Stretch Marks

mcdonald99 · 07-10-2008, 04:33 AM

I have three kids and the stretch marks to prove it! To me my stomach resembles a pune. I tried the self tannining spray and it worked on my thighs but not my abs. I want to compete but don't know what to do other than surgery. Does anyone have any advice?

francesrowena · 07-10-2008, 04:35 PM

have you tried cocoa butter or mederma?

mcdonald99 · 07-10-2008, 04:45 PM

I have tried cocoa butter and I bought some mederma a few weeks ago but it will take at least six months and I am supposed to use it three to four times a day.

Lckymii · 07-10-2008, 04:57 PM

Look at Buffycat's journal/pics. She has had children and competes and is a great example of a beautiful woman who is proud of her tummy because of what it stands for.

I think stretchmarks from having children is not something that should be hidden or that you should be ashamed of, don't be so hard on yourself!

kiki1207 · 07-11-2008, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdonald99

I have three kids and the stretch marks to prove it! To me my stomach resembles a pune. I tried the self tannining spray and it worked on my thighs but not my abs. I want to compete but don't know what to do other than surgery. Does anyone have any advice?

I have stretch marks all over my stomach too. My son had my stomach out to HERE>>>>>! LOL I use Robelyn Labs Elastin 3 cream. Ideally you would want to use it twice a day. I normally use it once a day (when I actually remember to use it). I wish I had known about it early in my pregnancy...maybe I would have had less-noticeable scarring. Who knows. But it works pretty well. I still have stretch marks but less than I did.

mcdonald99 · 07-12-2008, 06:26 AM

Thank ALL of you for the support!!!!! It's good to know that I'm not the only person with this problem. Looking in the magazines and pictures you would never think that most of the women has any type of blemishes on their body.

valpo2518 · 07-12-2008, 06:53 AM

I have stretch marks everywhere! Not just my tummy. I've got 'em on my boobs, my calves, thighs, butt even the back of my upper arms! UGH! I wish I had tried some sort of cream when they were fresh. I didn't really care so much when I was heavier but now that I've lost weight it bothers me more because it's the one thing I can't change no matter how hard I try

heidismommy · 07-12-2008, 08:34 AM

I have a 4-year-old daughter and when she was born she weighed 9.5 lbs. Needless to say, I was left with a belly full of stretch marks. For about the first year after birth, they were discolored and very noticeable. Then over time they gradually started to fade. I still have a line of stretch marks on my lower abs, but they are now the same color as the rest of my skin. I think they're much more apparent to me than anyone else. I've gotten so used to them now that I cannot picture myself without them

.

So give it some time and they'll probably fade. They won't completely go away, but I guarantee that you'll notice them more than anyone else does. We all have flaws, but most people overlook them and see the positive aspects.

pirouette · 07-12-2008, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mcdonald99

Thank ALL of you for the support!!!!! It's good to know that I'm not the only person with this problem. Looking in the magazines and pictures you would never think that most of the women has any type of blemishes on their body.

that's because they are airbrushed. The only real way to fix stretch marks are surgery or I think there's a laser treatment now that helps with the discoloration. When you think about what they are, most over the counter treatments seem silly. The fibers are actually torn due to the stress placed on them from puberty or preganancy. Like taking a sheet of silk and pulling it until the fibers become so thin you can see through them and then tear.......The creams can help with prevention but whether or not you get stretchmarks is mostly due to the genetic make-up of your skin.
Be proud, they are a badge of honor for what your body produced. If you want to compete, they make stage make-up for that stuff. The Sally Hansen Spray on tan or Instant Hose works like a charm....soft and glowy under stage lights.

Tishalicious · 07-15-2008, 11:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valpo2518

I have stretch marks everywhere! Not just my tummy. I've got 'em on my boobs, my calves, thighs, butt even the back of my upper arms! UGH! I wish I had tried some sort of cream when they were fresh. I didn't really care so much when I was heavier but now that I've lost weight it bothers me more because it's the one thing I can't change no matter how hard I try

Argh! Yes... I'm with you.

As I'm 'deflating' in size all the stretchmarks are coming out to remind me how quickly I put on the weight in the first place.

Won't make me quit though!

And I'm just guessing that you feel the same

InaSpin · 07-16-2008, 03:34 AM

Bio oil is awesome. Smells lovely and can be used all over.

petersmom · 07-16-2008, 05:49 AM

Bio-oil is great for them (will admit to looking like a pale zebra) as is Avents cream and um udder mint but it does tend to be strong smelling
Nari

valpo2518 · 07-16-2008, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tishalicious

Argh! Yes... I'm with you.

As I'm 'deflating' in size all the stretchmarks are coming out to remind me how quickly I put on the weight in the first place.

Won't make me quit though!

And I'm just guessing that you feel the same

You got that right! I figure a rock hard body looks better w/stretchmarks than a soft flabby one! I'm certainly not 'rock hard' yet but I'm workin' on it!

martina92685 · 07-16-2008, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by valpo2518

You got that right! I figure a rock hard body looks better w/stretchmarks than a soft flabby one! I'm certainly not 'rock hard' yet but I'm workin' on it!

Yep!

I call my stretchmarks my battle wounds. They are a constant reminder that I have NO desire to be at my heaviest again.

seven7s · 07-16-2008, 01:56 PM

OK I might get called a pu$$y for this but. When I see Stretch Marks on A girl I total disregard them. To me They are a scar That is unpreventable and the sacrifice for a wonderful thing.

valpo2518 · 07-16-2008, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seven7s

OK I might get called a pu$$y for this but. When I see Stretch Marks on A girl I total disregard them. To me They are a scar That is unpreventable and the sacrifice for a wonderful thing.

You are my new best friend

seven7s · 07-16-2008, 03:45 PM

[QUOTE=valpo2518;192832011]You are my new best friend

[/QUOTE Back at yea

prev_lurker · 07-21-2008, 06:41 AM

I can relate to all of you ladies. I literally have stretch marks everywhere, very noticeably on my hips, sides, and even my back! I had a period of time in graduate school that I gained close to 50 lbs in about 2 years, stretching my skin to the point that my stretch marks were red and thick (they have since faded to white). Sometimes when I sit I'll pinch at my skin and I can see it pucker and wrinkle on my abdomen. Blech! I was always very athletic and toned as a teenager, and was that kid in school that was always taller than everyone else: you know, that kid in first grade taller than the teacher? Yeah, that was me! Geesh! So I can only rationalize that after settling in to my 5'10 frame at the ripe old age of 14 when I stopped growing, to pack on that much weight in my early twenties really threw my skin for a loop! I think as far as my skin was concerned, it was done growing, and my rapid weight gained stressed my skin to the splitting point.

Anyways, like another poster stated, I use them as motivation to NEVER get lazy again and to always make my heath and fitness a priority. And to be honest, I think they bother me more than anyone else. OP, we always strive for perfection, but try not to compare yourself to the airbrushed goddesses in magazines. If you want to compete girl, go for it! I assure you you will see other fitness competitors with stretch marks!

Kymn · 07-24-2008, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prev_lurker

I can relate to all of you ladies. I literally have stretch marks everywhere, very noticeably on my hips, sides, and even my back! I had a period of time in graduate school that I gained close to 50 lbs in about 2 years, stretching my skin to the point that my stretch marks were red and thick (they have since faded to white). Sometimes when I sit I'll pinch at my skin and I can see it pucker and wrinkle on my abdomen. Blech! I was always very athletic and toned as a teenager, and was that kid in school that was always taller than everyone else: you know, that kid in first grade taller than the teacher? Yeah, that was me! Geesh! So I can only rationalize that after settling in to my 5'10 frame at the ripe old age of 14 when I stopped growing, to pack on that much weight in my early twenties really threw my skin for a loop! I think as far as my skin was concerned, it was done growing, and my rapid weight gained stressed my skin to the splitting point.

Anyways, like another poster stated, I use them as motivation to NEVER get lazy again and to always make my heath and fitness a priority. And to be honest, I think they bother me more than anyone else. OP, we always strive for perfection, but try not to compare yourself to the airbrushed goddesses in magazines. If you want to compete girl, go for it! I assure you you will see other fitness competitors with stretch marks!

^^ x2! Go for your goals!! I had big babies! 10lbs 2 oz was my first one. Gained 65 pounds going in at 202. Imagine my shock when i'd never been over 138! LOL! So needless to say I have bad stretch marks too but once I started seeing definition and a nice shape, the stretch marks seem minor. Don't let it stop you! : )

Kymn~

bambifox · 07-24-2008, 07:56 AM

They will fade over time, but tbh, the darker ur skin, the more they will show. Gaining muscle in the areas of the stretchmark will help deminish their appearance dramatically. I doubt there's a way to get rid of them though.

But, if you find a way, please post as I've got em on thighs, butt, lower abs...

There not so bad since I started working out though and it's been 10 yrs since last child.