Exercise Away A Double Chin?

May 24, 2010 10:47 AM

How do I get rid of a double chin? I am in good shape, not overweight, but I noticed in pictures taken at a wedding this week end that I have a double chin that really bothers me. I remember my father had one, too. Is it just DNA or can I exercise this away? I'm 65, male, if that helps.
posted by captainmickey to Health & Fitness (9 answers total)

Here's a list of suggestions that seem reasonable, although as you are not overweight or out of shape, many of them may not apply to you. The cosmetic surgery that can remove a double chin appears to be relatively easy, as surgical procedures go.
posted by Salvor Hardin at 10:55 AM on May 24, 2010

You can probably get rid of it in pictures fairly easily by modifying how you pose. Go stand in front of a mirror and tilt your head up and down - it's likely that you have a double chin with your head tilted down, and not much of one at all if you push your head forwards a bit or tilt it up a bit. For posed pictures, simply get used to holding your head in a way that minimizes the double chin.
posted by insectosaurus at 11:12 AM on May 24, 2010

It's easy to project your head forward when you know a picture is being taken, you're head will only be an inch or two forward, but gives your chin/neck much more room to maneuver.
posted by furtive at 12:05 PM on May 24, 2010

100% N-thing the "pose better for better pics" notion. Which does not at all help in candid shots, but I can vouch for this on a personal level as well as a hobbyist photographer. My best friend who is far from weighty complained of her double chin in photos all the time. I advised her to work in a mirror to get an idea of how to hold her head. Shazam! double chin free ever since.
posted by FlamingBore at 12:07 PM on May 24, 2010

Yeah, I came here to say the same "hold your head high" advice; it won't look out of place if you don't exaggerate it. Even underweight people can have double chins in pictures; I've seen it several times. Just change your pose and see if it helps.
posted by Nattie at 12:26 PM on May 24, 2010

Reducing bodyfat can help -- many folks are overfat without being overweight. Otherwise, genetics plays a large role.
posted by ludwig_van at 12:44 PM on May 24, 2010 [2 favorites]

When posing, don't get the idea that you should hold your chin up really high and tilt your head back to stretch your neck and get rid of the double chin, as all it does is focus people's attention on this GIANT EXPANSE OF CHIN AND NECK and makes you look like you smelled something funny and are trying to locate it.

I have yet to get my mother to understand that, as all she sees is "look! no double chin!"
posted by telophase at 2:40 PM on May 24, 2010

I found the best photo-solution is what my friends call the "out-and-down," not tiliting your head up.

Stick your head out a little and angle your chin down, you wouldn't believe how well it works.

Caveats include shoving your head forward of your photo companion's, which may make your head seem larger because it's closer to the camera. Also, always looking like you're looking up - keep track of where your pupils are.
posted by buzzkillington at 7:06 PM on May 24, 2010

Grow a radical beard. I am not joking, I grew mine at 19, shaved it off the first (and last) time at 22 and found my new friend (hello double chin). I've been bearded since.
posted by syntheticfaith at 4:37 AM on May 25, 2010