Can't Tell if ExcessSkin or Fat

sillyxpicklexxx3
sillyxpicklexxx3 Posts: 6 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
I have recently lost nearly 70 pounds and I'm beginning to be very nervous as I approach my goal weight that what I have left is more excess/lose skin than actual fat. The last time I weighed myself I was 135 lbs, but that was nearly a month ago. I feel like my body fat REALLY doesn't look like it should at this weight... I didn't crash diet or anything, I've been steadily losing for a little under a year. I'm only 17 and I was hoping that I could eventually achieve that perfect flat tummy. The way my stomach looks though has left me feeling quite hopeless ): I'd really just like someones advice or opinion so I at least know that I either need to accept what I have or bump up the cardio exercises. Please help! I'm literally driving myself crazy just obsession over it. I'm mostly concerned about the fact that my belly button sags over itself almost.

PICS
1.) This was from 5/18/2013. I know it looks the worst but its because I was least trying to make my stomach appealing. I didn't like suck in or anything.
http://s1328.photobucket.com/user/chumperbunns/media/Pic3_zpsea378d80.jpg.html?sort=3&o=2
2.)5/27/2013 This one noticeably looks the best but I think I must have been sucking in or something. Plus this was when I first woke up so I hadn't eaten anything
http://s1328.photobucket.com/user/chumperbunns/media/Pic2_zps7cec18fe.jpg.html?sort=3&o=1
3.)5/31/2013 This was just tonight. The lighting is bad so idk how much you'll actually be able to tell from it.
http://s1328.photobucket.com/user/chumperbunns/media/Pic1_zpsd17bb757.jpg.html?sort=3&o=0

Replies

  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    It can take up to two years for your skin to catch up with your body if you've lost a lot of weight.
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    it's both
    you have a little bit of fat, but also excess skin. because of the skin the fat is not sitting tight on your tummy. You can lose a bit more to have less fat on your tummy or just wait. you are 17, your skin will eventually catch up.

    ETA you look great
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    Honestly I wish my stomach looked that bad (and i mean that in the nicest way) I lost 180 plus pounds and i can definitely tell mine is fat AND loose skin. The thing is tho...we have what we have...you cannot in this moment change it...but what we can do is simply try to be the best "me" that I can be. Weight train...drink lots of water...some say moisturising helps and as the above poster said give yourself time...I would think tho that yours will improve (a lot more then mine ever will lol)
  • Givemewings
    Givemewings Posts: 864 Member
    Seriously, you look great , so please don't feel disheartened. I am losing weight too and have a little left to lose. I am a little concerned about my tummy too but have come to terms with the fact that you need to be patient. Keep doing what you're doing. Lifting weights can help but I'm not sure about lifting at your age, I have no experience in that area.
  • sarahmoo12
    sarahmoo12 Posts: 756 Member
    you tummy looks great! I would start strength training as it will tone you more and think that would be better to focus on instead of trying to dropping lbs :)
  • sillyxpicklexxx3
    sillyxpicklexxx3 Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks everyone(: Last day of school is tomorrow so I plan on starting up zumba everyday like I did last summer. I want to start strength training in my core area, but strength training confuses me so much! Haha I know that sounds stupid, but I really have no clue where to start. Cardio is easy because you just run or jog or dance for an hour. But strength training involves specifically working certain muscles for certain reps and sets and it all gets so confusing
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    You look great!

    It sounds to me like your asking about body composition, and changing your body fat percentage? If you're looking to get leaner, and hoping to see some sort of ab definition, you'll want to lose a bit of body fat. Best way to do that is lifting weights and eating at a slight caloric deficit. If you're doing it right, the scale shouldn't move much at all, and you might stay the same weight, or even end up slightly heavier on the scale by the time you've got to where you want to be. However, your body will be tighter and you'll appear smaller. There are often photos shared on MFP of women who have done just this very thing--they're really amazing to look at.
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    Thanks everyone(: Last day of school is tomorrow so I plan on starting up zumba everyday like I did last summer. I want to start strength training in my core area, but strength training confuses me so much! Haha I know that sounds stupid, but I really have no clue where to start. Cardio is easy because you just run or jog or dance for an hour. But strength training involves specifically working certain muscles for certain reps and sets and it all gets so confusing

    It doesn't have to be confusing--if you can learn a zumba routine, you can definitely learn to lift weights!

    You'll want to begin with a full body strength building program such as Stronglifts 5 x 5, Starting Strength, or New Rules of Lifting for Women. Nia Shanks also has some great programs for women and is just a really great trainer to follow--you can google all this stuff and see what sounds good to you.

    There are MFP groups for women doing stronglifts and for NROLFW. Both are very active and helpful.
  • sillyxpicklexxx3
    sillyxpicklexxx3 Posts: 6 Member
    Wow haha I can't believe I didn't consider the fact that there were strength training dvds out there. I was sitting here feeling overwhelmed thinking I would have to design and plan a complete routine all by myself.

    ~Also I'll look into everything you suggested, thank you! (:
  • sillyxpicklexxx3
    sillyxpicklexxx3 Posts: 6 Member
    One last thing (sorry lol) , when I do start doing zumba, does anyone have any idea if that would help with toning and strength type training? Or would I definitely need to add a separate strength training dvd?
  • kazzsjourney
    kazzsjourney Posts: 674 Member
    You would want to do strength training aside from the zumba
  • geebusuk
    geebusuk Posts: 3,348 Member
    One last thing (sorry lol) , when I do start doing zumba, does anyone have any idea if that would help with toning and strength type training? Or would I definitely need to add a separate strength training dvd?
    If it's on a DVD, it's probably not "strength training" - it's probably cardio with weights to make it a bit harder.

    The usual suggestions are to have a look at the Stronglifts or Starting Strength programs. Also, 'new rules of lifting for women' seems to get a good rep.

    [edit], err, seems someone's already said about the same a few posts up :)[/edit]
  • Martucha123
    Martucha123 Posts: 1,089 Member
    easy strenght training routine: body weight and dumbbells (you can use water bottles), only 6 exercises

    http://www.nerdfitness.com/blog/2009/12/09/beginner-body-weight-workout-burn-fat-build-muscle/
  • Lupercalia
    Lupercalia Posts: 1,857 Member
    You could alternate zumba days with your strength training days.
  • JewelsinBigD
    JewelsinBigD Posts: 661 Member
    I agree with the strength training - it will definitely make you feel better about how your muscles look - and eventually you will tone up - because you are 17!!!
    Me on the other hand...it will take a surgeon or a miracle when I am done..
  • ErinRibbens
    ErinRibbens Posts: 370 Member
    Oh, I was expecting so much worse. You look great! Now let me show you mine after 2 babies and 2 c-sections and you will feel better about yourself. :laugh: You're only 17 so it will bounce back, give it time. Starting Strength is a great book & program, I highly recommend it! I can't imagine what my tummy would look like if I'd only done cardio and no strength training!
  • nwg74
    nwg74 Posts: 360 Member
    Generally if you squeeze the skin and it is about 5mm then it is just skin. Anything more than there is still fat. My sides of my stomach is excess skin but the bit under and over my belly button is still fat and excess skin.

    How good the muscles underneath is can determine how well excess skin hangs.

    I can't see any excess skin there at al in those pics.
  • SteelySunshine
    SteelySunshine Posts: 1,092 Member
    First you look great. And now for the disclaimer. I don't think you are crazy. I don't think you have a mental health issue so much either. But, your mind has not caught up with the new you yet. It may take months or years for that to happen. I think lifting will actually help with that. I had a much better idea of my capabilities and what I looked like when I was lifting. Lifting usually helps people with confidence as a side effect. And I don't think it would hurt to talk to other people that have been through losing a lot of weight. I haven't even lost all that much yet, but my mind hasn't caught up with what I have lost. I am still afraid to go try on clothes for example. I know in my head I am smaller. The tape measure says it, my clothes are all very loose, some to the point of ridiculous, yet I still don't want to go try on clothes.

    So, anyway like others said lifting is great for changing body composition. I don't know for sure but it seems it would help your skin snap back as well, if anyone knows for sure chime in please.
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  • sillyxpicklexxx3
    sillyxpicklexxx3 Posts: 6 Member
    Thanks again everyone! I cant figure out how to reply to specific comments on my phone, but everyone's input has really helped. And I know this will probably sound really stupid but Im still confused about it -how will just lifting weights help my stomach? Wouldnt that really only build arm-area muscles? And I decided to start the 30 day shred not sure howuch muscle it will build but I've seen good results. And I decided to finally weigh myself again, turns out im actially down to 124!!(: which is exciting but it just makes me more nervous about my stomach not matching my weight

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