The ravages of middle age! LOL:)

[Creekimp13 5,838]

Was reading the "mourning the person you saw in the mirror" thread, and while I don't miss myself as a chunky monkey...there is something that I am kinda mourning.

The last time I saw myself skinny....I was in my 20's

Now, I'm looking a lot thinner...but wait a minute....where the hell is that 20 something girl?

In my mind...skinny me was eternally linked to young me...and it's an adjustment to realize that even though I'm thinner now, I'm 46...not 26.

And I know that sounds weird...but it's like my only reference for skinnier me...is way back in the 90's.

Was I really expecting to look 26 again? Nah...

But it's different, you know? It's out of alignment with my memories of the only time I experienced fitness. A fit 46 looks way different than a fit 26. 46 year old people have a few wrinkles. We droop a little here and there. And it's ok:)

But yeah...kissing youth goodbye is something I never did as a fatter person. Was too busy worry about carrying around 100 extra pounds to think about those 20 extra years. Isn't that weird?

[SleeveinIL 386]

This is something to think about for sure. As I am losing I am seeing wrinkles on my face that I NEVER had before. I used to joke about not showing my age because I kept stretching my skin. Well that has finally caught up with me as I lose weight and my forehead has these new lines I need to adjust to seeing. The rest of me isn't thin enough yet to compare to my 20s but I can see that our focus can change for sure. I am not the woman I was before, I am the improved version, wrinkles, bumps and all.

[Matt Z 4,138]

1 hour ago, Creekimp13 said:

Was reading the "mourning the person you saw in the mirror" thread, and while I don't miss myself as a chunky monkey...there is something that I am kinda mourning.

The last time I saw myself skinny....I was in my 20's

Now, I'm looking a lot thinner...but wait a minute....where the hell is that 20 something girl?

In my mind...skinny me was eternally linked to young me...and it's an adjustment to realize that even though I'm thinner now, I'm 46...not 26.

And I know that sounds weird...but it's like my only reference for skinnier me...is way back in the 90's.

Was I really expecting to look 26 again? Nah...

But it's different, you know? It's out of alignment with my memories of the only time I experienced fitness. A fit 46 looks way different than a fit 26. 46 year old people have a few wrinkles. We droop a little here and there. And it's ok:)

But yeah...kissing youth goodbye is something I never did as a fatter person. Was too busy worry about carrying around 100 extra pounds to think about those 20 extra years. Isn't that weird?

Oh I am right there with you on this one! I'm trying my hardest to be the same weight I was when I was 20, for when I hit 40 this November. I've got a decent way to go in a short amount of time... but I can 100% relate to this, what am I going to look like, "Fat don't crack" so... am I going to end up looking older than I did when I was heavy? I'm still super excited about the prospect of being "thin" again that I'm not super worried... but the thoughts are there!

[Frustr8 7,886]

OMG you just prompted a memory. Saw lady other day , very tanned , highly wrinkled, looked like a scuffed up piece,of luggage, wanted to ask her if it was time to upgrade to American Tourister or Samsonite?

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

Along the same vein, I tend to think about all the possibilities I've missed in the last 25 years because I was too fat to participate in them

[Frustr8 7,886]

Yeah Life Passed Me By Because I Was Too Out of Breath to Keep Up!

[MIZ60 1,291]

I think about this too, especially since I turned 60 earlier this year. I know I will never return to my 26 year old size 7 125 lb self. I just want to look and more importantly feel as good as I possibly can for the age I am now. I do see more wrinkles and sagging and fully intend to have a face/neck lift once I have reached my goal. But I am still not going to be the same young woman I was back then and that is okay.

Edited June 13, 2018 by MIZ60

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

8 minutes ago, MIZ60 said:

I think about this too, especially since I turned 60 earlier this year. I know I will never return to my 26 year old size 7 125 lb self. I just want to look and more importantly feel as good as I possibly can for the age I am now. I do see more wrinkles and sagging and fully intend to have a face/neck lift once I have reached my goal. But I am still not going to be the same young woman I was back then and that is okay.

You were hot stuff!

[MIZ60 1,291]

9 minutes ago, Orchids&Dragons said:

You were hot stuff!

This was the summer of 1984 a few months before our wedding. I was 26 years old and in my FLASHDANCE phase.

[Matt Z 4,138]

Friday, Nov 13th 1998.
Trying VERY VERY HARD to get back to anywhere NEAR this size! Before our 20th Anniversary this year! (My 40th birthday is 2 days later) Yeah, it's a pretty big year for me... Major Surgery, 20th Anniversary and turning 40!

[Orchids&Dragons 9,047]

You were such a cute little pup when you got married! Congrats on your upcoming 20th!

[J San 1,071]

This is something I never thought about. Always just had that mindset that I would look like my old self at that weight. I've always been told I look way younger than I am. Or you look to young to have kids that age. I'll be 45 next month and my oldest is 23. My grays make me look older but never thought about the stretched skin making me look younger. Damn, Does this mean I finally have to grow up and act my age? Hell no, I've always said in my mind I'm 15 so maybe now I'll adjust to hmmm say 18 to 21. Yeah that'll work.

[Frustr8 7,886]

Remember the song from Peter Pan?
If growing up means it will be
Beneath my dignity
To climb a tree
I'll never grow up , never grow u p
Never grow up
Not me!
Even if, by some stardards, I'll never grow up, I will be less grumpy, less in pain with every step, less ashamed to look in a mirror , able to breathe without panting with every breath, smiling more and be a whole lot more fun. to be around.
And this is a trade-off I can live with, can you accept,and respect me for this viewpoint? The BALL is in your court NOW!😛

[nevermore71 63]

Right there with ya. Was last thin in my 20's now 46 and constantly worrying if wrinkles are going to appear. Am I developing a turkey neck? Looking for sagging and feeling sad if I notice any. Hoping my skin springs back and it's just temporary.

[KimTriesRNY 1,853]

On 06/13/2018 at 14:23, Matt Z said:

Friday, Nov 13th 1998.

Trying VERY VERY HARD to get back to anywhere NEAR this size! Before our 20th Anniversary this year! (My 40th birthday is 2 days later) Yeah, it's a pretty big year for me... Major Surgery, 20th Anniversary and turning 40!

You guys are both darling in this photo!