Panicking about loose/hanging skin

Lose weight slowly so that your skin has a chance to adjust. I don't know your age but the younger you are the more resilient your skin is. As we get older, the skin loses some of its resiliency. The older we are the slower we need to lose so that we don't have extra sagging skin.

I agree with the other posters... lose it slow or else!!

I use cocoa butter.. by the ton. Who knows it is an old wives tale, but I will use it none the less.
Strength training, cardio and yoga will help to build muscle (to fill out the skin), lose fat and build long, lean muscles.


Don't be scared of the unknown!!!

Just do it :bigsmile:

Ah! So, just as everything is going wonderfully I've reached a point where my brain has decided to taunt me, "Yeah you're losing weight, very good, what use is slimming to a size 8 if you look like you've melted?"
Does anyone have any hints/tips to stop/correct the hanging skin as I lose weight, I wouldn't want to go down the surgery route.

Unfortunately if the result of losing weight is loose skin, then unless it retracts on it's own in a few months, surgery would be the only route.


A.C.E. Certified Personal Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 28+ years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

Been there, have that. Unfortunately lose skin is the downside of losing a lot of weight. Getting rid of it, without surgery, is a factor of age, how long you carried the weight originally, how much you lose and how fast. I've lost 170 lbs and have (according to my doctor) 10-15 lbs of excess skin in my arms, thighs, belly (the most visible) and butt. I was lucky, I don't have the "turkey neck". Strength exercises to build muscle with help, also keeping your skin moisturized helps with appearance. I choose NOT to have surgery. Too expensive, insurance won't cover it and I've seem some real messes as a result.

I'll NEVER wear a bikini or expose my mid-drift (too much drift). I've gotten comfortable with with my arms and legs so shorts and tee shirts are OK. Tanks tops or strapless make me uncomfortable but I do "low cut" or off the shoulder well. I do use spanks and flexies when I want to smooth out the skin, They have some excellent products that are comfortable and affordable.

Good luck!

Don't even worry about it! I have it- but it doesn't ruin my life. I am SO SO SO much happier and healthier after losing 133 lbs- I would take lose skin over my previous state any day. Strength training and exercise has helped my skin not be terrible. I did lose weight at a good rate- I have been on this journey since 2010....maintaining for the past 6 months (re starting and hoping to lose 25 more lbs now).......and I still have the loose skin. It gets better each day. Just go for it- don't stall because you are afraid!

Good luck! I'm worried about this too. I don't have much to lose now, but I'm thinking (hypothetically) if my husband and I have children, what then!? Definitely going to check out that website when I get home :-)

Lose slowly & have at least 2-3 days outta the week where you are doing some type of yoga, or pilates, or any strength training.

(Source of info)
My Dad who is Active Duty Army & excelled at Master Fitness. He knows his stuff to say the least. Hope that helps some.

If you lose it slow, you shouldn't have that much of an issue.
When you see people on TV that have had gastric bypass or lost weight extremely fast, they will usually have excess skin.
Your skin is elastic, it just needs time to adjust.

bump

what does "bump" mean, people??

I don't remember what the letters stand for, but people type "bump" when they want the topic to be listed in the "My Topics" list so they can find it quickly but don't really have anything to say right now on the topic.

For some people, it may be unavoidable. It really depends on different factors such as

-age
-amount of weight loss
-genetics

My doctor told me that the best way to determine is by looking at your family and their history on their skin such as, did the skin bouce back after pregnancy? how the skin looks as they get older? etc.
Stay active, do weight training, and eat healthy foods and see how the cards play!

Number 1 and 3 are against me, so I am doomed!!

Being doomed is probably having a body full of skin THICK and FULL of fat. Dooming you to a lifetime of risk factors that include early death.

Seriously.. ya'll need to stop worrying about it so much. One battle at a time.

Well, I was never really overweight, unless you consider 15 lbs over as being overweight. Lost everything very slowly (very, very slowly). Always exercised, including ballet and jazz dance and ate/eat healthy; however, I come from a family where all the females have big buts, thunder legs, celulitis, and very poor muscle tone. So yes, I know that I am fighting a battle that I will never win, especially at my age. I do worry, I always did, but I keep on going. My choice, my battle.