I got asked The Question

bushidowoman

One of my coworkers that I haven't seen in awhile pulled me aside and asked me with concern "Are you eating?" I explained that yes, I am actually eating quite a bit! And my weight is at the upper end of the healthy range. I'm just lifting weights, so I LOOK smaller. "But your face is so thin!" she exclaimed.
At my age, I really don't want a thin-looking face. I know it makes me look older. I was just noticing looking through pictures today how much older I look now than I looked on my last birthday. Bah.
I keep telling myself...focus on strength and energy and health, don't be so concerned about looks anyway...shake it off now...
Bleh.

jadedone

It would be kinda cool if you could spot gain in your face.

Jorra

What's more important, health or looks? I'm sure you look just fine the way you are and you will only get better if you keep at it!

bushidowoman

It would be kinda cool if you could spot gain in your face.

Yeah, like if chocolate and pizza would ONLY fill out my face and boobs!

bushidowoman

What's more important, health or looks? I'm sure you look just fine the way you are and you will only get better if you keep at it!

Yep. I know. Sigh. I'm going to get old, nothing I can do about that. And I'm gonna be an old woman who can kick butt!
It just seems like it happened so suddenly...

SteveHunt113

It took me a long time to convince myself that health was more important!

Nopedotjpeg

You seem rather level-headed, so I won't put on my sunglasses and tell you to "deal with it." But seriously, you seem to know the answer to this. And I think you're making a big leap with "face looking thin" meaning "face looking old."

SteveHunt113

OMG ... You are NOT old! Not not not!

MeadowSong

A friend of mine lost about 50 lbs, I would guess. He needed to. He's now at the heavier end of healthy, too. For perhaps close to a year he looked older, then it just changed. Perhaps his body adjusted to his new weight? Don't know, can't put my finger on why he looked older at first and doesn't now, have tried. Was real happy for him to lose the weight, he had been having back and other problems and the weight loss took care of it and his health was much better. He hadn't really been unhealthy, always had a HUGE garden and quite active, but mostly back and aging problems. But, like you, I felt like him looking just a little older was a small price to pay for the benefit he got. But all this to say--perhaps you will do as he did and your health will catch up to your face soon!
But, regardless, do what is right. It's good for you to take care of your health. Even if you do look a bit older now, you'll look younger than your age as you get older--at least that's what I've seen in the fit people around me. And you'll feel better and you'll do more and you'll be happier and . . .
And another note--my one sister and I have lost enough weight that she is at goal, healthy but not a stick, and I am finally down to the high end of healthy. I want to loose another 15 lbs, mostly because I ride better (read:safer), and am more productive when I'm thinner and fitter. My other sister took me aside and started telling me how Becca was getting just TOO THIN and I was JUST RIGHT WHY LOSE ANY MORE!!!!!!! Both of us look good--she's just not used to seeing us look thinner. And she might be just a tad jealous!

bushidowoman

Yeah, I was just whining.

@Nope: I don't believe she was trying to say that I looked older (just maybe that I looked unhealthy?)...I'm the one who thinks that.

@tmch: Exactly--I am NOT old! I feel better than I did at 20! But maybe that's why it's such a shock to see a middle-aged woman in the mirror. lol

@MeadowSong: Thanks for the hope that it will get better! And although I have lost the weight slowly, like 3lbs a month over several months, it's still a shock to me to see pictures of myself now. I've been overweight for about 15 years. That just doesn't look like me.

I guess what it all boils down to is that somewhere in the back of my mind I must have been thinking everything would be all sunshine and roses once I got down to a size I was happy with. In reality, there have been a couple changes that I'm gonna need to adjust to.

OK, whine over! I'm over it now. Thanks again for empathizing.

katkrak

Just thought I'd add in my 2 cents : I never knew you before you lost your weight or started lifting, but, just by looking at your pics, reading your profile, and checking out your blog, I think that you are a beautiful person inside and out! Keep up the good work!