prevent sagging neck skin

I saw Clint Eastwood on Letterman the other night. Turns out, he’s almost 80 years old.  He looks great. (I assume there was some anesthesia and a scalpel involved.) 

I love that even though he’s almost an octogenarian, he’s still beating the crap out of people in movies.  I’m not one for violence, but this kind is OK in my book, because it’s inspirational (and aspirational) for the aging crowd.

What I couldn’t help but notice about Clint’s Letterman appearance, was his neck.  He’s got a little gobble, gobble going on.  Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but it got me thinking about how I might be able to prevent the “Butterball Effect”, as I age.

Then I found this tip online.  It’s very simple and easy to do anywhere, as long as no one is looking at you.

Simply extend your lower teeth over your upper teeth. Then push your tongue to the roof of your mouth for 10 seconds. 

Here’s Rene on the red carpet doing this exercise, or at least I can only hope that’s why she always has this expression on her face.

If you hold your hand to your neck area, you’ll feel the neck muscles being activated by this exercise.  The theory: firm neck muscles will help prevent sagging in that area.  I suppose it’s the same theory as, if you work out your biceps and triceps, you’ll be less likely to have loose, hanging skin on the upper arms.

While doing this exercise, you’ll look like an 80 year old with no teeth, but it just may prevent you from looking like an 80 year old with a sagging neck.  It’s kind of like a flu shot that way- you're given a little bit of the flu, in order not to get it. 

Oh, yeah, if I happen to suddenly disappear, it was probably Clint Eastwood.   And he’ll probably try to use the excuse that I was on his lawn. 

I think this is one of the touching scenes from Gran Torino, right before or after he shoots someone. 

Comments

[jane]

jenny, when I was 14 I saw an older women with a saggy neck. It scared me so badly that I've been putting on Oil of Olay and doing those exact exercises for over 30 years...and I have the neck of a 20 year old!! thanks for all the tips, love your blog.

[jenny]

Hey Jane,
Thank you so much for living being proof that it works. That's good to know. Wouldn't want to be making strange faces for no reason:)
Thanks!
jenny

[Josi]

Jenny....you and your facial exercising...

[natalie]

At least some of Clint's good looks for his age are because he's vegan!

[jenny]

Get out. Clint is vegan. I love it. Good to know when people say "but aren't you afraid of not getting enough protein being a vegetarian?" I can say Clint is vegan and he can kick someone a 1/4 of his age butt. That'll be a damn good answer. Thanks for the info.
jenny

[Amy]

Clint Eastwood is not a vegan or a vegetarian.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/14/movies/14head.html?_r=1&ref=movies

[jenny]

Not a vegan? Guess that's why he can kick the butt of someone 1/4 of his age:)

[Elisabeth]

Supposedly his good skin and relatively youthful looks is because he's a total health nut who's been advocating antioxidants for years. Apparently he insists on having steamed vegetables on set and stuff.

Considering all the Westerns he did sans sunscreen, it's amazing he has such good skin...whatever he did!

[Fabian]

this was so dumb. like gran torino. so hilariously dumb.

[W]

Seriously, facial exercises are a godsend! You should check out facercise by Carole Maggio (if u haven't already).

[jenny]

Hey W,
I've heard of her. I'll check it out.
Thanks!
jenny