Ok... I was 25stone last month... I've been overweight literally all my life (im 25yrs old now)... Im now on a mission to finally shift it all! - So far I've managed a stone,things are still going well, and im not stopping till i've lost 10-12stone... It's gonna take a while but what's going to happen when I finally get down to 12-15stone?! Is my skin going to be all floppy cos i've been so big for so long or does it sort of shrink again!?!? It's really worrying me! :o(
2006-09-14 00:48:37 · 31 answers · asked by crafty1980 1 in Health ➔ Diet & Fitness
...and for all you yanks out there
1 STONE = 14 POUNDS!
2006-09-14 00:52:52 · update #1
Ok I need to make things more clear... I am not losing this weight through dieting, I have just cut down on meal size- DIETS DO NOT WORK (If you cut out a food type, all you do is crave it till you break!)
Anyway, I have a very healthy diet thank you very much! and despite what some people have written (Annie whatever you name is!), I don't spend a fortune on food etc and never have so comments like that really don't help me!!
I have bought a rowing machine which I use every single day for at least 45mins and I've also started going on bike rides and walks... So far that has made me lose the first stone - that's taken 6 weeks so I realise this is going to take me a long time...
2006-09-14 01:07:32 · update #2
First off, congrats to beginning your way to a new you. Step one is always a pain and just find your motivation and keep going. Remember that you did not gain all the weight overnight and you will not lose the weight overnight. I'm sure you have heard all this before but its always nice to have another form of positive reinforcement.
Second, and I hope this does not deter you from your goal, but you will have some excess skin that will hang in certain areas. I was 327 pounds last September and I am down to 264 in one years time. Some fat loss was rapid (water weight) but the last 15 pounds I had to really fight to lose. I have noticed that my stomach, arms, back, legs, and *** have more skin than I need right now.
The key is to drink plenty of water. Water keeps your skin elastic and "rejuvenated" and while the skin may retract some, it will not go back entirely. I'm only 27 but I am still hoping that some will go back but if not, I'm saving my money now for surgery!!
Good luck, don't give up!!
2006-09-14 02:19:36 · answer #1 · answered by Val 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes your skin will shrink with your body and sometimes not. It's hard to say. I think if you lose it really, really fast it's harder for your skin to shrink. I lost a lot of weight too and I noticed that my skin did not shrink where I had stretch marks from when I was pregnant, so a lot could depend on the shape your skin is in now. I have to say, I'd rather be slim with a little loose skin than overweight. Don't let the worries about your skin deter you from losing the weight. Also, exercises to tone you up are a good thing. If you lose weight without building muscle you'll feel really soft and loose, sort of. It's hard to explain. I noticed this with a friend who lost without exercising. I built muscle when I lost, so I didn't have that problem. Another thing, if you build muscle while losing you may actually see a weight gain on the scales, but your clothes will be smaller. As I was losing fat and building muscle I went down two clothes sizes and up 12 pounds. So, don't be discouraged if you get on the scales and weigh a little more, if you know that your clothes are getting loose you're losing. (-:
2006-09-14 08:05:56 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think what your doing is great. As for your skin, it really does depend on your skin type. It is similar to a pregnant woman. Some women get a stretched and saggy stomach after having a baby, some show no signs.
It depends of the elasticity of your skin and how fast you are losing the weight. A few pounds a week is a good speed and the more nutrients and essential fatty acids you have the better. Try taking Zinc and Vitamin C capsules every day. These are good for your skin.
2006-09-14 08:41:34 · answer #3 · answered by Leah 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When losing that much weight, there is going to be some of that loose, flappy skin that you're talking about. If you were only trying to loose a little weight, your skin would adjust and you wouldn't have a problem, but if you're going to lose a lot of weight in a short period of time, there will be some hanging loose skin.
Over time, you can work at it, and with exercise and a diet, it will go back. If you're looking for a short term solution, plastic surgery to remove the flaps is recommended.
Note also, that the 2 places that you will probably have most of this loose, flapping skin will be your chest and arms.
2006-09-14 07:52:20 · answer #4 · answered by Imani 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well done for getting down and having the determination to loose the weight. I would say make sure you excesses and tone as you go along, all parts of your bod. You probably will get loose skin any probably stretch marks to, may i suggest using a vitamin e moisturiser to assist with these, be careful how quickly you loose the weight as loosing to fast will give you lots of wobbly skin. After giving birth to a 9lb2 baby my belly had a lot of shrinkage to do. I do have a bit of a wobbly belly, but then other mums go flat again. There was a programme on TV a fair few months ago Channel four i think about a group of people that lost weight, one girl did end up with loads of access skin and paid to have it removed. Maybe you could save as you go along. I have to say a tummy tuck is something i wouldn't rule out for myself. If you are going to a gym as well speak with the trainer who will be able to advise on a work out, also speak with your doctor.
Good luck I hope you reach your goal.
2006-09-14 07:57:22 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I saw a TV prog where some woman had lost a lot of weight she had to have surgery due to the loose skin. Maybe your doctor can advise and you could get it done on the NHS, although I think you should pay for it if you can afford it, as your over-eating should not be at the expense of the tax power. 25 stone is massive, if you can spend that much on food put the money aside now and start saving for surgery.
2006-09-14 07:57:54 · answer #6 · answered by Annie M 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Some of your skin will stay loose, but don't let this be a deterrant for you to lose more weight. You are doing a great job so far, the excess skin that remains can be dealt with on the NHS once you have lost the rest of your weight. KEEP IT UP, you are doing your body the biggest favour by losing the weight. Good on you and good luck.
2006-09-14 07:55:45 · answer #7 · answered by Trix 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The fact that you are exercising as well as watching what you eat will help with the skin issue. Also that you are relatively young helps too. Your skin is more elastic at your age and tends to be able to tighten up when weight comes off, especially if you are exercising along the way. I would also encourage you to get frequent deep tissue massages (or do it yourself) to help the skin stay toned and tighten and keep the skin moisturized and in good condition. Dry, damaged skin will not respond as well as healthy, moisturized skin.
Good luck.
2006-09-14 08:53:16 · answer #8 · answered by kathy_is_a_nurse 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm afraid you will have loose skin left, this is why it's important to excerise untill you sweat this will burn some of the fat off. DON'T go for cosmetic surgey, it should be the very last option!
You can do it if you really try!
If you ever need any help or advice feel free to e-mail me. I am a personal weight loss coach. I will be happy to help you or answer any questions you have.
Take care and good luck with the weight loss!
little.lost@yahoo.co.uk
2006-09-14 07:59:47 · answer #9 · answered by little.lost 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i really don't know what will happen to your skin, but i would just like to say WELL DONE YOU, for taking the steps to losing the weight, keep up the good work. Try just concentrating on that for now and worry about the skin issue when or if indeed it becomes an issue.
2006-09-14 07:52:46 · answer #10 · answered by xhoneybeex 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋