Looking better naked?

Eve53

I didn't know where to put this... but here goes...

So far I've lost close to 50lbs, and yesterday I saw myself in my undies in a dressing room mirror for the first time. I thought I would be happy with what I saw, but I wasn't. I wanted to cry. Since I lost weight things are starting to sag, my stretch marks are showing up more, and everything just looks loose and gross. So, I was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for simply looking better naked? Hehe. Skin treatments, toning exercises, creams, lotions.... whatever. And... go!

tinywithaBIGheart

vitamin e oil is suppose to help with stretch marks xx

CMmrsfloyd

Exercise and especially strength training is what I've heard. Losing weight is great, but you need muscle under there to give everything shape. Losing weight makes you look skinny, but working on your muscles makes you look *good*. And healthy. :-)

My stomach is ridiculous with stretch marks from my pregnancies - I gained 37 lbs each time which isn't really *that* bad, but my stomach was just *huge* and the skin did not recover well. It's always going to be weird unless I get brave and get a tummy tuck, but that's not anything I'll consider any time soon b/c I'm not done having kids so it would be pointless. LOL Stretch marks never completely go away, but they do fade a bit over time. Mine were red and angry right after having my kids but now they are more flesh-toned. The thing is, the skin is all puckery where it got stretched - the elasticity is just not there any more. So even though the color is not bad anymore, the texture of my skin is soooo different there than it is anywhere else on my body. I'm thinking with exercise I can probably tighten up my belly so it doesn't sag quite so much, but the texture of my skin is always going to be very odd unless I have a professional deal with it.

But I might consider slathering on some lotions for a placebo effect. LOL

engineman312

keep losing the weight, start doing some strength training to tighten things up. you'll look better in no time.

carebear7951

I wish I did. Good luck! I think some of it will tone up with time (Maybe??) but for me my pouch where I carried 4 babies (pregnancy) it's not going to get much better I fear. Oh well, If I can ever afford a tummy tuck I will go for it! If not, think of where you were and where you are now and the health aspects of losing the fat that used to fill out that skin. Sorry I don't have more helpful info...maybe someone will???

sjcply

great question......everyone wants to look better naked! :bigsmile:
I would say drink lots of water, use lots of moisturizer (skin firming lotion) and with time it will get better! Luckily you are younger and your skin still has some elasticity in it!

TavistockToad

strength training!

Hearts_2015

or keep the clothes on until surgery... Keep in mind not everyone's skin bounces back....think deflated balloon.. Lots of ppl suggest creams and they are great for the skin but they sure can't remove the extra skin left over from dropping the weight.

Always healthy to drink plenty of water, don't try and make losing the lbs. an overnight thing, but slow and steady, keep up the strength training and lotion never hurt anyones skin but let's be honest with one another folks.. it won't remove skin!

Better to be healthy with extra skin than dead with 100 lbs. more on our bodies, least that's my thought on this.. Perhaps if a person thinks of it that way our priorities get back to the right direction.:flowerforyou:

I do understand what you're saying, it's shocking when you first begin to notice but my body moves SO MUCH BETTER and I have freedom to do far more ...extra skin or not.:drinker:

There's some awful cute clothes out there in smaller sizes ...always keep that in mind!:flowerforyou:

ETA: I found a couple threads from the other day that might shed some light..http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/356291-extra-skin
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/392976-success-with-big-weight-loss-questions

TubbsMcGee

Bio Oil for stretch marks, and always exfoliate then moisturize your skin when you hop out of the shower

Not necessarily going to help with sagging skin, but it's a start to at least starting to love your skin's texture and appearance :flowerforyou:

ktfitzgerald

Don't be discouraged! You are young - your skin with shrink back into shape in time. Keep it moisturized, drink lots of water and do some strength training to tone the underlying muscles.

UponThisRock

Lift weights to improve body composition

Eve53

Thanks everyone! I do take care of my skin (exfoiliate, and moisturize...) So hopefully in time I will look ok. I know it will take time, just kinda want to feel better about myself already, heh. Thanks again everyone.

bizco

Strength training! Start lifting, pushing and pulling heavy things 3x per week and progressively increase the resistance (weight load).

Eve53

Haha, my job is my strength training. I work in a warehouse. I push, pull, lift, and walk, walk, walk, walk, walk all day long.