110 pounds lighter and changing things up

[Semi-Sly]

That is an unbelievable weight loss.  Congrats! AndIMHO there is no question that you look great With the clean dome and a mustache!

[steve69]

Afraid you've got a backslider on your hands. I ended up feeling really self conscious with the shaved head.

I kept seeing the old 350 pound me staring back in the mirror. I appreciate all the positive feedback, though! I love the way being sly felt, just not how it looked on me, at least not right now. I'll be 52 in a couple months, so maybe that'll be when I decide to return to the ways of sly. Until then, peace out and thanks again!

[clint902]

Your health is the most important thing which I hope you're maintaining.  As for your hair, it was a terrific look on you and made you look younger but isn't for everyone.  I guess what I'm saying is you can always shave your head but getting back your health is another matter.  In my case, impossible.

[slybeard]

You need to do what you want to do.  You are not the only one here that sported a shaved head for some time, and then either grew it back or used a system.  We have several members that go through cycles, hair in winter, shaved in summer.  It is all about finding out what works for you.  I will say you system looks good, but of course I am partial to the shaved look.

And just because you are not shaving, it does not mean you cannot stay plugged in to the site.

[reddog]

Yes, not everyone is cut out to wear a shaved head. It's alot of work if you must have it smooth. Thank God I'm at the age that I don't care what anyone thinks, I love the look and feel of a totally bald noggin!

No offense, but that hair system doesn't look at all natural. But you have to do what makes you happy. At some point you will notice shaved heads everywhere, and probably will return to the spy Brotherhood.

[Cave Dweller]

Bravo on that accomplishment, sir!

[steve69]

Thanks! I'm still aiming to lose another 50 or so pounds. It's been a long process, but I've kept off what I've lost, except for a couple times when I got sick and had to take steroids.

[steve69]

Yes, not everyone is cut out to wear a shaved head. It's alot of work if you must have it smooth. Thank God I'm at the age that I don't care what anyone thinks, I love the look and feel of a totally bald noggin!

No offense, but that hair system doesn't look at all natural. But you have to do what makes you happy. At some point you will notice shaved heads everywhere, and probably will return to the spy Brotherhood.

I see guys with shaved heads a lot and they look great on them. On me? Not so much. At least in my eyes. And I've been upfront with people about wearing a hair system and most had no idea. I was pretty much bald by the time I was 18, so maybe that has something to do with it.

[slybeard]

It is actually a common reaction - shaved looks good on others, but not myself.  I am on another board for beards and it is the same, beards look good on others, but not myself.  Or in my own case, Gray beards look good on others, but not me (so I dye it).

[Razorhead]

@steve69 congratulations on the weight loss! I’m the same age as you and taking care of yourself is important. Hopefully fitness will pay off in our older years. I like the shaved head on you. It looks great. It says confidence. At our age some level of baldness is expected. And expected by and unsurprising to others. But you carry it well. And you don’t look your age at all. We are our own worst critics. Let the compliments that others are giving you the confidence to move forward. I doubt anyone is equating your choice for a shaved head is reminiscent of any past bad habits. Everyone is seeing you as moving forward even with a shaved head. And so should you.

[steve69]

It is actually a common reaction - shaved looks good on others, but not myself.  I am on another board for beards and it is the same, beards look good on others, but not myself.  Or in my own case, Gray beards look good on others, but not me (so I dye it).

I'm glad other people have the same issue. I see a lot of guys that look really confident with a shaved head and I feel less confident. The irony is that a lot of women actually seem to prefer me with the shaved head. So maybe I just need to let myself grow into the look a bit. I'm starting to do some resistance training at the gym, so maybe that'll help boost my confidence. Walking and jogging will only get you so far.

[steve69]

Your health is the most important thing which I hope you're maintaining.  As for your hair, it was a terrific look on you and made you look younger but isn't for everyone.  I guess what I'm saying is you can always shave your head but getting back your health is another matter.  In my case, impossible.

Agree completely - your health is ultimately what matters. I'm really sorry that your health is impossible to recover. I won't pry - but I can't imagine what that must be like. I have severe persistent asthma and my lungs only function at about 25% of normal, so I never actually feel good/great, but losing weight and exercising at least help me feel better about myself. I'm still walking and jogging 10 to 12 miles a day and am starting to get into resistance training.

[steve69]

That is an unbelievable weight loss.  Congrats! AndIMHO there is no question that you look great With the clean dome and a mustache!

Thanks! It's an ongoing process. I backslide some this winter after I lost 5 friends to different things over the course of a couple months. But I'm back to healthier eating habits and logging my 10 to 12 miles a day.

And all of the positive comments on the shaved head have me rethinking things. The hair system is a pain to get to look halfway decent and now that summer's almost here, I might return to the Sly look sooner rather than later. Stay tuned...

[steve69]

@steve69 congratulations on the weight loss! I’m the same age as you and taking care of yourself is important. Hopefully fitness will pay off in our older years. I like the shaved head on you. It looks great. It says confidence. At our age some level of baldness is expected. And expected by and unsurprising to others. But you carry it well. And you don’t look your age at all. We are our own worst critics. Let the compliments that others are giving you the confidence to move forward. I doubt anyone is equating your choice for a shaved head is reminiscent of any past bad habits. Everyone is seeing you as moving forward even with a shaved head. And so should you.

Thanks! I honestly feel better and ostensibly look better now than I did when I was in my 30s. I frequently get guessed as being in my 30s, with or without hair. And you are absolutely right - I am my own worst critic and the positive feedback you guys have been giving me on the shaved head are making me reconsider. A lot of women really liked the shaved head, and now that we're getting out from under the lockdown, it might be time to go Sly again and try to find a date.

[steve69]

So I decided today was the day. I think I like it better this time than last. Plus I've lost a bit more weight since the last head shave, which helps.