Will I ever get rid of this stomach? Excess skin concerns.

julianpoutram
julianpoutram Posts: 331 Member
in Motivation and Support
So, I recognise I've come along way since I started. I am proud of what I have achieved. What I'm not proud of, is the fact that I am having so much difficulty getting rid of my stomach! I don't know if some of it is excess skin or if it's just fat. I am struggling to reduce my caloric intake further (I don't log on here so don't look at my diary, it's empty. I would say I probably eat about 2000 cals a day on average) as I just seem to feel weak and tired and dizzy if I do. I struggle to maintain 3 - 4 workouts a week, running and jump rope.

I can't get on with my life when this is still looming over me, I only need to lose another 20 lbs maybe? But it's just so hard and I'm so frustrated. Striving towards further weight loss has done nothing but make me feel worse about myself. Can anyone help me? I'm just looking for some emotional support more than anything, I'm struggling emotionally and physically with my weight and I just don't know what to do.

Thank you in advance if you take the time to read,

Julian

P.S. I weigh 205 lbs approx and I'm 6ft 4 inches in height.

Replies

  • lemur_lady
    lemur_lady Posts: 350 Member
    In for answers. I am getting loose skin too!
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    Exercise can mitigate it but whether it goes away completely or not will depend on a variety of factors such as genetics, age and general health. The younger you are, then better your chances. Genetics you can't change. In the end, get to your goal weight and fitness level and if you can't stand the loose skin, start saving for surgery.
  • DogDead
    DogDead Posts: 19 Member
    I can't say that this is 100%, but I read somewhere on the internet (a bodybuilding site I think), that loose skin will only really spring back when there is no excess fat weighing it down. The site also said to try to get as lean as possible, so that body fat is below double figures and drink plenty of water. I am only repeating what I read, so don't take my word for it, it is just some info that you might be able to look up. I'm worried about loose skin also, but I'm more bothered about being overweight :wink:

    Also congrats on your progress so far. Very impressed :smile:
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  • AleciaG724
    AleciaG724 Posts: 705 Member
    Also just my opinion:

    Increase your calories & protein (start logging) and lift heavy stuff (properly). I think you're young enough that the skin should most likely spring back. In the mean time, I think you'd be happy building some muscle and toning your body. At 6"4 205# I don't think you need to lose any more weight, but you can burn fat & build muscle by weight lifting.
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    If the loose skin is affecting you psychologically I'm quite sure that you could get a ' tummy tuck' done on the NHS. Try talking to your GP about it and how you are feeling, it's the first step ?

    :explode:
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  • verhunzt
    verhunzt Posts: 154 Member
    I'm sorry if this sounds like some cliché answer but.. I don't think you should worry about it too much. You said you're eating healthy, you exercise 3-4 times a week, you sound like a healthy young man. If you proceed to lose some fat and build muscle and you are healthy and taking care of yourself.. I mean I can see how it could affect your confidence, but it really shouldn't.
    It's just a stomach. Maybe there's some skin, that will definitely decrease, but maybe you will always have some. So what!?
    I know that I can never really lose fat on my stomach either.
    I can get those skinny legs, but I will probably never have a flat stomach (except I starve myself or something crazy), but you know what? I'm still fricking attractive.
    And you can have some excess skin on your belly and be the hottest guy on the beach.
    You shouldn't be so worried about it.. you will be surprised about how many people actually don't care.
    I'm sure you are a lovely person and some excess skin doesn't change that fact.
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    If the loose skin is affecting you psychologically I'm quite sure that you could get a ' tummy tuck' done on the NHS. Try talking to your GP about it and how you are feeling, it's the first step ?

    :explode:

    Point being ??

    The size of my nose is affecting me psychologically, do you think I could get rhinoplasty done on the NHS? At least my nose is through no fault of my own, just unfortunate genetics (you can't pick your parents' genetics after all). My breasts are also way too big, though they don't hinder me physically, they affect me psychologically, maybe I can get the taxpayers to foot the bill for that as well.

    Hopefully the OP will try non surgical options related to fitness before he asks other people to pay for cosmetic surgery.
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  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    I've lost a lot of weight and I also had what I thought was a lot of excess skin in my stomach. So I now focus on eating enough protein, have a moderate calorie deficit and lift really heavy stuff.

    Honestly, the heavy lifting has helped me enormously - not only is the excess skin shrinking (to the point of just being a slight crease on my lower stomach) but its incredibly empowering. I lift as much for the mental strength as I do for the physical.

    So, something to look into

    xx
  • Ilikelamps
    Ilikelamps Posts: 482 Member
    If the loose skin is affecting you psychologically I'm quite sure that you could get a ' tummy tuck' done on the NHS. Try talking to your GP about it and how you are feeling, it's the first step ?

    lJbOT6p.gif
  • janicelo1971
    janicelo1971 Posts: 823 Member
    you cant get on with your life? that is pretty serious. i don't want to ***** foot around here and offer advice that may make this worse...please go see a therapist. Being a counselor myself this is a red flag. I wish you the best, but I don't think this is best place to seek advice regarding this specific topic.:flowerforyou:
  • julianpoutram
    julianpoutram Posts: 331 Member
    If the loose skin is affecting you psychologically I'm quite sure that you could get a ' tummy tuck' done on the NHS. Try talking to your GP about it and how you are feeling, it's the first step ?

    Hey guys, I appreciate your help this far, I have already had cosmetic surgery (not on my stomach) through the NHS and it's not something I wish to pursue anymore, it didn't make me feel any better the first time round and I doubt it'll make me feel any better now. The surgery was for the way I viewed my body negatively, I perhaps naively thought it would make all my problems go away (it didn't at all). Perhaps the worst thing was that, at that point my GP agreed with me. I've hated alot of things about my physical appearance since puberty started and it's only become worse over the years.

    I don't think Keryjane deserves that kind of response though, she was merely offering a suggestion and I appreciate it as much as it is not something I will be pursuing.

    So weights is it? I am a little intimidated by the prospect I have to say.
  • Strokingdiction
    Strokingdiction Posts: 1,164 Member
    If the loose skin is affecting you psychologically I'm quite sure that you could get a ' tummy tuck' done on the NHS. Try talking to your GP about it and how you are feeling, it's the first step ?

    :explode:

    Point being ??

    The size of my nose is affecting me psychologically, do you think I could get rhinoplasty done on the NHS? At least my nose is through no fault of my own, just unfortunate genetics (you can't pick your parents' genetics after all). My breasts are also way too big, though they don't hinder me physically, they affect me psychologically, maybe I can get the taxpayers to foot the bill for that as well.

    Hopefully the OP will try non surgical options related to fitness before he asks other people to pay for cosmetic surgery.

    I was offering some legitimate advice to help ! No need for you to be so nasty ! There are other suggestions about fitness which were posted on here before my reply so I didn't wish to reiterate others oppinions I was merely offering an alternative. There are people out there who have genuine psychological issues which may lead to depression. I wasn't saying surgery is the only option, I thought it would be useful advice it they so wished to persue it ! I'm entitled to offer advice my opinion as much as the next person so I suggest you think before being so sarcastic next time !!!!

    As you are entitled to offering your advice, I am entitled to my sarcasm approach to my dismay over having other people pay for a cosmetic surgery.

    OH LOOK! My original advice was for the OP to save up his own money to pay for cosmetic surgery if all else fails. Just as he paid for the food that led to his current predicament, he can pay for its solution.
  • julianpoutram
    julianpoutram Posts: 331 Member
    If the loose skin is affecting you psychologically I'm quite sure that you could get a ' tummy tuck' done on the NHS. Try talking to your GP about it and how you are feeling, it's the first step ?

    :explode:

    Point being ??

    The size of my nose is affecting me psychologically, do you think I could get rhinoplasty done on the NHS? At least my nose is through no fault of my own, just unfortunate genetics (you can't pick your parents' genetics after all). My breasts are also way too big, though they don't hinder me physically, they affect me psychologically, maybe I can get the taxpayers to foot the bill for that as well.

    Hopefully the OP will try non surgical options related to fitness before he asks other people to pay for cosmetic surgery.

    I was offering some legitimate advice to help ! No need for you to be so nasty ! There are other suggestions about fitness which were posted on here before my reply so I didn't wish to reiterate others oppinions I was merely offering an alternative. There are people out there who have genuine psychological issues which may lead to depression. I wasn't saying surgery is the only option, I thought it would be useful advice it they so wished to persue it ! I'm entitled to offer advice my opinion as much as the next person so I suggest you think before being so sarcastic next time !!!!

    As you are entitled to offering your advice, I am entitled to my sarcasm approach to my dismay over having other people pay for a cosmetic surgery.

    OH LOOK! My original advice was for the OP to save up his own money to pay for cosmetic surgery if all else fails. Just as he paid for the food that led to his current predicament, he can pay for its solution.
    I actually didn't pay for the food that led to this 'predicament', I am only 21, my parents have fed me for the major part of my life. Food is something that I lack control over, and no amount of money will ever change that...
  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    Maybe you should go and talk to someone about how you're feeling? Like a therapist or someone who can help with the negative thoughts
  • julianpoutram
    julianpoutram Posts: 331 Member
    you cant get on with your life? that is pretty serious. i don't want to ***** foot around here and offer advice that may make this worse...please go see a therapist. Being a counselor myself this is a red flag. I wish you the best, but I don't think this is best place to seek advice regarding this specific topic.:flowerforyou:

    I think you might be right, only problem is I have heard from plenty of people that I've met in my life that the vast majority of councilors just don't care that much. If I ended up seeing someone like that it would only make me worse. I'm sure you're a great councilor but it's just what I've heard. Thank you so much for your response and you are probably completely right.
  • DogDead
    DogDead Posts: 19 Member
    I'll just say, find the things that make you happy and shrug off the things that don't. Maybe join a gym for the weightlifting, I'm sure it's packed with people eager to offer advice with any body/skin concerns you may have. Maybe some have even felt the way you do when they started out :wink:
  • lemur_lady
    lemur_lady Posts: 350 Member
    I've lost a lot of weight and I also had what I thought was a lot of excess skin in my stomach. So I now focus on eating enough protein, have a moderate calorie deficit and lift really heavy stuff.

    Honestly, the heavy lifting has helped me enormously - not only is the excess skin shrinking (to the point of just being a slight crease on my lower stomach) but its incredibly empowering. I lift as much for the mental strength as I do for the physical.

    So, something to look into

    xx

    I must say your stomach (in your pic) looks amazing considering the amount of lbs you have lost. Did it start out looking like you had a lot of loose skin forming which then eventually firmed up? How long has it taken you to lose the weight?
  • psych101
    psych101 Posts: 1,842 Member
    I've lost a lot of weight and I also had what I thought was a lot of excess skin in my stomach. So I now focus on eating enough protein, have a moderate calorie deficit and lift really heavy stuff.

    Honestly, the heavy lifting has helped me enormously - not only is the excess skin shrinking (to the point of just being a slight crease on my lower stomach) but its incredibly empowering. I lift as much for the mental strength as I do for the physical.

    So, something to look into

    xx

    I must say your stomach (in your pic) looks amazing considering the amount of lbs you have lost. Did it start out looking like you had a lot of loose skin forming which then eventually firmed up? How long has it taken you to lose the weight?

    Thanks! Helps that I can tuck the saggy bit into my pants lol but it's not as bad now.

    Took me three years to lose this much, then had a baby and had to lose all the baby weight and get lifting again! TBH I never really worried that much about lose skin until I'd lost a lot of weight and noticed it. Trying to focus on bringing my body fat down and maintaining my muscle mass as much as possible. Always a work in progress.

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