Are you Age 40+, lost 70+ lbs, without loose skin?

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Replies

  • Kalikel
    Kalikel Posts: 9,603 Member

    1. Age
    2. How much weight you lost
    3. How quickly you lost it
    4. How much weight resistance and intensity you did during the process
    5. Did you drink a lot of water?
    6. Did you moisturize your skin daily?
    7. What type, if any, of exercises outside of weight resistance did you do and how often?
    OK, I do not meet the criteria, but will tell you this, anyway, in case you're interested.
    1. Mid forties
    2. I had lost 71 pounds, now at 62, quick weight gain due to interference of meds
    3. Unsure, maybe 8-9 months, most came off very quickly at the beginning
    4. Not a ton at first, more later. I tried the weight machines, but I hated the gym, so I do my weights in the water.
    5. Yes. Lots and lots.
    6. No, but it live in a very humid place where lotions aren't necessary to keep skin moist and soft.
    7. I swim, which includes resistance. When the weather is cooperative, I walk.

    I had begun to develop a lot of loose skin. It wasn't so bad that people would see it, but it was there in some areas. However, my skin was stretched way past just needing to lose seventy pounds.

    When I had my quick weight gain, which I'm finishing up, the loose skin disappeared. I can still push lightly and see the loose buds, though. I'm concerned that this temporary setback will cause it to be worse as I begin re-losing the same pounds. I've never lost and gained and re-lost the same pounds before.

    Fwiw, I do not believe that moisturizing will help, as it has a lot to with the elasticity of the skin, which is naturally lost as time goes on. Moisturizing can't change that.

    Yes, this place is normally very rude. There are actually posters who sign in just to be rude and never, ever post anything that isn't rude. Make liberal use of the Ignore thing.
  • Liftng4Lis
    Liftng4Lis Posts: 15,151 Member
    Ha! I'm 45 lost 15 pounds in two months and I have loose skin. I've lifted weighs the whole time, 5 days a week. Drink at LEAST 12 bottles of water a day (though I don't always record it) and I moisturize. I also cardio 5 days a week.
    Getting old sucks!

    Do you have a history of smoking?
    Yes I did smoke. I didn't say I had a lot of loose skin as a mater of fact no one else would notice it (even on my gobblers).I just find it when I'm laying down. My point was that as we get older, our bodies change. I only had 19 pounds to lose, you have 70, so take it slow.
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    I lost 82#. I was 54 then, and pushing 60 now. The first year I had loose skin, but within a year or so I noticed more firming. I think it takes time and exercise (toning and strength training along with cardio). I lost my weight in 8 months. I just started incorporating weights on a more regular basis now and do notice a lot of improvement with my bat wings. I do think that age (and yes, genetics) plays a big part in this, as our skin looses elasticity as we age, and for women thru menopause years. Smoking plays a part in belly fat. I was a smoker up until this June, but when I lost the weight, I have to say, I was amazed that, for the most part I lost a lot of belly fat. Best wishes on your journey. You had very valid questions here. Many of us worry about the loose skin after a big weight loss.

    Thank you! It is good to know that the loose skin was able to firm up over time through weight training.

    I suppose for me since I am not yet menopausal (just turned 40 last month), I don't smoke and in reality if I am to be at a healthy weight I have to lose only 40-50 lbs, then perhaps this weight loss won't cause loose skin? I am encouraged by your response.
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    If you really want to know how to lose weight without ending up with loose skin, the experience of people who "failed" could be just as informative as the experience of people who "succeeded" (in quotes because I don't equate skin with failure).

    I think that you asked very specifically for responses only from a very narrow group of people because your goal is to feel better, not to get information. That's fine - nothing wrong with that., but this forum is a tough place when that is the goal. You are just trying to get people to tell you what you want to hear, and, in my experience on this forum, that rarely goes well. I think that is why some people have reacted to your original post in a way you find mean and negative.

    I see nothing out of hand or out of order from my original post. If anyone reacts to it negatively it is because they are sensitive about the loose skin topic, which I understand completely.

    I do not mean to come off as rude in any way, but the reality is, it is harder for me to learn how to "do what she/he did" from someone who hasn't accomplished the goal I am seeking.

    The truth is, is that I never had children, I never smoked, I just hit 40 last month, so I am not menopausal and although I would "like" to lose 70 lbs it isn't necessary for my health and I would look rather normal if I lost only 40-50 lbs. 70 lbs is me at a very thin and SVELT weight. I avoid the sun etc.. Additionally, my weight gain and loss has been extremely slow over 10 years, so no huge fluctuations to stretch out my skin.

    So, yes, although I am trying to feel better about this, I am MORE interested in learning from those who have been able to avoid lose "skin"/fat under skin, what have you. AND how they do it.

    However anyone responds to my desire to find this out is their responsibility. I cannot be careful to not offend those who have loose skin. Believe me, I feel terribly for you and I respect you all the same. But it is not uncommon or in any way wrong for me to both expect or desire to not have it in the end of my weight loss. And no, being over 40 doesn't mean I should be disrespected for this expectation either.

    I do realize there will be a bunch of disgruntled, frustrated naysayers when it comes to this topic. But it is not from these people I want to hear from, because in my opinion, if they have this attitude, they won't attain their goal. I will only converse with optimistic people.
  • barbz2119
    barbz2119 Posts: 124 Member

    1. Age
    2. How much weight you lost
    3. How quickly you lost it
    4. How much weight resistance and intensity you did during the process
    5. Did you drink a lot of water?
    6. Did you moisturize your skin daily?
    7. What type, if any, of exercises outside of weight resistance did you do and how often?

    My sister has lost quite a bit of weight in the past year, she says 50lbs I think more. She has a lot of loose skin as she has gone down about 3 dress sizes, but is so happy with the weight loss she doesn't care. If she had the money she says she would have the surgery to remove the loose skin, but doesn't so she wont.
    She's 55, she drinks loads of water, moisturizes daily, exercises 7 days a week, does weight training, pilates, yoga and spinning.
    I think it is all about genetics. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, enjoy your journey and don't stress about what might happen.
    Good luck!
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    I am 62 and lost over 80 pounds. I lost it slowly. I did do some weight training. I do have some loose skin, but it is getting better with time. At my age there wasn't a lot of elasticity left and I had been fat for a long time. You will find a very small number of people, if any, that do not have this problem at all. Do not make this a deterrent to your losing weight. It is so worth it. Congrats on your decision to get healthier. Good luck!

    Thank you! Congrats on your weight loss.

    To be clear, in my opinion, loose skin or not, weight loss is always a healthier venture.

    If I have to, I will have the surgery to correct loose skin.

    Although I have a suspicion that perhaps the skin of someone losing weight after menopause may react differently than pre menopause. I may be wrong about this... And i wonder also if loose skin is determined by how quickly someone gained and lost over the years. And if it is under a certain amount of weight and how it was distributed throughout the body. My weight is gained evenly all over my body for the most part. It is more in the stomach, but my skin is very firm.
  • marilandica
    marilandica Posts: 88 Member
    I'm 48 and lost over 100 lbs. I have what I consider to be -- and what seems to be in comparison to some -- very minimal loose skin, although I have quite a few stretch marks. Why? Who knows. I lost the weight quite gradually -- over about 18 months, although my peak weight loss period (1-2 lbs per week) seemed to take place over about 8 months. I've kept it off now for about 9 months. I do not weight train, although I am naturally strong and a bit muscular and do a lot of gardening and other outdoor activity. I also fitness walk 5 miles per day at 4.5 mph typically 5-6 days per week with additional hiking or other exercise on weekends. I didn't follow a "diet" beyond eating less (count those calories) and exercising more.

    It seems to me that loose skin is a small price to pay for a radical increase in health and fitness. Personally, I would worry about getting healthy (no small task -- my process wasn't complicated, but it also wasn't easy) before I spent any time fretting about possible side effects of the process.
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member

    1. Age
    2. How much weight you lost
    3. How quickly you lost it
    4. How much weight resistance and intensity you did during the process
    5. Did you drink a lot of water?
    6. Did you moisturize your skin daily?
    7. What type, if any, of exercises outside of weight resistance did you do and how often?

    My sister has lost quite a bit of weight in the past year, she says 50lbs I think more. She has a lot of loose skin as she has gone down about 3 dress sizes, but is so happy with the weight loss she doesn't care. If she had the money she says she would have the surgery to remove the loose skin, but doesn't so she wont.
    She's 55, she drinks loads of water, moisturizes daily, exercises 7 days a week, does weight training, pilates, yoga and spinning.
    I think it is all about genetics. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, enjoy your journey and don't stress about what might happen.
    Good luck!

    Thanks for the encouragement. Yes, I see going after weight loss and health to be a worthy endeavor no matter the age. I do wonder if perhaps since your sister is post menopausal this could have contributed to the loose skin. But who knows ;)
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    I'm 48 and lost over 100 lbs. I have what I consider to be -- and what seems to be in comparison to some -- very minimal loose skin, although I have quite a few stretch marks. Why? Who knows. I lost the weight quite gradually -- over about 18 months, although my peak weight loss period (1-2 lbs per week) seemed to take place over about 8 months. I've kept it off now for about 9 months. I do not weight train, although I am naturally strong and a bit muscular and do a lot of gardening and other outdoor activity. I also fitness walk 5 miles per day at 4.5 mph typically 5-6 days per week with additional hiking or other exercise on weekends. I didn't follow a "diet" beyond eating less (count those calories) and exercising more.

    It seems to me that lose skin is a small price to pay for a radical increase in health and fitness. Personally, I would worry about getting healthy (no small task -- my process wasn't complicated, but it also wasn't easy) before I spent any time fretting about possible side effects of the process.

    Thanks for the input! It is good to know what you did and congrats. I see you move around a lot in the day, this is encouraging.

    I agree. I am already determined to lose weight for the health benefits, but understandably I want to do everything I can to set up a reasonable tactic and plan to avoid the loose skin moving forward, I do love having a good body and feeling attractive, it isn't for me a choice of one or the other. nor do I see this as getting in my way. If i follow my normal way, I would work out really hard, lose really fast and end up with that loose skin, but I am determined to do it right.

    If I lose this weight and the skin is there, I will try to get the surgery, but I suspect since like you (assuming you are pre-menopausal) I would possibly shrink back without a lot of it.
  • datleprechaun
    datleprechaun Posts: 21
    I am only 22 but I thought maybe my own experience might be helpful, sorry if this is not the response you are looking for.

    So far I have lost almost 70lbs and I have no loose skin. Actually I've been noticing it's tightening lately, all of a sudden I look a lot thinner. I lost that since last summer and I'd say it's taken a year for that to all tighten, hopefully it'll tighten some more.
    Incase you're wondering, no I didn't lose it slowly and healthily, actually I ended up yo-yoing for most of it (very, very bad thing to do) but still my skin seems fine regardless.

    I have another 35-55lbs that I wanna lose and I'd say I'll probably have some loose skin but in all honesty there is surgery for this kind of thing if it's that bad. I'll try and build muscle to fill in the loose skin but if it's still not great looking I'll look for other options.
    I know we're of different ages but if I lost 70lbs and my skin is fine with losing weight in a bad time period and with no maintenance (I'm terrible for drinking water and stuff) I can't imagine you'll be too bad either, especially if you're taking care of yourself.
    Good luck!
  • PoesyP
    PoesyP Posts: 37 Member
    I'm over 40 and been big all my life and I've lost about 60lbs from my highest weight but I still have a fair way to go. I have no sign of loose skin yet. I don't want to count my chickens, but I think I have a good chance of getting away with losing it all without loose skin, or at least minimal. Why? Well, I can look at my skin now and it's good, it's bright and healthy and bouncy and as I get smaller, everything is lifting and tightening.

    I could list a million lifestyle reasons why that might be, but I don't think it would help you because I'd only be guessing and personally I suspect how your skin handles the expansion is the crucial bit and it's too late to influence that anyway.

    But one thing I do know for certain is that genetically I have skin that is prone to over-production of collagen and I suspect that is what's really making a difference as to how it's behaving with weight loss.
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    I'm over 40 and been big all my life and I've lost about 60lbs from my highest weight but I still have a fair way to go. I have no sign of loose skin yet. I don't want to count my chickens, but I think I have a good chance of getting away with losing it all without loose skin, or at least minimal. Why? Well, I can look at my skin now and it's good, it's bright and healthy and bouncy and as I get smaller, everything is lifting and tightening.

    I could list a million lifestyle reasons why that might be, but I don't think it would help you because I'd only be guessing and personally I suspect how your skin handles the expansion is the crucial bit and it's too late to influence that anyway.

    But one thing I do know for certain is that genetically I have skin that is prone to over-production of collagen and I suspect that is what's really making a difference as to how it's behaving with weight loss.


    Congrats! Although I believe that skin does play a role, I am in the camp of thinking that muscle loss plays an enormous role in firmness and tightness of the skin. For example anyone over 50 loses a pound of muscle a year and leading up to fifty after the age of thirty one can lose 15 pounds of muscle purely by being sedentary, combine that with rapid weight loss, stealing muscle weight instead of fat, you end up with unsupported skin. This is why I suspect this happens, I am not sold on the lose "skin" topic. This is why I am asking these questions. I DO benefit from knowing what you do at home. I too have good collagen but I suspect it is my atrophied muscles that will do me in in the end of this if I purely cut out calories.

    Do you eat a lot of protein at your meals?
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    This man is 42, lost over 100 pounds and thus far has avoided loose skin.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omxM4rqxLPE
  • Live_To_Win
    Live_To_Win Posts: 340 Member
    1. Age - 49
    2. How much weight you lost - 90
    3. How quickly you lost it - 9 months
    4. How much weight resistance and intensity you did during the process - Only for the last 2 months
    5. Did you drink a lot of water? - 12 - 20 8oz glasses a day
    6. Did you moisturize your skin daily? - Nope
    7. What type, if any, of exercises outside of weight resistance did you do and how often? Walking, lots of walking

    I have just a little bit of loose skin on my upper arms and in my belly where I I carried most of my weight
  • PoesyP
    PoesyP Posts: 37 Member
    I am in the camp of thinking that muscle loss plays an enormous role in firmness and tightness of the skin.

    I think in the case of people with a smaller amount of loose skin it will certainly make a difference, but in the serious cases I've seen no amount of muscle will solve that.

    The thing with most of the stuff you listed - resistence exercise, moisturising, drinking water etc - none of that's going to harm you in anyway, so even if it's just in hope, you may as well!

    For me, I've always moisturised, since being a teenager, and I've always drurnk water - I'm old enough that I grew up when that was the drink provided on the school lunch tables and you had drinking fountains! My main exercise is swimming so that does build muscle, but I've only very recently started going to the gym a few times a week and really resistence exercising. I don't particularly aim to eat protein but I do consume a fair bit of milk as well as my meals so I don't think I'm particularly low on it either! Average, I guess! :-)
  • brewinggirl_butskinnier
    brewinggirl_butskinnier Posts: 108 Member
    I had less loose skin after my second pregnancy than after my first (the skin on my belly actually was tighter after my second pregnancy than it was before the pregnancy), in spite of the fact that I was 9 years older (42) the second pregnancy.

    I personally think that this was due to wearing a compression garment for 3 months after I had my second child. I wore it for 23 hours per day.

    Granted this is completely anecdotal.

    None of the other factors (water, how quickly I lost weight etc) was any different.
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    1. Age - 49
    2. How much weight you lost - 90
    3. How quickly you lost it - 9 months
    4. How much weight resistance and intensity you did during the process - Only for the last 2 months
    5. Did you drink a lot of water? - 12 - 20 8oz glasses a day
    6. Did you moisturize your skin daily? - Nope
    7. What type, if any, of exercises outside of weight resistance did you do and how often? Walking, lots of walking

    I have just a little bit of loose skin on my upper arms and in my belly where I I carried most of my weight

    Congrats! 90 is a lot! I believe walking is considered a weight bearing exercise. You drink a lot of water. Very good. Thanks for the input.
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    This man is 42, lost over 100 pounds and thus far has avoided loose skin.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omxM4rqxLPE

    Actually I realize he lost 140 lbs. not 100
  • lalalalalaurie
    lalalalalaurie Posts: 80 Member
    I had less loose skin after my second pregnancy than after my first (the skin on my belly actually was tighter after my second pregnancy than it was before the pregnancy), in spite of the fact that I was 9 years older (42) the second pregnancy.

    I personally think that this was due to wearing a compression garment for 3 months after I had my second child. I wore it for 23 hours per day.

    Granted this is completely anecdotal.

    None of the other factors (water, how quickly I lost weight etc) was any different.


    How interesting!!! I wonder if spanx and a right bra will keep my skin tighter while I lose! I am going to look up compression now. Thanks for your input
  • LoneWolf_70
    LoneWolf_70 Posts: 1,151 Member
    I am soon to be 44, have lost 110, unfortunately, there is little you can do as loose skin will happen, but...loose skin is better than fat skin. My advice? Lift weights, eat 1.25g of protein per goal weight.
  • brewinggirl_butskinnier
    brewinggirl_butskinnier Posts: 108 Member
    This man is 42, lost over 100 pounds and thus far has avoided loose skin.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=omxM4rqxLPE

    I actually do dry brush (one of his recommendations) and think it might help but even if it doesn't...it's a good thing. Generally great for keeping dry skin in check and very invigorating.

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