Hi, my name is Susie, i'm newly 50 yrs old and have over the last year lost about 4 sizes. I don't have a scale so i have no idea how much i have lost (which is kind of regrettable) but i go by the sizes, i went from a 20/22 to now a size 12 which is "slender" for me, or a normal weight even though i can and should lose more. I did this over a course of a year without "crash dieting" just clean eating, portion controlling and some exercise as i have CFS/Fibro, thyroid/adrenal disorders.
I do manage to exercise 5-6X a week usually 1/2 hour on treadmill (going all out w/out running-knees are too bad for that) and lately have been walking up and down my street at night, i live on a hill so it's basically HIIT which i think has helped the most and just recently bought some dumbells as i do believe weight training will get me where i want to go faster than anything, it will be my CFS though that will determine how much i can do
Anyway, sorry to be so long winded but my main question is HOW can i tell the fat/jiggy stuff on my entire abdomen is loose skin or simply just more weight i need to lose? i have no idea how to tell this. i suspect it's a combo of both as it HAS gone down some the more weight i lose.
I became overweight in my mid 30's and stayed that way until last yr and i am frankly shocked at how i can wear the same jeans i did when i was in shape and in my 20's BUT OH MY how my body composition has changed! definitely so much softer and so much more in the midsection !!!
i am hoping with regular weight training there will be more progress made but i am trying to also keep in mind i may have to accept what i have going on now. too bad because a tight and toned midsection is what i admire most (boo hoo, i know)!!
Hi Susie!
It might help if you could post a picture of the area you are having the problem with (you can leave the face part out). If you have not had your body fat measured, you might find that helpful, as the person measuring (provided they are somewhat qualified) could help you in determining what you have left to lose. If it is loose skin, take heart in that some of it will likely pull in a bit, althought maybe not 100% like it was. I definitely see the most difference in my body with weight lifting, and I have become addicted, as I can now feel the muscle underneath what is left of the fat. Keep in mind that in order to see a real difference in the midsection, there has to be very little body fat there, so if it is fat and not skin, you will just have to keep plugging along and you will see results soon enough. And remember that weight lifitng is great for the bones, and bone strength is super important! And did I forget to say WELCOME!!!!
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Susie - Congratulations on your wonderful weight loss! The difference in clothing sizes tells the story, no matter how many total pounds you lost. Unfortunately, losing that much weight is going to cause loose skin in most people who are over 30. Our skin just isn't as resilient as it was when we were young. If it's bad enough, it can be removed surgically and if not you can wear spanx to camoflauge it. Either way, you are going to want to continue to eat healthy and exercise to maintain your loss, and that will take off any residual body fat and strengthen your muscles, which will always improve your appearance. Weight training will definately make a difference! Keep up the good work!
Now that you're here, you might want to jump on over to the Golden Girls thread. It's mostly women over 50 who have formed a bond and we discuss everyday life issues along with diet and exercise tips. Stop on over and take a look/see.
Susie - Congratulations on your success! Loose skin is just that - loose skin, without any fat. The best way to know what to do is see your doctor for a true medical opinion, and if it is actually only loose skin (s)he can refer you to a specialist.
Please hop on into one or more of the discussion threads here at Age 50+. You will find lots of encouragement and friendship here.
Hi Susie...welcome!! Sounds like you have had excellent success already at losing weight...congratulations! Sometimes I think not having a scale is not a bad idea at all, because I jump on mine too many times a day. It is especially nice to feel the loss in our clothes. I have lost 10 lb. and I can already feel a slight difference.
Your method is very similar to mine....eating healthy and portion control and working on the exercise portion. I ride my exercise bike three times a day, and I plan to get some weights. I'd like to eventually join a gym.
At my age, I already have some "wings" under my arms. I'd like to see that disappear, but I am afraid it won't, but maybe some. I will work on it.
I have a younger friend, whose mother is in her 70's. Her arms, hands and feet look like a teenager's! She has never been overweight and has exercised all of her life. I am absolutely in awe every time I see her, but she worked for it....got to give her that. While I was baking cakes....she was watching her weight.
We're going to do the best we can though, and it is going to get better.
Thank you everyone who responded, i appreciate the welcome for some reason i wasn't getting email alerts for responses to my question.
You know, i think it is fat, probably some loose skin with it but i probably just have more to lose and have to accept the fact that my body even though i'm close to the size that i was when i was slender and in my early 20's, is COMPLETELY different now! Much less firm and wayyyyy more weight in the midsection! I always had a flat stomach when i was young, well not now! I still have excess weight in the tops of my thighs and mid section but i don't want my rear and arms, etc to waste away while i wait for my torso to firm up, LOL. Well i'll just keep on keeping on and focus as much as i can on "toning" although i have to proceed slow because of the post exercise malaise i can get from the CFS (Chronic Fatigue Syndrome) it took me awhile to work up to 30min on the treadmill, i'm astounded that i can!
Yes it was definitely portion controlling on my part and then later a decision to eat "clean" for 6 days a week which i find easy actually. I went from daily candy (1/2 lb bag of M & M's, etc) to NONE but i find that my "healthy" cocoa satisfies it all: 1% milk, 2T dark cocoa, Stevia to sweeten, cinnamon, and the guilty pleasure a T or 2 of sugar free flavored creamer namely Hazelnut. Way less calories and far healthier than candy, lol.
If i get the guts i will post a pic but i am rethinking maybe its just more fat i need to lose and that my body does NOT look like it did at this size than when i was 20 what a shock
New here, how do i know? loose skin question! :)
Loose skin is just that - loose skin, without any fat. The best way to know what to do is see your doctor for a true medical opinion, and if it is actually only loose skin (s)he can refer you to a specialist. 
