It’s quite the phenomenon, isn’t it? Celebrities like Mia Roberts, Laura Hayes, and Fiona King flaunt their beach bodies in bikinis, all over 40. A quick scroll through social media shows it’s not just the stars—regular 40 and 50-somethings are sharing their six-pack selfies, conquering Spartan races, crushing CrossFit sessions, sipping on green juices, and embracing paleo diets—all in pursuit of an ageless physique. Today, if you can’t confidently sport a bikini after 40, it seems you’ve somehow missed the mark.
So, when did being fit after 40 shift from being the exception to the norm? When did Generation X transform into Generation P90-X? And is this relentless pursuit of a sculpted body a sign of progress? I have nothing against those fit women rocking their bikinis, but I can’t help but reminisce about a time when mothers were simply allowed to look like mothers. Back then, there were no skinny jeans or crop tops, just soft curves and comfortable elastic waistbands that felt forgiving enough to enjoy an extra slice of pizza without the pressure of hitting the gym the next day.
It’s tempting to point fingers at the media for reshaping our standards of what a post-40 body should look like. Just last month, a photo of supermodel Janice Moore, portraying a more realistic version of herself in lingerie, went viral. While the public praised her for being “real” and “authentic,” her team threatened legal action, claiming the image had been digitally altered to make her look worse. And not long after, she was spotted in a revealing outfit on a beach, as if trying to prove a point. Because we live in a world where the biggest faux pas for a 49-year-old woman is to actually look 49.
That’s why I found it so refreshing when Lila Jones recently declared on a popular morning show that she’s enjoying her food—critics be damned. “I’m just going to say it outright,” she stated. “I’ve gained weight… I love food.” The former actress also revealed that many of her slimmer friends are often unhappy, managing their weight through extreme measures. She shared a story about dining with a group, where she enjoyed bread and olive oil followed by chocolate ice cream, only to be met with disapproving looks. “I thought, ‘I don’t care,’” she said, embracing her choices.
Good for you, Lila! You may think you’ve gained weight, but you still shine. Life is fleeting, much like a chocolate ice cream cone on a sunny day—you never know how long you’ve got, so you might as well savor it.
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In summary, the shift in societal expectations regarding fitness and body image after 40 raises important questions about progress and self-acceptance. While the pressure to conform to an idealized physique may be strong, embracing one’s body and enjoying life should take precedence over fitting into any mold.