nrclark

after you lose weight , whats the best way to "TIGHTEN" up all the loose skin that seems to hang around forever ? . . . . any suggestions ?

noodle

Time is the only thing if anything that will do it.
That and keeping your skin healthy and moisturized is the only combination I've found. Other than surgery, which has scars I'd rather not deal with.
I lost the equivalent of a high school cheerleader four years ago and still have trouble with some of it. Building muscle under the skin can help the appearance (e.g. tricep or "Hi Helen" areas), but some just never goes away.

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snowy

I am STILL waiting for the extra skin around my stomach to tighten up. I keep after it with lotion, and it does seem to be helping.

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healer

This thread is kinda depressing. Even after you lose all that weight, you still have to deal with extra skin? Is there no way to lose the weight and the skin proportionately?

Shit, it almost makes me want to stay fat.

Almost.

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noodle

Depends on how much weight you lose, Mister Healer. 94 lbs left some extra. I'm still down 75 from my heaviest.
You don't have as much as most of the women and men seem to recover easier if there are no stretch marks. At least it did with my ex. Ooooh, did that piss me off.

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Katyanna

It is my understanding that the only way to reduce the appearance of the extra skin is to change your body composition by exchanging the fat with muscle. This can be impaired of course by age related loss of skin elasticity and other skin changes as we age. If you do have a medical problem related to the extra skin, discomfort, rashes or infections between the folds or chaffing for example you can sometimes have your physician negotiate with your insurance company and get the surgery covered under insurance. In general I believe that the insurance companies require you to prove that you have maintained your approximate weight(loss) for two years before this is allowed. No sense going through the hassle of surgery if you are going to return to a cycle of weight gain once more. Then again, no sense gaining the weight back that you worked so hard to lose either.

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snowy

Yes, the spot that hasn't yet bounced back has a wide stretch mark down the middle of it. Damn stretch marks. Ah well.

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yournamehere

The stretch marks are from gaining weight; not losing it. As far as reducing the loose skin, the best way to avoid it is to take the weight off gradually.
I know that's of no help to those of you who have already lost the weight . . . . .

My wife went through the same thing. Her pain doctor put her on methadone for chronic pain, and she ballooned up from 115 lbs to 185 lbs in just a few months. After a few years, she decided to get off all narcotics; once she stopped the methadone, the weight melted off her as fast as she gained it. That was five years ago, and she still has a lot of loose skin. Being older and sedentary from the pain doesn't help, though - if she could exercise at all, I'm sure it would help.

It's just the part of weight loss nobody likes to talk about.

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hunnychile

I'm just starting a kick-boxing class at a friends studio and wonder if it will tone "everything" up or just the arms and legs?

OKay....I need to work on the junk in the trunk! Jump in anytime ya'll!

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hotzot

As someone who has gained and lost and gained and lost over the last 20 years. When I was young 20-35 yrs toning took just a few months, When I hit my 40's it took years, Now in my 50's it's easier with surgery.

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Martian

'Toning' as the term is generally understood is a function of body composition. Building muscle gives it shape and definition, and losing fat allows that definition to show through.

Let's see, kickboxing.. lots of cardio for weight loss. As a woman, you'll lose belly fat first, and probably the fat around your hips last -- in other words, the 'junk in the trunk' will probably be the last to go. On the other hand, all of that working with your legs will build muscle on them.

You'll probably want to supplement the kickboxing itself with some calisthenics. Think crunches and push ups here. This will help you to build more muscle, which will cause you to burn the fat faster (muscle requires energy, which means a higher metabolism) and also make you a better kickboxer. A kickboxing class combined with a good training routine is pretty much the complete workout.

I'm not going to address diet here, because I don't want to turn this into a book-length post -- suffice to say, that it's key to the whole weight loss thing, and less isn't always more in this situation.

As for the flappy, flabby skin, I have no advice beyond what's been said. Vitamin E and time are going to be the most practical route.

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I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept
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Willravel

If you lose weight at a slower pace, the skin will be able to slowly reduce with your fat.

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noodle

This is true in most areas of the body, but with women who have stretch marks, a layer of the dermis has been torn and it often is not able to recover no matter how slow the weight loss. So you can actually end up with that leftover skin years after. Those tears never repair completely, but encouraging skin health can help it be more resilient.

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wooÐs

Grapeseed oil tones the skin, creating more of a solid sheen than bubbly, oily moisturized look. It won't make it all go away, but in conjunction with working out, you should see somewhat of an improvement. Grapeseed oil is also way good for the face - even oily skin.

I've fluctuated between 278lbs and 127lbs over a period of maybe 8-9 years. My hips are shot but that's it. Well, and my boobs could use some lifting. But I discovered grapeseed oil after the damage was done and I love what I'm seeing. Slather it on wet skin after shower and PAT dry. Look into Aura Cacia Grapeseed Oil. Scentless too.

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jack245

GYM GYM GYM and more GYM!!!

Willravel

Stretch marks are caused by the expansion, not the loss, though. So far as fat loss causing flaps of skin, losing weight slower really does help.

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hunnychile

Thanks, Martian & Woods...both the oil and the Martian review about kickboxing & toning are helpful. I must say that I can see the toning-but the aches and pains a day or two later are intense (maybe that's the key)!

How many times a week is smart & safe, when someone is 50? But I'm healthy at least!

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Willravel

50? Your avatar doesn't look a day over 30.

If you're thinking about kickboxing, you might want to meet with a good personal trainer first. The last thing you want to do is injure yourself. A good personal trainer can point you in the right direction in maybe three or four sessions (so it doesn't cost an arm and a leg) and can help you stave off injuries and make your exercise routines more efficient.

Every time I've hurt myself training it's because I didn't listen to my trainer.

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"So long as governments set the example of killing their enemies, private citizens will occasionally kill theirs." Elbert Hubbard