To be shocked at how Lenny Henry's 'great' weight loss has aged him by 20 years? And to think he looked better before the weight loss?

[chrisinthesun]

If this isn't living proof that losing a great deal of weight past middle age is not a good idea, I don't know what is! Lenny has lost LOADS of weight (4 - 5 stone,) and it has aged him so badly! He has aged 20 years!

He looked better before the weight loss!

And what matters more? That you live longer or that you look younger than you are?
Don't see the big deal with looking your age.

@NeepNeepNeep

Yes, a big weight loss over the age of 45 (especially a fast one) does age people badly. Lenny is proof of that. Many other people too.

So do people who have never been fat look younger? Or do fat people look younger than their age but then lose weight and look old like people who were always skinny?

Such as who @chrisinthesun?

I think he looks good. Good for him!

losing loads of weight past middle age is a BAD idea. Ages you terribly

You're implying that looking older is inherently a negative thing.

I'd much rather be slim and look old than be overweight and look young. Because health is more important to me than looks.

I'm not over 45 and have no axe to grind here but I think the sweeping statements should be challenged. You wouldn't want someone who needs to lose weight for their health to read stuff like this and shorten their lives in the hope of looking younger. So have there been studies with actual proof?

Tbh I can't remember he last time I saw him on TV or whatever so I hunk he probably would have looked older to me anyway even if he didn't lose weight. It's because he IS older.

I think it's the dodgy sideburns (presumably also for the acting role) that make him look older. He always looks better with a beard.

losing subcutaneous fat does age you. Under the skin fat plumps up your features so the wrinkles are not so obvious. So I agree that losing a lot of weight (that you had had for a while) post 40 is likely to make you look older.

However, I think that the hair/beard/sideburns are what really age him, like a blue rinse and set would on a 60 year old woman who had previously had a funky pixie cut.

I think losing weight quickly at any age makes people look older, and gaunt sometimes,

I don't particularly care about Lenny Henry but this is a bit of a crap thread OP.

Isn't it that having a fat face can mean fewer wrinkles, but when you lose the weight you look your real age. Similar thing happened to Huw Edwards.

Yea cos the DM is SO reliable!

He hasn't been as visible in recent years, so you've probably not internalised his ageing and are comparing that pic to your memory of how he looked 20+ years ago.

I do that all the time with celebs I'm familiar with from way back when. Still always shocks me seeing tyne Daly heavier and grey haired. She's still Lacey in my head.

Psychologists probably have a name for it.

Good for him losing the weight. But if people start thinking going veggie is the answer they're in for a rude awakening - I'm veggie and fat and I'm far from the only one!

"He looks like a 60 year old" and? He will be in just over a month! He doesn't look older than mid-50's to me.

And yes, health matters more than looks anyway.

I'm sure he's not so vain he rather be fat and die younger or have poor health opposed to looking older but being fitter and healthier and living longer. How sad so many are hung up on looks, most artificial. Good for him. Even Dawn French managed to lose weight. Good for her too.

I often think people who lose huge amounts of weight look a lot older. Probably something to do with skin suddenly sagging. But in Lenny's case he looks great for 60!

He looks fine and you sound like a bit of a dick tbh.

Totally bizarre!
He has just achieved something great for his health, and people are commenting on his appearance?!
For what it's worth, at almost 44 I have lost some weight (10 kg) recently, and if anything it has made me appear younger because I am able to move more nimbly and have more of a spring in my step. I bet Lenny does too. As for my face, who cares?

His face has aged rapidly since the weight loss, OP you're right. Something about losing the fat padding under the skin seems to make the entire structure collapse.

Yes, he's probably much healthier now but it's still an interesting phenomenon to observe.

Thanks @bugjune

I knew I would be accused of being a 'dick' or a bitch or full of self loathing or 'unhappy with myself' etc etc... but I am merely making an observation, and illustrating the fact that a big weight loss at middle age or older results in the person looking much older.

Lenny looked 20 years younger at his bigger size.

He looks amazing, and looks 60.

Of course he does. Don't we all.

I am merely making an observation, and illustrating the fact that a big weight loss at middle age or older results in the person looking much older

You're not merely saying that though. You're saying that losing weight is a bad idea because you think it's better to be overweight and look young than be a healthy weight and look older.

Which IS stupid.

I think fatter faces look younger because there are less wrinkles. Fat bodies look much older though.