Im 36 years old and was overweight for most of my life, decided it was time to get in shape, lost 75 pounds and now theres alot of loose skin, mostly around the tummy. advice on best way to tighten it up would be appreciated. willing to work hard.
Im 36 years old and was overweight for most of my life, decided it was time to get in shape, lost 75 pounds and now theres alot of loose skin, mostly around the tummy. advice on best way to tighten it up would be appreciated. willing to work hard.
[QUOTE=73bronco4x4man;925987093]Im 36 years old and was overweight for most of my life, decided it was time to get in shape, lost 75 pounds and now theres alot of loose skin, mostly around the tummy. advice on best way to tighten it up would be appreciated. willing to work hard.[/QUOTE]Give it time. If it's not gone in a year or two, the only real option is surgery.
I'm in the same boat.
Other than to never allow yourself to become overweight again, there's not a lot you can do other than to just give it time to shrink a bit on it's own.
After losing more than 100 lbs and being over 70, stretch marks and loose skin are among my biggest enemies. As stated, surgery is the only quick fix, but I'm not willing to go under the knife nor undego laser treatments. There's a paragraph in the current issue of MD (p. 88) suggesting that moisturizers (olive oil, Neutrogena or Aveeno productts may help stretch marks via keeping the skin hydrated. I'm currently using Nivea Skin Firming Moisturizer after my morning shower and applying Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula (with Vitamin E, Collagen, Elastin and Shea Butter) prior to going to bed. That little blurb that I mentioned also mentions Vicks Vapor Rub and coffee grounds mixed in olive oil. Haven't tried either of these, but am sure that if I were, my wife would kick me out of the bedroom.
2.5 years in and about 60 lbs lost. Still have that little extra bit of skin that folds over when sitting, a work in progress and a reminder to never go back there ever again! It just takes time man and when I say time I mean YEARS!!!
250 lbs.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Phdye.jpg[/IMG]
194.8 lbs.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/EyArz.jpg[/IMG]
I've often wondered to what degree adding mass to the chest, shoulders, arms, and back would help.
[
Brand new here and finally deciding to start at 40. Gotta say your pics are major inspiration. I started at 230 at christmas and am down to 215. Your 194 pic is dead on what I'm going for. Thanks!
[QUOTE=Nikonguy;926022543]I've often wondered to what degree adding mass to the chest, shoulders, arms, and back would help.[/QUOTE]It helps some, but for those of us that have dropped 100+ lbs, that's a long road to travel.
I cut from 275 down to 156 from 2005 - 2007. Currently, I'm just under 200 lbs (and have some more fat to cut) and still have loose skin issues.
Before, taken in 2004. 275 lbs of goo:
[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ptNJD2rnaog/TxV3eXhk8iI/AAAAAAAAH1c/A8giALCHOq4/s800/before.JPG[/img]
After putting some muscle on, this is about as lean as I've managed to get. Note the skin around my gut, taken 7/1/2011. Weight in that photo was 177.6 lbs:
[img]https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-9HQD2b4g_2A/TxF4Sig7rrI/AAAAAAAAHqY/4gr-xhqbl0c/s800/IMG_0907.JPG[/img]
great transformation ITT: i have the same situation and im hoping time can cure it; went from 270 lbs down to 180 (-90lbs); now im up 30 lbs with a lot more muscle so im hoping the added muscle can help fill the skin;
[img]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4734273&stc=1&d=1344003627[/img]
to
[img]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4734283&stc=1&d=1344003681[/img]
(covered up loose skin with hands so it wasnt seen, its a lot though trust me)
to (currently-30 lbs heavier)
[img]http://forum.bodybuilding.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=4734293&stc=1&d=1344003766[/img]
[QUOTE=HoustonTXMuscle;926009413]That little blurb that I mentioned also mentions Vicks Vapor Rub and coffee grounds mixed in olive oil. Haven't tried either of these, but am sure that if I were, my wife would kick me out of the bedroom.[/QUOTE]
WTF???? Anything to add...?
BTW...I swear by thiomucase for helping with the skin.
highiso - I cannot believe how well your skin recovered. That's amazing.
I lost 180# and my skin has never recovered. Stretch marks and loose skin have been with me for 20+ years. The best way to pull it tight is to fill yourself up with as much muscle as possible.
Never mind...did a search and came up wit this....the things people will do....the mind boggles
The remedy that i use every night, is the following ingredients -
1. Coffee grounds
2. Oatmeal (i use uncooked for exfoliation)
3. Vicks Vapor Rub (comes in a little jar)
4. egg whites.. (or the whole egg)
5. sugar. (also for exfoliation)
6. extra virgin olive oil
7.Lotion that is very creamy and thick.. like Cetaphil. (the one that comes in a big jar is good)
8. baking soda
ok, i had my baby three months ago, and i used all these products and it made my darkest stretch mark fade away after one use..
first i start by rubbing the Vicks over the entire area where i have stretch marks. evenly spread it.. even though it smells strong, LEAVE IT THERE.
then i rub the olive oil on top of that.
i know, it's a mess. (make sure you stand up and do this, BTW: it's best to do it nude so you can get all the spots..) do thatfor about three minutes.
then get a cup or a bowl and crack the egg and get the egg whites. or use the yolk too if you want.
and mix it with the sugar,oatmean, and coffee and baking soda..
and rub all of that on you'r area's with stretch marks. Massage that in a circular motion for about 5 minutes, especially on your problem areas..and let it settle in a little while so your skin absorbs it.) Lastly, take a cool shower and if you have a loofah, exfoliate while you're washing off the remedy.. you could do it twice a week.. but i do it everyday.
[QUOTE=73bronco4x4man;925987093]Im 36 years old and was overweight for most of my life, decided it was time to get in shape, lost 75 pounds and now theres alot of loose skin, mostly around the tummy. advice on best way to tighten it up would be appreciated. willing to work hard.[/QUOTE]
Magic cure...........and its a secret that only a surgeon knows if its a large amount you speak of. Otherwise, time and filling said skin out with muskles.
I'm in the same boat as you guys. I found this thread on a google search on the subject actually. At the age of 43 I said it was enough and lost 100lbs over a years time. This was about 2 years ago now. Then I've been in the gym for the last year at least 3 days a week. While muscle is popping in places and looking good, that loose skin around my lower stomach is a bastard to tighten up! I'm thinking coco butter after showers and making it pop by loading up muscle is the only way it's going to happen. It seems the key is to do something like barbell twists while your loosing the weight so the skin pulls tight as you loose. Once we get a diet going and a head up steam I think the weight just comes off faster then the skin can pull tight again. I had a pretty good size gut so hopefully I can post some great pics like highiso results sometime soon. That pic gave me some inspiration to keep at it!
[QUOTE=highiso;926013823]2.5 years in and about 60 lbs lost. Still have that little extra bit of skin that folds over when sitting, a work in progress and a reminder to never go back there ever again! It just takes time man and when I say time I mean YEARS!!!
[/quote]
Those photos say it all. Congrats!
[QUOTE=highiso;926013823]2.5 years in and about 60 lbs lost. Still have that little extra bit of skin that folds over when sitting, a work in progress and a reminder to never go back there ever again! It just takes time man and when I say time I mean YEARS!!!
250 lbs.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/Phdye.jpg[/IMG]
194.8 lbs.
[IMG]http://i.imgur.com/EyArz.jpg[/IMG][/QUOTE]
I bet people would be surprised at how much water you drink and how many grams of fat you eat daily. I have read that those two things have a huge effect on skin elasticity.
[QUOTE=Nikonguy;926022543]I've often wondered to what degree adding mass to the chest, shoulders, arms, and back would help.[/QUOTE]
^ It helps a lot. This is what I did but frankly it has to be a whole lot of mass.
I have a friend who has lost 70kg over the past two years and just got surgery for his loose skin. It costed $26000 and he is still not fully recovered as he only got it a month ago but he is very happy with his decision. He is 34 years old.
Everything's pretty much been said-
- maybe with the exception of what some might feel is bad news...
I lost about 40, so I had some skin sitting around- looked into it, here is what affects it:
How much you carried
How long you carried it
How fast you lost it (not something that will be meaningful long term, just a factor as to "how much you have" when you hit the "bottom" of your weight loss- i.e., you lost it way faster than your body could adjust)
Genetics
Diet
Smoker or not?
How old when the weight loss occurs
Truth is, you won't really know for sure for 1-2 years for moderate loss, 2 or more years for obese weight loss back to normal. The older you are, the more time it will take, and more limited it will be.
[QUOTE=KenJenkinsII;995774993]I bet people would be surprised at how much water you drink and how many grams of fat you eat daily. I have read that those two things have a huge effect on skin elasticity.[/QUOTE]
Actually my water intake is probably way below average. I'm probably lucky to get 64 ounces a day, way under suggested amounts. And my fat intake while cutting averages 65g and 110g+ while bulking. I've never heard of what your speaking of with regards to skin elasticity.
Wow that is really awesome re: your progress. I am not as knowledgeable as the rest re: bodybuilding, but I know skin care! To tighten and firm skin for the surface area you are dealing with, I would recommend 100% shea butter. Cocoa butter is good, but it is not as rich and thick as shea butter. Put it on every morning and night, it will be greasy and take time to improve, but you will see a difference. I had/have ugly leg skin from shrinkage and it's helped.
[QUOTE=minthai;996113593]Wow that is really awesome re: your progress. I am not as knowledgeable as the rest re: bodybuilding, but I know skin care! To tighten and firm skin for the surface area you are dealing with, I would recommend 100% shea butter. Cocoa butter is good, but it is not as rich and thick as shea butter. Put it on every morning and night, it will be greasy and take time to improve, but you will see a difference. I had/have ugly leg skin from shrinkage and it's helped.[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the tip on the shea! Off to the drugstore I go! :) I've been loading on coco butter and while it works, I knew there must be something better. Do you have a brand you like the best? That's my OCD kicking in. Once someone gives me a new product to try I have to do hours of research to find the best brand and prices! :)
As far as water, it's very hard for me to drink water. I drink about 3 gallons of Arizona Diet Green Tea a week but on the days I work out ( 3 days a week typically) I'll go thru just under a gallon of water within my 2 to 2.5 hour work out. So at least I get that much. In the summer I will drink much more water but in the winter it's tough!
You will want 100% unrefined african shea butter, if you can find organic, even better. It doesn't really matter re: the brand, but I always go for organic and unrefined. The unrefined butter retains the most nutrients because it is not processed. You might not find 100% in the drugstore - it's diluted in lotions, and that won't be as effective. Do you have any health stores near you? You will probably have better luck at a health food store. Good luck! Let me know how it goes! I'm excited for you!
[QUOTE=minthai;996128013]You will want 100% unrefined african shea butter, if you can find organic, even better. It doesn't really matter re: the brand, but I always go for organic and unrefined. The unrefined butter retains the most nutrients because it is not processed. You might not find 100% in the drugstore - it's diluted in lotions, and that won't be as effective. Do you have any health stores near you? You will probably have better luck at a health food store. Good luck! Let me know how it goes! I'm excited for you![/QUOTE]
Well reading around this one seems to be good and best price was eBay no less. Just search this item number on eBay... 150803299159 So I'll give it a shot and see. They say it should be more white then yellow but it can be somewhere in-between on the color. Again sorry my OCD makes me research stuff till I'm crazy! :) I figure for 10 bucks shipped I've wasted more money on other less useless items!
[QUOTE=phillyturbosix;996138323]Well reading around this one seems to be good and best price was eBay no less. Just search this item number on eBay... 150803299159 So I'll give it a shot and see. They say it should be more white then yellow but it can be somewhere in-between on the color. Again sorry my OCD makes me research stuff till I'm crazy! :) I figure for 10 bucks shipped I've wasted more money on other less useless items![/QUOTE]
That looks perfect! I buy shea butter off ebay all the time. The color looks spot on for unrefined. White can mean processed. I hope you enjoy it!
[QUOTE=minthai;996153273]this item number on eBay... 150803299159 So I'll give it a shot and see![/QUOTE]
Ive just looked at that the if im correct the shipping costs 49.99 more that the item?
[QUOTE=highiso;995907733]And my fat intake while cutting averages 65g and 110g+ while bulking. I've never heard of what your speaking of with regards to skin elasticity.[/QUOTE]
I actually hear it all the time, and your numbers are quite right. In regards to water intake, I myself never have been able to drink suggested amounts of water. I think water intake is not simple matter, depends on how much you lose through perspiration and through skin. Anyways, great progress pictures, would make a good army poster or something
Biosil
This is some stuff I know about for rejuvenating skin. it may help for old saggy skin on some folks.
I'm having the same dilemma. I've dropped 40 lbs the last year. Overall, I'm 60 lbs lighter than my heaviest weight. There are still some fat and loose skin around my waist, it rolls when I sit down. Although not as much loose skin as jdtemple have posted. I'm contemplating surgery but I'm not sure what's worse, the loose skin or the long scar.