I'm not really at the point where I am too concerned about this since I have such a long way to go but is there no way at all around loose skin????

I mean I'm starting to picture myself looking skinnier then with like loose skin hanging down to the floor...its quite a dreadful image, haha.

But like...weightlifting and strength exercises would help in the long run with it right?????

Hi there

You might want to check out this FAQ area: http://www.3fatchicks.com/forum/showthread.php?t=36040

I can't say it's inevitable, but it is very likely. However, I doubt you'll have loose skin hanging down to the ground. It doesn't really work like that.

On the other hand, I've just discovered that *intensity* of exercise does something to the fibers that helps re-generate. My workout plan (CrossFit) is all about intensity, so I will get it without trying - LOL - but don't give up or let yourself get trapped in one of those gym/machine programs where they tell you girls need to do endless reps with light weights or they will build too much ugly muscle. I'm planning to get a lot of my skin tone back, stay tuned! (And I know some others have.)

I was just thinking of this! I've heard that if you use a body suit or girdle that it helps keep the skin tight as you lose. I've only lost 23 pounds but it's so helped me.

Another thing to remember is that your skin will take a while after you lose weight to tighten up. It might not ever tighten up *all the way* but don't think that where you are the day you hit goal is the way you'll always be.

And, like weight loss, it's not always that obvious.

I had my regular wax last week and my waxer made a comment to me about how the skin on my thighs and lower tummy was getting firmer. I am still annoyed by it (not stressed, but just sorta ... urgh!) but she pointed to a few spots and said "here and here and here - it's much tighter than it used to be".

So give it time. You might find that you have less loose skin than you thought you would.

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I think it depends on genetics: how far you skin was stretched vs your genetic predisposition for skin elasticity. For me, my skin didn't firm up as much as I'd liked (I probably would have lost and extra size or two if I could have had it removed,) but I also lost my weight very fast, faster than I should have safely.

Your starting weight is close to what mine was and so far I have saggy skin but not as bad as i was afraid i would have. I know I wont ever have a perfect naked body..but after weighing 300+ i dont expect to have one..not to mention being in my 40s things just go south anyways. My arms are really saggy and so is my apron area ,,,but I had rather it be saggy that fat filled. I am hoping it will tighten some as i lose my next 60+ pounds.

My Skin genetics are not good, we come from saggy,old looking oldies peasant stock. I am resigned to looking sort of like a human basset hound but considering the other option, continued obesity and early death, that sound just about fine to me. The only way I will be able to afford skin removal is if someone dies and leaves me loads of cash.

Count me in the saggy booty club! I'm 43 and have sags and bags. The only one that really bothers me is the one I can't hid...I now officially have a turkey neck...but hey, there once was a few extra full chins in there. My MIL bought me some of the best skin & wrinkle cream on the market....I'll let you know if it works...LOL

I know a lady who has lost 167 pounds and has around another 100 to lose. We were comparing arms the other day and I was totally amazed how she had NO extra saggy flab. She said she came from a good stock of skin genes. She has the most beautiful complexion I've ever seen on a 55 year old. So there is HOPE!!

Age and genes...that is a lot of it. Now in my late thirties, I am depending on genes. I have had three BIG babies, and I have no stretch marks and my tummy seems to be taming -- not perfect, but pretty good. My OB says it means I have a lot of collegeen (sp?), and so I will age gracefully because I have a lot of natural elasticity in my skin (We will see...my breasts don't seem so elastic after close to eight years straight of pregnancy and nursing...). I have known women who were really big who ended up with no sag at all, but one of the legal assistants where I used to work only lost 20 lbs. and she definitely had some sag going on...but even hers got better after a few months as she continued to work out.

What I do know is that the younger you get the weight off, the better the skin issue is. That is even the case between the 40s and the 50s or the 50s and the 60s...and healthwise it is all good.

It's not a given that you will have tons of loose skin. It just depends on so many things - some people don't and some do. For those that I know that have lost 100 plus pounds and have little amount of loose skin, they lost their weight slowly (ie not super fast as with GBS) and exercised.

One friend lost 225 pounds over the course of 2 years and she has some but nothing compared to what you may think a person would have. She wears a swimsuit with no hesitation.

I wouldn't even sweat it. As other has said, i'd rather have some loose skin than continue to be fat. Shoot, a good girdle or some preparation H can do wonders to hide or get rid of loose skin. It's a lot more harder to hide fat though.lol

The more I am reading, the more I am hearing about slower loss being better for the skin situation. I am ready to up my calories for that benefit. I know that still means no more pints of Ben and Jerry's.

Ive just started my weight loss progress but I know I have horrible elasticity in my skin. With each pregnancy I got those horrible HUGE stretchmarks some even over 1/2" wide in places and 5-6" long...most of those bad ones are in my lower abdomen near where the leg starts. I figure with that track record I am going to have a lot of excess skin when my weight loss gets closer to my goal. But I would be happy to deal with it in exchange for the weight to be gone and being much healthier in general =) Good luck!

I've only lost 35+ pounds, but I had some noticeable loose skin* on my trouble spots (lower abs and inner thighs).

There is recent research coming out that flavinols found in dark chocolate and tea can increase blood flow to the skin and result in possible improvements in skin quality. FWIW, cinnamon is also supposed to increase blood flow as well as metabolism.

I've been eating a square of dark choc/day, and I drink lots of tea with cinnamon in it (I also put it in my coffee). I've also been using bio oil and copper peptide cream on my trouble spots, and I exercise regularly.

I think I have noticed some progress, but it could be the simple progress of time rather than any of the proactive measures I'm taking.

* I edited this to add that it's noticeable, but only to me. There aren't any folds or hanging skin but it is far from taught and I'm convinced tighter skin would improve the shape of my lower abs. Anyhoo, I really just wanted to let folks know there are some foods that may help skin quality.