Extra Skin

OliveDouglas

I'm going to go out on a limb with this post, because this is seriously one of my biggest fears. I currently weigh 298 (eeeeek...Makes me sick!). Anyway, I'm trying to lose weight. Ideally, I would like to get down to around 150 by the time I get married next October (2014). My biggest fear is having extra skin everywhere. Has anyway been around this size and lost this much weight and not having the extra skin problem? I would love to wear a strapless wedding dress but I don't want bat wings flapping as I take pictures and walk up the aisle....Any help or advice to avoid this or anything would be greatly appreciated.

I just started working out again after over coming thyroid cancer. Our best man is sort of a trainer/nutritionist and is helping me, but I'm still terrified about this!

This is what I've done so far on the workout front...Lots of cardio (because I don't want to put muscle on top of fat.)

week 1 & 2 - burn 300 + calories
week 3 & 4 - burn 400 + calories
week 5 & 6 - burn 400 + calories and 20 lunges

This is wear I'm at. I also got a fitbit and I try to stay under 1650 calories per day.

I'm trying really hard!

thecakelocker

Do strength training. pls.

supplemama

Strength train.

As long as you are eating at a calorie deficit you will not gain muscle or bulk up the muscle you have. It will help you to retain your lean muscle mass and cut more fat. Now, You are going to lose some muscle mass just by losing weight, along with the excess fat, but if you lift weights you will lose less lean muscle mass. It will help you look good during and after your weight loss! and it will make you stronger. I don't have loose skin and I attribute that to lifting weights.

__RANDY__

In all I've lost about 80lbs not one bit of lose skin. I lift heavy and eat 2000+ cals/day

dogo187

cardio as well as strength training...

my highest was 315lbs, currently im 184lbs and the only place i have lose skin is my belly...

i have always done a combination of both, and i drink water like a fish...

also, you have to give it time...i have a friend who lost a crap load of weight really fast and she has lots of loose skin every where...

Angie1366

Keep up the good work! I am sure if you decrease weight slow and steady, take up strength training... Pilates stretches etc... And listen to your friend you will be ok.

I am interested too in what others who have lost a lot of weight have to say on this. I think they manage ok! Have you seen the SUCCESS STORIES thread... look at the pictures! Amazing! Inspirational!

Cindyinpg

Agree 100%!!! Strenght training is the best way to change and tone your body.

Mokey41

You won't put on muscle eating at a deficit and even if you did the amount would be minimal. Women just don't bulk up that easily. You need to do some lifting or strength exercises to maintain the muscle you have and it will also help with looking good once the weight is gone rather than soft and flabby.

Genetics will play a big role in whether you have loose skin or not and where you carry the majority of your weight now. It can take 2 years after weight loss for skin to shrink up as much as it's going to as well. Some people swear by using moisturizers to keep skin supple as well.