Side Effects of Losing Weight

[joshbickford]

I notice that whenever someone, my wife and I included, loses weight they look much younger.

I'm 27, so no big deal yet, but for those of you that "feel" old, lose a few pounds and you'll look younger for sure!

[dalante]

True! When I lost my first 20 kg, my friends thought I looked 10 years younger...

[Matthew Shea]

Originally Posted by joshbickford

I notice that whenever someone, my wife and I included, loses weight they look much younger.

I'm 27, so no big deal yet, but for those of you that "feel" old, lose a few pounds and you'll look younger for sure!

That holds true when you're relatively young, but not when you're older. My dad, currently 68, recently lost a bunch of weight. His face developed a lot more wrinkles and he looked much older. It was pretty freaky for me to see. I agree with you for younger or middle-aged people, though.

[Trina]

Originally Posted by Keith

I would say no. If your brain senses that you're looking through rose coloured glasses it'll be reluctant to play along.

What was that saying: to succeed you need to determine the price of what you want to do and be willing to pay it? I suspect that applies in this context too.

I was thinking the same thing. I know that for me, a side effect of losing weight is going to be some extra skin. That is not a pretty side effect. It's not a sexy one. In fact, it is one that I have been scared of for a long time, because if it doesn't rebound on it's own it requires me to either live with it, or get surgery and a huge scar to fix it. But, if I am really going to paint an accurate picture of what losing weight is so that I can be it to achieve it (lol cheesy analogy, sorry), I need to accept that and not ignore it because it isn't a benefit like smaller clothes and more energy is.

[Brendon Colby]

Originally Posted by Milo Riano

I just feel bad whenever people equate social acceptance to weight loss. Magazines and media brainwash people that only those physically toned people are socially acceptable.

I think you make a very good point. I've read where in Japan sumo wrestlers - I mean, massively obese men! - are some of the top celebrities in the country! I think it's our social conditioning that deems being something "right" or "wrong". Nobody should have to feel shame for having larger fat cells just like nobody should have to feel shame for having more melanin in their bodies. I found it extremely helpful to start challenging this conditioning and deeply and completely accepting myself even though I am overweight (thanks EFT). Working on the internal stuff rather than solely focusing on working out and eating right has been incredibly helpful for me.

Losing excess body fat to me just seems reasonable on many levels. My clothes are purchased based on what I feel makes me look OK for my weight. I have a few pairs of jeans and mostly wear black polos. I've tried button up shirts and lighter colors etc. but nothing seems to sit right like a plain black polo. So for me it'd be really nice to be able to have more clothing choices for sure!

[gberardi]

Originally Posted by Warping

Triplag is a great 24/7 trance web radio.

Ooh, thanks for posting that. Now I have something to give me some high energy feelings while I am at the day job other than the same few Ogg files I have. B-)

[mantiki]

My wife (who is in much better shape than I) is always cold in our house. Instead of her watching TV under a blanket in the middle of July, maybe I should be raising the thermostat a few degrees.

In a similar vein, I could start spending time outside when the temperature is above 70 degrees Farenheit (21 Celsius.)

[Matthew Shea]

Mantiki, I doubt your wife is cold due to her superior physical condition. The consensus is that women everywhere tend to be cold when their male counterparts are comfortable. That's certainly the case in my house. It's the middle of summer here and if you were to inspect my wife's car, you'd find her jacket easily accessible on the rear seat.

Still, a bit of compromise is always a good idea.

[JimOfferman]

I live at the bottom end of the scale, weight-wise. If I'd loose weight, I would be very worried indeed, as I -unlike the vast majority of people- have trouble gaining weight. According to all those BM indexes, I am underweight (measuring 176 cm and weighing just 55 kg). But there is little I can do... if I eat more, my body will just turn up the burner...

I guess I am doomed to remain skinny and wear double sweaters in the winter. Poor me

Jim.