I'm so sorry but with each new photo . . . . . . .

I'll agree with the previous posters here and say that you look gorgeous, because you really do! I applaud your hard work!

That said, being about your age and having 140-145 lbs to lose in all, I totally understand the desire to get rid of those saggy bits you see when you're naked in front of the mirror. You're young, you want to look like a young woman in her prime, and not have your body carry such blatant reminders of your formerly fat self, flapping in the breeze, am I right? I know that I don't want that, and I am preparing to go the distance to erase as much of the damage obesity has done to my body as I possibly can.

I have done a considerable amount of digging online for info on human skin's ability to shrink after weight loss. I've been looking up countless "before and after" stories and photos of people who have lost 100+ lbs, plus the opinions of fitness experts. I have scrutinized the severity of my stretch marks, particularly on my under arms and inner thighs (where the thin, "crepey" skin is). I have concluded the following:

-Strength training to build muscle will definitely help support and fill out loose skin. It may seem counterintuitive, if you are someone who likes being smaller, but building bigger arm muscles will help lessen the appearance of that thin, saggy skin on the underside of your upper arms; building bigger quads will help fill out skin that would otherwise migrate downward to create saggy knees, and, combined with building your other upper leg muscles, will help prop up a saggy bum and that thin skin on the inner thighs. Opting for a more fit, stacked, but still feminine figure will really help you, here. Striving to be more of a waif after having being obese will turn you into what looks like a large skin suit on a wire hanger.

-Lowering your body fat until you are quite lean (so that the skin that hangs is quite thin, and has very little fat clinging in the folds to weight it down) will really help the skin spring back. Skin like to cling to something. Without the extra fatty jiggle in it to weigh it down, the skin has to go somewhere, and that somewhere is towards your arm muscles.

-Moisturize from the inside: drinking your water daily will help keep your skin elastic.

-Ensure that you get sufficient quantities of vitamins A, C, and E, which all contribute to skin health.

-Massaging the skin will help improve circulation, which might help it heal better. I've also heard that dry-brushing has a similar effect.

-Moisturizing, while not doing much beyond the top layer of the skin, will plump up the skin and may help minimize the appearance of trouble spots like stretch marks, cellulite, and sag. Look for lotions or oils high in vitamin E. I've even been trying straight-up sunflower oil, which has a higher vitamin E content than a lot of other food-grade oils. You can combine moisturizing with massage.

-Unfortunately, the more stretch marks, the less ability the skin has to shrink back (and FYI, almost ALL of us have them. For the record: I have a lattice-work of little ones across my thighs, especially the front of my thighs, big vertical ones on either side of my hips, "ripple effect" ones radiating from my navel, and a bunch of little ones near my underarms and some on my biceps).

-Even after reaching your goal weight, I've heard that it can take up to 2 years for your skin to shrink as much as it is really capable of shrinking.

-I'm not a doctor, so there might be more tips and tricks. Talk to your doctor, and maybe see about a referral to a specialist.

I strongly advocate giving the non-surgical methods a solid try, I know I will be... but if they don't help enough, you have every right to put the reminders of your obesity in the past. You wouldn't continue to wear your "fat clothes", so why should you be guilted into wearing your "fat skin" the rest of your life, and told that you should settle? If, ultimately, you are still left with loose skin, and you want to get rid of it, there is no shame in having the surgery to do so. You only have one body, one life, and you shouldn't feel like you're living in the skin of someone twice your age. In the event that I have loose skin a year or two after I reach my ultimate goal weight/physique, I have been researching the following: Axillary Brachioplasty (arm lift for when most of the loose skin is in the top half of the upper arm, close to the armpit. The scar is horizontal, in the armpit, and fades nicely on fair skin. It's not the more severe kind, which leaves a long scar going down to the elbow); Medial Thigh Lift (lifts the inner thighs, only, without cuts going all around and creating scars on the hips. Scars are in the thigh crease, only, and hide well), tummy tuck (I probably won't need this, but still looking into it), and a breast lift... for which I'm praying that I can get just an areolar lift, so I don't have the "anchor" scar, but if I must go with the latter then I will. It's preferable to downward-pointing pancake boobs.

WOW! You look great!!! Great job!!

I constantly see the old fat me and then in pictures I think I'm good. It will take a bit to get my brain right I think

YOu look really great. so much better than before. you should be proud. who really looks good naked? LOL.. like next to nobody... and who walks around in the bright daylight naked? next to no one. Clothes were invented for a reason... no one wants to see anyones naked butt.

Your partner ...i'm sure ...thinks you're beautiful no matter what...before and after photos. also..that is what "lights off" was invented for! laugh it off..and enjoy your fabulous accomplishment and new great look.

First I want to say congrats!! You look amazing. If you continue to feel the way you I sugge st some counseling. Its hard sometimes to change the way you feel about yourself when you have felt that way for a long time. I realized today that I am a defeatest and am going to work on that. When you look in the mirror say postive things to yourself. When you lose a lot of weight you are going to have saggy skin, etc. You can have that extra flab removed surgically. ( I do beleive some insurance will pay for it because it really is not cosmetic!). Keep up the good work and remember to think positive. YOu have done an amazing job and I only hope that I can lose that much weight in the next year. I am tired of being limited because of my weight..

YES! I completely understand. My body is fit-ish, and I am an athlete. But I feel like if anyone saw me naked they would be running for the hills. I actually have never ever had boobs(way back when I was severely anorexic, it gave me no chance to grow a pair), but I know what you mean.

My stomach is firm, but I have skin and a layer of fat on it that makes me think, "Ew, this is not how I should be." But I am slowly gaining confidence in my body. By the way, you look INCREDIBLE!

You look fantastic and should be so proud of yourself. You inspire me.

Way to Go!!! You look wonderful!

Please don't apologize. You are an inspiration- and from what I have read on here- the skin thing takes patience. You are a hottie!!

Umm... yes! My boobs are a shell of what they used to be... I actually often times refer to them as "Balls in a Sock" and my tummy has stretchmarks and loose skin that will NEVER tighten - BUT - IN clothes, I look and feel GREAT - so who cares, right?!?!

YOU. LOOK. FANTASTIC! Congrats!

For sure! I would add: Do you walk around naked? Of course not!

you look great!!! like someone said, how often do you walk around naked? lol you look HOT in a bathing suit which is probably the most exposed you'd ever be in public.

as for in private, focus on how far you've come, what you've accomplished and how much healthier you must be. try to love yourself and your new life and let go of those pesky negative thoughts.

You look beautiful. Truly.
I understand what you're saying though. I'm older than you...things are just not shrinking as well as when I was younger. I know I look better and feel better....much better. I am sort of sqiiishy though, and my breasts have sort of deflated. Ok...fine....I am just going to look more awesome dressed than nekkid ...and that's fine. I feel terrific and I know I'm healthier.

Be proud of yourself-you look fabulous! The flabby skin will tighten as you tone up and strength train. BTW, I love your sandals .

hi, i feel the same way, i lost all the weight and now am left trying to put everything back where it should be! :S i hope the weights, etc work out for you, im about to try those too. I just thought i'd post though because I have to say you look fantastic in your pics! and you've done so well, you should be proud of yourself

Well I think you look HAWT!!!!