Among my annocdetical group of twelve 38-42 yo women I see 3 categories: the ones who have round chubby (but not fat, more like curvy) bodies and pretty faces with very few wrinkles, the thinnish women with some curves, more like skinny fat, and the athletic women who have beautiful legs and washboard abs, but lost their breasts after pregnancies their uppper body fat in general and are the most wrinkled.

I am not sure it is the running that gave the last group their wrinkles. It looks like the other way around: the ones with the highest metabolism and predisposition for exercise are the ones with the lowest amount of body fat and if you listen to them they were born like that. They were always on the skinny side with visible lean muscles and they always wanted to move more. And now at 40 they look beautiful and athletic but the same way the lack of fat under their skin gives them great washboard abs it also gives them clearly more wrinkled face.

And the whole group is like that. Looking at all of us in bikinis if you look at our various body types and the energy we display just completing random tasks (which gives you a good idea of metabolsims) you can predict right away whose face will be the most wrinkled.

But in that group some of the chubbier less wrinkled are actually pretty decent runners while some of the super lean more wrinkled are practicing other sports like dance or hockey or swimming.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:There is something to be said about skin sagging and laxity. I'll say it then; all the high impact can and will do a number on your facial skin. This, combined with the sunshine can give some women a wizened look etch deep wrinkles. Also low body fat contributes to this look.

A yes, so much healthier and more attractive to be pasty, lose muscle tone, and have osteoporosis and joint issues due to lack of weight-bearing exercise!

Generalize much?

I'm early 50s, and used to run every day in my 20s and 30s. Now I run a few miles three times per week.

In part, my body can't handle running every day anymore (joints get angry). But too much exercise can also make you look gaunt in your 50s. As the old saying goes, as you age you can either save your butt or your face. Pick one.

It's true. Everything in moderation.

Anonymous wrote:Who was it that said that at a certain age you have to choose what looks good, your ass or your face?

Coco Chanel

Who was it that said that at a certain age you have to choose what looks good, your ass or your face?

Anonymous wrote:There is something to be said about skin sagging and laxity. I'll say it then; all the high impact can and will do a number on your facial skin. This, combined with the sunshine can give some women a wizened look etch deep wrinkles. Also low body fat contributes to this look.

A yes, so much healthier and more attractive to be pasty, lose muscle tone, and have osteoporosis and joint issues due to lack of weight-bearing exercise!

I’m a 54 year old marathoner. I’ve been running since my mid-20s. I also practice yoga and lift. I don’t look 35 or 40 or even 45. I look like a women in her 50s who is active, healthy, and fit. I have no desire to be anything other than that.

There is something to be said about skin sagging and laxity. I'll say it then; all the high impact can and will do a number on your facial skin. This, combined with the sunshine can give some women a wizened look etch deep wrinkles. Also low body fat contributes to this look.

There is something to be said about skin sagging and laxity. I'll say it then; all the high impact can and will do a number on your facial skin. This, combined with the sunshine can give some women a wizened look etch deep wrinkles. Also low body fat contributes to this look.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m 39 and I’ve been running for 25 years. I don’t have a single wrinkle and the only skin discoloration I ever had was from BC pills and went away when I changed them. Personally I think things like drinking alcohol too often and not getting enough sleep age you more quickly and I rarely drink and usually get 8-9 hours of sleep.

I know the miserable people of DCUM will say I’m making this up but I’m always mistaken for younger than I am. I was a college coach and mistaken for a team member. But everyone here likes to make snide generalizations that tear others down so go ahead, reply with quote and say there’s no way.

you sounds pretty miserable yourself.

Nope! All the endorphins keep me pretty darn happy all the time. I’ve got a great life and I appreciate every moment of it.

Anonymous wrote:I’m 39 and I’ve been running for 25 years. I don’t have a single wrinkle and the only skin discoloration I ever had was from BC pills and went away when I changed them. Personally I think things like drinking alcohol too often and not getting enough sleep age you more quickly and I rarely drink and usually get 8-9 hours of sleep.

I know the miserable people of DCUM will say I’m making this up but I’m always mistaken for younger than I am. I was a college coach and mistaken for a team member. But everyone here likes to make snide generalizations that tear others down so go ahead, reply with quote and say there’s no way.

you sounds pretty miserable yourself.

Anonymous wrote:Sure, if you're white and do lots of outdoor sports, your skin will get more weathered. But if you chose your activities based on vanity, you might not have a very satisfying life. All the women I know who spend a ton of time outdoors (and have the skin to prove it) do it because they love it and can't picture any other way to live. But you do you, work out in a basement and focus your time and energy on the proper ratio of fillers to botox, I guess.

I’m the 39YO PP and this sums it up for me. So what if I have wrinkles at 59? Aside from being slim (and no I’m not a “string bean”, I’m just lean), I love being outdoors. I love my running friends and groups. I love winning and seeing results and success. I love seeing new cities when I race there. I am truly fulfilled and happy—and get the exercise too.

Sure, if you're white and do lots of outdoor sports, your skin will get more weathered. But if you chose your activities based on vanity, you might not have a very satisfying life. All the women I know who spend a ton of time outdoors (and have the skin to prove it) do it because they love it and can't picture any other way to live. But you do you, work out in a basement and focus your time and energy on the proper ratio of fillers to botox, I guess.

Anonymous wrote:So funny that I ran across this thread because I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in a while. She is in her 50s and is now doing iron man competitions. Her body looks amazing for her age, but her face is very sunken and wrinkled.

I am 60 and can't run due to ankle issues. I do other types of exercises like stair climbing, pilates, weights, walking, hiking. I am not nearly in the shape she is in, but I am healthy and muscular. I don't think I would trade to be where she is to be honest, as much as I would like to be able to run. I mean, she really looked very old compared to when she was not doing the long distance running.

LOL age make you look old.

So funny that I ran across this thread because I ran into a friend I hadn't seen in a while. She is in her 50s and is now doing iron man competitions. Her body looks amazing for her age, but her face is very sunken and wrinkled.

I am 60 and can't run due to ankle issues. I do other types of exercises like stair climbing, pilates, weights, walking, hiking. I am not nearly in the shape she is in, but I am healthy and muscular. I don't think I would trade to be where she is to be honest, as much as I would like to be able to run. I mean, she really looked very old compared to when she was not doing the long distance running.