Changes to face - your thoughts?

geebusuk

From an independent point of view, anyone care to comment on the two pics of me:



(A bit different lighting etc I know.)

Background:

I did think looking at the second picture, that I perhaps did look "a bit gaunt". My ex and some people at work have commented the same too.

Rather than those that have known me for many years (including myself); interesting to see other's views.

The first picture was taken two and a quarter years ago - the second a couple of months ago.
13 stone or so in the first, 11 stone or so in the second. (182lb/154lb, 82.5kg/70kg.)

That puts me at a very central BMI - it's perhaps offset a little by having a larger than average frame, but medically still a 'healthy' weight.

Thoughts either way aren't going to change anything for the moment - my plan always was to stick at around this weight when I got here and there's other aspects I'm quite happy with.

(When I can sort out some ongoing issues hope to get back on the weights and then will be trying to put some weight on, probably not going below my current body fat.)

And for the record... I've got a *big* meal planned soon, so was keeping until that as CICO if my body is working normally would dictate gaining 1-2lb from that, but will be moving to taper and then find maintenance after that.
First weigh in for ages was just a smidge under the 11 stone last week and this week actually 10 stone 12lb (152lb, 69kg)... so I had some icecream and a bigger dinner today .

Ironandwine69

So...my thought don't matter then..

geebusuk

Not if you're only offering those thoughts in the hope I'll base my behaviour on them!

However, if you'd like to offer them so I can better understand how people view me, then it would matter to me for that purpose .

mumbles2013

Personally I think you look better in the top picture. In the second one you are looking too lean in the face although the rest of your upper body looks similar in size.

middlehaitch

Your face is leaner, it has lost some of the fat in the cheeks and around the eyes.
I don't think you look gaunt.
It can take the face a while to settle in to its new leaner shape, and you to get use to it.

I lost 30 lbs a few years ago and initially I looked drained and gaunt. I really and truely did. However, after about 6 months maintenance my face had adjusted to its new shape, and my mind had adjusted too.
I don't look the same as before the weight loss, but like an older, slimmer version of myself now.

Don't worry, you still look good, just leaner.

Cheers, h.

Lean59man

How tall are you?

Seffell

I like the first better two. But you were younger too. And the hat is different etc. lighting as you said...
Maybe in person it is different. It's just a picture. Everyone has worse and better pictures.

geebusuk

Cheers for the thoughts so far .

I'm 6 foot.

(Well *just* under, but close enough for it to round to that )

Of course, I have been on a sustained though gentle calorie deficit since November, so back to maintenance and some time may change things.
Ie - I've noticed that I've probably got less loose skin on my belly than when I weighed a bit more a few years ago, but had just got down to that. That too also hoping will get even better over time (though it's really not bad at all now, just very slightly 'looser' than it could be.)

cjv73

I'm with @middlehaitch. There is a noticeable difference between the two images, but I don't think the big hat in the second image is helping the look either. Two friends of mine, who were both large, lost loads of weight about 10 years ago, and I remember the first few times I saw them (I only see them a few times a year) they looked terribly gaunt and unwell. I think it was a combination of me not being used to the difference, and of their faces not having yet settled into their new look. They look totally "normal" and healthy now, and haven't out any weight back on, so I say just give it time...

whitpauly

I like how you look in the first pic but I don't think you look sick or anything in the second pic,,just thinner

Christine_72

You look better in the first picture. Yes, i think you look gaunt in the 2nd.

Are you 6" and 70kgs?? That's pretty light for a male at that height.

jayemes

I think you look thin in the second picture you posted, but when I look at your profile pictures I don't think you look thin.

collectingblues

There's definitely a change. I don't think you look *too* thin in the second picture, but you do look thinner. I can see why people might be concerned, though -- I know I had similar reactions when I got to a similar BMI, and even I startle myself on some days/some views.

Christine_72

I got down to my goal weight last year, and the one thing that looked terrible was my upper body, from my ribs up including my face. I got the gaunt/haggard comments and friends of ours pulled my husband aside and concerningly asked if i had cancer... I didn't even have that much to lose to begin with (15kgs)! But being in my mid 40's and having a skinny/bony face does not a good look maketh.

jelleigh

152 for a 6" man with a larger frame sounds very very low. I know a few men that height and even the slim ones are over 180. My first take was that you looked a little gaunt in the second pic but I think its maybe more productive to go by how you feel and your overall health .

slimgirljo15

Personally I like no1.. your face is obviously thinner in no 2

Archcurl

I think your body has yet to adjust too your new normal. Yes you look maybe a little gaunt in the second picture but I'm sure it will go away with some time. Give it about 6 months, then compare a new pic to this one and if you do t like what you see, gain a little.

misnomer1

I like pic 1 better.
I'll be in your shoes as well. 5'11, dropping from 84 to 70kg. Currently at 77. I plan to not stay at 70kg for long, will start bulking as soon as I hit goal.

ABabilonia

Just out of curiosity, why did you decide to go from 184 to 154? I'm 5'11" and currently weight 180~. My goal is hopefully reach 170~ at some point. I just echo some of the comments around here in the sense that it will take time for some people around you and even you to get a use to your new you. If you are happy, though, that's the only thing that matters.

jennifer_417

I think that if you had always looked like the 2nd pic, no one would've thought anything about it. But in comparison to the 1st pic, I'd have to agree that you look a touch gaunt.

Muscleflex79

you definitely look sick/not well in the second pic - 154lbs for a 6' man is incredibly light...I'm guessing you don't lift?

geebusuk

Thanks for the thoughts all - and genuinely happy to hear any thoughts; even if quite, ah, forthright.

Definitely interesting to hear that it may adapt over time.

My current profile picture was taken pretty recently, but all the others are over 3 years ago.

Hoping I can get on the way to getting my long-term-injured shoulders sorted over the next few months, then get back on the weights.

My body isn't that massive compared to some - however I definitely do have a larger than average chest - 29-30 waist now, but 42-44 chest. As mentioned, BMI is pretty near the middle of 'healthy'.

And despite not having worked out for three years or so, at least in the picture holding my friend's kid it looks like I do have *some* muscle left .
I've still got a little visceral fat left to lose too; but will worry about that another time.

Oh and yes - I have a famous lack of fashion, but that has been criticised more than once - alas it is quite practical, especially with little other solar protection up there!

DX2JX2

Since it doesn't matter, I would agree that you look much more robust and healthy in the first picture.

misnomer1

If I might add, developing your upper trapezius muscles would change the way people perceive you with the same face as the 2nd pic.

Your arms look strong, but the traps are flat and horizontal.

geebusuk

Cheers - I was actually wondering if putting on some muscle might help.

I haven't done any weights for over 3 years - think in the second pic it's more that my arm is tensed holding the kid; however I've always naturally had over-average muscle. (Nothing amazing, just better than average.)

It's shoulder impingement that's been causing me the worst problems that I've been trying to fix - so have particularly been avoiding using them for anything strenuous.

geebusuk

ABabilonia wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, why did you decide to go from 184 to 154? I'm 5'11" and currently weight 180~. My goal is hopefully reach 170~ at some point. I just echo some of the comments around here in the sense that it will take time for some people around you and even you to get a use to your new you. If you are happy, though, that's the only thing that matters.

Missed this...
I wanted lower body fat - for body image generally - I'm fairy happy how I look in my profile pic here - I generally prefer trimmer/fitter women so would prefer to offer the same . Ideally I'd go more towards the 'fitness' model sort of thing if I could - but with injuries and many other things in life, that may not be realistic.

I actually had been somewhere between the two, did a bulk then came into a couple of injuries and stuck at the higher weight; mostly because I like food too much!

I have been avoiding sports etc, but for a lot lower fat certainly helps - running, cycling etc you all get further for the same effort. Running also puts less stress on dodgy knees. Rock climbing it makes a massive difference - while general strength to weight ratio can be increased quickly - I always lost out on finger strength to weight ratio to others and that takes a LONG time to improve.
(So on longer overhanging routes with big holds I'd do better despite being heavier - but ones that had teeny holds I'd have more trouble with.)

So, while I would prefer face to be closer to the first pic, there's lots of other aspects that I do appreciate being lighter.

lauraslinn947

You’re a healthy weight and look good in both photos. It’s entirely up to you and how you feel. To be honest, how my face looks is not enormously important to me; I care about how I feel.

Edited to add - have just read your post above and it seems you’ve answered your own question You look great so be happy & enjoy the benefits of being lighter! My husband is a keen sportsman, particularly enjoying cycling and climbing - he likes to keep light too. His face might look a little ‘better’ with more flesh but he’s my soulmate not my arm candy

rheddmobile

You look better in the first pic. Maybe some muscle would help, but 150s sounds awfully light for a grown man your height. However, the sport aspects of wanting to be lighter makes sense.

geebusuk

ABabilonia wrote: »

Just out of curiosity, why did you decide to go from 184 to 154? I'm 5'11" and currently weight 180~. My goal is hopefully reach 170~ at some point. I just echo some of the comments around here in the sense that it will take time for some people around you and even you to get a use to your new you. If you are happy, though, that's the only thing that matters.

I always had 11 stone as a goal as a nice round number that should give me reasonable body fat.
I could certainly go lower still on body fat and not be silly-low (at least everywhere but my face!).

There's lots of other benefits I do/will (hopefully) appreciate.
Not just having a nicer figure (I quite like how I look in that profile pic - not as good with t-shirt off, but way better than the average which tends to overweight of course.)
But also, if I can sort my shoulders/knees - sports like running and cycling you can do more with the same effort. Motorcycling, not only do the tyres have less to deal with, but your body has less weight to stop being thrown about.
Rock climbing - while I always had better general strength to weight ratio, lighter friends would better me on grip-strength to weight ratio, which takes a lot longer to improve on the strength side - compared to being say 13 stone, that should be a significant improvement.

sgt1372

What does it matter what we strangers think?

You chose to lose 28# from 182 to 154 and you say you are happy with your current weight. That's all that matters.

FWIW, I lost 38# from 196 to 158 and dropped my BF to 10% over the past 16 months and am happy with that achievement.

I lost fat from all parts of my body including my face. It happens to everyone who loses a significant amount of weight.

I have no problem w/the way my face (and the rest of my body) looks now but, if you don't like the way your face looks after your weight loss, the only alternative is to gain the weight back.

Doesn't sound like that's something that you want to do. So, what anyone else thinks about how your face looks now is entirely irrelevant.

LoveForWine

This^. Who cares what anyone else thinks. You know what's best for you:)