NSV: Sleeveless in public

omma_to_3

OK, I realize for most people, this wouldn't be a big deal. But, I've never worn anything sleeveless in public (and almost never at home either) except for when I had to be in something like a swimsuit. I, unfortunately, have a large amount of stretchmarks on my arms that make me uncomfortable. Now that I've lost a lot of weight, I decided to try it. Now, my arms still have a long way to go, and now I have a bigger concern of a lot of loose skin in the underarm area. So, I have to really careful on the cut of anything sleeveless that I wear.

But I did it...I wore two sleeveless dresses on our vacation in Las Vegas and was comfortable and confident in them! No one pointed and laughed or anything LOL. This really goes a long way in making me feel 'normal'

Oh, and I'm about 8.5 years older in the after pictures...The before was waiting to pick up my new daughter at the international terminal of the airport (adopted from Korea). She turns 9 next month.

Before:


After:

daniellemm1

You look lovely in both dresses and uh your arms look just fine!!!! I don't see any loose skin at all

omma_to_3

You look lovely in both dresses and uh your arms look just fine!!!! I don't see any loose skin at all

It's mostly in the underarm area and the dresses and poses are hiding it. It really is there - I likely need surgery for it. Boo hiss...

ETA: And thanks!

RunnerLisa1

You look BEAUTIFUL!! Yayyyy, that's a great NSV!!!! :flowerforyou:

rahlpn

I think your arms look great! Very strong looking shoulders too :flowerforyou:

mandeenicoleb

Gorgeous! Stock up on those sleeveless outfits because you're rockin' it!

suzqraz

Omma, you look great! And as for it not being a big deal - it is! I don't wear sleeveless tops either, for the exact same reason. I am very proud of you. You have encouraged me immensely this morning. Congrats!

wibbley74

it is a big deal to feel okay in doing something you didn't do before. you really do look amazing

your arms look great and i wish mine looked as good - currently on day 5 without sleeves and still very conscious of the flesh if i lift my arms but taking each day as it comes

ETA: a friend of mine shared this with me earlier in the week and it helps - http://www.amyherzogdesigns.com/2013/06/14/ff-floppy-upper-arms/

omma_to_3

I think your arms look great! Very strong looking shoulders too :flowerforyou:

Thanks! I've been doing strength training and am pretty happy with my progress there:

omma_to_3

it is a big deal to feel okay in doing something you didn't do before. you really do look amazing

your arms look great and i wish mine looked as good - currently on day 5 without sleeves and still very conscious of the flesh if i lift my arms but taking each day as it comes

Thanks, I completely understand. I was surprised that my worst area of loose skin isn't my stomach! Though I have some issues there too, my underarms are far worse. The arms themselves aren't horrible and I could live with that if the underarms were better.

MelsAuntie

You look terriffic, and I love that red/violet dress... very attractive on you. Congrats.

msfine2328

Nicely done!! They look pretty toned. Good job at stepping out of your comfort zone

susanstuart18

You look wonderful.....

Th3stral

WOW! What a difference! You took fabulous in those sleeveless dresses!

jenna808

Way to go! Your arms look great, as does the rest of you! What an accomplishment to feel comfortable doing something that you never would have before. Your daughter is very lucky to have such a great role model

wibbley74

totally hearing you on the tummy side, i am in shock that i am just left with a bit of overhang considering i have lost over 10 stone in the past 30 months

i love that my arms don't bulge out the way they used to and even have muscles but the flab underneath is going to take time to like

skeo

Your arms look amazing, and yeah I don't see any loose skin; even in the picture of you flexing. You look great and amazing job!! :drinker:

dym123

WTG, you look great. I get what you mean about the loose skin, my arms look pretty buff (so do yours BTW), but soon as I "wave goodbye" I have what I like to call my "bat wings" flapping in the wind. Oh well.

deedzzz

Wow! great great job! You look fantastic!
Keep it up!!

babyj0

This is something I have yet to accomplish! Thanks for sharing!

dj0jazzy

You look amazing!!!!

SonicaBE

congrats!!! this would be a huge NSV for me too. I always wear shrugs and sweaters. I have only gone sleeveless in public once in my life. CONGRATS TO YOU!!!

emilydiehl08

uhmmmmm your arms look AMAZING! Rock those sleeveless shirts, you deserve it!

clearlyme

You look great! It is my ultimate goal to be able to wear sleeveless clothes! I hate that everything is made for women is either sleeveless or the merciless "cap sleeve".

KBGAgent

What do you mean? It is a huge success!

Even being a guy, I have avoided tanks and sleeveless Ts for the last 15 years, until this spring, now its all I wear when I can get away with it.

Your arms look really good in the pic with the green dress. Congrats to you. Your hard word really shows!

toni_mmh

Thanks! I've been doing strength training and am pretty happy with my progress there:


What strength training did you do for your arms. I just can't get started with ST because I don't really know WHAT to do and how many reps etc.

HeathrBee

You look great! I also have stretch marks on my upper arms from when I gained weight quickly in college. They're old now, so it's just the silvery scars, but they go from my armpit almost down to my elbow on the inside of my arms, and there is flab and puckering because I don't have good muscle tone.....yet! I NEVER go sleeveless, and only go in bathing suits in front of a few select people who are forced to love me anyway, lol! It's so encouraging to see that diet and strength training can really make a difference, and definitely motivation for me to keep going. Way to go!

omma_to_3

Thanks! I've been doing strength training and am pretty happy with my progress there:


What strength training did you do for your arms. I just can't get started with ST because I don't really know WHAT to do and how many reps etc.

I'm working with a personal trainer once a week and taking a body sculpting class (from the same trainer) once a week. Sorry, I can't really help you much with what to do. I just do what I'm told LOL.

What she typically has me do is lift to exhaustion in 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps each. She throws in some cardio type plyometrics too.

Fat_Combat

congrats!!! this would be a huge NSV for me too. I always wear shrugs and sweaters. I have only gone sleeveless in public once in my life. CONGRATS TO YOU!!!

You look perfect the way you are. Why do you worry, just be yourself and enjoy life.

Momjogger

fabulous transformation and your arms look great!

maryannelk

Excellent work! Love how strong lifting makes me feel. Love your arms and shoulders! You go!