Research: Women feel fabulous at fifty! Three quarters say they feel more confident in their fifth decade than they did in their 20's

The old saying goes that life begins at 40, but now British women are feeling more fit and fabulous in their fifth decade, it seems.

After a lifetime of diets and body hang-ups, three quarters of women (76 per cent) feel more self-assured in their 50s than they did in their 20s, reveals a new study.

A third in their 50s (36 per cent) are happier than ever with their looks and one in seven (16 per cent) feel fitter and sexier than ever.

In fact, almost half (47 per cent) are so happy they love their body more now than they did in their 20s.

The research, of 40 to 74 year olds, found women in their fifth decade have stopped calorie counting and turned to exercise to stay in shape.

A third of women (33 per cent) have started to work out more in their 50s and 15 per cent are feeling more energised as a result.

Meanwhile, 45 per cent ditched diets for good on turning 50.

What's more, two thirds of women (66 per cent) spend less time and money on personal grooming once they hit 50.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2579996/Why-women-fabulous-fifty-Three-quarters-women-say-feel-confident-fifth-decade-did-20s.html#ixzz2xYbarcCO