What do I have to look forward to??

[emmyn74]

Just wondering what I should expect once I lose the weight I need to . In total, to weigh 165 I have to lose 135 pounds and am wondering what will happen to my skin. It is already starting to look loose and my husband told me that he would rather me stay the size that I am, than have a bunch of skin hanging down. It has got me to thinking. I want to lose the weight, but I don't know what I can do to prevent this or to make it not as bad because over 100 pounds is a lot of weight. I saw on here where it had some people who had lost around 50 pounds talking about their loose skin, and mine would be almost three times that amounts. Has anyone lost this amount of weight? And what did you have to go through in terms of skin? Was surgery needed to remove it, or did it eventually tighten itself up?

[DigitalMocking]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

It all depends on your genetics for the most part. There are techniques that some people swear by to help tighten the skin, and you can help the elasticity with vitamin e creams but in the end, it depends on your genetics.

Your weight will kill you early, there's no doubt about that. I'd rather have an extra 20 years of an active, fit life even with loose skin than be dead.

There are a lot of folks here in the 100+, 200+ range who have lost that much, they'll be able to help you out too. It will take at least a year after you lose for your skin to really tighten up to where it's going to be, but in the end, is loose skin really worse than walking around carrying an extra 150 lbs with you every day?

[abouttime]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

Something that is really important is exercise and water.

If you are consistently exercising while you are losing weight your skin will tend to firm up a bit too, also, water helps with skins elasticitu and ability to bounce back which will also help in the long run.

For exercise mix up cardio with weight training. Pretty much every gym has personal trainers that you can "rent" for an hour. Let them know which body parts you are worried about and they can give you specific training to help those problem areas.

Good luck!!

Diana

[pinkbatel]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

Im a little worried about the skin, that is why I bought some body creams, Im drinking my water, eating my vegetables, but I accept that I am going to have loose skin at the end of my weight loss, specially my upper arms, I think you just have to ask yourself if YOU are really sure to risk your life being overweight so you can have a "tight skin" for others, instead of being the healthy you. I have seen people that have cancer lose a lot of weight because of the quimotherapies, their skin eventually get back to their place, but it wont happen at the same pace muscles do, its about 6 months the skin takes to change completely, its constantly renewing itself. The skin we are touching right now, in a year will be other cells, so I think that if you give the food and water your skin needs to recover, it will.

You could also wear girdles, that also helps the skin go back to its place, and Im sure your husband will like that. hahaha

Take care, and remember, you first!

Rosa

[SunnySmile501]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

I've lost 120 pounds over 2 years and I don't have a lot of loose skin. I did at first, but it is starting to tighten back up. I have consistantly drank at least a gallon/128 ounces of water a day, which is important. Exercise helps a lot, too. Some loose skin can be covered up, but you can't disguise an extra 135 pounds. One thing for sure, the older you are when you lose the weight, the less elastic your skin will be. I am 58 and consider myself lucky that I don't have more loose skin.

Sunny!

[emmyn74]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

Thanks everyone. I have some tips. I am going to be drinking more water for sure and geting into more exercise. I still wanted to lose the weight, it just made me feel bad that my husband said that to me. But, after a while it seems everything should tighten up just fine. Thanks again.

[SwissMiss]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

Hi Emmyn74, I had the same question when I startet last year for the first time with this WOE. We're in the same boat. There's a lot you can do to help your skin shrink:

1. Loose weight at a moderate pace
2. Exercise regularly and focus on all body parts - Pilates and Yoga are great to re-define the silhouette
3. Drink lots and lots of water through out the day
4. Dry brush your skin daily and afterwards use a moisture rich body lotion. Information about dry brushing can be found here: http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.c...After_brushing

Also you might want to read this thread for further reference and input: http://www.atkinsdietbulletinboard.c...ad.php?t=46316

The lotion I use is from "Vichy" from the "Lipidiose" Line. It's a skin repair lotion - like : "Lipostrech Contouring Body Care" .

http://www.vichyusa.com/_us/_en/cata...RE^F2_Body_All

I have to say that the results of dry brushing show pretty fast.

Hope all this helps.

[pinkbatel]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

Or we could find you another husband when you get this stunning body and soul?

haha just joking hehehe

[dreamof145]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

I've lost 130 pounds and my skin has bounced back quite nicely. I exercise a lot and I drink lots of water. Together those things put the spring back into your skin and help tighten it. As you've been told, it is unhealthy to keep the weight as it affects your health, your appearance and your self esteem. Stick to the program, exercise and drink lots of water and I believe you'll be very pleased with the way you look after losing the weight.

[emmyn74]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

Good One Pinkbatel! I got a good laugh from that one. I am not as worried now about it. I am still dreading it, but I would rather look good than to be like this. I am going to have to look in to the dry brushing and start trying it. I have noticed already that the skin is started to hang more on me. I need to get more into exercise. I drink a LOT of water so that should be no problem.

[mom23kgirls]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

I"ve lost over 40 and thus far no signs of sagging skin :<)

[IrishIrish]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

Oh my .... please hold me back girls and boys!!

So DH would rather you stay overweight and eventually deal with the reprecussions of obesity than have loose skin, eh? Please, please, worry less about the loose skin and more about how to exercise.

I have lost a significant amount of weight. Is my body perfect ... not on a longshot. But am I healthier? You bet I am.

Invite hubby to take walks with you every day. Invite hubby to spot you while you lift weights.

If you think for a minute that remaining obese is better for you and your family than loose skin, I don't know what to say. Maybe this is what my Mom always meant when she told me to shut up unless I had something nice to say.

Sorry for the bluntness but this post screamed out for it.

[emmyn74]

Re: What do I have to look forward to??

IrishIrish I was not thinking about quitting the atkins way of life because of what DH said, I just wanted to share because I could not believe that he would say something like that when I am trying to lose weight and better my self image and health. I would be so excited if I lost the weight that I need to. I was just wanting to know what I can expect and if the skin will tighten by itself while I am losing the weight. He cannot possibly comprehend what I am going through because he is 5'11" and has never weighed over 135, but he is the first one to whine if I can't go do something with him like running. He used to be in track and can run really fast, I can't even jog. If I lose the weight I will be able to do these things with him and he is worried about me having loose skin. It just made me mad. I figured that I would lose and add more exercise in the process so that I will be fit and healthy again, like I was before I had my daughter. I am on my way, and I have my sister and my mom to back me up since we are all three doing this together, though I am the only one doing atkins. We will see who can stay on theirs cheat free the longest and lose what we need to. My sister is doing low fat stuff, mom is on south beach, and I am living with Atkin's. Needless to say I am doing well on mine...