all the time, just sometimes. But I never know when I’m gonna wake up looking like a lizard. The weirdest part is my right thigh. My left thigh is a little droopy, but the right one is drooped and dimpled and really unattractive without stockings. I think it’s cause I’ve always driven a clutch, so my left leg got more exercise. But it’s still weird. The most positive change is my back and shoulders don’t break out like they did forever.
By Ms. Dee on 09/26/2008 9:52 am
Ms. Dee
Oh! And I don’t miss having my period AT ALL!!
By Ms. Dee on 09/26/2008 9:53 am
Barbara Taylor
Oh! And I don’t miss having my period AT ALL!! ……with you on that one Ms. Dee. Weight gain, boobs pointing south, legs still look good. Oh wait, I’m starting to look like my mother. Starting taking alternative medicines; for blood pressure, cholestrol, small amount of arthritis. It’s worked so far.
By Barbara Taylor on 09/26/2008 10:07 am
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