Is it possible to lose five stone without ending up with sagging skin?

[SneezingwakestheJesus]

I'm 5ft 4 and weigh 14.5 stone and I really want to get my bum into gear and lose five stone. I just need to prepare myself a bit for what the after effects may be! Will my skin be saggy? I'm particularly cocerned about getting an apron of skin on my tummy. Its already a bit overhangy there so I have a horrible feeling that I may end up with a big loose overhang :( does anyone know how likely this is? Is there anything I can do to reduce it apart from surgery?

[BsshBossh]

I guess we're all built differently but I've lost 4 stones with no sagging skin. I'm over 40 and worried about it but it's been fine. I do have excellent muscle tone under the flab, though, due to competitive swimming throughout my teens so that might have helped.

[freerangeeggs]

Yes. I lost five stones and pinged back nicely. I'm 5ft 6 and start weight was 14st 11.5lbs. I've heard that its once you're needing to lose 100lbs+ that skin gets stretched. You should be fine. And good luck :) are you going to be following a particular plan? I lost mine on WW.

[SneezingwakestheJesus]

Thank you both, that's given me some hope! I haven't decided which way to do it yet. I did read the slimming world stuff but it sounds a bit expensive ticking off all those items of food every day. My dad is raving about the 5:2 diet though so I'm tempted to try that but I don't know if my willpower would manage the fast days! I'm one of those emotional eaters so if I could just let go of food as cheering me up id be laughing. Easier said than done though I suppose

[Xenia]

I had twins born at 40 weeks (went from 9 stone - 12 stone when pregnant) and that went back perfectly well.

I think the comment above that if it's 100 pounds you losing then you might have the skin problem is probably right.
Also do exercise the tummy as muscle is only tight if it's used so once you get slimmer move more.

[MothershipG]

I'm 5 ft and lost nearly 4st and really didn't like how I looked naked, my tummy was ok but my ample bosoms turned to spaniel's ears and it was hard to get a bra that worked for me. I looked ok with clothes on, except I looked a bit gaunt and older. Some of the weight has crept back and I'm finding it very hard to motivate myself to get on top of it because loosing it may have been good for my health but didn't make me feel as good as I thought it would.

[freerangeeggs]

The fast days are hard work, I find. Some people seem to find them easy, and to be fair they're not as hard as they were at the start. But it's more flexible than other diets, which I think is its strength. For example, this week I'll fast twice but it's my birthday so I'll also be having cake and a meal out :) that makes it easier - knowing that if you wait a bit you really can have lovely food. I'm also shocked at how quickly the weight is coming off - I had put n a couple of stone n the last few years and it's gone!

[onedev]

I'm pretty much your size (or was) as I'm 5'4" & was 14st 4lb. I lost almost 5 stone (down to 9st 7lb) doing slimming world over a 9 month period & have no saggy skin. I did go to the gym / running 3 times per week at the same time so likely that helped

Good luck - you'll do it & I'd recommend SW as it worked so well for me!

[BsshBossh]

I'd highly recommend 5:2 too.

[AlwaysReadyForABlether]

I lost 4 stone through WW and didn't have any problems with loose skin.
I didn't do any exercise whilst I was losing weight either. Although I did start going to the gym afterwards.

[SneezingwakestheJesus]

Ooh that fasting thing does sound good if it means the days where I do slip up don't count as bad. When I've tried in the past, I slip up an it makes me think Aaah why bother! Would you all mind me asking, those of you who have lost weight with no sag, were you overweight for a long time? I'm worried that because I've been overweight for several years now and had a pregnancy during that time that my skin might be too used to being fat. Is that possible?

[TheEasterQODdy]

Walking amd wearing wrist weights will help.

[BsshBossh]

Sneezing you can't binge/over-eat on your non-fast days though. At the end of the day it's still about calories in vs calories out. Go check out the very first OP post in the 5:2 Thread 16 then dive in. There's also a smaller Starting Today 5:2 thread of 5:2 newbies.

[freerangeeggs]

I was overweight for a few years. Honestly, I don't think you'll have a problem. Have a read at the 5:2 diet website - I've been careful (ish) on my non-fast days too, but it is an absolute doddle.