84lbs lost but scared to lose anymore :(

L_N_S · February 2015

Hi there I've been reading a lot of other people's success stories and decided to share my own journey.

I am 25 years old and have been overweight my entire life. I have also been dealing with PCOS and HS since I was 14, so I wasn't just overweight. I spent every year telling myself that this was the year I would finally lose the weight, but I never did. Instead I continued to gain more and more weight until one day I stepped on the scale and saw 306lbs! I was completely disgusted with myself and had hard time even looking in the mirror. That day I decided to change my life.

I found MFP and started logging everything I ate. It didn't take very long before I got my diet under control and started exercising. I began by walking 2 miles 4 days a week at a local park with my sister. After a couple of months I joined a gym and started doing a little strength training as well. The weight started coming off, which was exciting so I started to work even harder.

Fast foward to 7 months later and I have lost 84 lbs, currently weighing 222 lbs and I'm 5'9. I see myself in clothes and I am proud of how far I have come. It's when I'm not in clothes that I start to freak out about what my body is going to end up looking like. The lighting in the second pictures is not very good so it's hard to see but I have a gazillion stretch marks on my stomach and legs. I'm starting to see some loose skin (or the rippling effect of stretch marks) on my stomach and thighs. I'm scared that I'm going to end up looking like a saggy mess if I lose the last 42lbs to my goal weight.

Has anyone else had this problem or have any advice on how to overcome it?

I haven't been logging my food in a while because I've decided to halt my weightloss and start focusing only on strength training to build muscle. I've also been gluten free for a few months now so staying at my recommended calories has been very easy.

In the end I guess I'm just scared! We all start this journey to either get healthy or because we want to look better. For me it was both, and now I'm not sure how to get past the looking better part.

Feel free to email me! Whether it be advice for me or anyone else looking for support I would be happy to help!

Thanks!
LNS

littlebrownbat3 · February 2015

There have been a bunch of posts, from what I gather the skin does begin to retract over time, although many elect for surgery to remove it. Continue your weightloss, and be patient with your body

JenniferIsLosingIt · February 2015

As young as you are you should have a better chance of the skin retracting, strength training will help tremndously. COntinue to drink lots of water, and be patient. Then once you hit goal, have a consult with a plastic surgeon and see what they say...You have done a fantastic job! Keep up the good work!

mangotango · February 2015

You look so much better now and have greatly improved your health. Your will shrink some too

You might find out from a pharmacist if the creams for scars could help with stretch marks. I don't know but I would certainly research it.

Congratulations on your wonderful achievement. My opinion would be keep on keeping on!

ElvenToad · February 2015

I am in the exact same boat as you. Down 82lbs and 50lbs to go. Stretch marks I've had all my life, the worst are on my stomach. Those don't bother me as much as the sagging skin I'm starting to see. Plastic surgery will never be an option for me so learning to live with it and just being comfortable in my clothes will have to do.

TheVirgoddess · February 2015

I think you look amazing and I don't see stretch marks at all. You've done something really incredible for yourself!

You could start to incorporate some weight lifting into your routine - that way you'll retain muscle mass AND be strong

loosinit42806 · February 2015

Wow you look amazing!!! I don't see ne stretch marks or sagging skin:) it looks like toning is key, lift weights, planking will help; )

flumi_f · February 2015

I think, your skin is retracting very nicely in that short time! It takes up to two years for skin to 'catch' up. Strength training is certainly good for you and the muscle will fill up the skin a bit. It's possible, that you'll get 'stuck' with some extra skin, but you will still be healthier and fitter. If it doesn't retract completely there is still the possiblity of surgery.

I was also overweight all of my life (now 45). My highest weight was 213, now 126. On a 5'1'' frame...My skin (abs and belly apron) looks much worse than yours. I opted to get my bust fixed last October and will have the skin on my abs/apron removed in June. I carried most of my weight in front and gained quickly during puberty. That caused massive ripping and my skin will not bounce back in these areas.

ecclesse · February 2015

You have lost a lot of weight in a short amount of time so your skin has not had a chance to keep up. I started at 286 and have made it to 181. While I do have some loose skin, its not too bad. I am over 50 and did this over a period of two years. I have been a regular at the gym for the last 14 months mixing cardio and strength training.

You have done an awesome job. Your body will continue to follow your lead so be patient and stay focused on your goal. Good Luck.

Tracey_B_72 · February 2015

You really don't have any sagging skin, I know because I do have it, but I can also tell you I have stretch marks, I had a 11lb 1oz baby and was huge, but what I thought I'd be left with stopped me really trying to lose weight for 12 years!

At 40 I decided it was time to go for it, you know what I'm so glad I did, I don't have a smooth flat stomach and I have a small over hang, but that is shrinking, but I do have some damn sexy sides even with a few faded stretch marks. I love my shape, I've a tiny waist I never knew I had, check my profile pic out I took it today, not bad for 42 if I do say so myself.

Don't let fear stop you going further and going for what you really want, the positives outways the negatives, if your happy stop now but you've done so well and you know what to do if you want to carry on.

shadowloss · February 2015

Outstanding accomplishment. I wouldn't say to stop you weight loss, but to slow it down. That's an incredible amount of weight to lose so quickly. Your still young and it's highly likely your skin will retract.

Drink tons of water, keep lifting, and enjoy the hell out of your hard work and be proud of what you've accomplished.

L_N_S · February 2015

Thank you for all your kind words and advice! I'm going to continue on my journey and just take one day at a time.

L_N_S · February 2015

Tracey_B_72 wrote: »

You really don't have any sagging skin, I know because I do have it, but I can also tell you I have stretch marks, I had a 11lb 1oz baby and was huge, but what I thought I'd be left with stopped me really trying to lose weight for 12 years!

At 40 I decided it was time to go for it, you know what I'm so glad I did, I don't have a smooth flat stomach and I have a small over hang, but that is shrinking, but I do have some damn sexy sides even with a few faded stretch marks. I love my shape, I've a tiny waist I never knew I had, check my profile pic out I took it today, not bad for 42 if I do say so myself.

Don't let fear stop you going further and going for what you really want, the positives outways the negatives, if your happy stop now but you've done so well and you know what to do if you want to carry on.

Tracey you look amazing! You inspire me to keep going and get healthy!

AyaRowan · February 2015

You look great, believe me. I was 318lb at my highest weight, and I'm 224lb now. I wish I looked that good. I have what some people call a B belly, or double rolls. My belly isn't flat like yours. You can't even see my belly button, it's hidden between two giant rolls when I'm standing. My fat kinda hangs on me, but yours is well-distributed and should tighten up over time as long as you drink lots of water, exfoliate, and moisturize.

You hit the genetic lottery with fat distribution, it looks to me!

maggierenee88 · February 2015

You look amazing. Don't be scared they're just reminders of what you went through. Battle scars lol. But I agree what other people have said about being young and retracting, it's possible. I lost 90lbs in total and no loose skin, I still have stretch mark scars but they've faded.. I just keep them away from the sun bc if they get burned it's extra terrible.

L_N_S · February 2015

AyaRowan wrote: »

You look great, believe me. I was 318lb at my highest weight, and I'm 224lb now. I wish I looked that good. I have what some people call a B belly, or double rolls. My belly isn't flat like yours. You can't even see my belly button, it's hidden between two giant rolls when I'm standing. My fat kinda hangs on me, but yours is well-distributed and should tighten up over time as long as you drink lots of water, exfoliate, and moisturize.

You hit the genetic lottery with fat distribution, it looks to me!

@AyaRowan Thank you! I appreciate the kind words! Best of luck on your journey it sounds like you have done absolutely amazing so far

AyaRowan · February 2015

Thanks! I've been meaning to take some pics so I can see the difference as I lose more, so I took a few. Was too ashamed to take full body before pics. My biggest problem is that my overall body silhouette refuses to change! You can barely see anymore womanly curve to my shape than when I was even larger. Basically I'm the same body shape, I just wear a size 18 jeans instead of a size 26 jeans. Badly need to recomposition my body and build muscle/lose fat. Seeing such lack of body shape change has made me lose motivation and stall for the past half a year. Trying to get back into it and work even harder.

Anyway, the point is that your body shape is awesome and is taking the weight loss extremely well! Your hard work has paid off and the results are very visible. Keep up the good work.

Progress%20Pics%2094lb%20lost%20700%20pixels_zpsohggg7bl.jpg

Progress%20Pics%2094lb%20lost%20700%20pixels_zpsohggg7bl.jpg

L_N_S · February 2015

AyaRowan wrote: »

Thanks! I've been meaning to take some pics so I can see the difference as I lose more, so I took a few. Was too ashamed to take full body before pics. My biggest problem is that my overall body silhouette refuses to change! You can barely see anymore womanly curve to my shape than when I was even larger. Basically I'm the same body shape, I just wear a size 18 jeans instead of a size 26 jeans. Badly need to recomposition my body and build muscle/lose fat. Seeing such lack of body shape change has made me lose motivation and stall for the past half a year. Trying to get back into it and work even harder.

Anyway, the point is that your body shape is awesome and is taking the weight loss extremely well! Your hard work has paid off and the results are very visible. Keep up the good work.

Don't give up! You have come waaay too far to not finish. Maybe it would help you to do what I'm doing and just take a few months and focus on strength training to build up some muscle. You are looking great though and all your hard work shows! At the end of day we have to remember that this is our journey and how we choose to finish it is our own.

hippygirl325 · February 2015

I agree with everyone! You actually look great for how far you've come and I think that if you continue toning and strength training you will be right as rain. I also emailed you.

rayw89 · February 2015

I don't see sagging, I think you're doing wonderfully! Moisturizing all over every day may make you feel a little better self-image-wise. I know it's helped me before.

franklin505 · February 2015

You look amazing, well done, I think that your body is toning up nicely, keep it up.

Mccmack · February 2015

I haven't been logging my food in a while because I've decided to halt my weightloss and start focusing only on strength training to build muscle. I've also been gluten free for a few months now so staying at my recommended calories has been very easy This seems like a contradiction. If you are not aware of what you are eating, it seems like you might not know if you are eating the recommended calories. I would encourage you to have a plan. If you don't want to lose weight, then that is ok, but have a plan. It takes work to maintain what you have accomplished and a maintenanc plan is just as important as a weight loss plan. Congratulations for losing 84 pounds. You look great.

dinobomp · February 2015

All I can say is I'd " kill" for the body you have now!! Great job, you have been very successful!!

mrsmuckster · February 2015

You look great and are getting healthier. When I started losing weight, a friend said something about I would get loose skin. Though I don't see it on you, I do have some, (I'm quite a bit older than you) but I'd still rather have loose skin and be healthy than be obese.

Marlene1667 · February 2015

Wear your stretch marks and loose skin as a badge of honour for your amazing achievement. Proof of the your incredible journey!

determined24girl · February 2015

Your looking great! Don't give up now, The difference in your pictures is amazing!

Liftng4Lis · February 2015

Awesome work, keep getting it!

Troy13691 · March 2015

Well done you've done amazing girl . Bio oil is something chemist recommend for stretch marks . Works wonders that stuff as for lose skin your still really young so with patience it should bounce back definitely keep up the weight training and lifting to improve your chances

you do look great though so don't stress

OrganicCat · March 2015

Years ago, I had a friend that lost about 80 lbs, and she was really short. She looked great, but I did notice some loose skin. She moved away and when I saw her again (a year later), her skin looked fantastic. She hadn't had surgery or anything, but her skin did seem to shrink over that year since I'd seen her.

amandastock · March 2015

Your skin will probably look great. I've had three 9lb+ babies in my 20s which made my stomach huge for a while and it's always gone back to flat after some time. It does take time tho. About a year or so. My last baby is 4 months and I still have sagging skin but it's going away. I think however long it took for your stomach to stretched give yourself that long to unstretch.

Aniwani32 · March 2015

I think you'll be fine. Your still young. Where as me I didn't quite get to 300lbs, but the stretch marks I have from my first child are like zebra stripes. Thick, ripped skin, 12 years later they are still pink. I am going to have major skin issues.
Well done on losing the weight you look fantastic.

84lbs lost but scared to lose anymore :(

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