Should I Do Face Exercises?
If regular exercise for your body can tone muscles and improve circulation, will it do the same thing for my face? I am not expecting miracles but if a regular exercise program for my face would help to minimize the droopy appearance of my mouth, it is worth a try.
A bit of online research on facial exercise provided me with pros and cons on the subject. I tend to lean toward the positive because I want to believe that I can strengthen the muscles and reduce some of the droop. If I can tone and firm the muscles, that is suppose to help reduce the wrinkles.
There are numerous websites with exercise instruction but I found that some of them were hard to understand and I wasn’t sure if I was doing the exercise correctly. When I found Carolyn’s Facial Fitness, I sent her an email to ask if anyone had ever inquired about exercise to correct a problem like mine. She answered right away saying there had been no inquiries like mine but she wouldn’t think exercise could hurt, but I should seek my doctor’s advice. Did I do that? Of course not! I am not paying for an office call to ask my doctor if I should do exercise for my face. She would probably laugh and say it is up to me.
A couple of months passed before I finally broke down and called Carolyn to order her program. We discussed my dilema (she remembered my email) and agreed that we could see no harm in giving it a try. A few days later when I opened the mailbox, there it was. I giggled to myself when I saw that it came priority mail. I am sure that is her standard method of shipping but I couldn’t help but think, what’s the rush, I’ve waited this long, a few more days wouldn’t have mattered.
The package was intimidating and several days passed before I opened it to examine the contents.
I have looked through the book and the flash cards but I haven’t started the program yet because I want to write about it as I go. Hopefully, there will be improvement in my appearance to document.
Tags: circulation, facial exercise, muscles, wrinkles
September 24th, 2008 at 1:48 am
I really hope that you will keep us updated on your progress with this. I have been working really hard in rehab with speech therapy. As I struggle, I realize how fatigued the left side of my face (weak side) gets trying to form words. I am amazed at how much more energy it takes to say “yes” versus “ya”. If I could strengthen my facial muscles and improve my speech AND my appearence, well woo hoo! Well at least it is something to hope for
September 24th, 2008 at 9:19 am
I did not know this about you, only that you had some medical problems. It makes me feel guilty being concerned with appearance when you are struggling with so much more.
September 24th, 2008 at 10:06 am
I also hope you’ll keep us updated with the exercise program. I had to chuckle about the doctor’s permission statement. I agree with you there. (I haven’t been able to download either of your exercise lady’s links… )
You are an excellent writer — I’ve read your About page, and your other posts, wondering as you must how this has happened. The fact that you’re taking a such an active step is wonderful. I can’t imagine strengthening muscles could possibly hurt. I think it probably won’t be easy though…
You and Bean both inspire me. I didn’t know this about either of you, because your focus and talents have been so visible, in an online sense.
I sag too — maybe not on my face, but in many areas that aren’t visible. I cover things. Both physically and emotionally. Perhaps a better way to approach my own lopsidedness is to exercise that which could possibly help.
In your willingness to be vulnerable, I believe you will help many…….
Barb
September 24th, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I think it’s a positive step and it sure can’t hurt. I agree that you hardly need a doctors permission
Look forward to reading about your progress!
Anita
September 24th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Barb,
Thank you for such an encouraging comment. I feel so strongly that I will have positive results.
I don’t understand why the links didn’t work for you. I tested them before posting. Anyway, here is the link: http://www.carolynsfacialfitness.com/
September 24th, 2008 at 10:00 pm
Anita,
I am not exactly sure how I will document my progress. I am still playing with different ideas. But I will be posting it here.