Worried About My Stomach

gamergirl180
gamergirl180 Posts: 41
in Health and Weight Loss
So at my highest weight I was 330 lbs, I am down to 298 and I want to get down to 180 eventually. My stomach is (not so much anymore) very round and I have a lot of stretch marks on it. I have seen a lot of women who were about my size and after losing weight, they seem to have no stretch marks and they stomachs are tight, but then I see others where they still have all their stretch marks and very lose skin.

What did they do to get rid of or lighten their stretch marks and get there skin tight? I hope this isn't a stupid question. I know obviously they toned the muscles and what not. I just don't want to lose all this weight then still feel uncomfortable because I have all this loose skin and stretch marks. Any tips on how you decreased loose skin while losing weight would be awesome.

Thank you for your help!

Replies

  • F00LofaT00K
    F00LofaT00K Posts: 688 Member
    Based on reading similar threads, it seems like age and how rapidly you lose affects it. The older you are, the less elastic the skin. Also, the faster you lose weight, the less time skin has to change with your body. I believe it takes time and for some people it will never completely go away without surgery of some sort.
  • MaryJane_8810002
    MaryJane_8810002 Posts: 2,082 Member
    Pure shea butter from Ghana.
  • rachaelbarton
    rachaelbarton Posts: 57 Member
    It takes a while for the skin to catch up. And in some cases surgery becomes desirable because things don't snap back exactly like one would hope. But cross that bridge when you come to it, and in the meantime work on your hot bod. I recommend Shea butter in the meantime to improve skin elasticity :)
  • usmcmp
    usmcmp Posts: 21,219 Member
    Stretch marks will never go away. They fade over time, but they'll always be there. It takes time for skin to tighten. The longer I stay lean the tighter my skin gets. Some of that is based on genetics. There are many people who lose over 100 pounds and need surgery to remove extra skin. Not something worth worrying about at this point, just focus on losing the weight and being healthy.
  • JesterMFP
    JesterMFP Posts: 3,596 Member
    It has to do with genetics and age also probably plays a big part. Not losing the weight too quickly should help, but honestly if you lose 150 lbs, the chances are good that you will have some loose skin. I have some, and it's not pretty, but it's not horrendous either. It's not noticeable in clothes (or even underwear), and I'm much, much happier with my body now than I was when I was bigger. Definitely be aware and accept that it's a very real possibility, but please don't let it put you off losing the weight. You'll still be so much healthier and happier with the weight off. And, you'll look a lot better having lost the weight at your age now than if you do it in 10 or 20 years.

    In the meantime, don't lose too drastically quickly, keep well hydrated, well nourished, do some form resistance exercise and hope for the best.
  • gamergirl180
    gamergirl180 Posts: 41
    Thank you for all the great replies! I am losing weight slowly and my skin seems to me keeping up. I will look into the shea butter for my stretch marks. :) Thank you thank you!
  • darrensurrey
    darrensurrey Posts: 3,942 Member
    Aloe vera gel apparently can help, too. You can buy tubes of it or just grow the plant and break off a leaf then squeeze out the gel!
  • peleroja
    peleroja Posts: 3,979 Member
    From what I know (although not from experience so much), it is more to do with your age, the elasticity of your skin (which is due to both age and genetics), and time. It takes skin a while to tighten up, longer if you are older and/or have lost that elasticity. If you lose quickly, it will take longer afterwards to firm up. If you lose more slowly, your skin has more time to catch up with the loss and it's less noticeable. Eventually, in either case, it will tighten. Getting all your micronutrients and taking care of your skin may help too, and anecdotally, I've heard that strength training might too.
  • amcsouth
    amcsouth Posts: 283 Member
    Based on reading similar threads, it seems like age and how rapidly you lose affects it. The older you are, the less elastic the skin. Also, the faster you lose weight, the less time skin has to change with your body. I believe it takes time and for some people it will never completely go away without surgery of some sort.

    ^^ yes!

    A lot of time people do have lose skin BUT it isn't overly noticeable in photos because of the way they take the pictures! Some of the pages on facebook that I follow, are of women that have lost lots of weight and they do have lose skin but it's really not bad. It just depends on speed of loss, how overweight you were, if you strength train, skin elasticity and age. I've read that it can take a year for skin to "tighten' up (I could be wrong). :smile:
  • SailorKnightWing
    SailorKnightWing Posts: 875 Member
    I would definitely recommend shea butter while losing weight. Nothing will get rid of any you already have, but there are a lot of anecdotal stories that it'll help lessen the chance of new ones. It probably doesn't help, it certainly doesn't hurt. Plus is smells awesome.
  • Quieau
    Quieau Posts: 428 Member
    Drink lots of water too ... water is your skin's best friend ...
  • hardycheryl
    hardycheryl Posts: 3
    Hello Fitness Pal,

    This is my first post. I would recommend cocoa butter the actually stick, and shea butter. Keep up the good work. I just started this week and I'm encouraged by everyone's post. I'm trying to lose 75 pounds. I know the diary gave me a reality check, so I'm conscious of what I put in my mouth now. I have no excuse Arizona have pretty good weather...
  • grneyedgoddess77
    grneyedgoddess77 Posts: 58 Member
    Drink lots of water too ... water is your skin's best friend ...

    This! And what other's have said. Genetics and age definitely have a lot to do with it. There is nothing wrong with rubbing cocoa butter - or vitamin E or a product marketed for it - on your skin everyday. If nothing else you get soft skin and a mini massage! I've also heard great things about dry brushing your skin, with a boar bristle (or other natural bristle) brush, to encourage it.
  • AlongCame_Molly
    AlongCame_Molly Posts: 2,835 Member
    I was never very overweight, but after having my son I did have some pretty gnarly bright red stretch marks on my belly and hips. I used Elastin 3, and they are almost completely gone. You can't see them unless I point them out or you get up real close. It's not very cheap, but totally worth it, IMO. I recommend getting 2 bottles a least, because you'll run out before they are completely faded, especially if you have more than one area you're going to use it on, like belly AND hips.


    Elastin3-stretch-mark-treatment-tn400x700.jpg

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