Loose skin question?

[DreamingRox]

Done.

[TaterTot]

I have lost almost 100 pounds and I have some loose skin. I asked my dr about it and he said if i continue to exercise and drink lots of water that most of it should shrink back up. (not his exact words) But I dont REALLY care - most of it can be hidden under my clothes anyway.

[Aussie_babygurl]

:no i stress so much over this, im only 17 and a half and someday id love to wear the trendy clothes that teens wear.. dont really want the baggy skin but dont have the money to get it cut off either.. im only my final 8 kilos to lose, ive lost a heap, and am trying to tone it up now.. im currently doing 100 situps a day but i dont know if that will do anything to my body... i cant afford the gym as i am saving for a trip around australia and it for some wrestling events that i have got my tickets for already.. cant change the dates.

currently im aiming for 67 kilos but am thinking of going to 60 kilos maybe. Does anyone else have any toneing options that dont involve money to buy things or to go to the gym?

[TaterTot]

Do you have any hand weights? THose are very helpful. If you dont, you can use canned food of various weights. I do aerobics - I go to a class, but you can do it at home, too. Especially if you can get a video to follow.
Congratulations on your weightloss!!! And since you are losing it so young, you probably wont have a bad problem with loose skin. Younger skin tends to be more elastic, so I am told.

[Aussie_babygurl]

oh, i didnt think about the canned foods i was looking around for something to lift yesterday, dont have any vids but i could watch the aerobic morning shows at 6am if i am up early enough.

About the younger people having more luck with getting rid of loose skin, does anyone know if that stands for teens that have a "baggy puch" as some call it. cause i seem to have that and it sucks.

Thanks for the help, much appraciated

[tabekat]

One alternative is jogging/running

jogging/running really tightens everything and you can do it anywhere. there was a point in my life where I was very fit, and did 4 miles everyday. every problem area on my body was firm and tight - especially the keester.

to get started, commit about 30 minutes a day. all you need is a good pair of supportive running shoes and bra. if you don't have an official "bra" , use 2 of your regular bras worn together at the same time.

one key to successful running is to start with stretching. takes about 5 minutes. i use a wall or fence or tree. i lean myself forward and stretch each leg out slowly backwards, one at a time. i do a few knee bends, stretch the ankle, and calf, then rotate the entire foot. then I lean forward and do a gentle split motion on each leg. then I shake both legs out. stretching before running is essential or you could hurt yourself.

the next key is breathing. there is a pattern to it and it takes time to learn it. breath through your nose, not your mouth. walk, then run some until you have to stop, then repeat - walk, run till you have to stop.

do a little more running everyday - it is a mental game - yesterday i made it to that lamp-post - today, I'll make it to the hydrant etc. if you go everyday. it takes about 2 weeks for your lungs to adjust and take in more oxygen faster.

it is hard at first, but it gets easier and easier each time. if you go every day, you will be running a mile without stopping in about 3 three weeks.

I personally prefer a track, because I don't have to worry about obstacles. usually a high school will have an outdoor track and you can go there offtime and have some privacy on the track.

while you are running keep your eyes off your feet and remember to move your head posture frequently so your neck does not get stiff.

do not try to run fast. it isn't about racing. going slower is tougher, but you I think I read somwhere that you actually burn more cals that way. at least that has been my experience.

I have seen potential runners burn out after a few turns on the track because they try to run too fast. this is about endurance - not fancy foot work.

it helps to consciously tell your arms to relax and shake them out frequently. i personally let my arms do what they want to do most of the time.

i also like to do positive affirmations while i jog, in my head. (not outloud)...lol..."i am healthy and strong", "I am love", "my lungs are increasingly able to take in more air", "I can do this", etc. etc. etc...

if you keep going, the day will come when your mind just frees itself while you run and you may even have a pleasant sensation of flying along the ground. :angelanim

it feels great. your body adjusts to it and even starts to crave it. give it a try.

[Moochiecat]

Re: One alternative is jogging/running

Tabekat:
I am on the road to becoming a jogger/runner, and I'm currently winding up a month of really brisk walking, with the aim of doing just as you've described (jog to the next bench, walk for a bit, jog to the boardwalk, etc)for the month of March. During this month I've been focussing on powering up the hills, and also running up and down the two flights of stairs that are beside my route.

i also like to do positive affirmations while i jog, in my head. (not outloud)...lol..."i am healthy and strong", "I am love", "my lungs are increasingly able to take in more air", "I can do this", etc. etc. etc...

I do this ALL THE TIME!!!
Almost the exact wording even.."I am STRONG!!" "I'm DOING this!!"

I will mutter them outloud if nobody is around...lol It really helps me a lot. It makes me conscious to the reality that I am making a difference in my life, and that every little thing I do, adds up. :yes

[Aussie_babygurl]

i never knew you could lose loose skin by running, That is great, see even when i spoke to my gym they just said "do sit ups"or lift ur body over a bar...

that post is very helpful, thanks for taking the time to write it im gonna start running again

[tabekat]

moochy and aussie

moochiecat - i smile every time I see your nick - us cats/kats need to stick together! i was impressed by your exercise routine, it sounds like you are doing great. you are gutsier than me to run on the streets and the hills. wow, will you be one fit kitten! :flowerki:
By the way, your pics look great... :hug

Aussie-babygurl, your enthusiasm is great but I can't guarentee that running can help anyone lose hanging skin, especially in extreme cases. I can only share my own experience with running. I simply found the exercise toned my muscles all-over and gave me a tighter dorsal fin. :fish

I do believe jogging is a great exercise though, and that there are many benefits to it, beyond losing weight.

In my experience, jogging can relieve stress, it ensures a quiet moment to myself, it frees the mind to think of only the present moment, it provides an easy way to measure progress, it expands lung power, increases strength, reflexes, agility, gives an incredible feeling of well-being afterwards, and even regulates bowel movements.

I have no proof for this, but I also believe the exercise may improve my immune system.

[Valtro434]

I have 100+ lbs to lose, but I am a really big guy and while I cannot say for sure, it does not seem like I will have much loose skin after making it about 20% of the way.

I think it depends on your ratio of fat to body weight (I am losing about 30% of my overall weight) and if you have a lot of stretch marks and what your skin is like - everyone is different.