Loose Skin: 50lbs loss at 60+, 4+ years maintenance
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Thank you for sharing!
The looming specter of loose skin can be pretty daunting. Knowing it CAN improve to a certain point after maintenance does help, but then it's a patience game. Have I waited long enough? Is this it? Is there still fat in there to lose? Was all of the dieting worth it if I'll never look as good as I want?
It's an annoying reality that a lot of us are going to have to live with, especially if we've lost a hell of a lot of weight. Sometimes I kick myself (just a little) for not starting this when I was younger and maybe had a higher chance of tighter skin, but whatever. There's no changing that now. You're 100% right that some saggy skin is absolutely worth the effort and is much better than staying obese.
I appreciate you helping to normalize what is, in fact, a completely normal thing.12 -
Thank you for sharing your results/experience with us - and for your very thoughtful reflection so that we can have a better idea of what to expect. I think you look terrific. You are really inspirational. Thank you again.8
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Background: I lost something over 50 pounds at age 59-60, 183lbs to 120s, in a bit less than a year. ....
I felt like the loose skin I had immediately after loss wasn't mostly disastrous, and certainly way better in every way than staying obese. "
Thank you for sharing. I had to laugh when you said your starting weight was obese! To me, I would be really happy right now to be 183 lbs. I guess maybe my views are distorted because my starting weight is so much higher.1 -
In case it matters to anyone in evaluating all this, I'm going to throw in about the best before & after photos I have, even though they're not great. The before is a couple of years before I started losing weight, but at about my starting weight of 183lbs. The after is a few months after reaching goal weight, sometime in 2016, probably at a weight in the lower 120s, but might be a little under that. I was at 126.2 this morning, and don't think I look dramatically different from the after photo now, except for wilder gray hair (pandemic haircut skipping!). Personally, I don't think I look that much different from women my age who've always been thin, just walking around in the world, but your perception may differ. Though I'm not particularly vanity driven or vanity centric, I'm frankly pretty happy with how my body looks, at 64 years old: I don't wish or expect to look like I'm 22.
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ChrissyChickie wrote: »
Background: I lost something over 50 pounds at age 59-60, 183lbs to 120s, in a bit less than a year. ....
I felt like the loose skin I had immediately after loss wasn't mostly disastrous, and certainly way better in every way than staying obese. "
Thank you for sharing. I had to laugh when you said your starting weight was obese! To me, I would be really happy right now to be 183 lbs. I guess maybe my views are distorted because my starting weight is so much higher.
So, I know some others have a higher starting point, so perhaps more to lose, but I've seen women here around my age who've lost from a much higher weight than I (200s-300s) down to a normal BMI, and who IMO look good, in terms of loose skin. I think many people may fear a worse result than they will actually experience, long term.
I know many people question BMI as a system, but in my case, as someone of a narrow-ish build (narrow hips, no breasts because post-mastectomy), I think I'm best in the lower part of the normal BMI range. I think the photos in my OP make clear that I still have well above zero body fat, at BMI 21-point-whatever (normal BMI is 18.5-24.9). I don't know my body fat percent, but my best guess would be somewhere in the mid-20s percents. My upper body doesn't have a lot of fat, but there's still a noticeable amount on my lower body, so I think mid-20s percent is reasonable as an averaged-out guess.
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This is an apt post for me. Thank you! The stuff we want to ask and talk about but feel a bit uncomfortable talking about (a bit like the subject of incontinence pads/pants when lifting really heavy at competitions as a woman, young, old and in between)
I struggle with strength versus aesthetics. I want to be strong and feel energised. But I also want to see how much lean mass I have gained over the years of heavy lifting by getting more lean so I can see the hard work. Trouble is the more fat I lose, the loose skin effect around my belly region gets more extreme. It does start to hang and already at this weight it has this odd rippling effect (stretch marks aside). Looking at your photos, though, gives me hope. You look fantastic!
I am the same height as you and have been the same high and low weights. I am quite a bit younger, post menopausal (premature menopause), 46. I am sitting in the mid 150s at the moment (lbs) and this is sort of my happy weight, but not aesthetically or even athletically the optimum or best weight for me (I feel it is more 140 and just under). Yet the more I cut the calories (I am pretty active, work a long 60 hour week and try to train 3 to 4 times a week in the gym, commute 15 miles a day on electric bike, but not on full power), the more tired, grumpy, not motivated to do much exercise I become. It is all about the balance.
I suppose I just need to crack on and do one thing, focus on cutting down and then deciding what I want to do after I have seen the muscle mass I have managed to build. I just cannot seem to commit to it because tired, grumpy me just eats those extra calories to feel okay/better (only 100 extra a day when feeling run down). Also the clock is ticking and I compete as a masters strongwoman.6 -
Many of us (me, for one) look a bit worse part way to goal weight than at goal weight. Fat cells may deplete anywhere in our fat mass: They don't disappear starting with the outer layer, and proceed neatly inward, necessarily (I wish!). This means that a fat area may get kind of floppy/squishy first (kind of like a water balloon partly full of just water, unlike one that's completely full of water so rounded & firmer). The squishy fat conspires with gravity to keep skin stretched, so there can be droopy or hang-y bits. Sometimes people get discouraged at this stage, and kind of panic.
So much this! Thank you Ann!!2 -
Thanks so much for sharing that! I've been worrying about that a bit with my over-the-hill skin!5
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nexangelus wrote: »This is an apt post for me. Thank you! The stuff we want to ask and talk about but feel a bit uncomfortable talking about (a bit like the subject of incontinence pads/pants when lifting really heavy at competitions as a woman, young, old and in between)
I struggle with strength versus aesthetics. I want to be strong and feel energised. But I also want to see how much lean mass I have gained over the years of heavy lifting by getting more lean so I can see the hard work. Trouble is the more fat I lose, the loose skin effect around my belly region gets more extreme. It does start to hang and already at this weight it has this odd rippling effect (stretch marks aside). Looking at your photos, though, gives me hope. You look fantastic!
I am the same height as you and have been the same high and low weights. I am quite a bit younger, post menopausal (premature menopause), 46. I am sitting in the mid 150s at the moment (lbs) and this is sort of my happy weight, but not aesthetically or even athletically the optimum or best weight for me (I feel it is more 140 and just under). Yet the more I cut the calories (I am pretty active, work a long 60 hour week and try to train 3 to 4 times a week in the gym, commute 15 miles a day on electric bike, but not on full power), the more tired, grumpy, not motivated to do much exercise I become. It is all about the balance.
I suppose I just need to crack on and do one thing, focus on cutting down and then deciding what I want to do after I have seen the muscle mass I have managed to build. I just cannot seem to commit to it because tired, grumpy me just eats those extra calories to feel okay/better (only 100 extra a day when feeling run down). Also the clock is ticking and I compete as a masters strongwoman.
How far are you cutting the calories? "Tired, grumpy, unmotivated' sounds like maybe a little deep of a cut? I 100% get that we want to just drop that weight fast and get on with life, but life is also happening during the cut, and if it's not happy life, that's kind of a waste in a different way, IMO.
As I mentioned further up-thread, I've been re-losing some vanity pounds, upper 130s to now upper 120s (and trudging toward middle 120s, not sure yet where I'll stop). Last Fall, I committed myself to losing gradually, and am down 10+ pounds so far, at an absurdly slow approximate average pound a month . . . but that 150-250 calorie daily deficit has been pretty close to painless. (I skip the deficit entirely now and then.) The downside is maybe psychological, i.e., sometimes even my trending app thinks I'm gaining for a few weeks, but I trust the process enough to know it's not true so the slowness and misleading short-term fluctuations don't really bother me. I really, really like that "pretty painless" part.
If your genetics favor mass/strength, you might even continue to make some slow gains at a tiny deficit.
Just some thoughts.
Regardless, wishing you the best in your strongwoman goals!11 -
Thanks for these helpful posts. I'm 60, have lost 100#, intend to lose 90# more, & I dread the loose skin. But I'll still march toward it.9
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Bodies are amazing vessels. I am always so glad when people are open to sharing their body journeys. 💪🏼 Thanks for the inspiration!10
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How far are you cutting the calories? "Tired, grumpy, unmotivated' sounds like maybe a little deep of a cut? I 100% get that we want to just drop that weight fast and get on with life, but life is also happening during the cut, and if it's not happy life, that's kind of a waste in a different way, IMO.
Thank you AnnPT77!
Not a huge cut, have been on 2100 and now 2000 cals for a while now, so a 500 ish calorie deficit. I guess the activity is making the deficit big enough on its own. Going below 2000 cals per day is just not doable, I feel really hungry and then it is binge inducing mood/stress/triggers....so I think I need to just focus on a slow loss (as you have well illustrated, I feel so much more comfortable doing it really slowly and gradually) with manageable side effects (slight to no tiredness and definitely no energy bonks).
Time to re-assess and work out a more live-able solution...
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Love you so much. Thanks for this post. xxxx5
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Dear Ann,
This is a Very Important Post. I hope it will be tagged at the top.
The reason I say that?
I’m also 64. When I was younger, I re-gained all my weight at least once, if not twice, solely because the sagging & wrinkles upset me so much. Vanity really. What I looked like did not match my inner vision of how I would look.
Now, at 64, I’ve lost the weight & maintained 2 years for Health.
As I was closing in on my goal weight, I got quite upset again Re: the skin changes. I told myself “health first: great labs > vanity”
It still bothered me, especially in the summer. SO, just before you posted this VIP post, Something clicked in my brain - you will think I’m crazy, but it worked- so in case it will help someone out there...
As I do my yoga or catch a glimpse in a mirror & I see some thin lines on arms or some phlumphy 😂 stuff on upper inner thighs, I think “It’s good those lines/phlumph are there; it means I’m NOT OBESE with more flexibly, strength, low bp (not on meds any longer), normal cholesterol (not on statins any more), can climb big mountains easily & for fun” or something like that LOL
They are my Victory Reminders after a lifetime of obesity. 🏅 Health First
Thank you Ann. You help so many of us so often. I’m very grateful for you! 💞14 -
Great post, you are an inspiration! I remember when I was trying to lose weight for vanity reasons and could never stick to it. Once my health was threatened by my obesity I’ve been able to keep the excess weight off for 6+ years and counting. I didn’t even consider whether or not I’d get loose skin, I just didn’t want to end up with type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, aching joints, etc. For me, vanity and looks are secondary... being healthy and strong is what’s beautiful!8
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69 yo and lost 120 lbs over 4 years...2 years maintenance...No matter what I have tons of loose skin. As for my stomach I had a panniculectomy to help with that, but under the arms, and thighs....even under the chin...forget it. I look worse naked now than I did when I was obese....lol6
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Thanks Ann!! As I mentioned in a different thread that you responded to - I definitely have some skin issues, but I haven’t gotten all the way “there” yet.
Now I have hope that as I lose the last bit, the loose skin - especially the turkey neck will get a little better.
I need a job at 59 and a trusted recruiter tells me it’s important I give a “young” and energetic appearance. The energetic is not a problem With my healthier lifestyle but the “young”......4 -
Your weight loss accomplishment is incredible! You look great! Can I suggest that you might want to try a really good Multi-Collagen supplement and other supplements that are known to help increase your skin's collagen production. Topical creams only help a little, but supplements that go to the heart of the issue are much more effective. Having massages or using a massager on some of those areas can also help increase blood flow and kick up your collagen production to firm your skin again. Great job!2
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Your weight loss accomplishment is incredible! You look great! Can I suggest that you might want to try a really good Multi-Collagen supplement and other supplements that are known to help increase your skin's collagen production. Topical creams only help a little, but supplements that go to the heart of the issue are much more effective. Having massages or using a massager on some of those areas can also help increase blood flow and kick up your collagen production to firm your skin again. Great job!
Collagen = not vegetarian, so I'm not going there, myself. Others, with different eating patterns, may benefit, I don't know - I haven't researched it, personally, for obvious reasons. I've gotten regular massages (biweekly, for years), but neither I nor my evidence-oriented MT think there are skin benefits, FWIW. My blood flow is pretty good - CV fitness takes decent care of that, IMO.
P.S. If you're getting excellent results with collagen and other supplements, I'd encourage you to post photos and details, too - I'm sure that would help others who aren't vegetarian like I am.9 -
At 58 I went from over 210 pounds to 135 ( also 5 foot 5 but 36DDD bra which has not budged). I was resigned to loose skin. But through genetic luck my skin just bounced back.6
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