Worried :(

flabbytofabby

I am currently looking at loosing about 70-80lb which would take me to 120lb and in 5"6. I will be 21 in a couple of weeks

I am very very worried about loose skin, as I think that will be just as damaging on my confidence as being fat currently is.

I've been told because I'm young and only had extra weight on me for 4ish years it shouldn't be a problem but I'm not sure

Am I at high risk of this happening (I am not planning on loosing weight too quick going to try and keep it no more than 2lb although at the start due to water weight etc it could be 3-4lb)

AABru

When I was about 20, I lost 80 pounds. I had no lose skin, and my stretch marks faded significantly. When I got pregnant at 32, I gained back all this weight and then some, and once I lost it, I had some lose skin...I got pregnant again 2 years later, and after losing most of the weight, I am feeling a little bit like a shar pei (not sure of the spelling, but you know the wrinkly dogs from China?)...I am almost 40...I have lost a lot of collegen, and I don't have the time I had when I was younger to take care of myself.

I will suggest that you check out t-tapp.com. Teresa Tapp sells a line of skin tightening products that may be helpful (I used them alot prechildren), and I still brush my skin. I'm not sure if the brushing is tightening my skin, but it sure as heck feels good!

Good luck...I think you'll be fine as long as you lose slowly and don't fluctuate alot.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

What is the alternative? Staying heavy? Even if you end up with some lose skin, being fit and healthy will be better than heavy with tight skin.

flabbytofabby

No. It is just a huge worry of mine and always looking for ways to reduce it is all.

flabbytofabby

Ah ok that's good to hear I hope I'm the same. Thankyou

cuterbee

This is one of those things that you probably shouldn't worry about until you get there.

aliciab307

I'm 21, 22 in Feb and have lost 60 lbs so far. I've only been over weight as well for about 4 years. I think it depends on where you wear your weight. I wore it in my hips and thighs, some in my stomach and in my arms. So far I have not noticed any sagging or loose skin. i still have roughly 10-25 lbs left, and I don't think I will have any problems with skin. I do some weight lifting and plan to up it up when I get closer to my goal.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

Lose weight slowly (1-2lbs a week). Lift weights. Get sufficient protein (1gram for every pound of your goal weight would work). Eat fruits, veggies, get enough fat (fat is good for skin), take vitamins, and fish oil. I think that's all you can do. I don't think any of those lotions are worth the money.

aliciab307

What is the alternative? Staying heavy? Even if you end up with some lose skin, being fit and healthy will be better than heavy with tight skin.

^^this! I was so going to say that

onyxgirl17

strength train, you're young, you'll be fine. Also if you lose the weight slowly you won't have as much loose skin because you'll give it time to tighten up

Sarauk2sf

You should not have a problem as you are young - the skin may take a little time to 'bounce back'. You seem to have a sensible expectation of your losses which is good and should help. After you lose a decent amount, I would drop that expectation down to 1lb a week.

ETA: I also agree with the recommendations to strength train.

AABru

And really, with your eyes, noone will notice a little lose skin.

RoadsterGirlie

I'm 37 and lost 90 lbs, going from 215 to 125.

I have no loose skin, either than some minor stretch marks.

There is hope!

cristaine

Your skin is young, it will bounce back nicely given TIME and if you lose weight slowly, plus exercise and keep the blood flowing to it with exercise, weight training etc. I lost 100 pounds when I was that age (ok, almost 100, more like 92) and i had NO loose skin at all, after a year around that.

Now, I worry, but I am 40. That said, I would still much rather wear the loose skin than the fat underneath the same amount of skin. But at your age, don't worry about such things. Just eat right, exercise and let your youth do its job

HeatherScottTN

You are YOUNG and Your Skin if very young too...so it will grow with you in whatever direction you go... up or DOWN like you have plans to do!

Stop Worrying and start taking the baby steps to start living the dreams you want as they relate to your health, fitness and Body Beautiful!

You CAN DO THIS! You will not have any problems with "skin" being too lose if you do it healthy..

KenosFeoh

Dry skin brushing toward the heart is said to help, also massaging with a nice, rich lotion. At your age, I don't think you have much to worry about. Been there, done that, no loose skin.

flabbytofabby

Thankyou, I'm just being a little worrier. (I have very bad anxiety)

I'm going to go and have to learn more about strength training, luckily somebody at the gym offered to help me get started on the weights (for free) as I have no clue lol.

I also heard Pilates is good for this?

ironanimal

Take it slow and all should be well. Water + Dietary fats are very important - get plenty of both, and perhaps consider a fish oil supplement

Marie294

What I'm working on is losing weight slowly, using a lot of lotion (I've read this is supposed to help) and lifting weights to lessen the jiggle. I've also heard drinking a lot of water helps, because it keeps your skin moist.

I've heard it can take a while for the skin to catch up after weight loss, so be patient. Great time to lose the weight while you are still young and the skin should bounce right back to where it should be Good luck on your journey, You can do it!

sabolfitwife

I'm 21 and have lost 45 lbs with more to go, and I have loose akin on my stomach. As much as I hate it, I hated the extra weight more.

etoiles_argentees

You should not have a problem as you are young - the skin may take a little time to 'bounce back'. You seem to have a sensible expectation of your losses which is good and should help. After you lose a decent amount, I would drop that expectation down to 1lb a week.

ETA: I also agree with the recommendations to strength train.

I agree.

chubbygirl253

You are young and that is the best thing to help against loose skin. So lose the weight while you are young!

Best things you can do:
1. Stay hydrated.
2. Stay moisturized. Lotions with cocoa butter, CoQ10, or collagen elastin help. Luv the collagen elastin lotion from St. Ives!
3. Don't yo-yo diet, your skin can't keep up. Same with rapid weightloss. Don't aim to lose more than 2 lbs a week.
4. Massage helps.
5. Most importantly, exercise! Especially strength training helps with loose skin. Don't wait till you reach goal to pick up some weights.

I lost nearly 70 lbs when I was 30 and didnt have any extra skin. Gained it back but I have lost nearly 60 lbs this time around and I still dont have loose skin yet. And I'm 35. So I think you'll be fine losing 80 lbs at 21 years old.

currierand

Just a quick tip/suggestion if you decide to purchase a fish oil supplement. I have taking Barleans Omega Swirl Fish oil in the lemon flavor for about a month now. I get mine from a health food store but I have seen it online as well. It is a "liquid" form and frankly tastes like lemon pie filling (tasty stuff)! I was taking pills before and I hated the taste and the fish burps that came with them. This stuff seems like a treat and I haven't had any of those side effects. (It's about 40 calories for 2 teaspoons/daily)

Anyway, I realize I sound like an infomercial, but I really like this product so far. Good luck to you.

Kelly

juliec33

I lost 80 lbs in 9 months at age 41 and don't have any loose skin. . My good friend lost the same amount of weight in 12 months at age 28 and she has tons of loose skin. We followed the same exercise schedule - bootcamp 3 or 4 days a week. A lot of whether your skin bounces back is genetics.

YaGigi

I am currently looking at loosing about 70-80lb which would take me to 120lb and in 5"6. I will be 21 in a couple of weeks

I am very very worried about loose skin, as I think that will be just as damaging on my confidence as being fat currently is.

I've been told because I'm young and only had extra weight on me for 4ish years it shouldn't be a problem but I'm not sure

Am I at high risk of this happening (I am not planning on loosing weight too quick going to try and keep it no more than 2lb although at the start due to water weight etc it could be 3-4lb)

Don't worry.
Just don't do it too fast.
And take goooooood care of your skin. Peeling once a week and body cream every time after shower.
Actually you shoud do it after you lose weight too.

kandeelopez

Loose skin is a result of excess fat still under the skin. If you continue to get in shape, it will reduce.

flabbytofabby

I feel much better now yay.
So
Lose weight slowly
Eat good fats
Take fish oil supplement (try and find the lemon one lol)
Strength train
And lotion.

Yippee

JesterMFP

I've lost 85lbs, I have some loose skin, particularly on my arms and lower abdomen. I am about a decade older than you. Genetics will play a big part in whether or not you get it, and I'm sure your age will be an advantage. I've never heard any definitive answers on things that definitely work, but the things that seem to be mentioned over and over are to lose weight as slowly as possible (not a bad idea anyway to be honest), to keep well hydrated, to strength train as you lose and to keep the skin moisturised. Bio oil by Bioré is one that I've seen recommended for stretch marks and loose skin.

Mine hasn't improved very much so far, but I've also heard people say that time can work wonders, and that a couple of years after reaching your goal, things should have improved.

Really, my loose skin isn't that bad, and it's only visible to most people if I wear strapless tops. I have to say though, even if it was a lot worse, losing the weight is still absolutely 100% worth it. Work on that confidence now! I know it's a cliché, but confidence really does come from within. Loose skin will only drag your confidence down if you let it. You're a beautiful young woman, and you're going to rock that new body. Build up your confidence to go with the body, and people won't even notice the flaws. I know it sounds easier said than done. I read on your profile that you want to like what you see in the mirror. For many years, that's what I really wanted too. Yesterday, I was looking in the mirror, and I was so busy admiring the definition in the top of my upper arms, that I didn't remember the loose skin underneath. I would quite happily go out showing my arms off, and knowing that they look just as good (if not better) than a lot of other people's.

I didn't always feel that confidence, and I know that some of it comes with age, and not being surrounded with so many image-obsessed young things, as maybe you are at 20. Something to think about though, and definitely don't let it put you off losing the weight, or showing off your body (if that's what you want to do!) as you get more comfortable with it.

20shan08

I started here at 248 pounds and after 16 months, I'm 161. The only loose skin I have is on my stomach, and that is from being pregnant. My legs and arms are toned and tight. And I've always been somewhat overweight. I'm sure you won't have a problem! My stomach is in pretty bad shape, but it keeps getting better and I can say I love my body now. It beats being overweight, hands down!

flabbytofabby

Thankyou JesterMFP and congrats and the weight loss

Congrats to you to 20shan08 x