Avoiding loose skin!

I have, in total, about six stone to lose (eventually), equivalent to about 84 pounds. The exercise therapist I spoke to said that because of my age (I'm 29) I shouldn't have an issue with loose skin as it should still be springing back, plus I don't plan to do it fast.

Having never lost more than a stone and a half at one go (which didn't result in loose skin), I'm actually quite nervous of getting below that stone barrier and then downwards. Do you guys agree with her? Is it 'slow and steady wins the race'? Or is there anything I can do exercise-wise to make sure this doesn't happen?

Replies

  • mulecanter
    mulecanter Posts: 1,792 Member
    Loose skin is just a symbol of success, wear it with pride. I agree that at your age you have nothing to worry about anyway. Having said that, add weight lifting to your regimen, nothing improves outward appearance more than some shapely muscular curves.
  • lemur_lady
    lemur_lady Posts: 350 Member
    In for answers.

    I am getting loose skin after 94bs loss. It started to show at around 60lbs loss. I still have another 50 to lose though so im worried what im going to end up looking like! Im only 23 :(

    I do make sure to exfoliate and moisturise with coconut oil. Not sure if its helping but it cant hurt right?
  • fay_pigu
    fay_pigu Posts: 125 Member
    Lots of water and a slow loss will also help.
  • _Zardoz_
    _Zardoz_ Posts: 3,987 Member
    The speed you lose weight wont really make a difference (despite what many seem to claim). All that means is that your skin has more time to catch up so it will be less noticeable while you are losing. Think of a balloon. No matter how fast you let the air out at the end it's still a saggy balloon. A lot of if you get loose skin is down to genetics and age and obviously the amount you have to lose. Also it can take up to two years for your skin to retract after the loss. I've lost 10 stone and I'm 45 yes I have some loose skin(though not huge amounts) but I'm confident that the way it's going in the end it will be minimal.

    In reality though no one can guarantee anything but to my mind it's better for you to be 6 stone lighter with the health benefits and life that will give you and some possible loose skin rather than morbidly obese with a possible shorter life span. In all likelihood considering your age you are unlikely to have major problems however I do think it was very unprofessional of your exercise therapist (whatever one of those is) to tell you you wouldn't have a problem because no one can guarantee that.

    All I can say is please don't let this unknown issue that may not even be an issue effect the great work you are doing as in the long term you will thank yourself.

    Good luck and congratulations on your achievements so far
  • CitizenXVIII
    CitizenXVIII Posts: 117 Member
    You can't avoid it, I'm sorry. The good news is, at 29 your skin should adjust. How much will vary from person to person, but given enough time, your skin should re-size itself to some degree.
  • pensierobello
    pensierobello Posts: 285 Member
    Thanks for the advice :) I am scared of it happening, but I guess I can only take it at a sensible rate, work on 'toning' muscles and hope for the best. She didn't say it for certain, she just said that she expected it probably wouldn't be an issue.

    An exercise therapist is exactly what it says, a therapist who specialises in exercise as rehabilitation. They do amazing work - I recently went for a week of rehabilitation with my work, as this is what we do (we support injured and ill people through recovery with physiotherapy, exercise therapy and psychological therapy) and I had a near-death accident a few years ago with life-altering consequences.

    For me, it also helped kickstart my thinking about weight loss and how that could both help me psychologically and physically, with my back and with my health in general. Though it's taken another couple of months to really get into it!
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    genetics, age, how over weight you are, how long you've been overweight, if you've yo-yoed with your weight etc all play a part in loose skin

    it will also improve with time so really no one can give you an answer on how you will look at goal, way too many variables
  • ShannonMpls
    ShannonMpls Posts: 1,936 Member
    The only way to 100% avoid it is to not gain weight in the first place. Unfortunately for us ;)

    People will tell you to hydrate, lose slowly, lift weights...but I haven't seen any science to support that.

    Therefore, I'm in team age and team genetics. You'll either have loose skin or you won't; not much you can do about it. Your age should help, but your genetics matter too. I think hedging your bets and losing slowly (which is wise anyway, in my opinion, as it makes losing less miserable because your deficit is smaller), eating nutritious foods, and staying hydrated is a good plan. Even if those don't assist with skin elasticity, they are still good habits anyway, right?

    I will say this: I'd rather have the loose skin I have than the fat I lost any day of the week. I didn't look great in a swimsuit before, I don't look fantastic now, but I have the confidence not to care. And I look awesome in almost any clothing choices I wish to make :)
  • forkofpower
    forkofpower Posts: 171 Member
    A lot of it is genetic, unfortunately. Some people can do everything right -- slow weight loss, lots of water, exercise -- and still get loose skin. Other people aren't prone to much loose skin at all. It's nothing to be ashamed of though.
  • pensierobello
    pensierobello Posts: 285 Member
    The only way to 100% avoid it is to not gain weight in the first place. Unfortunately for us ;)

    People will tell you to hydrate, lose slowly, lift weights...but I haven't seen any science to support that.

    Therefore, I'm in team age and team genetics. You'll either have loose skin or you won't; not much you can do about it. Your age should help, but your genetics matter too. I think hedging your bets and losing slowly (which is wise anyway, in my opinion, as it makes losing less miserable because your deficit is smaller), eating nutritious foods, and staying hydrated is a good plan. Even if those don't assist with skin elasticity, they are still good habits anyway, right?

    I will say this: I'd rather have the loose skin I have than the fat I lost any day of the week. I didn't look great in a swimsuit before, I don't look fantastic now, but I have the confidence not to care. And I look awesome in almost any clothing choices I wish to make :)

    If I'd known that I shouldn't get fat at 10... damn bullies!

    Yeah, I don't know - my mum is slim and my dad is obese. I've got a lot of his genes. He lost a lot of weight but is still big, so I have no idea where that will go. And like you said about going slow - exactly. I've set it to 1.5 pounds a week, and 1400 is manageable, especially if I exercise. I have no idea how I'd make 1200. Ever.

    Well done you :)
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    In for answers.

    I am getting loose skin after 94bs loss. It started to show at around 60lbs loss. I still have another 50 to lose though so im worried what im going to end up looking like! Im only 23 :(

    I do make sure to exfoliate and moisturise with coconut oil. Not sure if its helping but it cant hurt right?

    Loose skin has many factors.....how far was the skin stretched, how long was the skin stretched, your age, genetics plays a key role too.....some people "age well"....others not so much. Aging well has a lot to do with skin elasticity.

    Skin takes time to rebound.....be patient. I agree with previous poster, strength training helps. Keep the muscle you have and keep whats under the skin nice and firm.
  • amcook4
    amcook4 Posts: 561 Member
    This is one of my fears too, oh well, I'd rather have saggy skin than all this extra fat I"m carrying around. Maybe I'll be one where extra skin is causing infections, then my insurance would pay for it to be removed :laugh: Oh well, just hoping I have good genetics playing in!