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Lordy, Lordy Karla's turning 40. Damn. I don't know if you can say Lordy and damn so close together, but that's where I'm at with this impending 40th birthday. Doom usually comes after impending, and to some degree, that's how I'm feeling. Somehow, I had envisioned being in a different place by this landmark in my life. And if I can be quite honest, I'm feeling some type of way that this is where I've landed.

Don't get it twisted, my life is the stuff movies are made of. Broadway shows, celebrity friends, VIP access and all that. But so what. Who am I amid all of it? Other folks know who they are, but what about Karla? Was this all I had to offer the world? I've spent 20 years doing basically the same job that never quite manifested into a full-blown career. I spent 20 years between two men, and even though they asked, I never could love either enough to stand before God and say I do till death. Damn.

One thing I always offer is transparency and sincerity. I'm not one for pity parties, but I am one for the truth. And the truth is, I'm not one bit happy about turning 40. As my 30s got closer to 40, I began to hear things my tender ears never heard directed at them before, like mammograms and fibroids, increased risks of this and that but decreased chances of fertility. Perhaps 40 is reflective for everyone, and if not, I'm just fine being the only one.

Many of you shared your biggest skincare problems with us for a chance to win an Emerita prize pack worth approximately $280, and from the sounds of it, there are a lot of fabulous over-40 ladies out there who could use some high-quality skincare products. Perhaps you should send the giveaway link on to your friends and family to show them what you really want to see under your tree this Christmas!

Unfortunately, we can only select one winner, and the lucky reader who won last week's Fit Beauty Giveaway was Kim, who said, "I would love to try this! I have hit the dreaded menopause and am fighting the battle of the dry skin on the cheeks and eyes while still oily around the nose and chin." In addition to the skincare products, Kim will receive a zebra print scarf. You know, just in case she's not feeling sexy enough already!

Kim, you'll have to let us know how the products work for you. As for the rest of you, check out Emerita's website to see which of these natural products are the best match for your skin!

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Not too long ago, I wrote about a workout More Magazine had specifically for women over 40. Now, some More Magazine readers have stepped forward to show that they're over 40 and fitter than they were in their 20's.

Some of their tips:

• Manage stress eating by making healthier, conscious choices.
• See a trainer to develop a strength training routine.
  
• Limit red meat and eat more fruits and vegetables.
• Exercise daily.
• Shove self-doubt to the side and don't shy away from a challenge.
• Try a new activity.
• Even if you have a hectic schedule, be sure to take time to focus on yourself. Treat your health like the priority it is.
• Practice weight-bearing exercises to maintain healthy bone density.

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I haven't hit the big 4-0 yet. In a few weeks time, however, I'll be officially in my late 30's -- unable to deny it any more. As much as I would like to say my body is just like it was in high school, that's sadly not the case. Time has marched on. In some cases, time has marched downward if you catch my drift.

So while I think this ab workout from More Magazine is appropriate for anyone, regardless of age, I do understand the greater need once you're in your 40's. (Or maybe once you're in your late 30's!)

After all, I think the concept of aging gracefully is silly. Why settle for being graceful when we can be active and fit? Instead of time marching on, why don't we march all over it?

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A couple months ago, my best friend turned 36. Since I'll be following suit in a few short months, I didn't mind telling her that 36 sounds a whole heck of a lot more like 40 than 35 did. Somehow, at 35, I could still fool myself that I was in my young 30s. But fooling time is over. I'm rounding 40 in a few short years and it's time to face the facts.

Luckily, age is all a matter of perspective. (I remember dreading 28 for some reason, too. It just sounded OLD at the time!) So when I hit 40, I want to be fit and fabulous like the Sex and the City girls. (Without wearing weird hats at premieres ... and drinking too many cosmos ... and wearing ridiculously high heels .. and having fly-by-night relationships with men. OK, maybe I don't want to be like them after all.)

Revolution Health has a list of healthful ways to look your best when the big four-oh hits. Check out the gallery for some of their ideas.

My husband turns 40 in just over one week. He's shocked that it's happening. I think his mom is too.

My hubby only wants one thing for his birthday and I warn you: It's not something healthy. It's fudge. He loves this chocolate treat but rarely gets it because one year ago, he joined me in a diet overhaul. Sweets didn't make the cut. So I think I'll surprise him with some fudge since he's been such a good boy -- he's given up a whole lot of junk and has lost 40 pounds too. I'll also get him new swim suit -- his last year's model is too big and with a new one, he can swim that fudge right off his body. I'm getting him one more thing too -- a bit of advice on how to treat his body now that he's creeping on up in years. Much of this advice, housed in 10 friendly tips, is something we all can take -- except for the prostate and sex stuff -- so feel free to borrow anything you'd like, ladies. Here goes.

Eliminate "White Foods" from Your Diet. They are devoid of vitamins and minerals and stripped of their natural fibre so they rapidly drive up blood sugar levels, which contributes to weight gain, diabetes, and other health problems. John's is pretty good in this area already as fruits, vegetables, and lean meats make up most of his diet.

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Shows like Desperate Housewives and Sex and the City have given the world a new way to look at aging. Turning 40 or 50 no longer necessarily means a party with an "Over the Hill" theme -- older men and women can be just as sexy as their much-younger counterparts. And that's a good thing. Right?

Well, yes and no. It's fantastic that we are shedding our stereotypes regarding middle-age, for men as well as for women. Most men would agree that Halle Berry and Heather Locklear are just as sexy as any 20-year-old actress, and men over 40 include George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Pierce Brosnan -- 'nuf said.

However, eating disorders for adult women are on the rise. We see celebrities like Teri Hatcher, Demi Moore, and Kim Cattrall and while we know that the way they look simply isn't attainable for everyone, it doesn't mean many women don't try by resorting to anorexia or bulimia. Check out our gallery of super sexy celebrities who've celebrated 40 or more birthdays, but use these as inspiration, not for comparison. And, head over to AOL Body to see who they think is over 40 and still smokin' hot!

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People are either going to love the author interviewed in this article or they're going to hate her. Corinne Maier, a French mother of two, has written a book called No Kid: 40 Reasons Not to Have Children. From what the interviewer says about the book, it sounds as though Maier is pretty fierce and truly feels her life was better before kids. In the actual interview though, she seems slightly more humorous (albeit in a dark way).

Maier believes the French Government promotes the idea of family in that country in order to keep the economy running -- more kids equals more consumers to sell goods to after all, and also ups the amount of future earners contributing to the country's pension programs.

But Maier also has plenty of personal reasons not to have kids, 20 of which are listed in the piece. They include:

• You will lose touch with your friends.
• Your child will kill your desire.
• Children sound the death knell of the couple.
• You will be duped into thinking there is such a thing as a perfect child.
• You will be expected to be a mother before you are a professional or a woman.
• Children are dangerous. They will take you to court without a second thought.

Some of the reasons are harsh and some humorous, but I also think that some ring true. Possibly the most shocking thing about the book is that this woman, who lives in a society where having kids is often thought to be the only way a woman can really ever be fulfilled -- and in which those of us who haven't had or don't want children are viewed with pity or scorn -- is willing to admit that she regrets having children.

What do you think, is Maier selfish and crazy or courageous and honest?

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