Saggy fat

emilystammitti
emilystammitti Posts: 7 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Hi everybody,

Well... What can I say? This is a pretty embarrassing post to write up, but I don't have anywhere else to ask. :embarassed:

I've always been 'average sized" (between 135-160 pounds, at 5'8"). Over the last few weeks of plateau'd diet and exercise regimes, I've undertaken P90X, which has been really good fun and intense! Long story short, things are going fine on that end, and most of my measurements have begun to shrink. Hurray! Right?

Not so hurray... I've been losing weight pretty slowly and eating well: high protein, loads of veggies and fruits, tons of water. But over the last few days as I've been doing some of the stretch and yoga sessions in the programme I've noticed that my thighs, hips and tummy are... well... they're kind of baggy! It's like the fat that a few weeks ago was STILL there, but more 'solid', is now just hanging around most unflatteringly. It's as if my fat is getting saggier and saggier as I strengthen the muscles underneath.

I feel pretty yucky about it, and have stopped wearing shorts/skirts because I'm afraid somebody will notice my new saggy fat (inclusive of our favourite: cellulite!). Anybody know what gives? Is it loose skin, a transitionary phase, or...? I'm clueless.

I hope this hasn't grossed anybody out too much... My apologies if it has! (trust me, I can understand)

Many thanks for thoughts and comments. Good luck with all of your fitness and weight goals. :)

Replies

  • GibbsGirl13072
    GibbsGirl13072 Posts: 156 Member
    I'd like to know the answer to this too. My "firm fat" definitely feels a little squishier since I've lost a few pounds.
  • emilystammitti
    emilystammitti Posts: 7 Member
    Seems completely unfair! lol (not so fair that I'll gain the weight back though) :)
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    It's a great thing. Apparently when fat cells first empty out, they are filled with fluid for a while until your body is sure that you don't intend to fill them back up.

    When the fat has been gone for some time, they will let go of the fluid and you usually get a "whoosh". The skin starts to tighten up and the jiggle starts slowly go away.

    That's why your fat feels saggy/jiggly. It's all a part of the process. I wanted to cry the first time I experienced that!!

    Read this when you have a chance:
    http://www.bodyrecomposition.com/fat-loss/of-whooshes-and-squishy-fat.html
  • emilystammitti
    emilystammitti Posts: 7 Member
    Man... You just made my day!

    I'll have a read of the link you attached. The idea of this just being a phase has caused considerable stress relief-- thanks!

    So, it sounds like the fat is stored, gets used/lost, but the cell is still swollen so is full of fluid before returning to normal. I bet if we put our heads together and invent something to remove this phase of weight loss, we'd be overnight millionaires. :)

    Thanks again!
  • rainbow198
    rainbow198 Posts: 2,245 Member
    You got it...it's like you have burned up some of the fat but your body is like "whoa wait a minute...let me fill these fat cells up with water just to make sure the fat won't return".

    Have a little patience, stay on plan and after a while the body will let go of the water and the squishiness will go away.

    Keep up the good work you two! :)

Categories