Do we look as old as them?

Luvtoride

Luvtoride

Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
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We live in the same town and belong to the same house of worship as we did when our kids were born. As we “run into”/ encounter some of our old (long time) friends and acquaintances I am often shocked by how old they look. I remember many of the guys as they were when we played basketball and football together. I know we are all aging and some have various health issues (who doesn’t) but some look much older and frail. I ask my wife “do we look as old as them”? I’m not trying to be judgmental and I know I’m not the epitome of youthful appearance but I wonder about this aspect of us getting old. Some people may not care as much about their appearance and some have just seemed to age badly. Does anyone else notice this of others (that you knew for many years) that you don’t see often? It makes me feel my age for sure.
What is your reaction?
 
I notice more their mobility than looks. We've had a few couples we see every few months who have at least 1 really breaking down in their mid-70s. I feel bad for the other in respect to vacationing and doing active things.

I also notice the 40-somethings (2 friends on a recent camping trip) who are having knee issues and needing to fix (surgically) the crazy things they grew up doing.

I grade myself on how much hair I have compared to family. My bro is almost bald. Thankfully I got mom's genes on this one. My beard is pretty grey if I want to look older, but more wise.

I always hint that we only have a couple good decades left to DW...
 
My wife made herself a shirt a while ago that says, “It’s weird being the same age as old people”.

I definitely notice this. Some people age well; others age not so well. Genetics, diet, activity, smoking, medical issues, sun exposure, and more all play into this. Some elements you can control and some you can’t. We are both fortunate to be in the “aging well” category so far.
 
disneysteve said:
I definitely notice this. Some people age well; others age not so well. Genetics, diet, activity, smoking, medical issues, sun exposure, and more all play into this. Some elements you can control and some you can’t.
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+100. I know people who are mentally and physically aging very well, and others who have fallen apart - sadly most due to self neglect, but some due to random unexpected health issues.
 
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Well we have encountered this as well. I think how people choose to dress can affect perception of age.

We go to classic rock type concerts sometimes and be wonder what we are doing there with all those "old people". LOL. And just think: the people you run across our in the world are those healthy enough to get out!

I just try to view it as a blessing if you are maintaining or putting off successfully the impact of aging. For now anyway. Yes as a male it can help to have hair. Any color. ;)

But of course you (we) also view yourself as you were at a certain younger age. At least I do. So that may be skewing your perception also.
 
I have to admit, these days when traveling we’re starting to notice older people and ask each other “do you think we’re as old as them?” Lots of seniors in Grand Teton NP last month.
 
I turn 81 soon. During my recent hospital visit (unplanned), the cardiologist was surprised I was 80. She figured I was around 70 or late 60's from looking at me. Some of my friends (ROMEO Group) are aging pretty fast during the last few years. The widow across my street looks 80+ and I was surprised to find out she was in her late 60's.

Aging looks vary by person, that's for sure.

My dog thinks I am a teenager like him (in dog yeras). :LOL:
 
I have various security cameras around our property that arm at dusk, off at dawn. If I'm outside, finishing up a task, like checking mail or taking trash cans to the curb, I'll be picked up on one or more
When I go to review and delete those videos, lately I see an old man. Mostly in body shape, posture and walk. It's very depressing as I didn't think I looked that bad until I saw those candid camera videos. I turn 68 in a couple of weeks
 
OTOH, I have a friend who can cycle rings around me & 10x smarter. He's old enough to be my dad (in his 70's)...his wife recently took a tumble and now I can finally keep up with her on the hiking paths.
 
Interesting. For the most part (I'll address exceptions below) I don't know that I react overly much to others' appearances, although I might notice if someone appears as if they have been ill, injured, or have mobility issues. I have noticed that being ill can quickly lead to an aging appearance. I do look for the beauty in people (such as kindness in expression) regardless of age.

Personally, I had some struggles in this regard over the summer, due to pain after eating, resulted in a three day fast, followed by weeks of very tiny meals until I got in to see a cardiologist. Lack of sleep coupled with anxiety and a rapid weight loss did not a pretty picture make.

Exceptions being girlfriends who have a particular interest in beauty routines, i.e. skin care, hair care, figure maintenance, etc. who actually want to discuss advice as to certain steps which can be taken to mitigate the impact of aging on the appearance.
 
I hang out with a fairly large group of successful males, all over 70, and have been close friends with many of them for 25+ years. It's become apparent to me that the ones in the group that have led a long life of lots of routine physical exercise and good diet habits seem to be visually aging at a slower rate than the typically inactive guys. Maybe it's just my imagination? Or maybe the sample size is too small to be relied upon?
 
I agree with so many others here on how I notice aging of people I have known my whole life.
Genes and how we take care of ourselves through the years has a huge impact in how we age IMO.
I just hope I don't look as old as some of them, but I might look worse. Lol
 
All of these are great perspectives and reactions. My view was more about people I Know (or have known ) from much younger ages. I usually compare those who I know are around my age who look much older or frail than I perceive myself. Yes. A lot has to do with overall health issues and how much one cares to take care of themselves or not.
I didn’t think about how we dress as part of the perception but that makes a difference too.
 
Luvtoride said:
All of these are great perspectives and reactions. My view was more about people I Know (or have known ) from much younger ages. I usually compare those who I know are around my age who look much older or frail than I perceive myself. Yes. A lot has to do with overall health issues and how much one cares to take care of themselves or not.
I didn’t think about how we dress as part of the perception but that makes a difference too.
Click to expand...

We typically see ourselves in the mirror on a daily basis so barring a rapid change, aging be more difficult to perceive in ourselves.

I am also nearsighted and don't put on my glasses when looking in the mirror :biggrin: That helps . . .
 
Some days when my arthritis is acting up and I stand up to walk after sitting bit, I find myself stopping after a step or two, standing straight up and telling myself "I will not walk bent over like Grandpa did!" The is my biggest reminder that I am getting older: my joints aching.
Movement helps and try to get my steps/exercise in daily.
My face does not have many wrinkles, but my hair is almost fully silver white, so I always get the senior discount without them asking-lol.
DH and I do look at older couples and wonder if they are older, younger, same age?

I see a few friends from high school, some have aged well, some look older.
My oldest nephew just turned 49--ack! Talk about me feeling old now :)
 
My wife's childhood friend was really a stunner. We haven't seen them in quite a few years but we get their annual Christmas newsletter. A few years back, she just started looking different. I guess between glasses, a short hairstyle, and the expected aging, I don't even recognize her. Not so much "old" looking, just different, more "dowdy" looking?

Another long-time friend of ours always had a great, curvy figure (put on a little weight in middle age, but then slimmed down again). We were out as a group for dinner a few years back, and the group split up as some went to the washroom and we got back together at the bar, and as I'm walking into the bar, I'm checking out this nice figure on the young lady walking ahead of me, and then I realize - woah, that's our friend! I swear, there's a lot of 20~30 YO women that would be envious of her in her 60s!
 
Through a couple of coincidences, I came across the social media site of an old girlfriend. I was shocked, as I recognized her immediately, and had not seen her in almost 50 years. I actually thought that maybe it was power of suggestion, but then I saw some info that made it certain it was her. Still had long hair, nice smile, face a bit rounder but she was still pretty slim - and these were just typical snapshots, not staged 'glamor' pics. Can't help wondering if she'd have recognized me.
 
njhowie said:
I regularly comment to DW how we look much younger than our friends of similar age. I personally credit it to FIRE-ing, being stress free, exercising and staying active.
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Being financially secure, whether retired or not, definitely helps. The stress from financial issues definitely wears on people and ages them faster.
 
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