Musings
an Online Journal of Sorts

By Alyce Wilson

The other day on my dog walk with our doggie, Una, I ran into a former next-door neighbor from about six years ago. He complimented me on the weight loss and said I look a lot younger. "You look 25!" he exclaimed. This is wonderful news for a 35-year-old who turns 36 in just a couple months.

Now, for a little reminder, this is what I looked like six years ago, compared to what I look like now.

Most of the transformation comes from losing weight, but I've also done a few other things for myself that I think help. I pay more attention to the clothes I select for myself and try to put together outfits that are flattering for my body type. I've learned a lot from watching makeover shows like TLC's What Not to Wear (although I'll concede they'd frown on the blue stockings).

Looking at the photo above, though, it strikes me that when I was heavier, I could have used some style tips. I either opted for big shapeless clothes like the outfit above or made some pretty atrocious clothing choices in my effort to choose a wardrobe that was both cheap and unique. Here are some examples, also from 2001.

Most of my jackets and vests were far too long. My pants were either too baggy or too short, and I wore far too many horizontal stripes for someone as wide as I was. My work wardrobe was a combination of drab blacks or dark purple, which I tried to jazz up with an occasional bright color. I wore clunky Frankenstein-style dress shoes which I mistakenly thought could go with anything because they were black. I call these the "please, please don't look at me clothes".

My casual clothes were even worse. I still wanted to hide behind my clothing, so I wore shapeless hippie clothes. But while I hated my office job, I wanted to express myself in my personal life, and I wore bright colors and tie-dyes in order to give my creative side expression.

Believe it or not, that's not a skirt I'm wearing in this photo with my sister from September 2002. They're just baggy shorts!

By contrast, I've now learned how to express my individuality through clothing that fits me better, and I've opened up my color palette quite a bit. While I no longer have an office job where I need to dress professionally, I frequently dress up on weekends, just for fun. I also have a few more professional items in my closet, should they ever be necessary.

Here are some pictures from this summer.

I no longer wear oversized T-shirts, and while I do have some T-shirts I wear around the house, they're all fitted T-shirts, which are much more flattering. I've traded my traditional black rubber Teva sandals, which are comfy but very utilitarian, for a more feminine, more stylish Teva offering. And I've found some great, comfortable and flattering dress shoes.

I've jettisoned all my too-short skirts and shorts and am trying for a more streamlined look. I'm sure that all of this helps make me look younger.

In addition, I've been paying close attention to my skin care. Oil of Olay makes a lot of great products. Lately, I've been using their Regenerist line of skin care products, which features a weekly microderm abrasion treatment that I've noticed have minimized lines around my eyes.

I've been using a teeth whitener, as well, and I've seen a dramatic improvement in the shade of my teeth.

While I still have shoulder length hair, I've found a hair dresser who understands my hair type better and has found a way to tame it with a more updated layered cut.

But mostly, I've just been taking care of myself, getting lots of exercise, drinking lots of water and sticking to my healthy eating plan. That, above all, has made a huge difference. Whether I look ten years younger than my actual age or not, I'm feeling great and loving it.

Copyright 2006 by Alyce Wilson

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