Every time I get motivated to lose weight and set some goals and work at it. It just takes looking at my arms, which are saggy NOW, probably from being so big for so long. And I'm literally just mortified at the thought of losing weight and how bad my skin will look, because losing weight would make it hang farther!! It almost makes me cry just writing this, and I often feel depressed about it. Well, this fear and postive enthusiasm for losing weight contradict each other and my fear is sabataging mt efforts and hopes for a future of a fit body, and being able to dress nicely rather than wear the same clothes all the time just because it'll do. I have a dream to be fit and feel better and of going shopping, but this fear of loose skin is paralyzing me with fear. Can anyone please share with me how I can keep positive?? I really could use some wisdom, because I see people lose large amounts of weights and they don't look depressed for sure! But I'm so AFRAID I won't be able to wear short sleaves. I don't even aspire to a bikini! Oh help!!
lol to be honest I'd rather be thin and saggy than fat and firm. =] My arms and tummy look horrible, but they are slllllllowly coming back with exersize. Anything that cant be fixed with toning up can always be surgically improved, but at least you're healthy, you know? And I think even with my saggy skin I look much better =]
Just love who you are, flaws and all. And I wear a bikini. And my friends say I look great. lol =] People will love you if you love yourself first. Flaws and all.
I just read your success story and after doing so, I am even more motivated and inspired to lose weight.
In regards to loose skin, I used to be fearful of losing weight because of this. Many times, I have sabotaged myself just because my face started changing and my skin became loose. I was convinced that my face looked better round and wrinkleless than thin with a few lines. One of the reasons my skin was loose was because of the poor eating habits I had acquired in order to lose weight; very low fat and calorie diets plus excessive exercising.
Now, I am 51 years old and I don't care if my skin sags. I have huge boobs and if need be, I will get a boob reduction. I have always had problems with the girls giving me back aches and dents in my shoulders. Another reason I don't care if my skin sags is that I would rather have it sag then have to take medication for high blood pressure, depression, and high cholesterol. Losing weight will save me some money which I am tired of throwing away because I cannot control my eating habits. I have adapted some new strategies for losing weight which are helping greatly. The weight is coming off slowly, but I am patient this time.
I really wouldn't panic over it. It is JUST skin. I have a little loose skin on my tummy -- not so much from the weight loss I don't think, but more from the three C-Sections -- one of which was an emergency and they sliced some muscle getting my son out. He, however, is definitely worth the little extra tummy that even a thousand crunches won't fix. However, despite losing almost 40 pounds, I don't have any loose skin on my arms now -- I did when I first started, but with lots of resistance training and a good diet, the skin on my arms in nice and firm. I do have a little loose skin where my jaw attaches to my neck -- It is almost imperceptible, but if you grab my skin there, it doesn't "spring back"...who knew my double chin was bad enough to give me a turkey neck? lol However, even that seems to be improving these days. Everything is actually pretty nicely located now -- with the exception, of course, of my breasts -- which after almost eight years of breastfeeding and pregnancy are a little remiscent of a National Geographic spread. But hey, that's why good foundation garments were invented, and they don't seem to bug my husband at all. At least he's not complaining...
Well - honestly, do you want to be overweight? Do you really want to be overweight? Do you like being overweight?
Would you rather be heavy with tight skin, than fit and small with some loose skin? I cannot believe the answer to this could be yes.
I have some, but it usually doesn't bother me because I love the smaller me so much that the price of some loose skin is so worth it. DH has absolutely no problems with it, he loves my new body as well.
I had posted on my blog about it, but essentially everyone with eyes sees and notices someone who is fat. Loose skin doesn't have to be noticeable to anyone when you are clothed.
well, i look at it this way -- the way i am now, I look kinda gross naked and in clothes. i'd rather be thinner and look better in clothes at least! it's a 50% gain in hotness! hehehehe
And as DH so lovingly puts it, he wants me around for a long long time, even if i'm tripping over skin like a Sharpei
For me, loose skin was always preferable to back rolls, wedding cake top (I was way beyond muffin top )and cankles.
It's not AT ALL what I envisioned it would be, very minimal, only on the stomach, at nearly 120 pounds down and counting.
Eh, you'll never know how you'll look unless you start. I'd be willing to bet that once you're at goal, no amount of loose skin would make you regret having lost the weight.
There have been times I HAVE worried over it, before I started losing weight. I now have asked myself - was the fear of loose skin really holding me back or were there other issues at play (fear of failing, not looking like a lingerie model when I'm done, an excuse for not having to do all of that work, ect)? This was my hangup - not implying in any way it's yours or anyone else's.
I think Mandalinn summed it up best. Yes, the idea of loose skin sucks... In fact, I constantly wonder whether the huge globs of fat on my arms will ever tighten up, LOL. But when it comes down to it, the benefits of losing weight FAR outweigh the bummer of having loose skin. Like others have said--try not to worry about it too much. Especially since it seems to me like you don't have a huge amount of weight to lose, you might be surprised by how not-bad the loose skin issue really ends up being once you've lost weight. You'll be so excited to show off your new body that I bet you won't even care about some pesky skin! And yes, in the event that you feel your loose skin really is severe and unmanageable, I suppose surgery is an option. Though, again, I don't think you'll want/need it in the end.
I also worry about my loose skin. I've lost over 60lbs so far and still have a lot to go. my skin already is getting loose and more saggy. I just try to focus on the health aspect of it, and remind myself that even with saggy skin i will look much better and be much healthier at a healthy weight. the benefits of being smaller definetely outweigh the downfall of saggy skin. surgery is always an option but I will give myself at least a year after goal to see what exercise and strength training do. I am already working on the loose skin issue by strength training, drinking lots of water and taking fish oil. I think you will look great. you dont have tons to loose and with a good strength training routine, you should be just fine
I think it is an issue that many worry about when losing weight the amount of loose skin. In my experience so far the reality is not so bad as I imagined. I am not saying that I do not have loose skin because I do. Though with clothing no one can see it and all you get is positive comments on how nice you look. Trust me that feeling is wonderful I would rather have my loose skin any day.
They are my badge of honour as unfortunately I do not have the funds to correct it. Though if you have money your worlds your oyster as to how much corrective surgery you have done or don't
What I will say read mandalinn82 first post she sums it up brilliantly in a nutshell. I would rather be where I am today with loose skin than back at that 300lb woman. mandalinn82 words of wisdom and her story helped me get to where I am today.
I've never really thought about having loose skin after I lose all my weight. This is just something cosmetic and can be fixed if you want by either toning or surgery.
Look at what you'll be benefiting from weight loss and not "what if"
How did you get over being afraid of loose skin?
And yes, in the event that you feel your loose skin really is severe and unmanageable, I suppose surgery is an option. Though, again, I don't think you'll want/need it in the end.
