I know it's much too early to worry about this, but I am on such a roll that I'm thinking I'm finally going to be sucessful for the long haul with this weight loss that Im trying to plan ahead for the future.

My worry is about excess skin. My question isn't one of those will I have it ones rather my question is IF I do which is more then likely how will time off from my exercise program effect me? Like how long does it take to start losing muscle mass if it's not used? I'm not sure how long recovery is for these proceedures, but I know time off will have to be taken.

As someone whos had an entire adult life as an obese person (I think the last time I saw 100 anything I was 18 and I am 32 now) The thought of having to take time off is down right scarey, but I understand that it's only a small setback. I mean this is a life-long change so in the sceme of things whats 4-6 weeks or whatever right?

I just would like to understand more about it from anyone who has been through this before.

As for what I do now... Mostly exercise with DVDs alternating cardio and strength 6days a week. I've been at this 4 months now so this probably wont be an issue for another 2 years or so.

Thanks to anyone who take the time to answer It's very much appricated.

Congratulations on you successes ! I have just recently joined here. In 2000 I was 35 years old 5'8" and 320 lbs.I went to weight watchers for a few months and then just followed close to their rules on my own. The only exercise I did was walking but my job at that time had more than average stretching and lifting throughout the day ...I said all that to say this...I never had the excess skin at all and lost to 180 at 5'8" with large breasts I don't look bad at 180 but my skin never gave me a second thought. I have since went through more things anyone can imagine including losing everything my 12 year old son and I own ( whose father has passed also) in Hurricane Ivan in 2004..rebuilding a life for us been on my mind more than watching my weight and stress has caused me to eat emotionally but if I don't get the weight back off for good now I won't be around for the life I'm trying to make any way...TMI I'm sorry...congrats again and I don't think you have anything to worry about when it comes to excess skin with the weight you are and the great job you are doing on exercise....

The excess skin has a lot to do with where on your body you carry excess skin. If it is mostly in the abdomen, and the abdomen sort of hangs down, then you will have excess skin. I am going to get a tummy tuck and i have done some extensive research on it. You can get back to cardio in about 3 weeks and ab workouts in about 6. PLus they will tighten the muscles so it will be like you did 10,000 sit ups...so dont worry about missing workouts. The muscle repair will MORE than make up for any exercise missed. If you want the address of a really good website...a message board, PM me and i will get you the address, it is SUPER informative.

As far as I know, you don't start losing muscle mass until after about a month of inactivity. You also lose strength. However, if you have been exercising consistently prior to the layoff, it doesn't take long to get back where you were.

I had a LOT of excess skin on my stomach after losing 50 pounds. I think I carried about 45 of those pounds on my stomach. I also had 2 enormous pregnancies which tore the underlying layers of my skin as well as my muscles and the central vertical ab ligament. My skin was shot by the time I was 28, it sure wasn't going to shrink when I was 46. I had a tummy tuck when I was 49. I took 2 weeks off work (should have been 3- I'm a personal trainer). I was doing light cardio by 2 weeks (walking) and lifting light by 3 weeks. Lifting back to normal by 6 weeks.

The rest of my skin looks like a normal 50 plus year old woman- not great, but it's not bad. Lifting heavy and eating right has made a big difference.

You actually start to lose some muscle after about 2-3 weeks, but you can rebuild much quicker than building in the first place

HTH,
Mel

Thanks for the input! Who knows I may get lucky, but I am mentally prepared it might be an issue, and I don't know how I will feel about it until it happens and I maintain for awhile. With the bad stretch marks I have I'm pretty sure there will some issues.

It's nice to know it doesn't take forever to get back to where you left off.