The weight is finally starting to shift :) but I'm worried about loose skin - anything I can do to help prevent it?

[fuzzpig]

At my biggest I was recently 18 stone. I haven't actually weighed myself since then, but I know I am losing inches at least as I've had to buy smaller clothes!

It is happening slowly, as I am not dieting, just gradually making better choices and reducing processed foods and sugar. I am also walking more as I now do all the school runs.

I'm concerned though that I will get the baggy skin through losing weight, particularly tummy and thighs. So I'm wondering if there's any particular exercises I could do to help? Is it basically 'toning up'? I am new to all this!

I have a couple of disabilities BTW so unfortunately swimming is out for the moment, as is anything high impact or intense. I am mostly hoping to exercise at home for the moment (eg I've got a beginner yoga DVD to try) with a view to joining a gym in a few months as my fitness and health improves.

I am 27 BTW.

Really good small pilates class will help. Our local chiropractic clinic linked to them. You need a gd instructor so ask around pay more for a 6wk course say once a week to get good quality instructions then if you in a bigger class your technique is good. I went after a bad back injury and lost 5inches off my mummy tummy over a year. If you can do any core work it will really help. The shred dvd works but may be too high impact for your disabilities?

Thank you :)

Yes I think the shred is too high impact for me unfortunately (at the moment anyway) but Pilates sounds good. I've seen Pilates DVDs around so will check that out.

So basically is it stuff looking at core strength that I need? Not sure I really have any stomach muscles anymore, it's all fat and stretch marks

other than losing weight slowly, avoiding sun exposure and possibly moisturising I cant think of anything that will improve the elasticity of your skin.

Afaik slow steady weight loss is the healthiest way so well done and keep up the good work :o
it sounds as if you've found a sensible and sustainable approach that works for you.

Aw thanks :) I've never been tempted to crash diet basically because I've seen my mum yoyo for my entire life. Plus, I can't stand the idea of depriving myself of things I like :o

Interesting about sun exposure, why is that bad? I'm trying to spend more time outside for fresh air and vitamin D but will never be exposing my wobbly bits unless you count bingo wings

the sun ages your skin so it will lose elasticity more quickly

Ah ok I get it now :) thank you.