How to firm excess skin?

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Replies

  • Isakizza
    Isakizza Posts: 754 Member
    I have been fat most of my life and I'm tired of it! The only time that I was ever thin was when I was two years old. I don't want to be this size when I'm thirty, so I'm sorry if I'm going a little overboard with the weight loss thing. I refuse to continue to be fat!

    You're very young, and I had that same way of thinking at your age too. Well now I'm in my 30's and FINALLY doing it the correct way. I wish I hadn't been so hard headed back in my younger years, then maybe I'd be where I'd wanted by now. But Noo... I wanted it by a certain date/event/age. That's why I never reached my goals, I expected too much too soon.

    It's a process, and you have to allow time for your body to make those major changes. It will be totally worth all the hard work & dedication you put in in the long run. And when you're my age, you'll be so grateful you took your time to do it right!

    Good luck!
  • carryingon
    carryingon Posts: 609 Member
    Strength training! There are a lot of success stories from women on this forum. This is one that made me re think what I've been doing. http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/890322-because-weight-lifting-made-me-bulky?hl=lifting+made+me+bulky

    There is also a book that you can find called the new rules of lifting for women.

    Searching the forums can be helpful too!
  • crazy4fids
    crazy4fids Posts: 173
    Have you seen the biggest looser? They loose a lot of fat in a short amount of time and the larger contestents have a TON of loose, saggy skin. Why? Because they lost it fast.
  • julialou1979
    julialou1979 Posts: 54 Member
    And to echo the lifestyle/age discussions... You are at a great age to build a lifestyle that creates a healthier you. Go for this option! It's practice and perseverance and changes that have to become routine. I know a lot of women who started crash dieting in their twenties, and all it did was start up a brutal cycle of starvation/exhaustion, and then regaining when their brains could not handle it (nobody's can). But think lifestyle, sustainable, fun... And love yourself along the way because loving yourself will motivate you. Good luck.
  • glovepuppet
    glovepuppet Posts: 1,710 Member
    The scars from skin removal are extreme.
  • fluffykitsune
    fluffykitsune Posts: 236 Member
    set yourself up for success.
  • necqua01
    necqua01 Posts: 5
    5 pounds a week doesn't sound bad. What we are forgetting is that the weight you lose weekly can depend on your body type. Someone that is 300lbs may lose 5lbs each week as opposed to someone that weighs 160lbs losing 2-3lbs per week
  • elka67
    elka67 Posts: 268 Member
    The scars from skin removal are extreme.
    I agree. Scarring all over your body is not a good look in a bikini.
    You're still young and your skin is more elastic than an older persons. Why have major surgery when a bit of patience and effort can get you the same if not better results?
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 48,990 Member
    My professional experience has shown me that usually any weight over 80lbs lost will usually result in loose skin. It may retract some, but genetics and age are going to dictate it. It may not shrink back. At this point, surgery is really the only option, unless one is relying to putting back on some weight and muscle to help reduce it.

    A.C.E. Certified Personal/Group FitnessTrainer
    IDEA Fitness member
    Kickboxing Certified Instructor
    Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition
  • jackedphilosopher
    jackedphilosopher Posts: 31
    Lift heavier.
    Eat more.
    Cardio less.
    Hydrate more.

    That's about the best chance you have to let your skin rebound naturally. It's not a race to your goal weight.. Or at least it shouldn't be.


    Solid advice
  • sarahf3092
    sarahf3092 Posts: 147 Member
    make sure you are doing some exercise using weights along with any cardio. And eat protein, you may find you do have some loose skin still but doing both forms of exercise will help reduce it
  • Angiebabe2
    Angiebabe2 Posts: 25
    I would love you to keep posting until you reach your goal weight. I would honestly liketo know the following

    Can you keep up the 5lb a week weight loss?

    If so what are you eating and exercising to do it?

    how is your skin at the end of it?


    You have the advantage of youthbut say you have hadweight issues since very young so does one cancel out the other?

    Being older myself and having health issues and having to take steroids means I have no alternative but to takeit slow but after 30 years of yoyyo dieting you know what this way is great! Honestly 1-2 pounds a week gives a much greater sense of control because I know I am changing my life and eating habits for the next 30 years and have a much better chance of never having to do this again. Yes I am going to have to learnto maintain the new weight but that feels possible too.

    As to loose skin well I take vit e supplements drink a lot of water and green tea and I body brush and moisturize my skin every day
    and I exercise as my illness allows but this means I walk every day even if its short and. I practice tai chi and lift a little
    And I feed my body with very nutricious foods rather than starve it I think this latter is the most important and I can see real changes in the quality of my skin. Six months in and 52 lbs down it works for me.

    Good luck honey it isnt easy being young and overweight but dont dismiss the experience of those who have been there before you because you are in a hurry they were there once and look where they are now 20 or 30 years on still trying to lose the same 130 lbs and only now getting it done right and forever

    Do you think there is adifference between the usa and the uk in the willingness to go to surgery?
  • Embee_2311
    Embee_2311 Posts: 47
    The posts about hydration, losing weight slowly etc. are spot on. Another thing (apparently) that will determine whether or not your skin sags is how long you've been overweight (if it's been long then chances are you skin will hv been stretched for some time), and your age. You're still young, so that should count in your favour.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    Lose weight slowly.
    Strength training (not just 3lb dumbells, challenging weights!)
    Keep hydrated
    I want to fit into a bikini by next Summer. The only way to do that is five pounds a week. I just need to figure out how to avoid the skin flab...

    Not quite at your goal yet OR excess skin. Your choice.

    If you lose weight that fast (5lbs a week is really drastic!) you will most likely have excess skin. Just accept that you didn't gain the weight overnight, you can't lose it overnight either. You can still wear a bikini, even if you're not at your goal yet.
  • HeidiMightyRawr
    HeidiMightyRawr Posts: 3,343 Member
    I think I'll just lose weight rapidly and then have the surgery to get rid of the excess skin.

    You will lose a lot of your muscle with the rapid weight loss too. You can't get that back with surgery.

    By losing weight slower, not only with you have less excess skin (and a larger back balance!) but more muscle tone.
  • Nicolee_2014
    Nicolee_2014 Posts: 1,572 Member
    I'm thinking for me (after babies) my only hope is surgery

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