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Original poster

Face vs figure?

55 replies

Toastandstrawberryjam · 16/01/2015 22:51

I've realised that over the last year I have put on weight and have just had it confirmed at a gym weigh in :( I've had to consign some of my clothes to storage as they don't fit and my thighs have definitely got wider.

BUT my face looks so much better for it, a year ago I had hollow cheekbones and always looked ill. Plus I've gone up to an almost c cup from an a (although this may be the pill, in fact that could be the cause of the weight gain)

So I need to choose, skinny thighs and a gaunt face? I could carry that look off a few years ago but now at 40 it's not as good!

OP posts:
dexter73 · 17/01/2015 11:19

The conspiracy theorist in me says that 'they' don't want people to think that that pill makes you put on weight as it puts off people from using it.

Hopefully · 17/01/2015 12:28

Figure for me (for health as much as anything else) but I definitely need to look after the face too - good fats/no booze/clean eating keeps my face looking young enough without needing to compromise my health/fitness.

Wellieswithaholein · 17/01/2015 13:07

If I keep to a size 10 I look healthy everywhere else. When I went up to a 12 it was goodbye cheekbones and hello frumpsville.
I dropped down to almost an 8 and not only did my face look too thin but the area above my boobs looked bony.
And it was definitely contraception that made me a size 12. Don't need it now and happy size 10.

BlueEyedWonder · 17/01/2015 13:18

I like being slim. I like how it feels. I find it easier to dress. I think I look younger overall with a slim body.
Last summer I lost too much weight though through stress. I saw a photo of myself and I was horrified how gaunt I looked. I worked to put half a stone back on and I think my face looks ok now.
I'm short. 5ft. So I don't have the height to carry extra weight.

Floisme · 17/01/2015 13:44

It's figure for me but then my body has always looked better than my face!
As others have said, it's easier to find clothes when you're slim plus I'd choose wrinkles over sagginess any day.

Cat2014 · 17/01/2015 13:50

I look better slimmer as I have a naturally full face anyway. I'm also short and quite curvy so the less excess weight I carry the better.

burnishedsilver · 17/01/2015 14:16

I think there's a happy medium to be found between the two.

RonaldMcDonald · 17/01/2015 14:21

There comes a time when extremely thin does not work
I'm not 'fashion' thin anymore...ATM (I weigh 10'1 am 5'9) but my face is better for it

plentyofshoes · 17/01/2015 16:19

I find that if I go below a certain weight my face looks too thin. I am focusing on getting fitter and more toned.

itsbetterthanabox · 17/01/2015 19:01

This thread is confusing and very depressing.
Do you mean being under or overweight? Because wouldn't it be best just to be a healthy weight? It really can't make that much difference to your body or face.
Being slightly bigger isn't 'ageing' either.

Original poster
Toastandstrawberryjam · 17/01/2015 19:10

I am classed as a healthy weight now. As I was a year ago. But there is a big difference within that. As I said from an A to nearly c cup and hollow cheekbones and not!

OP posts:
dexter73 · 17/01/2015 19:11

Being a healthy weight is quite a large range. For my height a healthy weight is from 8st 10lbs to 11st 11lbs. At one end I would be very thin and look quite gaunt and at the other I would be quite porky but there would be no wrinkles.
I find being a bit bigger is aging as I look quite matronly and a bit jowly.

JapaneseMargaret · 17/01/2015 21:40

Yes, you're right, Box, it is about being a healthy weight. And finding what's comfortable and right for each individual, I suppose.

HaveAGoodDay · 17/01/2015 21:59

I'm buggered no matter what i weigh, very full wide face with fat cheeks. Got asked years ago if i even had cheekbones :( I would love to have a good face, must be ace to have that confidence, to feel good about yourself.

Silverjohnleggedit · 18/01/2015 00:50

I look dramatically different at either end of my healthy weight range. Anywhere between a size 6 to a size 16 - that's quite a difference in face and body and the size 16 end is not my friend - I don't look or feel good. The size 6 doesn't look great either but the size 8-10 looks about right. BMI would suggest they are all fine....but that's never been my concern, I've never had an unhealthy BMI, but I have felt fat.

RosyAuroch · 18/01/2015 05:47

I think hollywood actresses shoud go for weight gain then selective liposuction to maintain youthful face, rather than facelifts/botox/fillers to try to look a bit plumper of face whilst maintaining a vegan/zero carbs/pilates/yoga/crossfit induced size 0-2 figure.

But in real life? Maintain a healthy weight but that might be 1/2 stone more than when you were 18 if you want a nice face.

Thing that made the most difference to my face contours was getting my wisdom teeth taken out (which I did cos they were both impacted). Hello cheekbones! I have a heart shaped face though.

ZaraW · 18/01/2015 07:05

Rosy that doesn't work for everyone, I put on 5kgs last year due to an injury and couldn't run my weight went on my stomach and hips. Extra weight did not go to my face.

creambun2014 · 18/01/2015 07:38

I don't think you get wrinkles if you have always been slim, however if you lose weight you are more likely to get wrinkles and loose skin.

GetLow · 18/01/2015 10:27

I choose health over beauty!

At size 16 my face looked plumper and smoother and I had fabulous boobs. But I was carrying unhealthy weight around my middle, felt self conscious in all clothes (chubby arms, no waist, mum tum etc) and lacked energy and confidence.

At a size 12 I have all but lost my chest (34E down to saggy 34C) and have a slightly more hollow look to my face, BUT...I'm healthy! I eat really well and work out regularly. I have more energy and fewer health issues.

At approaching 40, thats whats really important to me.

Branleuse · 18/01/2015 10:32

when you get to a certain age you definitely have to choose.
ive put on 3 stone in the last few years and i think i look loads better.
When i was younger, i looked better thinner.

Octopus37 · 18/01/2015 12:35

I'm another one that struggles with this. Naturally small face, thin around my neck, small boobs, bit of a mum tum, bit arse, slimish legs and arms, size 10 at the moment, closer to an 8 at my slimmest. Size 12 would be too big as I have a small frame, only 5ft5 tall. At under 8st my face looks too small, but at over 8st7 I really don't feel good, currently 8st9ish and trying to slim down ny doing more steps and by eating mindfully, turned the big 40 last week. Also focusing on looking after my skin properly (have dry skin) and have recently bought a good foundation.

pinkfrocks · 18/01/2015 12:56

There may be a happy medium!

Unless you have put on loads ( a stone or more) then your face shouldn't change that much.

Same applies to if you lose it.

But one thing I've noticed is that women who need to lose weight often have very 'full' faces which are not flattering anyway.

You should be guided by your health really- extra weight does no one any favours. The only older women ( 55 at least) I've seen who have really gaunt faces and who are skinny are VERY skinny- ie anorexic. Just stop before you reach that point.

pinkfrocks · 18/01/2015 12:59

I think fat faces and 3 chins are more ageing than a slimmer face.

judydoes · 18/01/2015 13:03

I tried different pills three times, each time I put on a very noticeable amount of weight very quickly. There may be no scientific link, but definitely it made me hungrier! And psychotic.

I'd go with somewhere in between. Not wanting to look gaunt but not wanting to be unhealthily weighty, either.

itsbetterthanabox · 18/01/2015 13:53

Pink frocks as has been said this is about being within a healthy weight range.
Everyone is different. It's not really about weight. People age differently and carry weight differently. If you just attempt to be a healthy weight don't worry about stuff that doesn't matter and makes you insecure either way.