Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

[Barb1965]

I've been on Atkins nearly 6 months this go round, with less than a handful of cheats. I'm okay with loosing slow, as I'm getting there at my own pace. What sucks is that at 45 years old, I'm now finding the least bit of weightloss is leaving my body old and decrpit looking. Even fat I used to look tight and firm, now I'm looking old and jiggly. I'm starting to question if I want to loose any more if this is the way it is going to leave my body looking.

I would rather look fat and disgusting than like a shrunken nothing in a too big costume.

I need the older crowd to give me some encouragement, as I'm not liking my new body:-( Will the skin and muscle ever catch up or is it just a part of getting older?

[poobears1972]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

It can take up to a year for your skin to catch up to your weightloss but except for a few cases it will catch up. You just need to give it time. I also have squishy skin on my tummy, back of arms and thighs mostly. I hate the way my stomach looks now but I wouldn't go back to being fatter to get rid of the skin. It will get better on it's own if I give it time.

Now I can dress to cover saggy trouble spots until they firm up. I can't dress to hide 200 + lbs of weight that I had before.

[liv]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

I think some of it is part of getting older for sure. I have my jiggly wiggle too and it is going no where and yes it kind of sucks.
But with my exercising I am pleased to see that a lot of my body is actually slowly firming up. My legs are arms are a lot firmer than they ever were and even my behind has tightened up a bit and that is quite remarkable (lunges, lunges, lunges, and hills)

My personal option would be to lose weight though no matter what. There are all kinds of nice firming underwear out there and things that will hide folds and stuffs but there is nothing that hides a whole bunch of extra fat.
Not to speak of the fact that it is better for your heart and limbs to not have to drag all that stuff around.

[Barb1965]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

Thanks guys, you are right loosing the weight is better than not. But its the exact places that Poo mentioned, the tummy, thighs and back arms. With the spring like weather today I was starting to think about the pool and the beach and all those other summer things that leave you out in public half naked and was suddenly mortified at the way my new smaller body is looking. I guess I was thinking that if I lost the weight I'd look like I used to, but forgot that Mother Nature marches on wether you are fat or thin, lol.

[thin4summer]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

Do you have a circuit ladies only gym near you? I go to an air resistance training 30 mins a time 3 times a week or more if I can! It really does firm you up! I am in my early 30's but have flabby skin but really find it firms when I stick to going to the gym...its not the sort of gym where everyone is tiny and in lycra! I hope you find somewhere like it near you and you can shrink your skin to your body..if not I am sure it will ..just give it time to catch up

[Dryunderwater]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

Hey there Barb,

I think a little loving session is in order here. You gotta start saying out loud in the mirror everyday "I am a beautiful and worthy woman and my shell can come close but will never match the radiance inside of me"....then go for a walk or get some 5lb weights and use those to pump, pump, pump, pump it up!

No matter your age, you are woman first and that means you are beautiful head to toe. Take some time to find some outfits that flatter your areas that have a little extra fold here and there and accentuate your strong and marvelous features....You have a great smile and great eyes...that's for sure.

You have done a remarkable job in your weight loss efforts...don't miss seeing the overall beauty due to focusing on the "jiggly".

Best wishes!

[Rebbekka Mead]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

... What sucks is that at 45 years old, I'm now finding the least bit of weightloss is leaving my body old and decrpit looking.

Hi Barb!

First off, I am older than you - be it by a few years - but I know EXACTLY what you're going through.

... With the spring like weather today I was starting to think about the pool and the beach and all those other summer things that leave you out in public half naked and was suddenly mortified at the way my new smaller body is looking.

Personally, I am experiencing sagging of the face! Skin is hanging where it shouldn't! Well, at least not YET!

Here's my thought process. I go to Hawaii every year ... and I know (deep down) that I will not have the bathing suit body that I hope to by this years trip. HOWEVER, I know I lookTONS better than I did before this lifestyle change! Who cares what others think? I am, and will continue to be, very proud of myself for my accomplishments ... even though, like you, they are taking a very, very long time.

YOU LOOK GREAT!!!

[poobears1972]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

1/2 sleeve tops have become my best friend. They are cool enough to wear in warm weather and they cover my upper arm flab. I've found a few cute summery ones too. I'd like to find some sheer tops like that to wear with sundresses or tanks. The tummy is easy to cover with capris and a nice length top.

For a swimsuit bottom I plan on buying the board short style ones that I wore last year. They have an inner swimsuit liner then a cute sport board short over it so the liner keeps things tucked in and the board shorts are loose enough that they don't show the bulges and come down just enough to hide the inner thigh. Unfortunately there's way to hide your arms in a swimsuit and I'm dreading that.

[poobears1972]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

Oh I just thought of rash gaurds. Maybe you could buy a cute rash gaurd top to wear with board/swim shorts They usually come to your elbow and you'd have the bonus of extra sun protection.

[ShannonM]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

Weight training - by which I mean challenging weights, not those 3-lb pink dumbbells - is a great help in getting rid of jiggly stuff. It even significantly reduces cellulite, or at least it did for me.

[liv]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

What!!!!! I love my 3lbs - use them a lot.

[TC-on-LC]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

I just had a baby 8 months ago. I have a lot of jiggly wiggly in my belly. It is slowly but surely tightening up as time goes by and I lose more and more weight. and if it doesn't look like I want it to when I reach my goal weight ( which I am sure it will) there's always the tummy tuck option.
They can tuck in the extra skin on your arms too ( if it bothers you that much and if you have the money).
I remember Jilliam Michaels on The Biggest Loser last year, she said they make the contestants bulk up on muscle so the skin will look good when all the weight comes off. so I am sure as long as you are excercising your skin will catch up and you will look great!

Good luck to you and keep up the good work. You are worth it!

[bizzlekitty]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

Personally, I'd rather have the flabby saggy skin than the fat bloated body parts. At least I know I lost weight and am healthier for it.

It does take time for the body to catch up to firm things up. Your body is not really sure if it's going to need that extra skin and emptied fat cells again soon so it's likely in wait mode for a while to make sure. Lifting weights, stretching and other firming exercises can help as it helps build the muscle underneath and perhaps the body will get the message sooner that this is the new way and it's not changing back!

I think the length of time you were overweight and how fast you've lost weight will also have an impact on your skin. That's why so many of those who had weight loss surgery have so many skin problems often requiring plastic surgery. Losing weight naturally and slowly and eating healthy is much better for the body and skin to give it time to adjust.

So just give it time and see.

[ShannonM]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

liv, no offense. I just meant that 3-pounders never did anything for me and I got the best results in terms of fat and cellulite loss by lifting as heavily as I could.

Not everyone is the same, though. SugarFreeSheila, for example, gets great results with very light weights.

[ShannonK]

Re: Jiggly wiggly sucks:-(

I just have chime in and say that I love it that we talking about summer clothes and swim suits. I can't wait for summer and I am going to be hot, hot, hot this summer.