Ask Fitz! Your Fitness Questions Answered -- Does weight loss make people look old?

Have fitness questions? Fitz has your answer. Our ThatsFit.com fitness expert -- and now your own virtual personal trainer -- will help you get fit, increase your overall health and do it in a fun way. Drop your questions here in the Comments section below and we'll choose one per week to publish on That's Fit! Learn more about Fitz here.

Q. Hi Fitz. My sister lost a bunch of weight recently. She's thirty years old and the weight loss was necessary, but now she looks closer to forty. She's not smoking or sunning, so why does she appear older? Rachel

A. I've heard this before Rachel, so you're not crazy. I've also seen people look decades younger due to major weight loss as well. For the most part, I think people just associate a fuller face with youthfulness. Know many angular -faced children? Probably not. Know any gaunt elderly folks? Yeah ... we all know a lot of them!

Weight loss is a funny thing. It's possible your sister lost weight in an unhealthy way, which is why she's appearing less than vibrant. She may have extra skin hanging from many years of obesity. This too, is aging. It's also possible that you're just not accustomed to seeing her look differently. Her new confidence and swagger may be make you view her as more mature. All guesses.

As far as your role in this situation ... I would stay out of it. Be grateful she's tacked on many years to her life as a result of this weight loss. She's more mobile now, and less likely to end up with a slew of horrific health issues. Her face also may continue to change as she goes into maintenance mode. Thanks for the unique question Rachel. Now it's your turn to get to work!

Punches & Kicks,