How to avoid the SAG?

MamaBear010813
MamaBear010813 Posts: 10
edited November 11 in Health and Weight Loss
I am a 27 year old mother who delivered via C-section 2 years ago.
My weight loss goal is 80lbs (if I reach my goal and feel like I need to lose more, I will continue to).
The majority of my weight is in my torso. Belly fat, upper arms, FUPA, spare tire.
I have changed eating habits, and walk a mile daily, at least.
I want to do this right so that I don't have what most people who lose the amount of weight that I am wanting to lose go through...
THAT DREADED SKIN SAG.
Not afraid of hard work, and while I am knowledgeable about the dietary part of my journey, I lack the knowledge of physical part.
Looking for suggestions, steps to take, advice or whatever has worked best for you if you are in a similar situation!
Thanks!

Replies

  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    edited January 2015
    Do not crash diet; losing weight too fast increase the risk of saggy skin.
    Be realistic about your weight loss. At first, people lose faster, but that pace doesn't stay. A right amount to lose is about 1% of your weight per week.
    Then, lift weights!!! It allows you to retain your lean mass as much as possible. People who do only cardio or no exercise at all are at a higher risk to get the "sag".

    Edit: typo. 1% not 10%
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    Nothing you can really do.

    If you're gonna get it, you'll get it. If not... you wont. There really is no consistently effective prevention.

    You'll probably get some sag, but you'll probably find in ain't all as bad as you thought, and nothing to be really worried about in the first place.

    Losing the weight is soooooo much more important you ought a focus on that for a while, right?
  • SergeantSausage
    SergeantSausage Posts: 1,673 Member
    Be realistic about your weight loss. At first, people lose faster, but that pace doesn't stay. A right amount to lose is about 10% of your weight per week.

    YIKES!

    1% right?

    ftfy.

  • Piro22
    Piro22 Posts: 4
    10%? Apart from a chainsaw I really don't think that's possible...
  • Definitely not crash dieting, just started making wiser choices. Eating more often, square meals (as opposed to eating one large meal late at night, since my SO works late and I spend my day chasing my toddler around), cutting out soda and increasing my water intake (I have always bordered on the edge of dehydration, because soda was all I drank.) More balanced meals, more veggies (not slathered in butter or salt), become more adventurous with seasonings and realizing that there is more out there than just salt (newest faves are cinnamon and cayenne, which I've heard are good for your metabolism).
    My workout is as of right now, a step video which gives me steps that equal a mile in 14 minutes, but includes side steps, ham curls, high stepping, arm movements, the same chick does a 2 mile which includes squats and similar movements but at a faster pace, and in her 3 mile video, she introduces weights.
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    edited January 2015
    10% is a third of my goal... Maybe 1-2% is reasonable. Also not sure about Tate of loss making a difference, those fibers got compromised on the way up the scale, unfortunately. Of course don't crash diet, though
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Skin: not much to do other than lift weights and not smoke
  • LOL I was like, "10%? I'LL MEET MY GOAL IN NO TIME."
  • I'm a non smoker, so CHECK!
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    tomatoey wrote: »
    10% is a third of my goal... Maybe 1-2% is reasonable. Also not sure about Tate of loss making a difference, those fibers got compromised on the way up the scale, unfortunately. Of course don't crash diet, though

    Then you should be done in about three weeks... what's takin' ya so long? ;)
  • bennettinfinity
    bennettinfinity Posts: 865 Member
    OP - I think you're getting some good advice here... lift; you won't get bulky, and don't rush the weight loss; it'll give your skin time to bounce back... and it should - you're only 27! Good luck!
  • Ooci
    Ooci Posts: 247 Member
    I've been very lucky. 40 lb off, not a stretch mark, extra wrinkle, sag - nothing -I'm 41. There's plenty of fat there though so we'll see what happens when that goes!
    I lost the weight slowly, I don't smoke, I eat well and I exercise a lot. I also don't work or have kids and I think that makes a big difference as if I'm tired I go to bed. Best of luck - as has been remarked, losing the fat is far more important than a bit of sag!
  • Thank you! All of you, for the advice!
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    Oops guys, my bad, I indeed wanted to type 1%, not 10%.
  • Steph_135
    Steph_135 Posts: 3,280 Member
    Lifting! And lose slowly. I agree with the others. Other than that, just accept your body as it is. I am pretty sure I will never have firm under arms, but the growing bicep muscle makes up for it. :p Good luck!
  • jennifershoo
    jennifershoo Posts: 3,198 Member
    Oh and Mamabear, i just wanted to add that sometimes, it's genetic. Like the stretch marks. Whatever you do, you might get them or not. Good luck!
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