Please, Please help me any of you ladies or gents who have taken off at least 100 lbs. I need guidance as to how to firm up as much as I can. I know that surgery is the only thing that will truly put it all back in place and I can't do that, but I would like to help it along as much as I can. I do 45 minutes on a treadmill for cardio/wt loss everyday, but would like to know what machines to use. I carry the bulk of my weight still in my butt and want to know what machines to use at the gym to firm up boobs, arms, tummy area, and hip/upper legs all of which have loose skin now. Don't use technical terms, but describe how the machine looks so I will know which ones to use. If all else fails, I will ask the person on duty which one to use I guess for what thing, but wanted some of you who have been through it's imput first! thanks bunches. Still losing....

Faye

Hi Faye!

First of all, congratulations on your loss and fortitude. Have you asked a trainer or assistant at your gym for help? Also, you weren't specific as to what kind of machines your gym has because they vary so widely from gym to gym. For example, I belong to a ladies only gym that offers weight resistence machines. These are not the same kind of machines you'll find at a Gold's gym.

I personally began using free weights after losing 40# and 25 inches. I lost the first 40 by using the machines at my gym and walking on a track. I now treadmill, row and bike or step at home, and lift weights. I started lifting free weights at home 9/15/03 and after 90 days and another 20#loss, I lost 15.25 inches, IMO, a better result than what I previosuly accomplished. I am now in a size 15, compared to 20 years ago at the same weight when I did no exercise and wore a size 20. Although, my belly and butt were the last to catch up with the effects of body building, they finally have. I won't make a decision about the skin until I reach the place that I feel is "goal," but I think the muscle helps fill out some of the sag. Needless to say, I am a free weights body building advocate, and regret not doing it from the beginning. It's also something you can do at home with a minimal dollar investment. By the way, I'm 51. Here are my before body building photos, and the latest when I reached 188#.
http://groups.msn.com/3FCLadiesWhoLift/projectdip.msnw

Good luck, and don't be shy about asking for assistance at your gym - that's what you're paying for.

dip

You might try a slightly different tack: a water aerobics class. That has a resistance component, you push against the water with your arms, torso, and legs. It seems to relocate the fat from the muscles to just under the skin, to some extent, so it helps keep the skin smoother looking. Presumably this is because the body senses that you need some insulation from the cool water (the pool I go to is heated to 84 degrees, and it does feel cool. Most of the ladies in my class are mature, and I think it has helped them. Also, avoid sun exposure and smoking! That really breaks down the skin fast! (But you probably knew that, lol!)

Thanks Seek! I do water aerobics during the summer months. I have a pool and do an hour a day and it works great! I can't get to the indoor pool classes they have at the Y here in town. thanks again for the suggestion, though.

Do you have access to a Muscle Pump class at all? I started taking one of those at our Y and it was a great class. I was really sore after doing it, and it definitely worked my muscles. It's a full body muscle work out.

I also started just by going down to the weight machines (didn't have the nerve to try the free weights) and doing them one at a time. All the arm machines on one day and all the leg machines on a different day. I just read the instructions posted on the machines and started at a low weight and worked my way around the room.

You've come so far that I know whatever you decide to do you'll be successful at.