Naturally slim vs formerly fat

[raisin3cookies]

Last year I finally got my head together and lost a bunch of weight - about 5 dress sizes. I'm planning to lose a bit more, but even though I am at a normal size and most people wouldn't consider me overweight at all, I feel like an imposter.

My arms are flappy, I have stretch marks everywhere, my boobs are empty! I feel like most of this aftermath wouldn't exist if I hadn't gained the weight in the first place. I don't know what I expected to feel like when I lost the weight, but although is gratifying to shop in "normal" sizes, I feel like I'm faking it and someone will notice or something.

This is ridiculous now I've typed it out! Am I the only one who feels this way? Do naturally thin people have the bingo arms and stretch marks too?

[SpendSpendSpend]

"Bingo wings" and stretch marks come from skin stretching and then deflating.

The more weight you gain and then lose the more floppy skin you will have.

No amount of exercise will get rid of excess skin. Its a bad point of gaining and losing alot of weight.

[AlwaysBeYourself]

It can depend upon age too. I always had naturally toned arms and older women used to say to me that when I get to menopause my arms will lose tone. I got there and they did lose some tone and for the first time ever I had wobbly bits when I waved. Have been doing weights ever since. Having said that I see more younger women today with bingo wings. Anyway, well done on your weight loss. Have you done any weights/exercise to tone things up?

[WorraLiberty]

Everyone is naturally thin until they gain too much weight.

As spend says, the skin stretching and deflating will cause it to become floppy.

You're not an imposter! You just need time to get used to the 'new you'.

Floppy skin or not, I'm sure the upside is that you'll be feeling fitter and able to move around/exercise without feeling so tired.

Congratulations on your weight loss

[CultureSucksDownWords]

I don't think you're an imposter at all. Well done on your weight loss, I know what hard work it is to lose that kind of weight. I think we all assume that people are perfect under their clothes, but I'm sure most people will have bits that they aren't happy with.

I think that your skin can take a fair while to adjust after the weight loss. I think in your position I would think about doing toning/strengthening exercises for the areas you mention, and also look after your skin as much as you can. And if it doesn't improve much, try and focus on the fact that it is healthier for you overall to have lost the weight.

[raisin3cookies]

Thank you all. :)

I definitely feel better at this weight, in many ways, so I'll just have to be patient and see if some of the skin pings back! I am running (just did 5 miles today, woop woop) and training to be a yoga teacher, but I'd love to get into lifting. I love feeling STRONG, and want to get stronger for sure.

I think it will take time to get used to this version of me. I spent many years feeling sloppy, unattractive and lumpy. :(