7 stone to lose - avoiding lose skin?

[Imamumgetmeoutofhere]

I've posted before about my desire to lose weight, for a whole host of reasons. Health mainly though, I'm almost 37 and feeling and looking every bit of my age right now.

At only just 5'3 I can weigh between 7 stone 6 pounds and 10 stone 1 pounds to be healthy. Years ago I used to be 8 stone exactly and was a bit too thin (looked great but got sick a lot) so was thinking maybe going for between 8 stone 7 and 9 stone as my target weight.

The trouble is I'm 15 stone 7 now so it's a significant amount of weight to lose.

I know the general advice, eat less, move more, lots of water and plenty of sleep. I plan on just healthy eating and exercising, no weight loss groups here as whenever ive done these in the past I piled the weight back on when instilled going.

One of my concerns, as shallow as it sounds, is loose and sagging skin due to the significant weight loss. Is there any way to avoid this or is it down to genes?

Im going to try and stick to between 1 - 2 lbs a week and keep my body and skin hydrated and moisturised as I've heard this can help.

Would going to the gym and doing a combination of cardio and weights help?

I know that loose skin isn't the be all and end all and it's better to be slim and healthy with loose skin than be obese but I am very self conscious and would worry about how it looks and what people think of me. Plus it may be uncomfortable to have loose skin like that, especially when exercising or when hot.

Thank you

Hi OP,
Good on you for getting the bit between your teeth.
My experience has been that the best way to avoid loose skin is to lose the weight slowly whilst ensuring you're getting the right nutrients (which you're planning anyway) and to also train with weights to build muscle. The muscle seems to really help support the skin and avoid it looking saggy (as well as helping with the weight loss by increasing your metabolism).
There do also seem to be genetic, hormonal and age components too but I've always found weight training to help massively.
I've personally also found that skin can take a while to "catch up" with weight loss, i.e. the skin can initially sag but then suddenly tighten up, so don't get disheartened if you suddenly notice some sag - it should hopefully gradually go.
All the best! xxx

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I also "skin brushed" each morning - just a brush from Boots or Body Shop. My instincts felt that it would stimulate circulation and enable my skin to recover more. No idea if it worked.

Definitely loosing slowly is the one Ive heard from a lot of people so 1-2lbs sounds good

I'm 5'1 and have lost 7 stone, currently still a bit overweight at 10 1/2 (the last stone won't come off!!). I carry weight on my belly & up top, and the only loose skin the weight loss has left me with is flabby arms (not too bad) and a wrinkly mum tum. I was worried about it too but honestly it's not even slightly as bad as I thought it would be. You're doing all the right things so good luck & enjoy it!

I’m a bit shorter than you and 10 years older. I’ve lost almost 5 stone since the start of the year.

I’ve got a bit of loose skin on my upper arms and in my thighs. I don’t honestly know how much is from weight loss and what is just age. Anyway, it’s absolutely fine and a small price to pay for my weight loss.

I’ve done a huge amount of exercise during g the diet period. A but if weights but mainly walking, spin, barre and Pilates. I think that probably helped. Good luck!

Thank you all.

It seems slow and steady is the way to go, along with moisturiser and lots of water along with healthy eating and exercise.

I don't care how long it takes. It needs to be done. I need to be healthy and my kids and husband need me around too and the weight could hamper this