Lost weight ... and looking awful.....

[indysteel]

I don't have any additonal advice to add to the already great advice you've gotten. I just wanted to congratulate you on your weight loss and fitness gains. That's positively fantastic! I'm sorry that you've had to endure some negative reactions to it and hope that you don't let others' reactions change how feel about your accomplishments.

[Swan]

Parroting the weight training advice! When I lost a lot of weight all at once (27lbs in two months), I started looking like a crumpled plastic bag. But hitting the gym for those machines and to lift weights really tucked everything back in pretty well! I still have a tiny bit of loose skin in my arms, but I'm still beginning at the gym (only been a couple of weeks). If weight training doesn't cut it for you, don't feel bad if you do want a tuck. It's really important to feel good about your body.

[LunaB]

I want to say a great big thank you for all the positive replies I have been getting on my post! I KNEW this forum was the one and only place to spill my beans! Thank you!

I may not have enough loose skin for a tuck, but I admit that if I was in my 20´s or 30´s I would definitely save up to have my boobs fixed. Something that would never ever have crossed my mind even in my wildest dreams before. Now, at 56 .... hm, I don´t know, I may just have to live with them...?

And weight training will be next on my agenda! I lost the weight very rapidly on a real crash diet, so I probably lost a lot of muscle in the process.

And with clothes on I think I look pretty good at the moment

Och, lph - Tusen Tack!!

[Blueberry]

I just wanted to echo what others have said - you have done something amazing! Since you lost it fast, I would say give it some time. Skin can take some time to adjust - and add weight training as others have said. If the boobs bother you, I don't think your age should be a limiting factor if it's what *you* want to do for *you*. You're active, you're in great shape - do what it takes for you to feel that way. I don't think you need to settle because you're 56!

[marni]

I too have lost a lot of weight, albeit much more slowly than you, and at a slightly more advanced age. I do seriously weight and resistance train, ride, drink lots of water, eat a healthy diet, etc so mostly although flabby I am not too wrinkly. About the only thing I ever consider getting some skin work done on is my bye bye bingo arms which actually flap noisily if I hold my arms in the the wrong position going downhill on my bike at speeds over 20 miles But hey, I'd rather save my money for a new bike.

Congratulations on your weight loss. That's a great accomplishmentany time any how especially if you feel fit.

[Triskeliongirl]

I echo the suggestion to get a good fitting bra. If hubby likes you 'voluptuous', get one with padding for the boudoir! You could also get a swimsuit with a padded bra like top. A good bra will do wonders for how you look in your clothes. Then work on the weight training to firm and tone your skin. I would say give it a year, and if you have maintained the weight loss but still are unhappy about saggy skin, then consider surgery.

[shootingstar]

Congrats LunaB! Better to feel healthy and energetic even though right now you wish you looked more taunt.

Just wondering for cycling, do you cycle more regularily longer distances now?

Swan, you mentioned elsewhere in another thread that you regained abit of weight but are working away at it? Hope you find a job soon....

[zoom-zoom]

I lost the weight very rapidly on a real crash diet, so I probably lost a lot of muscle in the process.

It could also be that your skin will simply take longer to shrink down a bit than your fat cells did, so be patient. I think a lot of people find that when they lose weight fast that there is a lag between their skin shrinking to match the rest of them. And some areas are stubborn on some of us. My upper arms, inner thighs, and belly all have stretch marks (and having had a c-section only adds to my belly's floppiness), so these areas may never shrink much, since the skin has visible lack of elasticity. A lot of it's genetic. My mom doesn't have particularly elastic skin, either.

[Catrin]

I've the same problem with skin that isn't so elastic - and I've lost a LOT of weight, close to 100 pounds. I've also had stomach surgery, twice, so suspect things won't change much. I am 53, and while I don't have all that many stretch marks, the skin is taking it's own sweet time to shrink down. If it doesn't I won't allow that to trouble me, though it could if I allowed it to do so. Weight training is great for many reasons, and becoming comfortable in your own skin is one of the most important, to my mind at least. Congratulations on all of the hard work you've been doing. Personally I wish that I had added weight training years before I did, it pays off in so many ways.

[emily_in_nc]

I've the same problem with skin that isn't so elastic - and I've lost a LOT of weight, close to 100 pounds.

Wow, Catrin -- I had no idea. Congratulations!

(Sorry for the thread hijack...)

[Catrin]

Wow, Catrin -- I had no idea. Congratulations!

(Sorry for the thread hijack...)

I've run across a couple of people recently who haven't seen me for a decade, their shocked reaction was rather interesting

back to the regular thread...