Success Pics and Question
winonavampire
Posts: 68 Member
A brief history. I started off at about 340. With out getting into the gritty details, I decided it was time for some life changes and started going for walks. After a few months of walking, I noticed I was starting to lose a few pounds. Once I started losing a few pounds, I wanted to see what would happen if I started eating a little better. Even more pounds came off. At that point, I put my mind to it. This first image is at about 270.
As I progressed, I eventually made it all the way down to 201. I maintained 201 for about 3 months. I stuck with cardio, did a little circuit weights to maintain fitness. January 2014, I decided I was going to try a bulking stage. I wanted to fill in some of the excess skin with some of those muscley things. I don't want to me lean, I don't want to be a 4% body builder, I just want to look fit and bulky.
After three months of bulking, these images are the results.
I put on about 13 pounds during the bulking stage. Psychologically, that was really tough on me. Being big for so long and losing all the weight, seeing that number go up was not pleasant. However, I knew it was part of my goals, and I was eating as clean as I could with out being completely unrealistic about it.
I am back to a "cutting" stage and really, cutting is not a completely accurate term, I and just trying to trim some of the belly fat away. As you can see, the belly area is still not pleasant to look at.
Now, to the question I promised. With all the success you guys have had here, have you had difficulties with the super loose skin from being bigger? I have had a few body fat tests and I am between 17% and 20%, which seems right for everywhere except for the belly region. It is hangy and jiggily. (apologies for the terrible imagery there).
I have tried looking up stuff on line and get all kinds of mixed responses... but I was hoping some people here who has actually experienced this had some good advice!
As I progressed, I eventually made it all the way down to 201. I maintained 201 for about 3 months. I stuck with cardio, did a little circuit weights to maintain fitness. January 2014, I decided I was going to try a bulking stage. I wanted to fill in some of the excess skin with some of those muscley things. I don't want to me lean, I don't want to be a 4% body builder, I just want to look fit and bulky.
After three months of bulking, these images are the results.
I put on about 13 pounds during the bulking stage. Psychologically, that was really tough on me. Being big for so long and losing all the weight, seeing that number go up was not pleasant. However, I knew it was part of my goals, and I was eating as clean as I could with out being completely unrealistic about it.
I am back to a "cutting" stage and really, cutting is not a completely accurate term, I and just trying to trim some of the belly fat away. As you can see, the belly area is still not pleasant to look at.
Now, to the question I promised. With all the success you guys have had here, have you had difficulties with the super loose skin from being bigger? I have had a few body fat tests and I am between 17% and 20%, which seems right for everywhere except for the belly region. It is hangy and jiggily. (apologies for the terrible imagery there).
I have tried looking up stuff on line and get all kinds of mixed responses... but I was hoping some people here who has actually experienced this had some good advice!
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Replies
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Fantastic transformation, congrats on your success!!. Sorry no insight for your question.0
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NIce0
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i actually was having the same problems with mine from being bigger, what seemer to help out mine alot was making sure to keep the skin hydrated, i used coconut oil, i put it on and then put a stomach wrap over my mid section when i do workouts so it keeps the skin hydrated, then when i get home i put some on after the shower, it helps hydrate the skin and tightens it up without dehydrating it0
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You look so awesome!!! Congratulations!!0
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Good thing you are wearing the same neck chain or you wouldn't be recognizable from one picture to the next!0
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Thank You everyone!
re: The body wraps, I have read about them. How well do you think they worked? They always kinda seemed like "As Seen on TV: Magic"...0 -
From what I've read on this, It can take up to two years for you to see this resolve. Although if you were overweight for many years, it may not fully resolve. There is surgery for this - but personally I would consider it as a very last resort, as surgery always carries risks. I'd wait a couple years and see if you can be okay with what you find then.0
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You look amazing. I have extra skin.. it can be really frustrating.. I still have a lot of weight to lose to be where I want to be, but I imagine that I will need a surgery to remove the leftover skin from my arms and abdominal area. I'm interested in non surgery options too because I would like to avoid going under a knife if possible!0
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I used to be 197, down to 165 after a year and a half of working at it. Current status pic I just posted.0
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You look great! Amazing job!0
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I agree, surgery is not an option. I had two torn ACL reconstruction surgeries last year, and that is enough for me. I don't have any asperations of having a six pack (really, I don't even want that look)... I just want a little less floppyness.
I'm patient if all it takes time... I was just hopeing there was something else I could be doing.
I'm really appreciating all the feedback!0 -
Congrats on the weight loss! You look great! From what i have seen posted in the forums before the loose skin will tighten up some eventually over time. The hydration and wraps may help some with the appearance but not sure. But I have to say the loose skin doesn't take away from your success! :flowerforyou:0
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My honest opinion is that surgery would be the only permanent option to get rid of the skin, non-permanent option is to wear compression clothing when exercising or under clothes. Great job on all of your hard work! If you live in Ontario Canada skin removal surgery can be covered by the provincial health insurance plan.0
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Maybe those it works wraps would work? I know that's their whole thing "Tighter firm and tone" or whatever... But I think they have stuff for stretch marks and lose skin as well. Not sure... Just an option that might be worth looking into if the 'patience' part doesn't pay off too well.0
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You look great/0
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Skin that has fully lost its elasticity will not tighten, although you may see improvement with consistent weight training.
I lost over 100lbs and had my lower ab excess skin removed by surgery.
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Okay. Thanks for the input. Here's hoping I haven't lost all the elasticity!0
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3 years ago, my guy lost over 100 lbs with diet and cardio alone.... That left him with A Lot of loose skin... he's been lifting for a year now (and looks awesome), and that loose skin is almost non-existent. The stomach area is where he has the tiniest smidge of loose skin left, but it's not visibly noticeable. I feel it during massages and that's about it.
So keep with the lifting, OP, and be patient. It gets better0 -
Thanks for the great news! Ima keep hitting dat gym!0
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I'll disagree w/ your statement about not wanting a 6 pac. You look amazing and a 6 pac would be the icing on the cake so to speak. CongratsI agree, surgery is not an option. I had two torn ACL reconstruction surgeries last year, and that is enough for me. I don't have any asperations of having a six pack (really, I don't even want that look)... I just want a little less floppyness.
I'm patient if all it takes time... I was just hopeing there was something else I could be doing.
I'm really appreciating all the feedback!0 -
the body wraps are not what is going to do the work, its the coconut oil that does its job, it makes sure the elasticitty in the skin regains and slowly heals it, it takes a long time, but i have used it on myself and my skin has definately tightened up due to the elasticity,0
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A friend of mine uses coconut oil. I'm going to try to borrow some. How exactly do you use it? Just slather it on like a Thanksgiving turkey? How often do you do it and how long do you leave it on before showering?
As for the no six pack, I just don't want to get too lean. I like the thick muscular look vs lean muscular look. Not knocking that look, it just not for me.0 -
Great job! I am looking for help with my loose skin on my stomach area also. I think I might try the coconut oil too!0
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There have been people with great success with tightening loose skin. I know that drinking lots of water, strength training, and time is the best ways to help with that. I have also heard the you can use a derma roller which could help. I have actually been looking into buying one and trying. Also taking collagen pills could help. I have heard that you can use some stuff like vitamin e, rosehip oil, coconut oil, aloe, an cocoa butter which works for some people as well. awesome job on losing the weight too.
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Amazing work - you look great. As to the skin, I've heard it can take up to 2 years for skin to catch up. Regular exfoliating and massaging might help.0
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You look great, skin will get better with time.0
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A friend of mine uses coconut oil. I'm going to try to borrow some. How exactly do you use it? Just slather it on like a Thanksgiving turkey? How often do you do it and how long do you leave it on before showering?
As for the no six pack, I just don't want to get too lean. I like the thick muscular look vs lean muscular look. Not knocking that look, it just not for me.
I massage my guy with coconut oil... so not just "slathering", but rubbing it in. I honestly don't know if this and the skin tightening creams work for loose skin, but it makes for smell good, feel good skin
seriously though, just keep hitting the gym and be patient... give it a year and you should see positive results.0 -
Awesome. I'm going to try this tonight.
Here's to smelling like a Piña colada!0 -
Awesome job!!0
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Well, Day two of coconut oil applications. Obviously I am not expecting any results at this point in time, but I am giving it a go!
Thank you so much everyone for all your encouragement and advice!0
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