‘Bingo wings’ - what worked?

[flyawaylittlebird]

I know, I know, I shouldn’t care but do. If anyone’s had any surgical or non-surgical tweaks eg Medspa laser type things that actually helped the loose upper arm skin, please let me know what you tried!

I’m doing all the best things for my body - balanced diet, plenty of exercise including weightlifting (not what would be called ‘heavy’ but I’m making progress) lots of walking, no smoking or drinking alcohol, protein, fibre etc. I’ve always done this but really upped it since peri hit. I’m on HRT and seemingly found the right balance, so I have energy for the gym and weights, but it feels a bit like fighting a losing battle. But despite increased weights and sessions, my upper arms have become very saggy and it’s really getting me down.

I lift regularly including a range of upper body and tricep focused moves, I can feel that I am getting stronger which is great, but no visible toning and the flab and skin looks really awful. I have read that sometimes no amount of diet or exercise can help if it’s to do with the skin itself. So any advice about treatments or other options will be gratefully received! Thanks.

I don't want to depress you, but I genuinely found 'a nice cardigan' to be the only solution...

Although, to be fair, you sound like you've put far more effort into getting rid of them than I did. I gave up in the end.

Swimming.
🏊‍♀️ 👙 🏊‍♀️ 👙

How long have you been lifting? My arms are quite sculpted, but I’ve been doing press ups and weights for about 5 years. Totally transformed them. I’m 54

Do you take collagen? I’ve got cellulite and uneven skin on my thighs and find losing weight can make it look worse for a bit. I’m hoping it will get better but I have found collagen is helping. Also with my neck skin.

Do you use oestrogel ? Apply to problem areas on upper arms.

My arms have always been a size bigger than the rest of me. The only thing that helped was losing a lot more weight but then I lost my boobs. You can't win.

Wow really ?

Yeah I want to know more about this too!!

I’m going to be controversial - collagen is just a protein, eat more in any form and save your money. Middle aged women do need more protein, but your body can’t tell collagen from chicken breast, nor target specific areas. There is no good science around it.

Some stuff here this is tbe science I rotate, put it on my legs sometimes makes them lovely and smooth
https://www.healthline.com/health/estrogen-moisturizer

Creatine.
In your protein shake.
Drink more water
Continue with tricep exercises.
The water shift should help.

Do you mean Estriol re prescription cream?

The gel perscribed for HRT just apply to problem areas eg: inner arms.

So will the gel tighten up the skin or what is the thinking behind it? I have some and now want to slather it on my neck!

Very heavy weightlifting - especially arms. So heavy that you can only do 5-6 reps and keep on increasing the weigh. I’m up to 16kg for tricep kickbacks and 27kg for tricep cable pulldown.

Tracy Anderson no weights arm workout.

Lifting heavy weights.

I feared it might just be lift heavier 😭 my upper body has always been weaker so I will continue to lift and increase the weight. I was hoping there was a really cheap yet amazing non invasive arm version of a tummy tuck I could have. Sigh.

@Hatty65 I already have a fine range of cardis 😂 even if I didn’t have my arm issues I’d still love a good cardigan.

@VulturesoverheadI’ve been lifting and working out for years, at least 6/7, but previously it was mostly only to maintain. I’ve been taking weights and nutrition far more seriously for about 12-18 months. The baggy saggy flabby arm skin was a sudden sad development. I’ll add more press ups to the rotation.

That is interesting @Neurodiversitydoctoris this from your personal experience? I do use the gel. I’ve been rubbing it on my thighs which are full of cellulite and not noticed any difference there, but may as well try on my arms now!

@teaandtoastwithmarmite my GP said at my HRT review that all the creatine/collagen stuff is just trendy nonsense. But didn’t say what is actually helpful. Will up my protein and maybe give it a go.

@tanoshiI generally hate protein shakes, any that aren’t disgusting? I’ve never yet found one that isn’t gritty or has a weird aftertaste!

@MeridaBrave 16kg is impressive! Can I ask how long it took you to get there?

I keep seeing all these ripped 40+ women online and wonder if they are real or AI! Anyway thank you all.

hand weights and muscle isolation - tricep dips, skull crushers, press ups, bicep curls, lat raises and round the worlds. My wings are more toned than my friend who has been training for longer and powerlifting much heavier weights.

Creatine and protein powder daily.

I didn’t mind my wobbly arms so much but getting comments from other women about how strong and solid my arms look now is making me vain enough to keep working on them!

I’ve been lifting for many years - so hard to say. I’ve only been doing the cable for 2-3 years. Just been to do until failure at least twice a week. I now have very visible triceps.

🏋🏻‍♀️ totally the answer to most perimenopausal issues! 👏

Re: the protein shakes… the organic protein company- the vanilla is delicious- they also do a plain version.

Rowing and yoga or Pilates.

Whey pure isolate pistachio. Flax seeds and creatine. Lush

@Over40Overdating I’m doing all of those 😭 except round the world, shall Google that. I’m progressively overloading too. I can feel myself getting stronger but the arms just seem to get looser.

@MeridaBrave maybe cables is the answer. I can never get near them at my gym sadly, there’s just not enough. I’ve been googling variations with resistance bands.

My lats and biceps look pretty cool, so that’s something. If I could just find some way to harness the flappy bit up snugly back where it used to be, I’d be so happy.