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!

But I do know that losing a lot of weight in middle age is not a good idea as it ages you terribly.
If you are overweight, losing weight is a VERY good idea, and im a fat person!
Good on him, im sure he is feeling much healthier.

I'll let my pa (diabetes, copd, arthritis, asthma) know not to bother in his struggle to lose weight. Fuck his mobility and breathing. He might catch wrinkles

Exactly. The modern disease is prioritising what the outside looks like rather than the inside - including the human being and who they are .

Or as my granny always said "beauty is but skin-deep"

If you do lose weight in middle age at least you might get chance to be old, instead of just looking your age and dying young.

OP you sound as shallow as a tea tray

Is loosing weight last middle age a bad idea?

Well, that depends on whether you prioritise health and feeling good over looking young.

I think he looks fine! Sudden weight loss does sometimes make people look a bit gaunt in the face but usually it evens out over time.

So the choice you have is:
A) retain 'younger' looks but die younger because you're not looking after your body correctly
B) look 'older' because you've made a conscious effort to change but live longer because your body can cope better

Hmm...

It is because he was always 'cuddly' that he looks so thin now, we were used to the way he looked from the start and now he doesn't.

As we age the choice is often to lose weight and look old and saggy or to be fatter and have a smooth face. Sometimes we are unfortunate and have both.

He doesn't look 70! And what if he did? There's nothing wrong with being 70.

He's in great condition and presumably a lot healthier. That's the important thing.

Lenny looked 20 years younger at his bigger size.

And was probably more likely to die many years earlier than at a healthy weight.

Do you think it’s better to be dead but look young or look your age and live longer?

Obviously, being severely overweight as you get older isn't great for your health. I think, after seeing several family members have serious illnesses (normal weight relatives), a buffer of some weight is good for you. If you get really Ill, you lose weight fast.

He looks in great shape, but his features seem too large for his head.

There's not a lot he can do about that, though, is there?

Found a before pic and a slightly more flattering after one, and you can see he doesn't really look that much older even though the before picture is a few years old. I'm sure he feels more comfortable at his lighter weight. Personally I think he looks fine either way but, having lost some weight myself it is definitely more comfortable physically without the extra weight.

The study linking weight loss and dementia was not suggesting that deliberate dieting would cause dementia. The study suggested that dementia and its precursor, cognitive impairment, could cause anorexia of aging and hence weight loss, and thus that weight loss between your forties and your seventies could be a very early symptom of dementia.
www.nhs.uk/news/neurology/weight-loss-in-middle-age-a-warning-sign-of-dementia/

Obesity in middle age (along with correlated diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lack of exercise) is a very strong risk factor for dementia.

dont care what he looks like, love him. Talented actor amongst all other achievements. Good luck to him and all his works.

""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?""

You can't really answer that. Lifestyle and genetics dictates how you look. Then there is skincare routines, beauty treatments etc. I lost weight (i'm still losing) and my face looked a bit crepey, so I've gone for HIFU and my I've bought a micro-needling wand. My skin is firmer and glowing again. I also use Hyaluronic Acid and Retinol/Peptides. I'm 51. I move like a much younger, fit, person, though. Which is more important to me. I'm looking forward to going on Fairground rides, once again, in August, with my Grandchildren. I'll be another half a stone lighter.

If I hadn't have lost the two stone that I did before this heat hit, I would have been largely housebound, or sitting down a lot.

That picture you posted is a bad one, in others, he looks really well. He may look his age, but I don't see the issue with that.

As mush as I chose to pay out, to improve my appearance, it shouldn't become compulsory.

As said, it's better than being housebound, having numerous hospital appointments/medication, or dead.

""Obesity in middle age (along with correlated diabetes, cardiovascular disease and lack of exercise) is a very strong risk factor for dementia.""

Absolutely, the correlation is the narrowing of the arteries, which then effects the blood supply to the Brain.

People used to forget about Strokes. The thought of having a Stroke and having to live with the possible effects for 20+ years, should be enough to address any health issues in your 50's.

When I worked in Stroke Care, it seemed to be the people who didn't have any weight/exercise issues, who recovered well.

Hillstreamloach I think he actually looks older in the 'before' photo!

I am the same age as Lenny and I've recently lost 18lb. I get told I look younger and I certainly feel younger as I can wear nicer clothes and feel more confident and outgoing. I am also in less pain with my arthritic hip if I'm a lot lighter. I hope to lose another stone.

Am I looking at the same photo as everyone else? I think he looks good! I would put him well under 60. I haven’t seen any other recent photos of him though, so I don’t know what he looked like before.

Oh just saw the before pic above. He definitely looks better now!

fuck me OP, you make me despair for the human race.

Looking older isn't actual an awful thing. It is what happens when people get older. One day its going to happen to you. Hopefully you will have stopped feeling so disgusted by looking older by that point or you will be in serious trouble.

How anyone could be stupid enough to think that looking better is worth sacrificing your health and years of your life is beyond me...but then I would never risk my life for cosmetic surgery either.

The utter stupidity of it being a "bad idea" to lose weight in case you look OLDER (horrors!) has been addressed, so...

I think he looks damn good. Slim, happy, sharp suit. The sideburns are a bit stupid, but they're for the role, so.

Love Lenny Henry - such a talented man. I saw him play Othello a few years ago and he was brilliant

@chrisinthesun
I’m sure you look perfect...

I think he looks older too, he didn't have 4 stone to lose, maybe a couple of stones!