I’m worried about loose thigh skin
Hannahwalksfar
Posts: 572 Member
I’m currently 75kg and wanting to lose/am actively losing 10kg. My thighs are quite cellulitey and not toned at all. I’m really worried about having loose skin on my thighs! It’s actually got me thinking whether it’s worth the risk of dropping the weight. I’m terrified of loose skin! It’s a phobia. What is the likelihood of that happening?
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Replies
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I think it really depends on genetics. Of course, the older we get, the less elasticity we have in our skin.
I once went from 235 to 148, in my late 40's and had no loose skin.5 -
I’m 31. 5’4” 1/2 and have good skin generally speaking if that helps0
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Most people worry about it, IMO, beyond what will really happen.
Loose skin can look worse part way through weight loss than at goal weight (mine did), and worse at goal weight than it will after a few months or so of maintenance.
It really can't start to shrink until the fat layer is depleted enough that it stops conspiring with gravity to keep the skin stretched; and then it shrinks more slowly than most of us lose fat. My loose skin kept shrinking well into year 2 of maintenance at least, and I was 60+ at the time. (I'd lost about 50 pounds, so close to 1/3 of my body weight.)
You're 31, and don't have a massive amount of weight to lose. I think odds are good that you'll look fine at the lower weight, long term.
Maybe go take a look at some of the after photos in the "Success Stories" part of the forum. There are people there who have lost way more weight than you're losing, and some include bathing suit or similar after photos.
Exercising (cardio & strength), good nutrition, adequate hydration, enough sleep, etc., are going to give you your best odds: Skin is just another organ of the body, and the same things help it be healthy as help the other organs be healthy.
Cellulite specifically has a genetic component, and most women have some of it (no matter what carefully posed and photoshopped celebrity photos might suggest). It can improve, for some, with weight loss.7 -
I have a little bit of loose skin but it is getting less noticeable the further along into maintenance I get. However, I was in my mid 40's when I lost around 70 pounds. That being said, give me loose skin over excess fat any day of the week.12
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I too was worried about loose skin. I've lost 30kg. I don't have intolerably loose skin anywhere. My upper arms have some but it's not noticeable unless I put my arms out to the side. I'm actively working on filling out my arms with muscle and we'll see what happens then.
However, because I had a lot to lose, and was concerned about loose skin, I lost the weight at a sensible rate. Too fast and it can take a while for the skin to catch up, though I think that may only be a temporary phenomenon. However you want to avoid it if you find that demotivational. Also I was and am rigorous about using a good body moisturising cream every day, particularly in the areas where I feared loose skin. I think that has helped.
Finally, there are reports that taking high dose liposomal vitamin C orally can improve skin elasticity. I've been doing that for about a year, now, and I can feel the improvement in my skin.0 -
work out your legs as you lose weight, and your loose skin will be filled by muscle - it will take some time, but it's SO worth it. not only will nicely muscled legs be more attractive - and no, your legs won't get TOO muscular as that takes MASSES of work - but it comes with the extra benefit of being stronger.3
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I was heavier than 70kg and I've lost almost 20kg, I'm also 31.
The only place I have loose skin is my stomach, and that is due to the 3 recent pregnancies, not the weight loss.
I strength train, which may change the appearance of my legs and whatnot. But no loose, saggy skin.1 -
Hannahwalksfar wrote: »I’m currently 75kg and wanting to lose/am actively losing 10kg. My thighs are quite cellulitey and not toned at all. I’m really worried about having loose skin on my thighs! It’s actually got me thinking whether it’s worth the risk of dropping the weight. I’m terrified of loose skin! It’s a phobia. What is the likelihood of that happening?
Choosing to be overweight because of a slight risk of loose skin is never the better choice.15 -
Cellulite is largely genetic, and the vast majority of women have it. Seriously, not worth another moment of your time.
I think we often use fear of the unknown outcome as a reason to avoid change. At your weight, age, and with the amount you have to lose, even if you did wind up with some loose skin it would be minimal and noticeable only to you.6 -
I agree with the above posters. Loose skin is better than fat. You’re young and with some time in maintenance your skin will most likely tighten. But if not, no big deal. It’s takes a long time to realize that loose skin is not as important as other things in our lives. And yes, likely more noticeable to you. We’ll all think you’re fabulous.1
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One thing that seems to have helped some people is to use a good body moisterizer. Nourished, hydrated skin tends to be more elastic.
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Just 10 kilos will not cause loose skin. It is barely a couple of sizes.2
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I wasn't worried about it but still got some after losing 40# and being in maintenance for over 3 yrs now. I view it as a consequence of genetics and age (68 going on 69).
It's at the bottom of my butt cheeks and lower abs. It's not severe, just annoying, and is covered by clothing but, of course, I'm still aware of it.
Even thought of getting a butt lift and tummy tuck to "fix it" but my more rational mind and cheap nature prevailed.
So, no surgery for me but that's always an option, if you just can't stand it and can afford to do it, after you've achieved your wt loss goal and the loose skin doesn't go away on its own after a sufficient period of time.4 -
I'm in my 40s, lost twice that amount, and my thighs are fine.3
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I lost 80 pounds in my late 30s and had no loose skin whatsoever.
I lost it slowly, and exercised as I did it.1 -
Lose slowly and strength train. It likely won’t be a big issue for 10 kg.2
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I lost 5 pant sizes and have no loose skin on my thighs. Loss of cellulite does not necessarily equal loose skin. Just try to stick to a reasonable deficit, don't loose too quickly, eat your protein, and do some strength training.2
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I'm in my late 60s, I've lost over 60 pounds in the past 6 years, so yeah, I took my time. But no loose skin. I did have that hangy thing going on under my upper arms that you can't get away from with age, but even that has decreased. With what you have to lose, I don't think you need worry.
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Just tell everyone the loose skin is a flotation device to keep you from drowning at the beach.0
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LOL! I need to take a bath and test this. Well, I'm not sure my bathtub is deep enough....
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With apologies to OP, since this thread is supposed to be about thigh loose skin and fat, not arm loose skin and fat: One of my li'l ol' lady cranky-rants has been triggered.
It's that "hangy upper arms" "when my upper arms are out to the side" thing.
When a person holds their arm horizontally and relaxed, there is a hangy, flappy bit. For most people, a fair fraction of this is not fat or loose skin, but rather relaxed triceps muscles.
(I'm not saying there is zero arm fat or loose skin, but will say that in every single case where this subject has come up in my real life, the person was at least partially identifying relaxed muscle as fat or loose skin. Women, in particular, seem to do this, even though men have it, too.)
Try this: Raise your arm so your upper arm is above shoulder level, bend tightly at the elbow (forearm toward upper arm), curl the wrist toward your forearm, and tighten up everything on your arm, especially the upper back part of the arm (triceps), flexing like a bodybuilder. Get it as tight as you can. Anything that firms up is muscle, not fat.
To make it clearer, when your arm is relaxed and horizontal, take your opposite hand, and grab the tissue of the upper arm, with your fingertips as close to the bone as you can get them, holding onto the "fat/loose skin". Then do the "flex like a bodybuilder" thing as described above. If it tightens up or firms up in your hand, it isn't fat, it's muscle.
Even quite-fit women, not to mention men, have triceps muscles that are mobile (will be slack, and "flap around" if the upper arm is shaken) when the arm is relaxed. This needs to be true, because muscles contract in order to do work, which implies that they need to have a little slack in them when relaxed. The longer muscles, like those triceps, will hang down with gravity, and move a little when held horizontally shaken while relaxed.11 -
I have loose skin on my thighs after losing 70# (was 99 at one point) and I don’t love it, buts it’s way better than the alternative.7
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Thanks guys, I guess phobias are irrational. I will keep going incorporating lots of strength training3
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I’m 55 and have lost 16-18 lbs.....it fluctuates. Going for 20 lbs then I’ll stop. I’ve noticed the skin above my knees is really saggy now. This time last year it was smooth. I compared pics and could see a huge difference. Not sure the weight loss is worth it if my skin is going to sag. I was at 186 lbs and down to 168 lbs now. I feel better but not happy with the loose skin at all.4
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Truthfully I'd rather have loose skin and be healthy than fat and stroke worthy.3
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If I was very obese then I wouldn’t think twice but as I’m 75kg and quite fit I was just questioning whether it was worth it but I spoke to my PT who says it’s extremely unlikelyjflemmingjr wrote: »Truthfully I'd rather have loose skin and be healthy than fat and stroke worthy.
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Hannahwalksfar wrote: »
If I was very obese then I wouldn’t think twice but as I’m 75kg and quite fit I was just questioning whether it was worth it but I spoke to my PT who says it’s extremely unlikelyjflemmingjr wrote: »Truthfully I'd rather have loose skin and be healthy than fat and stroke worthy.
Depending on your height, 75kg may not be a healthy weight. If you are tall enough (175.25cm or higher), it is a perfectly healthy maintenance weight. If you are short like me, it's obese.2 -
Echoing the cellulite is genetic comments. I technically still had a bit of cellulite at 16 at a BMI of 14.9 (was anorexic--do not recommend). Doing weight lifting the last few years combined with losing 10 pounds (to a BMI of around 20-21) has helped a bit with that. But with 10 kg the odds of loose skin are small.2
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ExistingFish wrote: »Hannahwalksfar wrote: »
If I was very obese then I wouldn’t think twice but as I’m 75kg and quite fit I was just questioning whether it was worth it but I spoke to my PT who says it’s extremely unlikelyjflemmingjr wrote: »Truthfully I'd rather have loose skin and be healthy than fat and stroke worthy.
Depending on your height, 75kg may not be a healthy weight. If you are tall enough (175.25cm or higher), it is a perfectly healthy maintenance weight. If you are short like me, it's obese.
According to the bmi I’m overweight but am quite fit. 66 is normal for me and where I’m headed but I’m putting my fears aside and carrying on3
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