Huge weight loss goal... The fear of excess skin

freedomwriter88

I have an EXTREMELY aggressive weight loss goal of 120 pounds over the course of 53 weeks. (A year plus a week.) I weigh 263, and really should be between 150-130, so I shooting for the middle ground of 140. At 5'5, I have a large tummy, butt (and the dreaded butt shelf), thigh and upper arms. All of those places have the lovely tendency of getting saggy. I am hoping that being 25 will help some, but I can't put all my faith in being young.

I have read that drinking two liters of water, keeping your skin moisturized, and building muscle (which also helps burn calories, so VERY important to weight loss in general) will help with this some.

Any other suggestions?

I am working on accepting the fact I will have excess skin, but I would like to keep it to the minimum. (Living happier and longer > excess skin)

Kalikel

Someone is going to come along and tell you about a magic cream and how well it works.

It doesn't. It can't.

Don't give your money to liars who promise magic creams can shrink your skin.

Being young is a huge plus.

ahoier

Drink LOTS of water.....water will help "elasticize" your skin so it stretches......and shrinks back to normal.....follow MFP and you will succeed.....when I first started here, I believe it will be 2 years on September 20th.....I was almost 300 lbs....and am now down to 198......and am currently shooting for 169....which is my "health weight range" for my age, height, and "build" (something to do with bone structure, and if I can wrap my thumb and middle finger around my wrist? Lol.....found it on some site....)...but yea, my ideal weight is 160-169 lbs.....so we'll see....but so far so good......just take it slow! I do have MFP set for 2 lbs per week......but I can honestly say I don't think I've been at that progress level Too many cheat meals lol.....

So far, my biggest thing seem to be the "pouch" ..... my gut....lol. and I have a little bit of underarm "wings" which I've been trying to "tighten up" with heavier lifting arm workouts at the gym....

shadow2soul

I've heard slower weight loss helps some as well.

Other than surgery, I'm not sure there is much you can do about it. I'm sure genetics help a bit, but there really is only so much you can do.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to have some in my lower stomach area. So far it seems to be the only place, but I won't know for sure until I get rid of another 50lbs or so.

kelley_lynn

Good luck OP if you find something that works, you go for, my self, i expect, I will have left overs. I will handle then as it comes up.

freedomwriter88

I have been on this site for less than three hours, and I have already met the grumpy poster.

kelley_lynn

always a few about. I wish there was some magic potion for both. lol

I have heard lots of water, helps, as well as weights, and not losing weight to quickly.

Age is good, Im not expecting i will have a flat stomach area, without an operation, Im a grand mum, So that is likely to be a problem, but im looking at it this way. At my age, my body is what I can make it, be happy and bugger the judgements. Only person that matters is me.

Once again good luck

SLLRunner

I have an EXTREMELY aggressive weight loss goal of 120 pounds over the course of 53 weeks. (A year plus a week.) I weigh 263, and really should be between 150-130, so I shooting for the middle ground of 140. At 5'5, I have a large tummy, butt (and the dreaded butt shelf), thigh and upper arms. All of those places have the lovely tendency of getting saggy. I am hoping that being 25 will help some, but I can't put all my faith in being young.

I have read that drinking two liters of water, keeping your skin moisturized, and building muscle (which also helps burn calories, so VERY important to weight loss in general) will help with this some.

Any other suggestions?

I am working on accepting the fact I will have excess skin, but I would like to keep it to the minimum. (Living happier and longer > excess skin)

Do you like to weight lift? I think that's helpful.

mamadon

I started out at about the same weight as you and it took me about a year and a half. From everything I have learned it is mostly genetics and it does help you are younger. Also, I keep hearing over and over that strength training is your best best to help tighten up muscles and you should start sooner rather than later. Good luck.

CloudyMao

It's unique to you what's going to happen. The best things to do are to stay hydrated; ensure there is a good amount of fat in your diet - seeds, avocado, nuts before I scare you off - moisturise, and ex-foliate your skin often. Give your skin two - three years to "catch up" after you have reached, and maintained your goal weight (yeah that's a long time)

Only at that point really can you start to see if you genuinely do have excess skin; unless you do notice as you are losing weight/when you reach your goal that you have 'flaps' of skin; these may actually cause you issues, and are good grounds for surgical removal.

RodaRose

Water and moisturizers have nothing to so with it. This does:
genetics, youth, how much you have to lose, how quickly you lose.

Focus on the now. Take care of yourself as best as you can, hope for the best, and work on losing weight so that you can be your fabulous self.

TheSatinPumpkin

I just treat mine as battle scars. Good luck in your WOE.

tiptoethruthetulips

Genetics play a large part in excess skin, as does environment and history of yo-yo dieting with big losses and gains.

Other things mentioned above will help somewhat....slow weight loss, exercise, plenty of water, moisturiser...and most of all time...it can take up to 2 to 3 years for skin to bounce back if it going to.

GiveMeCoffee

Why the 53 week time frame?? That sounds like setting up for disappointment. As for your question I would suggest starting a lifting program, and understanding that you may or may not have excess skin when you reach your goals. If you do at that time then make decisions on how you want to handle it. I have some but it's not horrible.

_Zardoz_

You'll have loose skin at some point you need to except this. How much is mainly down to genetics. It is however far better to have a wee bit of lose skin than the health problems and shorter life span linked to being morbidly obese. It can take up to two years for your skin to catch up with your body after weightloss. I'd recommend not focusing on that possible negative but the positives of losing all that weight. I have loose skin not bad but I have some it may or may not get better in time but hey not much I can do about that without a time machine and stopping eating a few years back.

Also don't give yourself a strict time frame your in this for the long term. You may or may not lose the weight in 53 weeks but you should be in this for the life as there is no time limit on getting and staying healthy. It's taken me a 18 months to lose 145 pounds but because of how I did it i'm confident it'll stay off.

Good luck

Meerataila

Plan 4: Save money, get surgery later on if you want. But meanwhile, don't fret it until you lose the weight and see what you have to work with.

Maybe throw ten bucks in a jar every time you lose a pound and start researching medical tourism. I hear Argentina has some of the best, least expensive cosmetic surgery in the world. Practice your Spanish!

Stayslim4eva

Bottom line is you won't know how much lose skin you will have until the weight is off. There are lots of factors as said above- age, speed of loss distibution of weight, how long you have been carrying it and most importantly of all- genetics. I've lost 170lbs and have some loose skin. I have it under my arms, top of my thighs and belly. I am older than you and carried the weight for a decade and lost it quickly. I know other people who have lost as much and have much worse lose skin and two others who have lost more and their skin has popped right back !
I delayed losing weight for years due to my fear of lose skin. Big mistake. I'm lucky that i don't have a lot but however bad it was it could not be anywhere near as bad as being morbisdly obese. On reflection, fat looks terrible. You can't hade a massive belly but a little skin overhang dissappears in shape wear. Lose skin won't stop you excersising ( okay, may be swimming) like being fat did me. I am so much healthier and happier now . a few crinkly bits are atine price to pay for.
So, excersise ( so you have good muscle tone which improves the appearance of lose skin, moisturise and drinks lots- but go for it!
Don't make my mistakes and get bigger before you get smaller.
Good luck -G xx

_KitKat_

First Welcome!

You have a fantastic goal, ........then comes the BUT......it is a little aggressive. Nothing wrong with aiming big but that is over a 2lb per week loss consistently for a year. With a loss like that you will have a higher probability of loose skin, malnourishment and failure. The max you should aim for is about 2lbs per week and as you get closer to goal that will slow down, knowing this from the beginning can help create maintainable and doable goals.

If you average at the end of the year 1.5lbs loss per week (unfortunately weight loss is not linear) you would have lost about 80lbs this time next year......that is amazing. It would also give your skin the best chance of adjusting on it's own. I know it seems like a long time but slow and steady is best and every pound that comes off you will feel amazing and healthier.

As for water and moisturizer, not sure how much it would help but skin care is important and both of those help the health, look and feel of your skin.

Weight lifting will help, and is great for a million reasons in my opinion.

To get started....




*Log EVERYTHING

*Weigh Solids

*Measure liquids

*Exercise for fitness
(weight lifting is my recommendation)

*Be Honest with Yourself

*Measure yourself, take silly pictures and then enjoy your progress.

And............

*****MOST IMPORTANTLY******

---

READ THIS

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http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1080242-a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants
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THEN READ IT AGAIN........ :drinker:


If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal

Iwishyouwell

Any other suggestions?

Make a plan to get truly lean. Not just a "normal" weight, but a very low body fat level.

You truly have no idea how much excess skin you have until you drop your body fat level down to low levels. In many cases that droopy, saggy skin is actually still filled with fat. I've lost over 100 lbs. My inner thighs looked like they had melted, that classic "excess skin" look that doctors tell you won't go away. Guess what? It's almost gone and I still have weight left to lose.

Get lean. For a woman I'm talking 18% or so lean. Then you can ascertain how much of it is actually fat and how much is excess skin. Remember that skin NOT loaded down with fat is not bulky, or thick. Excess skin alone is thin, and barely hangs because it's not loaded down with fat.

And if you do have skin left once you do drop your body fat levels down, at least it'll make the surgery much cheaper.

freedomwriter88

You guys are being so helpful! Maybe not new information, but honest information.

(I am getting the posting thing down, so excuse me for not quoting.) The reason for the huge goal is something called Salkantay Trek. It's in Peru, and it's 40+ km in five days. (One day is 14km.) I don't want to survive the trek, I want to enjoy it.

That being said, I doubt I will cry if I lose 80lbs. That's a huge weight loss, and will help the joints be less stressed.

I will continue eating plenty of good things, drinking water, weightlifting, doing toning exercises, and keeping my skin moisturized. It may not help, but it certainly won't hurt.

tracie_minus100

I am in almost the same situation. I'm just a little bit taller than you and am shooting for 150-160. I have no time frame though.
I'm kind of worried about excess skin as well, but truth be told I'd way rather be a healthy weight with loose skin than the size I am now.
I have heard weight lifting can help with that, so I'm incorporating a lot of that into my life. Not just because I'm worried about loose skin, there are lots of great reasons to lift weights, but that's one of them.
Good luck!

tshabliss

make sure that when you use strength training well. Don't believe the people that tell you weights will make you bulky, they won't. Lift heavy and often. It will greatly reduce the extra skin left over!

2dare2dream

Welcome and never bother with the groucho's you find here. Do not take on board their negativity just let it fly right over your head. Constructive critisism can be helpful, however those with attitude should be ignored lol.
There is some good news!
Elasticity in the skin is down to part genetics BUT the longer you are over weight the more the skin is stretched and over time it loses some of its elasticity. Youth is on your side. With a good healthy diet, exercise which should include weights either in free weights or even a kettle bell class will help. These will help to shape and tone as your weight drops.
My advice is to do this now, do it while you are young and your skin hasn't been stretched for years on end. This way you have a better chance of having good results and keep drinking the water. Water should be part of your healthy lifestyle to keep your body hydrated and flush out any toxins, leaving your skin in good condition too., Good luck on your journey.

fluffyasacat

I will continue eating plenty of good things, drinking water, weightlifting, doing toning exercises, and keeping my skin moisturized. It may not help, but it certainly won't hurt.

Sounds like you're doing all the sensible recommended things. Congratulations on starting your weight loss!

I'm contemplating body contouring surgery but not till (minimum) 3 years after I hit goal. You want to make absolutely sure you're finished changing shape before getting skin removed, and that you're going to comfortably maintain the loss. It's going to be annoying to live with loose skin while I wait but better to do that than remove it prematurely and have an irreversible surgery that I'm not happy with.

freedomwriter88

I have been overweight my entire life, so I will have excess skin.

That being said, I am praying for good genetics, and that my age will help.

At the end of the day, as many others have said, being a healthy weight is MUCH more important than having excess skin.

freedomwriter88

I will continue eating plenty of good things, drinking water, weightlifting, doing toning exercises, and keeping my skin moisturized. It may not help, but it certainly won't hurt.

Sounds like you're doing all the sensible recommended things. Congratulations on starting your weight loss! That guy who commented earlier is a fairly committed troll, seems to spend all his time looking for posts to crash so he can be an *kitten*. Great life.

I'm contemplating body contouring surgery but not till (minimum) 3 years after I hit goal. You want to make absolutely sure you're finished changing shape before getting skin removed, and that you're going to comfortably maintain the loss. It's going to be annoying to live with loose skin while I wait but better to do that than remove it prematurely and have an irreversible surgery that I'm not happy with.

That is a really sensible recommendation! Also, from what I have read, the skin will tighten up some over the two years, which may mean less money when it comes to the surgery.

Missjulesdid

I have heard that people with fewer stretch marks will have better skin resiliency. I think there's something to it. I had friend who was 290 and didn't have any stretch marks and then she lost 150 pounds at 40 years old and she looked like she had never been fat. I on the other hand am covered in stretch marks EVERYWHERE even in places where it's rare to get stretch marks like parts of my back, forearms and calves and I have ZERO skin resiliency. I'm a little more than half way through my journey and my stomach is hanging SO LOW and it's wrinkly. I'm saving NOW for skin surgery once I reach goal.

Unfortunately it's mostly genetic but there are other factors.

Also the length of time you've been fat will make a difference. The less time you've been fat the better your skin will do.


If you can, wear compression garments as much as possible during your journey and for the first year after. Supposedly the compression helps encourage the skin to retract

ninerbuff

Genetics will dictate if loose skin will be an issue. It's rare that I had a client (regardless of age) with no loose skin issue if they had to lose over 80+ lbs though.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness industry for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

fluffyasacat

That is a really sensible recommendation! Also, from what I have read, the skin will tighten up some over the two years, which may mean less money when it comes to the surgery.

Yeah the surgery isn't to be sneezed at - aside from the expense it's going to be a very uncomfortable post-op period with drainage tubes and compression bandages. Not very glamorous! Best avoided if possible.

jrline

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Working towards your goal daily is a constant battle but it is how you will reach it. Don't worry about excess skin until you see how much you have and toning up afterwards or slowly now can help. Walking/Jogging is how I lost my weight now I am weight training to tone up. Lost over 100lbs and don't have extra skin I lost mine over 19 months. Good Luck

kathystrauss1

Good luck on your fitness goals. On the issue of excess skin, the skin is already there, it's just filled with fat. I personally feel that loose skin isn't any less attractive than fat filled skin. At least that's what I tell myself when I look at my bat wings!