any ideas how i can make my arms look better?

You need to be lifting weights to improve your arms and create definition, swimming will help but the weights will make more difference and get you teh arms you want.

You just need some dumbbells and then do various forms of bicep curls, tricep extensions and press/pull downs. Don't just focus on the arms though as to make them really look good you need to work on your shoulders (Deltoids) as well. For those there are lateral and frontal raises, shoulder press, bent over rear delt raise, upright row and the Arnold press. You say you are a complete novice at this sort of thing so either seek help at your local gym or Google can be your friend where you will find videos on how to do all those exercises

For your triceps you can do dips off the sofa or dining room chair. So place your palms on the edge of the chair so that your fingers are over the edge, have your legs stretched out in front of you with toes pointing up and lower your body down slowly so that your bum is just off the floor, then push back up. If you find this difficult the place your feet flat on the floor with a 45 degree bend in your legs.
Biceps... Stand up and curl any weight you can manage, or sit down with your back upright, this will eliminate any potential swing.
Shoulders again standing or sitting and press the weight above your head. Aim for 3-5 sets of about 8-12 repitions with 30 seconds rest between each set, and just see how you go.
Good luck

Lift, lift, lift.

Yoga... Great shoulders really help

Years ago I used a book called "Look great sleeveless". It has lots and lots of weight lifting tips and routines, especially for arms. You can certainly do them at home with weights, don't need a gym. Here's a link to the book on Amazon.

http://amazon.com/Look-Great-Sleeveless-Beautiful-Shoulders/dp/B000J3EGL2

I also highly suggest a kettlebell for at-home strength training. Obviously can't get as heavy as you could with a bar at the gym, but I have seen major differences in muscle definition from doing kettlebell workouts.

rawk_fairy_666 wrote: »

I have lost 17lbs so far, another 20 or so to go. My arms are looking much slimmer but don't look particularly nice.

What should I be doing to improve the look of my arms?

If you have recently lost what looks like approximately half of your goal weight loss, then you can expect a little saggy 'arm flags' at the outset. The elasticity will to a large extent, return gradually depending upon how long you have been overweight and how much. But, from your post, it seems your big question is about the 'orange peel' skin and the stretch marks.

As far as the stretch marks, there is nothing you can do for it. Stretch marks are actually torn tissue so the stretch marks are actually scars. The appearance will diminish somewhat and there are several products on the market designed to help diminish scar tissue.

As for the pebbly skin? It is caused by uneven distribution of fatty tissue, sort of like if you were to scatter a handful of marbles on the floor and cover them with a sheet. You get that bumpy surface appearance. Weight lifting, to some extent, can help this condition but it needs to be targeted to the specific areas you are trying to improve. In this case, the upper arm (one of the prime areas to be victimized by this 'malady' during weight loss.) Not all weight lifting is equal. In the biceps area, which you show in your photos, biceps curls are generally the best attack. And, surprisingly, this is something you can do all day long, even without weights, as an isometric exercise. At work, sitting at a desk or whatever, lay your forearms, hands palm up, in front of you as though you were holding dumb bells in your hands. Tighten the muscles in your arms as much as you can and flex your arms, slowly lifting them as though lifting weights to your shoulder. Five minutes here and there throughout the day can do wonders for your arms and you may be surprised to find a little soreness in your arms if you are not accustomed to doing any lifting.

Bottom line: Just as with losing the weight, it takes time. Little by little you can make the change. It won't happen overnight.

Also, pelamblue's recommendation for triceps exercises is absolutely excellent! A great workout. Go with that!

emelinerenz wrote: »

Lifting doesn't help with stretch marks, but it does help with loose skin. Apply cocoa butter to stretch marks to help reduce their appearance as you loose weight and build muscle. I've actually found strength training (Starting Strength and the New Rules) to be really helpful in maintaining overall skin tension. I don't have nearly as much loose skin despite losing quite a bit of fat (down 4% bf). My bingo wings are still present, but don't have the "sag" they used to.

Well, you're lucky. Sure, my bat wings are smaller than they used to be, but they're still there and not going anywhere I'm afraid.

I use that