Hey there. I'm not a maintainer yet, but this seemed the most appropriate place to post. Like many fat chicks I’m worried about the issue of possible loose skin - I have lost over 52lb and no sign of it whatsoever yet. But I still have a long way to go - at least 30lbs and probably more like 50lb. I’m doing everything “right” in a way - moisturizing twice a day with coco butter firming lotion, eating lots of fruit and veg, drinking ten glasses of water per day, dry body brushing, exercising and doing a number of exercises to build muscle.
So - in a sense - I’m not looking for advice. I’ve searched high and low for solutions and I seem to be doing everything to try and prevent it. In the first year of losing I lost less than an 1lb per week. Now I’m losing slightly faster, but still no more than 2lb a week.
My main concern is the emotional trauma (strong word, I know) that having loose skin will PROBABLY cause me IF I do have it. I’ve been worrying myself sick about it for some time. Some background - I’m eighteen years old. I was “chubby” for most of my childhood, although my weight did vary and there were times when I was “normal.” I piled weight on after puberty - my hormones were messed up, they put me on the pill to try and fix the hormonal problems and then that made me balloon! Prior to that I’d been about 195lbs - I shot up to 250lb at my highest. Luckily, I only stayed there a couple of weeks/months before I took control and started to lose weight. The issue is that throughout my entire teen hood I’ve never been able to be “normal” because of my weight. Couldn’t wear a bathing suit, couldn’t wear the cute tiny dresses that friends and relatives were wearing and I lacked confidence around boys. Don’t get me wrong - I am doing this to get healthy above all else and this isn’t a “Should I continue to lose weight thread?” because believe me I will. But fears of loose skin make me think about adjusting my goal - I’m only about 30lb from a “healthy” weight. But my actual plan was to lose 25lb AFTER that to get me to my ultimate goal of 140lb approx. At that weight I won’t be chunky - for the first time in my life I will actually be slender. But now I’ve got thinking about the loose skin issue it’s got me re-considering.
I know often people tell others NOT to worry about it - but it’s easier said than done! Some people who are currently losing weight are happily married and have been for years and they know their husbands/wives don’t care what they look like post-weight loss; they only care about their health. Or some people have got the skimpy bathing suit/tiny skirts phase out of the way and once older, no longer care as much. But me, I’ve never even had that opportunity and to think I might NEVER have it is really upsetting for me. It’s a normal part of life. As for relationships, even if I feel and look better after losing the weight, I fear I wouldn’t let a boy near me sexually if I had any loose skin. I’d be worried that they’d be disgusted. And that's not normal. It’s like swapping one set of negative things for another - although obviously I WILL have the benefit of good health having lost the weight and that is invaluable.
I’m sorry this turned into a rant - I know I probably sound like a silly, insecure teen (which is probably what I am,) but I’ve been thinking about this a lot lately and it’s starting to drive me a little crazy.
ETA: surgery obviously isn't an option given my age. I do think my tummy could snap back - but I'm concerned by my arms and upper thighs, since I carry a LOT of weight there.
