I thought this was fat. I think it might be fat and loose skin. What do I do?

[LittleRebelGirl]

So I've lost 6st. Not for the first time. But my body doesn't look like it did when I lost weight previously.I'm 39 now. Maybe I've just fucked it. I didn't think I had loose skin. I thought it was fat, plus overhang from c/s. I'm 10st 13, 5ft 2. Bmi 27.8. I'm aiming for 9st 10.
I've been going to the gym for 7 months, overhauled my daily life to be far more active. I do 3 cardio sessions of 40 mins a week, and 3 x 1hr plus weight training using progressive overload. Obviously I'm in calorie deficit (and have been for 17 months). Keep protein as high as I can for my calories (low, I'm only 5ft 2 remember!).But my body looks like it hasn't been near a gym, and what the hell is that when I bend over? Everything just collapses downwards 🤮. See pics!
Help me! What can I do? Do I just need to get rid of the extra belly (and thigh, and arm!) fat and then just work harder to increase muscle mass? I know I've gained some muscle, I can feel it in my arms and legs. Absolutely not a muscle to be found abdominally however.
Should I still look this bad after 7 months of training religiously. I've used a PT for a few sessions to get to grips with it all, and feel confident with what I'm doing. But I don't think it's doing much. Any advice? Please!

It wouldn't let me upload all the pictures to one post.

Op honestly you look fantastic!!!! If I bend forward everything hangs out!!!? I would kill for a figure like yours!!!

You look incredible

I’m fairly slim, I don’t feel that I need to lose weight and I like my figure most of the time. But if I lean over like that - and also when I do things like planks - I get flesh hanging over like that. My abs are quite good but it’s still there. I figure it’s a legacy of pregnancy. Maybe if you get extremely slim it will go, but tbh I think it’s pretty normal.

You look great. I'd say that is a little bit of loose skin but nothing that can't be toned up. Your waist looks amazing! Just keep up the exercise, do some weights. It's normal to have a bit of loose skin seeing as you've lost so much weight.
Well done! I have really bad stretchmarks all over my hips even though I'm skinny. So don't worry about minor imperfections.

Oh, you've just bought tears to my eyes. I wasn't expecting that. I was ready for the vipers to come and tell me everything I'm doing wrong (and that's okay, that's what I need to!). But thank you for being kind!

You're lovely. You look very nice in your underwear. Please stop pulling at yourself and enjoy your wonderful body
Fair play to you for sticking at a fitness regime like that. So good for your health.

You look great. You're doing so much for your health - that's brilliant. Remember that all the photos we see of 'celebs' and models are posed - they could all have bellies that hang down if caught unawares! My stomach hangs far more than yours, which is why I love supportive leggings at the gym 😊

Honestly, you have a lovely figure.

Stay patient. It looks as though you are doing really well. You have an absolutely clear waist line which means all your work is paying off.

You look fantastic. I'm jealous!
You and I are the same height. I'm struggling to get back under 12st with a similar target. What diet have you been following?

Some of what your poking at will go along with the next stone. Even if it is a little loose skin it's still much better than a load of fat.
Well Done 👏

You look great

Well done. You have done an amazing job . Don't be despondent , keep going with all your hard work and you will see some more change in time.

I'm a size 8 and five years post pregnancy have that overhang tummy too if I bend over like that. Never had this pre-pregnancy so I think that's what it is!

And you look great OP. All that excecise will be doing wonderful things for you, like making you strong and healthy.

Bloody hell, you look great! I lost half what you did and I look like a deflated balloon!

After pregnancy and lots of weight fluctuation, yeah maybe the skin isn't going to be the most taut it's ever been.. but that's OK. You look great, I'd love to have your figure. Be proud of your achievements and try to stop focusing on minor (perceived) flaws.

Well done on your weight loss you look fab. Yes it’s loose skin, the only way to fully remove it Is a tummy tuck but would say that’s a bit extreme for you when you look so good generally. You could look into a mini tummy tuck but honestly wouldn’t be worth it unless you absolutely despise your loose skin.

I had a tummy tuck years ago I got down to a similar weight to you but had only lost 4 stone, years of to to dieting had ruined my skin elasticity. My loose skin was worse and I was SO self conscious. I have to say though the tummy tuck was UNREAL. I’ve had 2 babies since and my stomach is now still flat as a pancake and toned despite two pregnancy’s and a few stone weight gain. My scar is barely visible and my surgeon made me an amazingly realistic belly button you would never even know.

That does look loose skin from pregnancy. I'm 41 and just trying to get back into shape 2 years after 2 close pregnancies. I stayed skinny on top in arms and chest and had big tummy, hips, thighs/upper legs. I've got a little way to go but I definitely have a pot belly where it was flat and that slightly crepey skin. I don't think they're going anywhere but I can feel the muscle underneath so I can lose the fat around them.

You look lovely., all your hard work has definitely paid off.

If you are still not happy at the end even after given your skin a change to adjust there are treatments like skin tightening that might make some difference. In the end it's how you feel in yourself.

I'm envious and inspired.

You look incredible. I don’t know whether you’ve tried or looked into something like Pilates? I suffered similarly with a loose stomach and Pilates really helps tone everything.
But honestly, you look so good. I don’t think you need to worry at all!

You’re beautiful.
You look like your BMI is 26/27. It isn’t until you’re around 23/24 that things will look tighter.
You look incredible, well done to you.

That is a huge amount of weight to lose, esp from a petite frame, you will always have some loose skin, even if you were a teenager. You honestly look amazing. Weights with progressive overload take quite a few months to see the muscle. Just keep going, consistency is key

If I’m being completely honest, I think you’d see more prominent results if you had the loose skin treated. However even with the layer of loose skin, I can definitely see definition forming in your abdomen. It’s clear in your 1st photo.

I personally would take the approach of continuing to lose weight. I’m a similar height and I think the stone you want to lose, could be considered a “fun” stone to lose because it’s where you’ll start to see your body get more toned. The stubborn areas will start to shift. Once you’re at your goal weight, maybe consider getting the loose skin treated if it still bothers you.

You look fantastic and an inspiration!

Op I'm 5ft 2 and 9st 8, mid 40s, and feel the same way about my stomach, but having 3 DC takes its toll (plus 5 years ago I was 40lb heavier, lost it and maintained it since). Genuinely you look fab, give it time for your body to adjust to its new shape and keep going

You look quite a bit like me. I’ve lost 7 stone and have that loose skin/fat. I tried dieting down further but I looked gaunt and it was still there.
I think it is skin from having babies and being overweight. I don’t think it’ll ever go. I’m working on acceptance now but it does bother me sometimes