How do I shrink my skin to match my weight loss

amberwootan
amberwootan Posts: 4
edited September 25 in Health and Weight Loss
Lately I've noticed that my skin is looser since I've been losing weight. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to encourage my skin to tighten up to match my weight loss faster? I've been trying cocoa butter, but that doesn't really seem to be helping.

Replies

  • Tiana405
    Tiana405 Posts: 270 Member
    bump!
  • b_alanna
    b_alanna Posts: 15
    Its just going to happen. It will tighten up on its own or you would have to get surgery to correct it.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,337 Member
    I second that. You just have to be patient. It probably will tighten up over time, but probably slower than your weight loss.
  • Mad_Dog_Muscle
    Mad_Dog_Muscle Posts: 1,251 Member
    Not an expert, but if you are jot already, Start doing some weight training / toning exercises.
  • zeeeb
    zeeeb Posts: 805 Member
    anybody got a magic wand?

    i need one of them. i have sooooo much tummy skin and i just know it's not going to get better no matter how much weight i lose, 2 caesareans and 20kg just don't make for a bounce back type of tummy.

    i'm hoping to win lotto so i can get some surgery to correct it (and my boobs) once i get to my goals.
  • s_waser
    s_waser Posts: 92
    I used to take vitamin A with is suppose to help with skin elasticity but you have to be careful not to have too much vitamin A because it can make you sick so seek a consult with your local pharmacy or doctor.

    I have heard also that celebrities get those waist, rubber, bands that velcro and you wear it around your stomach and it is suppose to help. You can purchase them at wal-mart in the fitness and exerice isle.

    I think time is what will mainly help because sometimes we lose weight faster than our skin shrinks!
    Good luck!!
  • Mad_Dog_Muscle
    Mad_Dog_Muscle Posts: 1,251 Member
    Not an expert, but if you are jot already, Start doing some weight training / toning exercises.
    *not already that is
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,350 Member
    I have lost a little more than you but I have lost it really slowly with alot of exercise, walking and Aquafit and just lately Zumba. So far my skin has shrunk with the rest of me. I think that exercise takes a while but really helps.
  • aangrisani
    aangrisani Posts: 92
    I second that. You just have to be patient. It probably will tighten up over time, but probably slower than your weight loss.

    You have lost a lot of weight, what is your experience? If you don't mind me asking
    I am afaird that as I lose weight, my stomach skin will sag. My workout consists of cardio and abs daily and circuit training every other day. I also take a body pump class weekly. Will this help me tone my skin?
  • Maxylicious
    Maxylicious Posts: 226 Member
    Try adding more toning exercises and light weightlifting to your work out. Also i hear cold showers are good for tightening and shrinking the skin :bigsmile: lol. good luck!

    -Max
  • RyonsLions2
    RyonsLions2 Posts: 350 Member
    I have been looking into that as well and what I have heard, is before you do any surgery, when you get to your goal weight or close, give it about 1 year to let your skin get back to "normal". I use lotions... Let me tell you the brands.... One is called Vaseline firming, one is called Eucerin Dry Skin Therapy Original, and for my elbows, knees and feet and sometimes hands in the winter I use Carmex and or Heel Rescue Superior Foot Cream. They are both great for knees, elbows, feet and hands. The other lotions I use for all over after a shower. Moisture is MAJOR inside and out. Drink as much water as you can stand but don't make yourself sick on it... Don't go over like 8 or 10 glasses a day. Moisturize every time you take a bath or shower. It's helping me.
  • amberwootan
    amberwootan Posts: 4
    I've been seeing a trainer and doing weight training as well as cardio. I know it will probably happen over time, but I know myself and as I get closer to my goal if I'm not looking the way I want, I may just go back to my old ways. I feel like I can't show off how far I've come until it shrinks up. Thanks to everyone for the ideas. :)
  • amberwootan
    amberwootan Posts: 4
    I know I shouldn't worry about that stuff and just be happy with my progress, I just want to do everything I can.
  • hroderick
    hroderick Posts: 756 Member
    I've had concerns about looking like Adam Sandler in the Click movie and know what I'm gonna do. I'm gonna find cosmetic surgeon to make me a kangaroo pouch for concealed carry
  • RyonsLions2
    RyonsLions2 Posts: 350 Member
    Boxing! I have to tell you I have been boxing with my Kinect XBOX and I noticed that at church I was clapping to the music and my arms weren't flabbing like they used too!!! Try to do some boxing of some sort!!!
  • RyonsLions2
    RyonsLions2 Posts: 350 Member
    Just a foot note on that... I HATE wearing sleeveless shirts because my arms were always SO big. Even when I wasn't over weight.... I hated my arms... but this boxing thing really seems to be the ticket for me.... hope it helps.
  • jkestens63
    jkestens63 Posts: 1,164 Member
    Exercise helps a lot. That said, try not to worry about it. I have lots of sag and bag. Only my hubby sees me nekkid and he loves me whatever I look like, I look great in clothes, and if domeone stares at the extra skin when I am in a bathing suit, well they stared when I was fat, they would stare if I had Angelina Jolie's body. Screw 'em, let them stare. I'm alive, healthy, and happy.
  • callipygianchronicle
    callipygianchronicle Posts: 811 Member
    In addition to exercise, it’s important to lose the weight gradually. So make sure you are not losing more than 2 pounds a week. I have also read several success stories with people who have lost 100 pounds or more and many used the strategy of self-imposed plateaus (going to maintenance calories for a few weeks, every 3 months). This gives your skin some breaks from the constant weight reduction and a chance to catch up.
  • laurenms88
    laurenms88 Posts: 10 Member
    Yeah I was wondering the same thing! What happens to stretch marks when you loose weight? Do they go away, fade, or stay around even without the weight? Will the lotions and exercises help with them too?
  • tryinghard2012
    tryinghard2012 Posts: 419 Member
    Not only does my hands wave, but so does my arms! I'm just living with it, I know over time it's will tighten but for right now I'm focusing on reaching goal and getting healthy. I'd take loose arm skin over 300 pounds any day! :blushing:
  • blakejohn
    blakejohn Posts: 1,129 Member
    depending on how much you have to shink you could try a neoprene waist wrap when you do your cardio and your skin has more elasticity if your over hydrated and like everyone else said it takes time.

    Good luck
  • Heatherbelle_87
    Heatherbelle_87 Posts: 1,078 Member
    Time and Skin firming lotions! Bio Oil DOES help fade stretch marks you can also do laser therapy for stretch marks but they are a scar, and unfortunantly they fade but never go away even with laser therapy. Laser therapy just helps break up the scar tissue so they become finer and less noticeable. But I LOVE my Jergens skin firming lotion, twice a day (yeah it gets expensive) but hydrated skin has the most elaticity. Im sure youre already drinking your water so Bio Oil and Skin Firming lotion it up (not at the same time! one in the am one in the pm!)
  • TaneeisFitforLife
    TaneeisFitforLife Posts: 433
    It basically boils down to age, how long have you been obese/overweight, if you are a smoker and the biggie is genetics.

    It's either going to bounce back or not. I have a FAQ in my blog about it ;)
  • mamagooskie
    mamagooskie Posts: 2,964 Member
    I think it depends on genetics and of course how big you were to how big you will be at goal. I read somewhere that sometimes it can take a year after reaching goal for you skin " to catch up" but it doesn't always go back to how it used to be.

    I think some people end up needing surgery or you can build muscle to "fill" the skin.

    I was also told that certain essential oils are great for firming up skin (I need to research this more) but then you mix the oils in lotion or a massage oil and apply daily and it can help.
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,337 Member
    I second that. You just have to be patient. It probably will tighten up over time, but probably slower than your weight loss.

    You have lost a lot of weight, what is your experience? If you don't mind me asking
    I am afaird that as I lose weight, my stomach skin will sag. My workout consists of cardio and abs daily and circuit training every other day. I also take a body pump class weekly. Will this help me tone my skin?

    I don't mind you asking. I have some loose skin, but not much, and over time it seems to tighten up. I am thinking that when I reach my goal I will wait a few months to see how tight it gets again. I think worrying about lose skin when you have not yet reached your goal is putting the cart before the horse. If you are young your skin is still very elastic. Strength training will help as you go and when you get there, but the best thing is time.
  • KeriA
    KeriA Posts: 3,350 Member
    In addition to exercise, it’s important to lose the weight gradually. So make sure you are not losing more than 2 pounds a week. I have also read several success stories with people who have lost 100 pounds or more and many used the strategy of self-imposed plateaus (going to maintenance calories for a few weeks, every 3 months). This gives your skin some breaks from the constant weight reduction and a chance to catch up.
    Yes! The Biggest Loser makes us all think we have to lose too much weight too fast. I haven't had self imposed plateaus but I have had one and I found I kept slimming even though I wasn't losing pounds. In fact I feel like it wasn't until my plateau that some of the weight loss was more evident. If someone has already lost too fast then they shouldn't give up just give it some more time. If you are starting out take it slow if you have alot to lose. The other benefit is keeping weight off and a plateau gives you practice at maintaining as well. However exercise is key. Some people find they can lose without exercising but then later they complain about lose skin.
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