who has maintained skin tone...AND HOW??

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-25-2003
who has maintained skin tone...AND HOW??
6
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 12:26pm
For all of you who are already well into your journey--How is your skin tone? From what I have read, exercise will help skin stay the same size as the rest of us. Water is also important in keeping all the organs healthy. Then again, I see awful tv shows that focus on people who have **POUNDS** of skin surgically removed after dramatic weight loss.

I weigh more now than I did after having my daughters 13 months apart, and I'm concerned that I will look like a shar-pei when I lose this weight. My girls are almost 4 and almost 3, and they have noticed their mommy is bigger than most of the other mommies at daycare. They have also seen pictures from 10 years ago, and it took convincing for them to believe it was me. This time, I have to fix the problems I have going on and get my size under control, so my girls don't suffer from my problems (this one, anyways...)


I will be doing a lot of resistance training and yoga, as well as cardio training on machines. I was doing pretty well thinking I would be okay, then last night a plastic surgery TV show on, I watched it against better judgment. This morning I am again concerned I will look like a shar-pei. I have lost only 15 lbs so far, and already I have loose skin around my belly button and the backs of my arms.

I recently had a "lightbulb moment" when I realized my excessive weight is likely a symptom of my inner over-achiever, all-or-nothing mentality. Since I couldn't control myself when I gained 10 lbs, soon it was 25 more, and then I just threw in the towel and quit exercising and ate anything that caught my fancy, in whatever quantity felt good. I had stalker problems at that began at that time also, and the impact that had on just about every aspect of my life defies logic.

Several times over the past 10 years I have gotten back to 35 lbs overweight, but each time I shoot right back up again from that magic point. I think it's sort of a convergence point for me now. I get there, and I would rather gain and quit exercising again than face whatever demons are on the other side.

My husband is wonderful, and my girls are the brightest lights in my life, and the man who caused me such grief died recently, and I have an awesome career. I have every reason to get the weight under control and no reason not to...except the old nagging fears...and whatever new fears I conjure up, like shar-pei skin...

Wow, what a rambling rant. Sorry, ladies, but it needed to come out. Please ladies, help me out! I would like to know from those who have already crossed this bridge what you have done to deal with this issue.

Melissa

293/278/200

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 2:59pm

Well so far I have lost 90 pounds but then I

Avatar for jess9802
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 3:10pm
I've lost about 62 pounds in the last 14 months and haven't noticed any problems with loose skin yet. I think there's a couple of reasons for this. First (and it's the one factor you don't have any control over) is my age. I'm only 24, and so my skin is still pretty elastic. Second, I've lost the weight pretty slowly...the most weight I ever lost in a month was just 10 pounds.

Now, that doesn't mean I haven't noticed some funny changes since I lost weight. My breasts are starting to look a little deflated. I went from a 44D and am now a 38C, and there's some slight sagging and loss of definition. I've heard that repeated weight loss and gain can really do a number on your breast tissue. Awesome.

Good luck, and nice to meet you!

iVillage Member
Registered: 05-08-2003
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 3:39pm
Wow, Jess. I had no idea you had lost that much weight. WTG! If you've posted it, then I apologize for not having taken note of it before now.

62 lbs in a year is AWESOME!

Dawn

iVillage Member
Registered: 08-31-2004
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 7:04pm
Deflating....yea, that is a problem here.
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-11-2004
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 7:51pm

HAHA.. .sorry, when I read the title of this thread, I thought it said "who has marinating skin tone"... marinating? I thought... how does that work? LOL!


Anyway... if you lose slowly as you're supposed to (1-3 lbs per week) then your skin should be able to keep up, particularly if you're under say 30 years, your skin will have much more elasticity. Drinking water and taking vitamins will help with this, as well as keeping your skin moisturized. If possible, exercise at least 3 times a week so muscles will help take up the "slack" skin, too.


- Yav


- cl-Yavie, sig in  still in progress :D

I am just a young girl in need of some

Avatar for jess9802
iVillage Member
Registered: 04-02-2003
Sun, 11-14-2004 - 11:52pm
Thanks, Dawn. I don't think the weight loss has really sunk in yet. I bought my first pair of non-Lane Bryant jeans in about six years yesterday. Size 14Ps from Eddie Bauer. I have felt so sleek and sexy in them today it's hilarious.

:-)