I think I lost weight too fast...

ajc1309
ajc1309 Posts: 255 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
In August 2012 I started my diet, I lost 53 pounds by February. I've maintained my weight well, plus I've lost another 2 pounds since then. My problem is that I'm now left with loose skin, mostly on my stomach. It's all squishy and I don't like it.

I plan on losing another 14lbs starting in November and I also would like to get rid of the squishyness! Does anyone have any tips on how I can do this at home without any gym equipment?

Replies

  • rhia575
    rhia575 Posts: 212 Member
    If you just do a few google searches you'll find many things which show you how to use your own body weight and get great strength workouts, which should help. But if you've lost a lot of weight i'm not sure if you can get rid of all of the loose skin but i'm not sure on that one.
  • bgshel
    bgshel Posts: 3
    The key to this is patience. I lost 60 pounds in about 4 and 1/2 months and had the same issue. Skin is very elastic and stretches to cover the body. If you maintain this weight for a short period of time your skin will then shrink back into place (mine did). Products like Mederma will help as well. It is a product made for reducing scars after surgery by shrinking the skin.
  • Rosannajo88
    Rosannajo88 Posts: 212 Member
    Hey!

    Congratulations on the loss, you should be so proud.

    Loose skin is always a bit of a dampner when you have done so much to improve your health and there really is only one thing you need. Time. It can take skin a good two years to shrink back as long as the damage to the tissue was not too bad. Now I dont mean that all of the loose skin will just ping back into place but the appearance will improve. In the meantime try building a little muscle in the affected areas and moisturize well. Your skin has had a toigh time being stretched and needs a little TLC! xx
  • Rosannajo88
    Rosannajo88 Posts: 212 Member
    The key to this is patience. I lost 60 pounds in about 4 and 1/2 months and had the same issue. Skin is very elastic and stretches to cover the body. If you maintain this weight for a short period of time your skin will then shrink back into place (mine did). Products like Mederma will help as well. It is a product made for reducing scars after surgery by shrinking the skin.

    You beat me to it! lol x
  • seltzermint555
    seltzermint555 Posts: 10,740 Member
    The key to this is patience. I lost 60 pounds in about 4 and 1/2 months and had the same issue. Skin is very elastic and stretches to cover the body. If you maintain this weight for a short period of time your skin will then shrink back into place (mine did). Products like Mederma will help as well. It is a product made for reducing scars after surgery by shrinking the skin.

    Agreed. I started MFP in March and I remember in May/June being absolutely horrified by the increased amount of loose flab on my upper arms. While I still have some, and probably always will (especially judging by the older ladies in my family lol)...it has drastically improved since then and I haven't done any targeted exercises for my arms.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    Well that's good to know... my stomach looks like a sharpei.
  • BobcatGirl110
    BobcatGirl110 Posts: 364 Member
    I also suggest muscle toning and water....water helps with the overall health and elasticity of the skin and the toning will make your new body look defined and healthy :)
  • bcattoes
    bcattoes Posts: 17,299 Member
    The key to this is patience. I lost 60 pounds in about 4 and 1/2 months and had the same issue. Skin is very elastic and stretches to cover the body. If you maintain this weight for a short period of time your skin will then shrink back into place (mine did). Products like Mederma will help as well. It is a product made for reducing scars after surgery by shrinking the skin.

    This ^^ Just keep it moisturized and be patient. Strength training is wonderful and can help firm the muscle underneath, but only time can shrink the skin. Be sure to drink enough fluids to stay well hydrated as well.
  • llkilgore
    llkilgore Posts: 1,169 Member
    If it's squishy then you probably have a fair amount of excess fat under the skin, which drags loose skin down and makes it look worse than it really is. I know in my case, my skin seemed to do a lot of shrinking as I lost the final 10 or 15 pounds and it was able to draw up to fit my by then much firmer body. While that didn't completely solve the problem, I no longer had any worry at all that I'd need a tummy tuck. And after 2 years of maintenance the only remaining evidence of loose skin is a misshaped belly button. I'm 60 years old, by the way, so you can probably expect a better outcome than I've had.
  • _Resolve_
    _Resolve_ Posts: 735 Member
    I still have 40 lbs to go until goal but I have found that water, biotin, and cocoa butter seem to help the process move a little faster. Other then that, time and strength training I hear will help.

    Good luck :)

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