I'll be 39 in June and I've always had people thinking I'm younger than I am, usually by around 10 years (DH's age). Since gaining weight I got less compliments all the way around, including in the age department. I think being overweight made me look more frumpy, my clothes definitely had to be more frumpy and consequently it made me look older. Often youth have more fat in certain areas and less in others (e.g. less in the waist and more in the butt) so I think by slimming down my waist, which gives me far better proportions, I look a lot better and consequently younger.

I have always looked younger than my age. When I was 18, people thought I was 14. When I was 26, people thought I was 19. When I was in my 30's, they thought I was in my 20's. And now, I'll be 44 this summer... most people guess I'm about 36 or so.

I jokingly refer to it as A CURSE, because 'younger men have always been attracted to me' - which wasn't so bad when I was in my late 20's/early 30's... but when I was 18.... and the 13 year olds were after me.... it was kinda bad!

Of course, I'm afraid that one day, all the years will "catch up to me" & I'll look my age (or worse!) overnight... I'll go to bed looking 38 or 40 & wake up looking 50. E-gads... the thought of it is enough to make me wanna run out & buy some facial cream!

I don't really look older when I'm chubby. I still look younger. I think it's because my face is so round & it fills out more, and I get that "cherub" look. Or, as my 1st husband used to say "MoonPie Face".

people are just about right when they try and guess my age, but most of the time they think im older and i have notice from past pictures when i was thinner i looked much younger. i guess weight makes you look older in most cases.

People always think I look younger than I am (47). I don't really know what a 47 year old should look or feel like but I definitely don't feel it. When they find out the ages of my kids they are shocked, they can't believe that I have a 26 year old. Definitely makes me feel good!

I've always looked younger, too. Several years ago, we were camping and a group from another campsite came over for a visit. The were commenting about the fact that I go up there by myself and set up camp. Then I remarked that I'm 62. They thought I was around 40! Oh, I'm still 62. I've been 62 for a few years now because I love having people tell me how good I look.

I was carded when I was 35 and again at 38.

Even with 200 lbs, I looked younger. Thank you God for that set of genes from my dad's side of the family. I'll let you know how it goes this year when we go camping.

I'm 16 and I've been told that I look 23 by a hairdresser once.
Usually I get told around 18 or so? That's by people outside of school.

Thanks for all your responses! You know, after some thought, I realize it is a matter of perception. One lady, a couple of years ago thought I was 19...someone else thought I had a teenege daughter lol. I guess some people automatically access an age to fat people. Anyway, like I said I am 279 now. If I were "only" 200, I probably wouldnt ask the question. At that point my face would thin out but now...being fat with a double chin...I am self conscious.


Thanks everyone for putting everything into perspective!

Before I started losing weight (41) I think I looked around 50 or more. After a couple of years of losing weight people were telling me I looked 10 years younger, then I got a new hairdo and people told me I looked 10 years younger after that! So, if I start at my 50+ years and take off those 20, I suppose that would put me in my early 30s. I'm currently 45 and kinda figure that I could look that age, but I honestly have no idea really. I am definitely not good at guessing people's ages. I think that behaviour plays a huge part in things as well. When I was at my largest (353lbs) I was very lethargic and sedentary, whereas now (165 - 175, depending on the time of month!) I am far more energetic and active and outgoing, so that could contribute to the 'age' that people attribute to others as well.

Hey, do you think that if I keep changing things I could lose ANOTHER 10 years. I could handle looking about 25!

Zelma

Great answer Zelma! I think a lot of it has to do with attitude also. But at my heaviest (around 185 on a 5'3" frame) I think I looked around 50 when I was in my early forties. Now at 122 pounds, I dress a lot better, take better care of myself in general, and most people guess my age in the early to mid forties. I'm 52. You can see the difference here.

Mel

I have always looked younger than I am.. heavy or not.. right now I get 21-23 and I am knocking heavily on 26's door Women in my family age verrrry gracefully though.. thank goodness.. wonder if it was all the facials with my mother when I was a teenager? My mom is 50 and you wouldnt dare tell her she looked more than 40 and mean it. My mom lived in the gym for years though.. and she really didnt start to age until she quit. ::shrugs:: Im betting it has alot to do with blood flow the reason the youthful glow throws everyone off?

The more I lose the younger I look. I'm guessing I still look around 35 (I'll be 30 next month). When I was younger though (19-20) I was mistaken for my now ex-husbands mother.... pretty depressing, although I did dress pretty frumpy. I unfortunately am not growing old as gracefully as my mother who could still pass as my sister. Some girls have all the luck!!!

I have always been one to be mistaken for younger than I am..Occasionally I will ask people why they think I am a teenager, and they smile and say something along the lines of "Well it's your baby pudge!!" I never get offended by that LOL.

I always thought that a little more meat on a lady made her look younger, as the fat in the face reduces the visibility of wrinkles.

The bigger I am the older people think I am and the younger the treat me, like a silly child. The smaller I become the younger "they" think I am and the more I am treated like capable adult.

I think style has a lot to do with how old we look too. If we have a nice hairstyle, color our hair if it grays, and wear stylish clothes and make-up (I wear very little but generally always when going anywhere except outside to walk the dog on the block), that regimen in itself takes years off right there. Nowadays 45 is the new 35 and 35 is the new 25. People just seem to look younger these days.

But with weight, it seems like either it fills out the wrinkles in someone's face yet on the other hand its harder to keep weight off as we age so its also more of a sign of youthfulness to be slimmer.

I have to remember to smile. It tightens up some of that saggin'.