Weight loss fears

judith3
judith3 Posts: 296 Member
edited October 4 in Motivation and Support
Hi guys im Judith i am 20 years old i am 5'7 and i currently weigh 213 (starting 220) as ive lost weight ive begun to notice loose skin around my arms and frankly i dont like it :sad: im scared that by loosing the weight ill end up with a body i hate more than i hate my current one. I want to loose about 80 lbs which would get me to 140 and im just hoping that itll tighten itself up as i loose the weight because i really cant afford to have the extra skin removed. Has anyone lost about 80lbs if so i would appreciate it if you could post a pic. But anyways im not going to let this fear stop me

Edited to add: I am not looking to loose the weight fast i know itll take time :)

Replies

  • puggleperson
    puggleperson Posts: 740 Member
    weights weights and weights!! But really this is a bump to watch for answers.. Great job on your weight loss. I really think weights are your best option!
  • vim_n_vigor
    vim_n_vigor Posts: 4,089 Member
    Throughout the entire time you are losing weight, your body will continue to change. Give the skin a chance to tighten up. Do strength training exercises. Things will shift and move and there may be times that things just look a little bit off as you lose the weight.
  • Ashbee1224
    Ashbee1224 Posts: 65
    Im in the processing of losing quite a bit of weight too, and we're young so I think our bodies will bounce back. I think you should definitely work out some, do some arm excercises to tighten up the muscle & you should be good to go. Most ppl that lose weight and have saggy skin is because they only change what they eat and dont work out, you need both!
  • roseemb
    roseemb Posts: 85 Member
    Lucky thing for you is that you are young, and your skin probbably still has the elasticity to shrink back in, however, you will have to give it time - it will not happen overnight, and from what I have read can take a year or more, depending on the person. IMportant that you do some strength training to help with the toning of everything as well, which will help too!

    Good luck on your journey!
  • kimber_av
    kimber_av Posts: 98
    The best thing to do when losing weight and wanting to remain firm is to do some sort of exercising. Not just cardio. Try pilates or light weight strength training. this will firm up a lot of areas and reduce the loose look you are referring to. also its good to use a good lotion DAILY because this helps skin keep its elasticity. sometimes loose skin is unavoidable, but I know those 2 things have kept my ma (51) fairly firm looking.

    best of luck!
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,026 Member
    You're young so skin elasticity may not be an issue. The key is NOT to lose too fast. Lose slow and steady and give you skin a chance to rebound. Just like you when gained weight, the skin will adapt as you lose it if you do it progressively in a slower manner.
  • Qarol
    Qarol Posts: 6,171 Member
    worry about it when/IF it happens...
  • Craig_hyde
    Craig_hyde Posts: 161 Member
    Currently I'm 24 years old and I'm worried about loose/saggy skin too. I'm not afraid to admit I have a few stretch marks from when I gained weight (depression played a major part in it, as did drinking and junk food) and I know that I hate them, but one thing my mam has said to me is that I'm still young, skin will still shrink a bit. Not by huge amounts, but enough for people to notice.

    Also, weights, keep yourself toned and fill in the missing space with muscle.

    I have to admit I know nothing about which exercises are best and what happens when etc, but I'm just passing on advice which managed to calm my weight-loss fears a bit.

    Hope it helps

    Craig
  • lightinurlife
    lightinurlife Posts: 35
    I'm 24 and lost 70 pounds. You will have loose skin at first. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, and do toning exercises.

    Also, I did a lot of research on loose skin because I was really upset about mine at the time. I read somewhere that you should wait 2 years before deciding on surgery for the removal of it. I'm glad I did because I have a tight tummy now and no more flab on my arms.

    Looking back even though I was upset about the skin (i'm super Type-A so when I say upset I mean obsess and go crazy about it) it's still better than being fat and unhealthy. I started losing weight 2 1/2 years ago and can honestly say the sagging skin is VERY minimal now, same thing with my stretch marks and cellulite.
  • Fit_ClaudiaQ
    Fit_ClaudiaQ Posts: 95
    Lift weights! I've lost 60+lbs within 15months & I still have 20+ to lose...I haven't had a saggy skin issue yet. But I have lifted weighs since day 1...& losing slowly is te best way to go. BUT honestly I wouldn't worry about saggy skin, as long as you get fit & healthy you'll be GREAT!
  • NaomiLyn15
    NaomiLyn15 Posts: 388 Member
    I did have some extra skin when I started losing last year, not a lot, but some on my arms and in my waist. But, if you lose slowly (no more than 1-2 lbs a week, and 1 is probably best), then your body is going to change along with the weight loss. But, as you are losing this weight you must exercise. If you lose the weight, but didn't get off your butt, then the skin isn't going to tighten up. So, exercise, exercise, exercise. ALso, drink alot of water. The more water your drink, the more elastic your skin will become. This will help it to tighten back up. Finally, I also used a lotion with caffeine in it for a while. That will help to tighten up your skin in the short term while you are waiting for your body to do its thing. Don't get discouraged though, it will take some time for it to go back to normal, and it may not ever completely go away. But, you can definitely minimize it. I am a total of 40 lbs down from 210 now, and I don't have extra skin anywhere. Granted I am not working to get to 80 lbs lost, but I can't imagine that it would be any different as long as you take your time and lose the weight the right way. Slowly and with proper nutrition and exercise. Good luck!!
  • Goal_Seeker_1988
    Goal_Seeker_1988 Posts: 1,619 Member
    I've lost 85lbs and have kept it off for over 3 years now. I have some loose skin around my stomach and inner thighs that have continued to tighten with exercise and time. Gotta give yourself time and don't lose weight too fast. It took me 1.5 years to lose all 85lbs. Drink plenty of water, do weight training and keep your skin hydrated by lotioning it everyday. Eat as healthy as possible. Avoid startchy foods.
  • CalderaGal
    CalderaGal Posts: 45
    After you work out ans shower, apply a skin firming lotion over your body- try Nivea skin firming moisturizer Q10 plus with advanced Q10 complex
    roven to firm and visibly tightan skin's surface in as little as two weeks.

    * With Co Enzyme Q10 complex & Glycerin
    * Benefit of Tighter, more resilient skin, Softer, smoother skin texture

    Proven within 2 weeks to provide:
    * Visibly firmer, more toned skin
    * Visibly tighter skin's surface
    * More resilient skin

    IT WORKS!!!
    * Softer, smoother skin texture
    * Healthier, younger looking skin

    Dermatologically Tested
  • ShrinkingNinja
    ShrinkingNinja Posts: 460 Member
    When I first started losing I had the same fear, and while my skin is still a work in progress I can see that it is adjusting to my new size. I am going to tackle one issue at a time. I am weight training and lotioning the heck out of myself in an effort to help my skin while I concentrate on losing more junk in my trunk.
  • TDGee
    TDGee Posts: 2,209 Member
    If/when you get to where you want to be and are unhappy with it, you can always put the weight back on and stretch things back out again.

    Seriously, you are young and your skin will likely rebound just fine.

    Good luck!
    :flowerforyou:
  • mommy4ndbandtj
    mommy4ndbandtj Posts: 25
    First off ~ Congrats on the 8 pounds!!

    Well if you count pregnancy weight, then I have lost over 100 pounds. I weighed the last time I would get on the scale when I was pregnant with my last son, 253. Then I refused to get on the scale anymore. I think that was the last two weeks. When I was leaving the hospital I weighed 250. I am 5 foot 7, and not nearly tall enough to handle that much weight. Figured it was baby weight and I would drop it while I am busy with the baby. Well when he had turned one, I was still weighing in the 190's. I went to my doctor and with her help started on a diet plan.

    Yes the skin is stretched and sagging. But the reality is I can not put a price on how I feel physically. I weigh less now than I did all throughout high school. I just joined the gym, and toning up the muscles is helping with the sagging. So here is my recommendation. Keep on the path to lose weight, but also do muscle strengthening exercise along the way. The more I do, the tighter it gets, and the only thing I can see are stretch marks which are covered by clothes. It is a LONG process, and it is easy to return to old ways. Start on a new path, and never go backwards.
  • martinbeks
    martinbeks Posts: 255 Member
    Agree with the using weights for strength training, and also remember to keep hydrated, which helps your skin's elasticity.
  • CallMeCupcakeDammit
    CallMeCupcakeDammit Posts: 9,377 Member
    I've lost 91 lbs over the last 3 yrs, and I was starting to get discouraged by the extra stuff hanging off my arms and my thighs, but I know that can all be covered up by clothes. The fat that used to be there was still visible and making me unhealthy no matter what I wore. I work out 6 days a week, and I keep reminding myself to stop worrying about what I look like now, cuz I'm not even done yet (still have about 60 to go). You have youth on your side, and everyone here has given you the best advice you're going to get. Be patient, and keep up the good work!
  • BenKnowsFitness
    BenKnowsFitness Posts: 451 Member
    Forgive my long winded response.

    I think loose skin is much like other issues associated with the process of losing weight. It is different for everyone. I lost 70 pounds (from 265 to 195). I have no loose skin from the weight loss. I am 41 years old. I have two friends that lost 70 pounds. Both of them have loose skin in multiple places. You can check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/378396-from-250-to-well-still-getting-there . This MFP member lost 80 pounds and does not appear to have much loose skin. I have yo-yo’d up and down 5 times from the high 200s to the mid 100s. I’ve lost slowly (3 lbs per month) and quickly (3 pounds per week). Does not seem to make a difference.

    So the empirical examples don’t substantiate the claims in this post. I think it really depends on the individual.
  • mexy04
    mexy04 Posts: 96
    Hi guys im Judith i am 20 years old i am 5'7 and i currently weigh 213 (starting 220) as ive lost weight ive begun to notice loose skin around my arms and frankly i dont like it :sad: im scared that by loosing the weight ill end up with a body i hate more than i hate my current one. I want to loose about 80 lbs which would get me to 140 and im just hoping that itll tighten itself up as i loose the weight because i really cant afford to have the extra skin removed. Has anyone lost about 80lbs if so i would appreciate it if you could post a pic. But anyways im not going to let this fear stop me

    That's a very steep goal...I only say that because people who lose that much weight that fast gain it back. Also your concern about lose skin is going to be from rapid weight loss. You have to be patient and allow your body to go through the natural changes of eating up the fat and replacing it with healthy muscle to become more fit and tight. Muscle is much more dense than fat...try being more focused on inches rather than the numbers on the scale.
  • judith3
    judith3 Posts: 296 Member
    Thank you for all the advice guys its really helpful :) i have pretty much only changed my eating and have been doing cardio so i will definitley be hitting the weights :)
  • gazz777
    gazz777 Posts: 722
    Just add water !!! (as well as what they said). Toning, etc. At 20 you should be fine.

    I saved these articles for myself:

    http://sanmateoteamelite.com/2010/05/coffee-cortisol-levels-and-stress/

    http://milwaukeeadventurebootcamp.wordpress.com/2010/10/26/how-to-deal-with-loose-skin-after-weight-loss/

    Ask some of the young mums on MFP that have succeeded in losing a bit of weight.

    I think you'll be fine.

    Cheering you on
  • mynika
    mynika Posts: 312 Member
    bump.. very good topic I'll be back :wink:
  • ajfrench
    ajfrench Posts: 323 Member
    I'm sure all skin-tightening products are minimally effective, but the one I've found to be the best is "Bio-Oil." You can get it at Costco pretty cheap. I've been using it for four months and my skin is soft. Also (and this may be placebo effect!) I think the sports scars around my knees have faded and tightened. I can only hope it's doing the same for my stretch marks.
  • BenKnowsFitness
    BenKnowsFitness Posts: 451 Member
    Forgive my long winded response.

    I think loose skin is much like other issues associated with the process of losing weight. It is different for everyone. I lost 70 pounds (from 265 to 195). I have no loose skin from the weight loss. I am 41 years old. I have two friends that lost 70 pounds. Both of them have loose skin in multiple places. You can check out http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/378396-from-250-to-well-still-getting-there . This MFP member lost 80 pounds and does not appear to have much loose skin. I have yo-yo’d up and down 5 times from the high 200s to the mid 100s. I’ve lost slowly (3 lbs per month) and quickly (3 pounds per week). Does not seem to make a difference.

    So the empirical examples don’t substantiate the claims in this post. I think it really depends on the individual.

    I forgot to mention that I lost the wieght with almost all cardio. I have done minimal wieght training.
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