Life

Marie Louise McConville: Life begins at 40? You must be joking

Marie Louise McConville
Marie Louise McConville Marie Louise McConville

I'm starting to think the phrase `life begins at 40' is entirely untrue - just made up to try to convince the ageing among us that life is just as good as we get older.

Now four years in this new decade in my life, which many, many people told me would be the best, and so far, I'm not that taken.

I honestly feel like I have one health complaint after another.

I don't remember having so many aches and pains when I was in my thirties - or maybe the steady stream of cocktails helped.

Since turning 40, my body appears to have begun slowing down, it now attracts every type of infection going and I am so tired all the time.

First, it was the sciatica last year which nearly sent me mad - thankfully now under control - and then it was cramps in my legs at night-time.

I found when I started at the gym last year the exercise seemed to help, but this week I have been up regularly during the night thanks to the sudden return of cramps in my lower legs.

And now, for the first time in my life, I have been introduced to the awfulness that is a sinus infection.

A few days before Christmas, I took an almighty pain in my head and then it began to spread down the left hand side of my face.

I never knew how painful an eye socket could feel - I honestly felt like I had done 10 rounds with Rocky.

Then, I started to experience a vile taste at the back of my throat.

After a few nights, the pain in my head, between my eyebrows and around my eye was so bad that I called the doctor who gave me an antibiotic, which I took over Christmas.

I must admit, two days in, the pain had definitely subsided but the taste did not.

And going to bed was the worst.

Each night when I lay my head down on my pillow, this disgusting taste would fill the back of my throat.

This week, the pain has returned, my eye socket is aching and it feels like I also have a toothache.

I called the doctor again and explained the situation and this time, I have been given a different antibiotic and a nasal spray which I'm hoping will destroy this infection.

In the mean time, I am trying not to sniff or swallow too much as this taste is just so bad.

So, this what being in your forties means?

Our bits and pieces start to slow down and ache for no reason?

Funny, none of the `Big 40' birthday cards I received warned me to expect bodily breakdowns.

Now, that would be a best-selling card, would it not?

-----------------------------------------------

Singer Cheryl Cole has revealed she no longer pushes herself to the limit at the gym.

The 38-year-old said since becoming a mother to son, Bear (4), her "approach to life and the world" has changed.

Speaking to Women's Health magazine, she said exercise "isn't top of my priority list".

"I recently bought a Peloton spin bike and I've used it a few times ........But when you're a mum, the day floats away, so I don't get to use it that often.

"After dropping Bear off at nursery, I do my work calls and housework, and then it's time to pick him up".

------------------------------------------------

I'm definitely getting old.

I was watching TV the other night when a trailer for the new series of Dancing on Ice came on and I barely recognised any of the so-called celebrities.

While I'm not a huge fan of the show, I do like to catch it if only to see the costumes and the group dance routines.

But I'm not sure I will be tuning in this year as there's hardly anyone I know.

Out of the 12 `famous' contestants, I know Sally Dynevor, who plays Sally on Coronation Street, Rachel Stevens, who used to be in S Club Seven, Brendan Cole, who is a former Strictly Come Dancing professional, and Bez from the Happy Mondays.

There's also a Pussycat Doll, a Love Island contestant, and a rugby player who used to be married to a pop star.

There's another few I have no clue about and, in my opinion, it's only fun watching the show when you know the face competing.

According to co-host Christopher Dean, this year's contestants have been "introduced to the ice longer.''

"They have a period with a coach, then they have a period with their partners, and so I think they're pretty well established into what they're doing now," he said.

We will be the judge of that Christopher.

Let's wait and see.