I failed the first time - Need advice, 4 questions

Question 1: My sister has big boobs and they chafe when she runs so she uses a lubricant - comes in a tube like chapstick. I see runners using it all the time at marathons.
http://www.runoutlet.com/p/runguard-anti-chafe-stick-0.5oz-(sensitive)-40009/

Question 3: Sometimes, when doing a physical activity that is new to you, you may feel itching or zapping sensations under your skin at first. Something about blood flow, muscles and nerves - everything being activated creates a funky sensation. It goes away when your body becomes used to the activity. After doing the same activity several times, it should lessen and then eventually disappear completely. :flowerforyou:
http://www.healthcentral.com/diet-exercise/c/question/54379/45782

ETA: links

wear leggings (either under other pants/shorts or on their own) to stop chaffing.

losing weight slowly will help minimise loose skin occurring. you may have some, but realistically would you rather be overweight forever or have some loose skin? if you do end up with loose skin, you could consider surgery to remove it....it sounds like a better option than being unhealthily overweight for a prolonged period of time

consistency will help you stick to this. it's not over once you've lost the weight. it is something you need to focus on for life. working with someone to sort out the emotional issues that may arise might be a good idea - you don't need to turn to food/drink/poor lifestyle when you're upset about something or when part of your life isn't going how you want. you need to put yourself, your health and your goals above everything else....whatever you do, make sure it's going to help you be who you want to be and achieve what you want to achieve.

Re: Q4 I haven't been able to afford the gym in years. I walk in my lunches and have a variety of workout videos (from step aerobics, kickboxing, calisthenics, to yoga - which I use when I'm just not feeling like an intense cardio session.) & if you fall off the wagon you get to decide if it's going to be for today ...a week?....a month?.... Or a year. Eventually you'll come back, how long it takes is totally up to you !

1 - try swimming?

2 - its really just the luck of the draw some people experience it some people don't it just depends on your skin and the way the fat is distributed in the body. I know you said you were almost more worried about the loose skin than being over weight but think of it like this: you can at least hide loose skin, you can't hide being over weight.

3 - might just be from the sweat? it should go away after awhile. You could always try and ask your doc about that one...

4 - take it slow. everyone wants to jump right in when they feel that motivation but keep your calories higher for a bit - eat what you want but stay at a deficit and try and make 1 or 2 healthy habits at a time. Think long term. Think about what is sustainable for the rest of your life. In order to permanently lose this weight your lifestyle has to permanently change.

Greetings fellow Aussie (I hail from Tassie),

1. Try anti-perspirant options .....maybe "Neat Feet", no don't laugh it's for anywhere sweating/chafing causes issues. Ask at the Pharmacy they will be able to give you options......there's prob. newer better options now. Or the other help would be to wear like bike tights/leggings under gym gear, at least it will keep the areas apart. Just a bit of another hint......make sure that the area is kept as dry and healthy as possible, chafing can cause skin damage if not cared and treated. Again I think that there is special powder that has drying products in it as well as being medicated.....just a thought.

2. Dude.....it really is the luck of genetics as to how much loose skin you will be left with. I'm older than you and started at 126kgs (267lbs) at the age of 48....took me 2 years to get to 50kgs (110lbs) and I've maintained it for basically 2 years, add that too 2 kidlets, I have minimal saggy skin. I think taking it slow, getting plenty of water, moisturising all helps. But please don't let the worry about the future stop you living your life NOW. You will be so much healthier and if there are real skin issues afterwards there are medical procedures that you would qualify for.

3. I agree it may be from sweat....It could be too that you skin is a tad fragile caused it's stretched out...often obesity causes circulatory compromises and itching can be a part of that, kinda fits if you notice it when you work out.... I know when I was big my skin would itch like crazy - lost weight and it stopped. That said and I don't want to alarm you, itchy skin may be a symptom of blood sugar abnormalities, may be worth getting it checked if you haven't.

4. Start by taking that 1st step 1st. IE. don't fall into thinking you have to go "Balls out" and that if you don't you've failed. You're here on MFP it's such a great place. Start by weighing, logging everything that you eat......be consistent, do that for at least a couple of months. Read, Read, Read all you can on here....maybe join a group who are doing/going where you want to be. Have endless patience with yourself.....you may slip (Struth...you're only human), but don't let that derail you. Log it/deal with it and move on to the next day. Find something you enjoy doing that gets you out.....loneliness and isolation is not good for you body or soul......if it's the gym all well and good, if not all well and good, but do try and get out of the house, raise your heart rate and get some endorphins going.
Rinse and repeat.

Oh, another thing.....feel free to add me as a mate if you want, but get out into the MFP zone and add some friends to your journey, support and encouragement goes a long.

Good luck !!!!!