Flabby stomach skin

lizj0nes21
lizj0nes21 Posts: 115
in Health and Weight Loss
I am 5'3", 21 years old, and currently weigh 136.4 lbs, my goal weight is 120lbs. When I was pregnant with my son (who is now 2 1/2) I got up to 179lbs from 120lbs! A few weeks after I had him I dropped down I into the 150's. I have yet to get back into shape since my pregnancy but I am well on my way now, I have lost weight an inches since I started MFP. However, my concern now is about having a stomach of lose flabby skin. The majority of my weight is in my stomach, then my hips and thighs. My stomach isn't a hard fat, it's a lose and jiggly bubbly fat from eating horrible, being lazy, and drinking soda 24/7. I have cut out soda completely, I eat healthier and within my calories, and I exercise. But I'm worried about how my stomach will look when I get to my goal weigh. I know the answer to fixing that is strength training and lifting weights, and I would LOVE to be able to lift weights but I can't afford a gym membership and I can't afford to even buy hand weights at the moment. I'm doing the Jillian Michaels 30 day shred and I use cans of soup as my "weights" for now during that.
So my question is, is there any other options to make sure my stomach tightens up rather than flabbing down wheni lose the weight? Or are there any home strength type workouts that you use? What do you use or what do you think could help? Thanks!

And I know a lot of you will look at numbers and say that I'm not overweight enough to be worrying about this, but believe me, so much of my weight is in my stomach that my stomach literally sits on my lap when I'm sitting down, it's all stretched out and huge. If I knew how to post pictures on here I would, but I don't know how, sorry.

Replies

  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    You're young and you don't have that much to lose, so you'll probably be ok... your skin is more elastic than mine! But it will take a while. Just keep doing what you're doing, maybe look up core and full body workouts on youtube, you can do planks, push ups etc that will work your abs, but in the end, you'll need to lose enough fat to lose your belly.
  • kgeyser
    kgeyser Posts: 22,505 Member
    Ok, first, you need to calm down about this whole weight loss thing. You make at least one post about a new worry every day. You're going to make yourself crazy. You're also going to eventually annoy the community and get your little butt flamed, especially since you have so little to lose. Have a drink and relax. :drinker:

    Ok, about the stomach flab. Everyone's stomach has rolls when they sit. Every single person, no matter what they weigh. That is not a sign of impending doom to your abdominal area. As for carrying weight in your stomach, hips, and thighs - congratulations on being a woman! Ain't it great?!

    You're losing weight. That's a good thing. You're 21, which means your skin still has plenty of elasticity. You already know about calories and strength training. That's pretty much all you can do. The "tight" stomach look comes from the amount of body fat covering the muscles, and the body fat will reduce as you lose weight. No one can give you any 100% guarantee that something will work on you or you won't have a little excess skin, and you are already doing everything you need to do to get there.
  • lizj0nes21
    lizj0nes21 Posts: 115
    Ok, first, you need to calm down about this whole weight loss thing. You make at least one post about a new worry every day. You're going to make yourself crazy. You're also going to eventually annoy the community and get your little butt flamed, especially since you have so little to lose. Have a drink and relax. :drinker:

    Ok, about the stomach flab. Everyone's stomach has rolls when they sit. Every single person, no matter what they weigh. That is not a sign of impending doom to your abdominal area. As for carrying weight in your stomach, hips, and thighs - congratulations on being a woman! Ain't it great?!

    You're losing weight. That's a good thing. You're 21, which means your skin still has plenty of elasticity. You already know about calories and strength training. That's pretty much all you can do. The "tight" stomach look comes from the amount of body fat covering the muscles, and the body fat will reduce as you lose weight. No one can give you any 100% guarantee that something will work on you or you won't have a little excess skin, and you are already doing everything you need to do to get there.

    I'm sorry that I don't have anyone else in my life to talk to about my life style chane, share my success with, or ask questions to, other than all of you on MFP. So if my posts are excessive then I'm sorry, I didn't realize, but they are all sincere questions and concerns.

    And it's not just that my stomach has rolls, it's one big blob that literally sits a good way down on my thighs.
  • QuietBloom
    QuietBloom Posts: 5,413 Member
    Ok, first, you need to calm down about this whole weight loss thing. You make at least one post about a new worry every day. You're going to make yourself crazy. You're also going to eventually annoy the community and get your little butt flamed, especially since you have so little to lose. Have a drink and relax. :drinker:

    Ok, about the stomach flab. Everyone's stomach has rolls when they sit. Every single person, no matter what they weigh. That is not a sign of impending doom to your abdominal area. As for carrying weight in your stomach, hips, and thighs - congratulations on being a woman! Ain't it great?!

    You're losing weight. That's a good thing. You're 21, which means your skin still has plenty of elasticity. You already know about calories and strength training. That's pretty much all you can do. The "tight" stomach look comes from the amount of body fat covering the muscles, and the body fat will reduce as you lose weight. No one can give you any 100% guarantee that something will work on you or you won't have a little excess skin, and you are already doing everything you need to do to get there.

    She can ask a question every day if she wants. Geeze. If it bugs you, use the handy little 'ignore' button. Problem solved.
  • FitnFeistyLyness
    FitnFeistyLyness Posts: 757 Member
    you are young.. just keep exercising.. i have released 205 pounds so far i dont have the apron type skin.. i have a little jiggly , but nothing hanging..

    if you cant do a gym workout for weights cans are good.. filling milk jugs with sand is another idea..

    something that will also help is body brushing..

    i lifted small weights dumbbells while releasing my weight.. i also body brushed.

    i understand not having anyone to talk to, were here for you, but dont stress about something that may never happen.. stress is not good for weight loss.

    your doing fine. stay active, be consistent..
  • FitnFeistyLyness
    FitnFeistyLyness Posts: 757 Member
    feel free to add me and join my group thats for anyone

    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/18785-motivation-support-and-accountability
  • misskris78
    misskris78 Posts: 136 Member
    Other than plastic surgery, the only thing that will fix the roll is time and a little help from mother nature. Some people's skin is very elastic. Some people do not have very elastic skin. It took me almost two years to lose the flab after my first boy, and interestingly enough about 6 weeks with my second. I think planks are a good idea. They're effective and cheap.

    You're a beautiful girl with a minimal amount of weight to lose. Be patient and in the interim, you can fix a multitude of ills with shapewear :flowerforyou:
  • lizj0nes21
    lizj0nes21 Posts: 115
    Ok, first, you need to calm down about this whole weight loss thing. You make at least one post about a new worry every day. You're going to make yourself crazy. You're also going to eventually annoy the community and get your little butt flamed, especially since you have so little to lose. Have a drink and relax. :drinker:

    Ok, about the stomach flab. Everyone's stomach has rolls when they sit. Every single person, no matter what they weigh. That is not a sign of impending doom to your abdominal area. As for carrying weight in your stomach, hips, and thighs - congratulations on being a woman! Ain't it great?!

    You're losing weight. That's a good thing. You're 21, which means your skin still has plenty of elasticity. You already know about calories and strength training. That's pretty much all you can do. The "tight" stomach look comes from the amount of body fat covering the muscles, and the body fat will reduce as you lose weight. No one can give you any 100% guarantee that something will work on you or you won't have a little excess skin, and you are already doing everything you need to do to get there.

    She can ask a question every day if she wants. Geeze. If it bugs you, use the handy little 'ignore' button. Problem solved.

    Thanks<3
  • lizj0nes21
    lizj0nes21 Posts: 115
    you are young.. just keep exercising.. i have released 205 pounds so far i dont have the apron type skin.. i have a little jiggly , but nothing hanging..

    if you cant do a gym workout for weights cans are good.. filling milk jugs with sand is another idea..

    something that will also help is body brushing..

    i lifted small weights dumbbells while releasing my weight.. i also body brushed.

    i understand not having anyone to talk to, were here for you, but dont stress about something that may never happen.. stress is not good for weight loss.

    your doing fine. stay active, be consistent..

    Thank you <3. And what is body brushing?
  • SezxyStef
    SezxyStef Posts: 15,267 Member
    Yes she can ask as many questions as she wants jeez.

    As for your stomach it is possible that due to the type of exercise you are doing you are losing weight and inches but the weight could be Lean Body Mass, meaning muscle.

    My suggestion is to start strenght training and up your protien. It has helped me tremendously.

    I keep in my deficet and lift 3x a week and a little cardio 2x a week and at 41, one child and almost 20 years of being overweight my belly isn't that soft...it is still but I have weight to lose yet but when I flex...it's hard under the fat with no lose skin.
  • Edensienna
    Edensienna Posts: 180 Member
    I started at 142lbs after having two babies in three years.

    Most of my weight gain was thighs, butt and tummy. I'm at 122lbs now and my stomach has flattened. I have.ost a lot of tummy fat. I didn't get stretch marks so I guess my skin has some level of elasticity and isn't too wobbly anymore.

    I don't do sit-ups or much core strengthening but at this point I may start to see if I can firm up anymore. Stick to the weightloss. It has taken 6 months for me to lose 20lbs. Your body will become leaner in time
  • mintymoo
    mintymoo Posts: 2 Member
    Ask any questions you have or any concerns you may have.....don't let someone spoil this for you. Also, When people tell you to quit worrying because you are already thin or chill out you don't have much weight to lose ....DON"T listen to them. They do not know your body, only you do. If you weigh 135 and want to get to 120....then you have every right to do so. 120 is your goal...then go for it. Okay, now about the flabby skin....you are young and I believe that with time your flab will tighten up....just do sit ups and build up your ab muscles. Sometimes when the skin is excessively flabby and you have done everything to get rid of it...then you are kinda' stuck with it unless you have it surgically removed. Also, I know you said you don't have money to buy weights....I'm sure you can find some household items like a jar of pickles ....and make that your weight. good luck!!
  • mintymoo
    mintymoo Posts: 2 Member
    ask away!! that's what this message board is all about......
  • lizj0nes21
    lizj0nes21 Posts: 115
    Ask any questions you have or any concerns you may have.....don't let someone spoil this for you. Also, When people tell you to quit worrying because you are already thin or chill out you don't have much weight to lose ....DON"T listen to them. They do not know your body, only you do. If you weigh 135 and want to get to 120....then you have every right to do so. 120 is your goal...then go for it. Okay, now about the flabby skin....you are young and I believe that with time your flab will tighten up....just do sit ups and build up your ab muscles. Sometimes when the skin is excessively flabby and you have done everything to get rid of it...then you are kinda' stuck with it unless you have it surgically removed. Also, I know you said you don't have money to buy weights....I'm sure you can find some household items like a jar of pickles ....and make that your weight. good luck!!

    Thanks, I appreciate the support :)<3
  • aubyshortcake
    aubyshortcake Posts: 796 Member
    look into body weight exercises like you are your own gym, I use the Android app and I love it :)

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