weight loss and the dreaded saggy skin

[neltuneliel]

So, I've lost 45 lbs. Went from 190 lbs to 145 lbs. I'm 23 and 5'3". I could stand to lose another 5-10 lbs. But I'm just so frustrated because my body doesn't look the way it used to. I almost regret losing the weight. Because my body looked decent before even though I was overweight. I know this sounds stupid. But has anyone ever intentionally gained their weight back? I feel so defeated right now that I seriously could see myself doing that. Before I lost weight most of my weight was in my butt and thighs. I swear it seems the 45 lbs I lost only came from my butt. So right now I have massive thighs and no butt whatsoever. I am devastated. I can't look at myself. I feel more comfortable in the clothes I wore when I was overweight because when I wear them I can't see the outline of my body. I'm just about ready to break all the mirrors in the house.

 

I'm just in so much emotional pain right now. I worked so hard to shed the weight. But I'm just as unhappy as I was before. Scratch that- I'm unhappier.

 

Has anyone else gone through this? What did you do? Did you resort to plastic surgery?

[Star Gazer]

First of all, congrats on your weight loss!!

 

Now, how long did it take you to lose the weight, and how long have you been at your current weight? I ask because a friend of mine lost about the same amount of weight last year (about a year after her last pregnancy), and at first, she too had some saggy skin - I think both from baby-making and weight gain/loss. But a year later, there was very little saggy skin left - it was as though her body almost just kinda...took it back, if that makes sense.

 

Perhaps just a wee bit of patience is in order?

[Arikel]

How did you lose the weight? was it through a crash diet? Sounds like you've lost some muscle as well... I was speaking to a bodybuilder the other day, and basically he advised me to do a series of squats to build up the glutes (butt muscles), and also leg lifts to firm up the abs. My calorie consumption was good (~1200-1300 a day, I'm asian) but I had to cut down carbs and eat more protein, so I don't lose what little muscle I have.

 

Been on the program (on and off) for 3 weeks (no protein supplements), some weight loss, but also came from muscle loss as I check using those funky measurement scales.

 

So for the past 2 weeks I've been consuming a protein drink for breakfast or dinner (Horleys Sculpt) and I've noticed even better weight loss, and definitely toning up on the butt. It feel firmer. Yes I grab my own ass. My weight loss is quite gradual though, and muscle buildup sort of holds everything firm instead of wobbling around

[neltuneliel]

Hi, Arikel and Star Gazer. Thank you for responding.

 

I gained the extra weight over a period of 3 years. So I probably gained 15-20 lbs a year. It took about 8 months to lose the weight. I did it by dieting and exercise. I'd eat 1200 calories or less. I found it really difficult to just get 1200 calories a day. Even though I'd eat every 2 hours. I did cardio and weight training on alternating days (5-6 days a week). I've been in the 145-150 lb range for about a month.

 

Do you really think if I work on firming my butt it will make a difference? I look at my butt and I don't see the skin bouncing back. It's the bottom of my butt that is the most troublesome area. To me the only way for it to look right is to fill that empty space with fat or muscle. Can I really build my butt muscle to that big a size to fill the space? Also, before I started my weight loss I had A LOT of stretch marks. So my skin is already damaged and is less likely to bounce back.

Also I'm wondering...if I reach this goal of tightening up my butt - will I have to keep doing weight training to keep the muscle? I would like to go back to the way things were...minimum exercising. Not working my ass off 1-2 hours a day.

[tman666]

Hi, Arikel and Star Gazer. Thank you for responding.

 

I gained the extra weight over a period of 3 years. So I probably gained 15-20 lbs a year. It took about 8 months to lose the weight. I did it by dieting and exercise. I'd eat 1200 calories or less. I found it really difficult to just get 1200 calories a day. Even though I'd eat every 2 hours. I did cardio and weight training on alternating days (5-6 days a week). I've been in the 145-150 lb range for about a month.

 

Do you really think if I work on firming my butt it will make a difference? I look at my butt and I don't see the skin bouncing back. It's the bottom of my butt that is the most troublesome area. To me the only way for it to look right is to fill that empty space with fat or muscle. Can I really build my butt muscle to that big a size to fill the space? Also, before I started my weight loss I had A LOT of stretch marks. So my skin is already damaged and is less likely to bounce back.

Also I'm wondering...if I reach this goal of tightening up my butt - will I have to keep doing weight training to keep the muscle? I would like to go back to the way things were...minimum exercising. Not working my ass off 1-2 hours a day.

 

I would suggest that you make the weight training a permanent fixture in your life. You shouldn't have to work your ass off for 2 hours a day, but you WILL have to work your ass off at least a few days per week. If your goal is to maintain, you can stick to exercises with a high amount of "bang for your buck", such as squats, deadlifts, presses, rows, pull ups, sprints, etc.

 

Provided that you're lifting with intensity, spending a ton of time in the gym isn't a necessity, especially for maintenance. Fast paced cross training (such as bodyweight circuits) can be great for this.

[neltuneliel]

Thank you for responding, tman66. I will do as you say. The hard part now will be gaining the muscle. And once I reach that goal...don't know how long it will take but I will give it my all. I will keep at maintaining it. Wish me luck

[GrayClouds]

Congrats on your success You lost a good deal of weight. Not sure how fast but it takes a while for skin to bounce back. Your young so that will help speed it up but it still will take awhile.

 

Likely now that you lost weight, rather then focus on your accomplishment your now even more focus on the problem areas. But I suspect you see them more then someone else would.

 

Do as tmann says keep lifting heavy and consistently, focus on the parts that are looking better while giving it time and you will be happy with even those stubborn areas.