sometimes it just seems hopeless

[determined ms]

Not sure which forum this post should go in. 8 years ago I decided it was time to lose all the fat leftover from having babies - that was my excuse then though the youngest baby was already 10. I've been dieting and working out - HARD, with some breaks over the years, but have kept at least 60 pounds and a lot of inches (from size 22 to 12 - still) off for good. So that's the good. The bad is this: I can't seem to get rid of anymore or tone any better. Oddly enough I'm more self conscious now than I ever was. I'm tall (5'10") and always carried the extra pounds well and am a very confident person. I divorced about 4 years ago and have yet to find someone i'm comfortable with my body. I have awful stretch marks all over - especially hips, stomache and breasts, saggy-as-hell boobs, flabby flappy arms, and have tried just about eveything. I have a new guy in my life and sometimes think he could be THE ONE, BUT... i'm VERY insecure of getting much closer (naked) - his last gf was a skinny little thing (size 5), no kids, no boobs, no 'blessings' either <s> I wouldn't trade who i am for that, plus he's great and says loves who i am and the body is great the way it is, attractive and desireable etc.... I am fairly pretty, so that helps some - lol! BUT i really need help doing something about the stretchmarks, gut and sag in order for ME to be comfortable with it too. And my shyness about these is a huge turn off i'm sure! I'm 44 and it's time I like how i Look! Dont really have a question, just wanted to say hi and pour out and say thanks for unknowingly giving all that you gals do. If you have suggestions, encouragement, want to commiserate... know of a stretchmarkBgone trick? kewl, appreciate it. ttfn.

[peetiegirl]

I have similiar problems, though not a lot of stretch marks(even after 3 kids) but I do have ugly veins on my legs, which is really depressing in the summertime. I have heard that after time, your skin will shrink up a bit, but I don' know how long that takes, as I have yet to experience it. I went from a DD to a C so I can relate about the boobs. I found that building my pecs helps fill out the "empty" space a bit and adds some lost "cleavage". Bench press, incline flys and cable crossovers benefit women a lot. Push ups are good too (they make us to a lot of those at Fire Academy) you did not state what kind of work out routine you're doing, so I don't want to go into much detail. There is a wealth of info out there, on line and in magazines-be careful not to follow bogus info--double check everything if you are not sure. Check out the fitness and bb websites for practical into (if you haven't already) Muscle & Fitness and Muscle & Fitness Hers are great sites to get--Muscle & Fitness Hers is a great publication--I pick it up all the time. Proper diet is essential for getting rid of those problem areas (like our hips and thighs!) I hope this is helpful if youdon't already know about this stuff.

[craig777]

determined,

Women tend to obsess about the little things like stretch marks. Guys don't notice them. My wife is 41 and a size 10, she has stretch marks from giving birth. When she undresses do you think I notice the stretch marks and other little things. No suree bob, all I see is she is beautiful, and she is nekkid. Hot dog.

If you are determined to lose some more it is 75% what goes in your mouth. You will get sick of egg whites, tuna fish, chicken breasts, brown rice, plain cooked oatmeal, vegetables, and salmon, but that is what it takes.

Take care and let the guy in, take a chance.

Craig

[fitnessman]

Well said Craig. My wife and I have 5 children. She is sooooo obesed about a few stretch marks...I could care less.