Do we look as old as them?

[Qs Laptop]

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've noticed this as well. I've also noticed those people that were/are drinkers and/or smokers almost always look older than the more fit people. Sometimes, the contrast is stunning, like 10-15 years difference in apparent age.

 

[Chuckanut]

I heard Peter Attia recently list his top four things to help the 50+ crowd limit the negative effects of aging:

1. Regular exercise
2. Healthy diet
3. 7+ hours of sleep daily
4. Proper use of supplements and pharmaceuticals.

 

[ERD50]

I've noticed this as well. I've also noticed those people that were/are drinkers and/or smokers almost always look older than the more fit people. Sometimes, the contrast is stunning, like 10-15 years difference in apparent age.

It can be worse than that. My wife's cousin, just a year older was a chain smoker. Many hospital visits, and ending up on oxygen finally got her to quit. At 70, she's in worse shape than her 95 YO mother. Can't leave the house w/o the tank, on the machine/hose while home. I would not be surprised if her mother outlives her. No other real health problems outside of those caused by her addiction to those things. So glad I never started.

 

[Dtail]

It can be worse than that. My wife's cousin, just a year older was a chain smoker. Many hospital visits, and ending up on oxygen finally got her to quit. At 70, she's in worse shape than her 95 YO mother. Can't leave the house w/o the tank, on the machine/hose while home. I would not be surprised if her mother outlives her. No other real health problems outside of those caused by her addiction to those things. So glad I never started.

Yeah I quit at 15, as it affected my short term stamina playing basketball.

 

[aja8888]

It can be worse than that. My wife's cousin, just a year older was a chain smoker. Many hospital visits, and ending up on oxygen finally got her to quit. At 70, she's in worse shape than her 95 YO mother. Can't leave the house w/o the tank, on the machine/hose while home. I would not be surprised if her mother outlives her. No other real health problems outside of those caused by her addiction to those things. So glad I never started.

My DW suffered from COPD and a long life of smoking (couldn't quit, no matter what). Her last 5 years on oxygen 100% of the time took a big toll on her physical well being. She looked very old and fragile when she finally passed at 77.

 

[Tadpole]

I am past my use-by date so you can imagine what I look like. I would guess I look to others as though I was at least in my mid 80s when I am, in fact, in my mid 70s. But that is OK. As I said I am getting a few years past my use-by date based on genetic history of family members.

 

[braumeister]

I think it's important to remember that individual differences mean a lot.
I always think about Jeanne Calment, the oldest person who ever lived (122), who had a cigarette after most meals, had a dessert with every meal, ate up to two pounds of chocolate a week, and enjoyed port wine.

So, think positive!

 

[skipro33]

I looked around at my 50 year class reunion and thought "who are all of these old people?"

mine is in a couple weeks. I decided the memory of how everyone looked is better than witnessing the reality. Besides, I haven't seen any of them since graduation and I was one of the invisible kids, not the popular cool kids.

 

[Ronstar]

I don't think that I look as old as most people my age when I see them out in public. But if I look at a photo of me with a group of people my age, it looks like I'm about the same age as the others.

 

[FIYes]

Fortunately, the lighting in my bathroom and bedroom is not that great. I still look young.

 

[MC Rider]

There's a lot of retired people here. But by no means all retired. I feel like I fit right in, not as old as some, but a bit older than others. I don't think anyone in the loose knit MC riding group I have been riding with is under 60. Most are retired, or at least semi retired.

 

[zaqxsw]

I was getting a blood test recently and this obviously old guy across from me was getting the same. In my mind he was at least 10 years older than me or more and he even had a cane.

When asked his birthday, I overheard that he was 6 years younger than me!

Boy did that make me look into the mirror and reflect...

 

[GalaxyBoy]

I notice this with actors on TV as well. DW and I sometimes play a game while watching - is he older or younger than me?

Not judging, just observing. Goodness knows I should have taken better care of myself in past years.

 

[GalaxyBoy]

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.

Yes! Shortly after I retired I started getting comments about how much younger and more relaxed I looked.

 

[MC Rider]

I'll just try and stay alive and enjoy it as long as I can.
It's too late to leave a good looking corpse.

 

[audreyh1]

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.

I like to think the early retirement and fewer years of work stress helped as many folks seem to be surprised that we are in our mid to late sixties.

 

[disneysteve]

It can be worse than that. My wife's cousin, just a year older was a chain smoker. Many hospital visits, and ending up on oxygen finally got her to quit. At 70, she's in worse shape than her 95 YO mother. Can't leave the house w/o the tank, on the machine/hose while home. I would not be surprised if her mother outlives her. No other real health problems outside of those caused by her addiction to those things. So glad I never started.

My wife's older sister died in February 2023. She was about 65. Heavy smoker her whole life. Had all sorts of health issues as a result and died of a massive stroke. My wife (60), her other sister (64?), and their mother (84) are all pretty much fine.

Smoking very much ages you prematurely both inside (heart, lungs, circulation, etc.) and outside (skin and such).

 

[disneysteve]

Yes! Shortly after I retired I started getting comments about how much younger and more relaxed I looked.

I haven't gotten the "younger" comments but I've definitely gotten the "more relaxed" comments. I guess that's good enough.

 

[gamboolman]

Ha, reminds of the portrait pictures of old folks looking into the mirror and seeing themselves in their Prime.
I think we all do it to a degree, some more so than others, Rose Colored Glasses and all...

I know that sometimes I think of ms gamboolgal and I as we are in my Avatar when she was barely 17 year old - just the blink of an eye ago...

 

[Koolau]

At our 50th HS reunion, there was one gal who, in her prime was stunning and popular. I swear, when I saw her at the 50th, she had not changed. She still had the same hair, figure and face. She MUST have had some "w*rk" done along the way. And she was still popular. Folks just gathered around her like flies to honey.

Pretty much the rest of us just looked "old." I think I look younger than my age though I'm probably "older" inside (everything wearing out) Still have some hair and it's still fairly dark though the gray is creeping in now.

 

[surprising]

Every once in awhile I'll kinda side-glance in a mirror and see an old dude and then realize I'm looking at myself! Another funny thing is music. I grew up a teen in the 80s and listened to all the 80s rap. I still like listening to it, but when I'm in my car, I get a bit self-conscious being an old white dude listening to 80s rap

 

[MC Rider]

I get a bit self-conscious being an old white dude listening to 80s rap

Switch to heavy metal. No such problem.

 

[More Cowbell]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned 2 immediately visible aging factors: Sun exposure skin damage and visible tooth loss.

 

[MC Rider]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned 2 immediately visible aging factors: Sun exposure skin damage and visible tooth loss.

Dentures, baby.

 

[More Cowbell]

The surfer girls can't hide their sunny past! But that doesn't mean they might not otherwise be in great condition, just weathered.