Looser Skin after losing weight

NatPaq · 03-20-2008, 10:40 PM

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a nutrition question, but I was thinking that it probably had a lot do with my diet. After three kids and losing a lot of weight, I have some loose skin. Will this tighten?? Should I be adding more muscle or getting leaner first? Also, I'm confused about my calorie intake. Frmo what I've calculated I maintain at over 2300 which sounds like a lot to me. I have been eating around 1400 cal a day before and it seems crazy that I would 1800 to lose weight.

I should mention that I lift weights pretty heavy 4 days a week, cardio 3 days a week and I'm thinking of adding a HIIT, but that's if I need to lose weight and not "bulk".

db2012 · 03-21-2008, 03:58 AM

your skin will tighten over time, and training will only help. But only to some extent from both factors. its a basic surgery if you have to take that route.

NatPaq · 03-21-2008, 07:21 AM

thank you.

darkangel · 03-21-2008, 12:30 PM

You might find this article by Tom Venuto helpful:

http://www.gaining-mass.com/loose-sk...-venuto-r3.htm

NatPaq · 03-21-2008, 01:50 PM

sweet link. Thanks!!!

runner05 · 03-21-2008, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NatPaq

I'm not sure if this qualifies as a nutrition question, but I was thinking that it probably had a lot do with my diet. After three kids and losing a lot of weight, I have some loose skin. Will this tighten?? Should I be adding more muscle or getting leaner first? Also, I'm confused about my calorie intake. Frmo what I've calculated I maintain at over 2300 which sounds like a lot to me. I have been eating around 1400 cal a day before and it seems crazy that I would 1800 to lose weight.

I should mention that I lift weights pretty heavy 4 days a week, cardio 3 days a week and I'm thinking of adding a HIIT, but that's if I need to lose weight and not "bulk".

I smile with your bit of panic w/ the high calorie count, 'cuz I have to say that I felt the same. I started eating 1900-2000 calories a day, and watching my nutrients at 40% protein, 40% carbs, and 20% fat on fitday.com. And... I actually gained a couple of pounds at first and let me tell you that I really freaked! But, I came back online and some kind person (regretfully, I don't remember who) told me to just stay calm, that it's a natural thing as the body adjusts. She was so right! I gained about 1.5 pounds, but have since consistently lost (went up to 153 and am now down to 149 - in about 3 weeks), and STILL feel like I'm eating SO much food and constantly compared to what I was eating. But, hey, I'm losing and eating constantly, so that just can't be bad! I guess I feel like this has got to be better for me 'cuz I feel that this is boosting my metabolism and keeping it in line rather than starving my body and screwing up my metabolism, which is just soooo much better in the long haul of things! Good luck to you and your goals!

Mrs_Muscles · 03-21-2008, 05:21 PM

Runner05 - Right on with some good advice and personal experience!

Yes, I'd also say eat the 1800 calories! If you are exercising and they are good healthy foods you will be on track. As for the loose skin, it is frustrating! I lost baby weight I'd had for years fairly quickly and the loose skin terrified me. But, as time goes on and my diet has stayed in check, it has gotten better.

Stick with it, best of luck to you!

amysuds · 03-21-2008, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrs_Muscles

Runner05 - Right on with some good advice and personal experience!

Yes, I'd also say eat the 1800 calories! If you are exercising and they are good healthy foods you will be on track. As for the loose skin, it is frustrating! I lost baby weight I'd had for years fairly quickly and the loose skin terrified me. But, as time goes on and my diet has stayed in check, it has gotten better.

Stick with it, best of luck to you!

I struggle with the same issue! All I can tell you is that as I increase muscle, it is filling in some of that space! I weighed 209 when I delivered the first of my 6 kids ..and now I weigh 134. Granted that was 20 years ago, but I def. did the damage then. Be patient and eat often ! It'll change , it never is the same, but much better! Good luck! Amy

harleygirl30 · 03-26-2008, 11:28 AM

I've got it too! I think anyone who has had a child or 3, has some amount of excess skin. After I delivered my first, my weight settled at 183lbs. Now I am down to 127-133lb, the tummy is gone but a small degree of the skin is still there.

At first I freaked about it. I model on the side when shoots come up and on a swimsuit one, I was told to get in this sitting postion in a swimsuit. When I saw that photos I almost cried. But the crew was really nice and told me all the models have that and it is just a matter of posture. SO we had to start over.

So don't feel bad. Your not alone. For me getting rid of the fat behind the excess skin was the biggest thing. Now I just have to make sure I always have good posture!