I was just wondering if anyone caught Dr. Phil's show yesterday? He had a woman on there that lost 117 lbs and really, truly looked amazing!! Also there was a woman who was almost 400 lbs. Both woman really gave me a lot of motivation. The first woman showed me that it IS possible, with hard work and dedication, to reach your goals. The second woman showed me where I am heading if I don't stop my destructive eating habits now.

What did you think of the show?

Yeah, the story of that woman who lost the weight and now has the extra skin was definently a different side of the story that I had never really thought about. I guess it never has crossed my mind that that could happen. Do you think she lost the weight really fast, and that's why she has all that skin?? Why did it happened to her, but it doesn't happen to others? I would really hate that.

I saw the show and found it very inspiring. I think the skin thing has many factors. Age, your skin's elasticity, exercise, the rate of weight loss, etc. It has so many factors that you just don't know how your body will react until you get there. I guess we should understand that what we did to our bodies by being overweight will have long term repercussions. But, the health factors far out weigh the cosmetic factors for me. Plus, you never know, we may be some of those folks with elastic skin that goes back to a decent shape.

Good morning everyone,

Please let me introduce myself. I am a 38 year old Grade 3 French Immersion teacher in Whitby, Canada. I've had weight problems for over 11 years, since I began my teaching career. Over the years, I have lost weight by exercising and watching my food intake and then after a while, I lose my motivation and go back to my bad habits of eating junk food (i.e. chocolate) when I am sad, alone or bored. In August 2003, I weighed 276 pounds. Through the use of Xenical and exercise as well as following the advice of a nutritionist, I am currently at 252 pounds.My goal weight would be 170 pounds. Enough about me!

I did watch the show and was very sad to see the 25 year old woman weighing more than 350 pounds. She is not living life, she is just surviving! I sure hope that she is serious about losing the weight or she will die. It's unbelievable the number of physical ailments she has at such a young age!

I felt so sorry for the woman who lost 162 pounds and has bags of skin hanging all over her body. Thank goodness that she has such a supportive husband.

It's great how Dr. Phil always arranges to have top notch experts to help out his guests. I wish them good luck!

Have a great day everyone!

Tonita

I did see that show and it was very inspiring to me as well! Although, I have to admit, seeing the lady who had the extra skin was a tad frightening. However, I agree with the above poster...I think it all depends on the [I]way[I] you lose it. My sister in law has lost 70 pounds, and while she does have some skin issues, with a good exercise program, she is looking fantastic. I can only hope I can do the same!!
Best wishes to all of you!

I didn't see the show, but wish I had.
As for the saggy skin, I'm suprised Dr.Phil didn't have a surgeon there that would take off the excess at no cost to the young woman.
It is true, the slower you take it off the less likely you will have flaps of skin hanging. However, lets get real, you squish 300lbs in a body made to be 150, its going to stretch and what do you do after the weight is gone?

Exercise is the key, I found aqua arobics the best at my size. Doesnt kill the knees and most times there are only other fat people that see me in a bathing suit. I did speak to the director of the program to make sure they changed the time so the aquafit was after an adult swim so people didnt have rude children making comments to us.
Small price to pay to get healthy!

Cealy

Just wanted say I didn't see the show but I have a friend who lost 150lbs over 2 years and the only real skin issue she has is her arms. She also exercised after the 1st 80 lbs 3 day a week.

There's a loose skin faq over on the maintainers forum that might be informative to people who aren't familiar with the issue. I exercise just about every day and lost the weight slowly over 4 years and I still have skin issues. It's much much better than having all the extra pounds though.

She said she lost that weight over a period of 3 years. Some people just have better elasticity in their skin. But it's one thing I am very worried about when I reach my goal.