Big loss=excess skin?

SublimelyMe

I've become a little obsessed lately. I see people here who've lost 100-200+lbs and who have amazing pictures to prove their victories, but I'm scared that as I lose weight I'll have lots of loose skin. But! I notice that a lot of people with huge losses don't have lots of loose skin. I'm confused! What are you doing to make sure your skin stays tight?

PS. I'm 206lbs and want to be around 140lbs

nebulinda

This is where exercise comes into play. Doing lots of weight training should help to minimize loose skin. Also, not losing too quickly gives your skin time to adjust itself to your new size.

But I'm not an expert, so maybe someone who is a personal trainer or similar job can chime in.

SublimelyMe

It seems too good to be true that exercise and good eating can solve all this alone! I do believe it though, I think I just find it hard to see the end right now.

littlelily613

I weighed a lot when i first began, and I WILL have loose skin afterwards. No amount of exercising is going to resolve that for me. Some people are lucky, I won't be. BUT I would rather have empty skin that I can cover than fat underneath that everyone can see. For me, I plan to save my money for surgery, but I still have awhile to go yet.

charmander89

I don't think you have to worry quite so much with a 60lb loss unless you have really unfortunate genetics. Just make sure you exercise, pace yourself and drink lots of water.

memcd911

I don't think you have to worry quite so much with a 60lb loss unless you have really unfortunate genetics. Just make sure you exercise, pace yourself and drink lots of water.

I must have crap for genetics then. The excess skin after losing 60lbs is part of what fed into my body dismorphia and became my excuse for getting lazy.

I will say though, I didn't focus on weight training enough the first time around. So I am now, in hopes that it will help, like every MFP-dr says.

JoniBologna

I started at 205lbs, and my goal is 140. Currently, I am at 158lbs. It has taken me a year to get here. I haven't had any problems with saggy skin. I agree that you should be okay with a 65lb loss. Strength training definitely helps with flabbiness though!

SchollinJ

I was 209, and am now 148 or below that, I made my profile my now picture of my stomach. Strength training is big on getting rid of the skin as well as yoga/or Pilates this is after two kids, I didn't know how to just load the picture here so I made it my profile pic for you.

iqnas

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asamuels85

I feel your worry and have the same concern.. just don't let that be an excuse or a stumbling block or a reason to give up half way through. Blieve that you are doing whats best for your body, skin or no skin... Loose skin does not block arteries, spike blood sugar, lead to early death none of that evil stuff that fat does to you!! BEST wishes, keep searching for answers, you will achieve your goal if you believe in yourself

charmander89

I must have crap for genetics then. The excess skin after losing 60lbs is part of what fed into my body dismorphia and became my excuse for getting lazy.

I will say though, I didn't focus on weight training enough the first time around. So I am now, in hopes that it will help, like every MFP-dr says.

That sucks I hope it goes better this time!

iqnas

I was 209, and am now 148 or below that, I made my profile my now picture of my stomach. Strength training is big on getting rid of the skin as well as yoga/or Pilates this is after two kids, I didn't know how to just load the picture here so I made it my profile pic for you.

Awesome! you did really well getting rid of the excess 'belly pouch'

dwurth2

Like the previous posters have said, def. do weight training. I also think that a lot of times (not in all cases), that loose skin is more a factor for people who have a lot more to lose than 40lbs, and that they lose weight too quickly.

gr8pillock

Never wear clothes that are too tight. That can sometimes cause your body to collect what is left in left than flattering areas. Specifically the tummy.

Bentley2718

This is where exercise comes into play. Doing lots of weight training should help to minimize loose skin. Also, not losing too quickly gives your skin time to adjust itself to your new size.

But I'm not an expert, so maybe someone who is a personal trainer or similar job can chime in.

Losing weight slowly and exercise are not a guarantee, or even necessarily a factor. I lost 100 pounds, most of it slowly, and my extra skin started to show at about the 40 pound mark (note, at that point, the fastest I had lost weight was 3 pounds per MONTH). I've been at a relatively stable weight for over 4 years (I put a little weight back on), and I still have a LOT of extra skin. It's gross. I work out a lot, including lifting weights, and a lot of body weight exercises (see my user pic), in addition to cardio. While I have descent muscle tone, it hasn't really helped the extra skin. Part of my extra skin "hanging" around may be due to the fact that I was morbidly obese for 13+ years, but I think part of it is due to genetics or some sort of biological factor that is not easy to change. As another commenter noted, I just remind myself that having extra skin is still a LOT better than being morbidly obese.

I hope your experience is better than mine! (Most people's are.)

gr8pillock

And the weight training. Oh, and I've heard from a friend that Bio oil worked wonders for her.

jsapninz

Being young helps too. Your skin has more elasticity.
Just lose it slow and steady and do lots of core exercises.

You will be ok, there are lots of success stories to prove it.

Good luck on your journey!!

biff54928

Oh boy... I don't have good genetics.. I have lost 54 pounds so far and have extra skin but right now its on my inner thighs so I can cover that :0) The extra skin right now is the least of my worries, I love the way I feel right now and look and still have a LONG ways to go. I think if my back gets the "extra" skin I will probably get something done about it

BevP123

I'd heard, possibly somewhere on here, that skin takes almost as long to shrink as it did to stretch. Not sure how true that is but if, like me, you've gained your weight over many years it could be a bit of a waiting game but regular exercise can't hurt, can it?
Good luck with your goals and don't be put off by something that could happen but won't be forever x

gr8pillock

I'd heard, possibly somewhere on here, that skin takes almost as long to shrink as it did to stretch. Not sure how true that is but if, like me, you've gained your weight over many years it could be a bit of a waiting game but regular exercise can't hurt, can it?
Good luck with your goals and don't be put off by something that could happen but won't be forever x

My personal trainer actually said something similar. She acknowledged that somethings can't be helped, but that once the weight loss is done, what you are left with MAY shrink over time a bit, may also be helped with the good habits/weight training and such, but yeah...if it is super stretched out (like my belly after my daughter) there may be something left afterwards.

Get skinny and find out.

SublimelyMe

Thanks everyone! You've all been really helpful and reassuring too. I'll get stuck into more weights

jenniejengin

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