Body Image After Large Weight Loss

Well, you could start socking away money for skin surgery. Where there's a will, they say .....

I understand your fear, I really do. But it's going to be such a gradual change that's it's not the scary thing you are seeing in your head I don't think. One day at a time. That's all you have to. Just pay attention to all of the good changes and embrace it. Exercise and get stronger and you'll probably start to appreciate what you can do not just what you look like.

I already like how I look better, and I'm only down 10-15. I find I stand differently when I feel that I am doing well and losing weight, and that makes me look better. When I feel fat I stand fat, and it makes a huge difference.

Girls girls girls:) I'm here to tell you that all the positives of losing the weight far outweigh the negative. I lost a large amount, 80 pounds, when I was 45 so the skin didn't bounce back. But what I also had was a curvy waist, nice butt, flatter stomach, tons more energy, fun fashionable clothing, a neck:), ankles..... I could go on and on. The skin bothered me for a little while. I had also had six pregnancies so I had A LOT of belly skin left over. I gave in and had a tummy tuck and the extra skin removed. So now I have a long horizontal scar on my abdomen and no feeling over a wide strip on my belly which feels very odd. Everything is a trade off. But the joy you feel from the weight loss takes over. Trust me. Stop worrying.

I've lost 95 pounds (about 20 to go), and for the first time since about 5th grade, I'm starting to like the way I look. One thing that's helped a lot is exercise -- I do both cardio and strength training, which I think definitely helps me look better.

Losing the weight is definitely worth it, both for body image and quality of life.

I lost about 60 lbs the last time and when I looked in the mirror I was convinced I was still huge despite compliments, the scale, measurements, photos etc. Now I would kill to be back at that weight. I got depressed about it and ended up putting the weight back on.

There will likely be loose skin, but don't let that hinder you. I'm down approximately 90lb with 20-25 to go and I have a much better body image when I look at myself with clothing on. However, not so good naked. I'm still so much happier and have much better self esteem than when I did when I was 250lb.

I started at 268lbs and am now sitting at 135lbs. The worst area for me is there is so much saggy skin on my upper thighs and my upper arms. My boobs are definitely deflated balloons and they sag horribly but I am far more self conscious about my thighs. I was morbidly obese for 20+ years so my skin will not likely bounce back very much. It's kind of sad yes but I am so grateful to not be carrying around all that weight anymore and I appreciate my body so much more now after all the abuse I put it through. My skin was stretched to the max for many years and two pregnancies on top of it. My body image is 100 times better now than it used to be. I've lived a lifetime being embarrassed and mortified by my body, now I am proud and confident. That is worth more to me than the loose skin

Start a progressive weight lifting routine. It can change body shape. Also, you will feel great.

Speaking from a 20 something female who lost 182 lbs there are pros and cons to weight loss. Yes I lost all that weight and many things I can do now that I couldn't do before. However, my mental health and body image is very poor. The tire of skin I carry around where my stomach should be will not go away no matter how much strength training I do. Surgery is not an option right now either. I also gained back some weight due to depression and lack of motivation. Weight loss is not a magic pill to happiness like I thought. The struggle is real. For me mind and body have to be healthy.

I am going to celebrate the 16th anniversary of my 29th birthday in just a few days (turning 45), I've been pregnant 6 times and had big babies. I lost over 60 lbs and was amazed at how little loose skin there was...hardly noticeable. I went from a size 14/16 to a size 4. I did gain some of the weight back when I tried to work things out with my husband then got super depressed and didn't want to look pretty any more. I gained about 1/2 the weight back. Now I'm stronger and ready to get the rest of this off for good. I had a consult with a plastic surgeon and know the cost of some procedures but I don't think I will need them. I use T-Tapp for exercise and it was amazing how little sag I had. I don't sell it at all but am just in love with the program. I met a woman who had 10 children and went from a size 20 to size 6 or 8 and she had no sag at all! Now I didn't see her in a swimsuit but I saw her in exercise clothes and a sleeveless shirt. Nothing worked better for me than T-Tapp. And it's low impact so even with the health problems I have, I was able to do the exercises.

Congratulations on your journey so far!!! Don't let the fear stop or discourage you!