Older and looking worse after weight loss

delta90017
delta90017 Posts: 63 Member
edited October 5 in Health and Weight Loss
Some people look worse after significant weight loss. They look older, more wrinkled, more fragile. Exercise doesn't seem to help.
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Replies

  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    I challenge that. lol
  • KaleidoscopeEyes1056
    KaleidoscopeEyes1056 Posts: 2,996 Member
    not sure if trolling or if looking at the wrong people...
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    Look at the success story section and decide for yourself. I bet your opinion changes.
  • lmelangley
    lmelangley Posts: 1,039 Member
    They say that after about 45, women tend to look older. But, that's just because plump is a younger look in general. Personally, I don't care. I'm healthier, and that's the goal. People who don't like the way I look simply don't have to look.
  • sweetheart03622
    sweetheart03622 Posts: 928 Member
    A lot of it (that I've seen) has to do with skin elasticity. Think about it - less fat to fill up your face = more obvious wrinkles. Also, a lot of older people don't exercise as much, so they're losing a lot of muscle in addition to the fat. The working out doesn't help because they don't have adequate nutrition to fuel muscle growth.
  • honeysprinkles
    honeysprinkles Posts: 1,757 Member
    If you're eating right and taking care of your body, I don't see how it could possibly make you look worse. Maybe it's just the people who aren't taking care of themselves properly that aren't looking so great?
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    I think what happens, happens. I KNOW I will be healthier after losing weight, and that is what is most important to me.

    If people lose weight in a healthy way - eating enough calories (not starving themselves), staying active and including both cardio and strength training, then it seems like the chances of negative effect on the appearance go down signifiantly.
  • jaabee11
    jaabee11 Posts: 322 Member
    Oh, I couldn't disagree more.

    I have looked at dozens and dozens of pictures on this site of major weight losses and the thing that always stands out is how much younger they all ok. It is such a huge difference , years and years taken off them.
    I'm sure there is the odd one here and there who might not look so great but I haven't seen it yet.

    One thing is for sure though, they will be healthier and that's a great incentive for weight loss no matter what they look like.

    I
  • delta90017
    delta90017 Posts: 63 Member
    They say that after about 45, women tend to look older. But, that's just because plump is a younger look in general. Personally, I don't care. I'm healthier, and that's the goal. People who don't like the way I look simply don't have to look.

    Yes. You said it better, Plumper looks healthier. It's not women. it's men too. Last weeks' Biggest Loser episode had a gret example. Jerry I think. He lots lots of weight but looked a LOT older.
  • shivaslives
    shivaslives Posts: 279 Member
    It hasn't been my personal experience as I've gotten a lot of comments about how much younger I look now that I've lost weight and I'm 47. I also agree that many of the posted success stories tell the same tale.

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  • Maggieq87
    Maggieq87 Posts: 400 Member
    I feel like I look older now that I've dropped weight. But I might be crazy. I'm only 24, People assume I'm 29 ish.
  • fteale
    fteale Posts: 5,310 Member
    I agree. I look much older having lost weight.
  • OSUalum
    OSUalum Posts: 449 Member
    I also agree. I may be healthier but my face looks older. And I miss my tight younger looking skin.
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    I think when you are younger, lets say younger than your mid 40's you do look older when you are heavier, so many pictures show this in the success pages....

    That said, I'm 53 and after just 27 pound loss which puts me at a great healthy weight, the wrinkles in my skin became more apparent.....so for me losing didn't make me look any younger but it sure makes me feel 21!!!

    All in how you want to look at it I suppose!
  • cclark1203
    cclark1203 Posts: 244 Member
    I believe if you do it slowly, maintain a good workout regimen and eat your protein and nutritious foods that you can lose a significant amount of weight without too much damage to your skin. It's when you do it at an accelerated level that you get all the saggy skin, no matter how old you are. Just like everyone on the biggest loser but especially Jerry, it was just too fast for his body to adjust to.
  • pinkgigi
    pinkgigi Posts: 693 Member
    I'm 50 and yes my face is more wrinkly and my arms are a bit also, BUT I haven't got double chins any more and my figure is not so matronly, so it balances out.

    GG
  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,419 Member
    They say that after about 45, women tend to look older. But, that's just because plump is a younger look in general. Personally, I don't care. I'm healthier, and that's the goal. People who don't like the way I look simply don't have to look.

    Yes. You said it better, Plumper looks healthier. It's not women. it's men too. Last weeks' Biggest Loser episode had a gret example. Jerry I think. He lots lots of weight but looked a LOT older.

    This may be true, but the Biggest Loser contestants are losing weight at an extremely fast rate, and their skin does not have a chance to change gradually with their weight loss. Do it the healthy, slow rate that is recommended here and the skin will look much better.
  • Jeff92se
    Jeff92se Posts: 3,369 Member
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/forums/show/15-success-stories
  • rileamoyer
    rileamoyer Posts: 2,412 Member
    They say that after about 45, women tend to look older. But, that's just because plump is a younger look in general. Personally, I don't care. I'm healthier, and that's the goal. People who don't like the way I look simply don't have to look.

    Yes. You said it better, Plumper looks healthier. It's not women. it's men too. Last weeks' Biggest Loser episode had a gret example. Jerry I think. He lots lots of weight but looked a LOT older.

    So, will you still be participating on MFP?
  • jaabee11
    jaabee11 Posts: 322 Member
    So, will you still be participating on MFP?
    [/quote]

    rofl....
  • delta90017
    delta90017 Posts: 63 Member
    I think the answer is lose weight slower so your body hs time to adjust. Jerry didn't have time on TBL.

    I'm not fully convinced though. I have seen too many examples irl of people looking a lot older after loss. Clearly the health benfits outweigh the esthetics though.
  • fiberartist219
    fiberartist219 Posts: 1,865 Member
    My weight loss is going slowly, so I am sure I'll look older when it's all said and done because I will be older.
  • vilyli6
    vilyli6 Posts: 38 Member
    My husband promised me that if I put all my effort into this and lose the weight and after that I am not happy with wrinkling/sagging skin, he will do everything in his power for me to have the plastic surgery necessary to repair the damage. What more could you ask for. I feel I have a new chance at life and I am going to grab it.
  • Health_Gal
    Health_Gal Posts: 715 Member
    People that try to lose weight too fast on extreme diets seem to look the worst after weight loss, especially if they are older. Unless someone is extremely obese and is doing a very low calorie diet under a doctor's care, weight loss gives the best results if it is a more gradual process, and you only try to lose a pound or two a week
  • mrrad
    mrrad Posts: 46
    The old adage that after 50 women can choose their face or their *kitten* may be true but if you are dead from the affects of obesity you are not choosing either!

    I think if women are very skinny then not such a great look once we are a bit older but fat is just bad so I am choosing my *kitten*!

    X
  • stevenleagle
    stevenleagle Posts: 293 Member
    Hmmm let's see: do I want to look old and fat or just old?...

    Lol for what it's worth I'm in my mid 40s, lost 15kg so far and don't look older... Ok I don't look younger either but I do look and feel a lot better.
  • Pebble321
    Pebble321 Posts: 6,423 Member
    I'm 45 and I definitely have more visible wrinkes now I've lost weight and I think my neck looks a bit scrawny - but I'm feeling so much better that I'm prepared to ignore the wrinkles and enjoy the vitality!
  • KellyAnneH
    KellyAnneH Posts: 38 Member
    Hmmm... Stay fat, in pain, unable to put on my own socks or get around easily but possibly look a bit younger OR lose weight, reduce pain, be able to swim, bike, dance and generally have a much better life but risk looking a bit older. Which to choose, which to choose? You really need to ask??

    Kelly-Anne (who thinks anyone worrying much about a few wrinkles needs a hobby...)
  • BettyMargaret
    BettyMargaret Posts: 407 Member
    I just turned 52 in October, this pic was taken about a week ago, I don't think I look old either!
  • Bonita_Lynne_58
    Bonita_Lynne_58 Posts: 2,794 Member
    Hmmm... Stay fat, in pain, unable to put on my own socks or get around easily but possibly look a bit younger OR lose weight, reduce pain, be able to swim, bike, dance and generally have a much better life but risk looking a bit older. Which to choose, which to choose? You really need to ask??

    Kelly-Anne (who thinks anyone worrying much about a few wrinkles needs a hobby...)

    ^^^^^ I agree with everything she said!
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