Saggy skin

[hopehopehope]

I am proud to say that since March of 2007 I have lost 40lbs. I feel great and am at my optimal weight. I am in maintenance-mode and exercise every single day!

So now that I feel so good...my skin looks horrible! My tummy and breasts have saggy skin. It just seems ironic that now that I have lost the weight I wanted to lose, I am now struggling with the consequence of that. I am embarrassed in front of my husband when I should be so proud...but it's gross!

Anyone have any solutions? Please help.

[julirama723]

Re: Saggy skin

Do you lift weights or do toning exercise? Muscle helps to give the appearance of firmer skin, because it's something to "fill" the skin in place of the fat that's been lost.

Also, dry-brushing can help. It softens and exfoliates skin, improves circulation, removes toxins, and has been known to help tighten up skin and improve its appearance.

[hopehopehope]

Re: Saggy skin

I run 4 times a week (aerobic) and I do pilates twice a week (toning).

Sorry for my ignorance...what is dry-brushing?


Thanks for the reply!

[julirama723]

Re: Saggy skin

You might want to try strength training--that really helps to tone your body and build sexy/sleek muscles! It also helps to burn FAT and keep it off.

Dry-brushing:
http://www.naturalhealthtechniques.c..._Technique.htm

http://www.epicureantable.com/articles/adrybrush.htm

http://altmedicine.about.com/od/home...y_brushing.htm

[Hoping]

Re: Saggy skin

I'll bet you anything in the world he still thinks your hot! Don't be embarrassed.
Julie's advice is good, and dry brushing feels good. It makes your skin tingly, in a good way. You should give it a try

[sadie147]

Re: Saggy skin

I will second the dry brushing recommendation! I love it.

[hopejoy]

Re: Saggy skin

You can do it yourself or pay a fortune to have it done to you at the spa.
Basically, I'm posting because there are so many hope's in this thread... I wanted to add some hope of my own! But, Julie is right on all accounts!
liz

[sallyseachange]

Re: Saggy skin

I'll second the dry brushing too. It seemed to tone up my problem areas in quite a short time.

[hopehopehope]

Re: Saggy skin

Thanks to all who posted! I am going to try the dry brushing...I'll get back to you on how it goes.

If there is anyone else with suggestions...keep them coming!

I guess this is God keeping me humble

hopehopehope

[Suechef]

Re: Saggy skin

I know exactly what you mean. I lost about the same amount, a little more, and when I jiggle my legs I look like someone twice my age. I also get a bit drawn around the neck (though oddly this varies from day to day, maybe due to hydration issues), and my breasts, well, let's not go there (although as time passes since the WLoss they are starting go in the right direction). I was self-conscious with my husband but ... a happy, slimmer wife is better than an unhappy chubby one, no matter how wrinkly, and since he married me when I was bigger I do know that he loves ME, however I look. The wobbly bits are the price I pay for not taking care of myself for all those years, and I've come to peace with it. That said, doing weights does make a difference, so does yoga.

cheers,
Sue

[hopehopehope]

Re: Saggy skin

thank you for the encouragement.

i have tried the dry brushing (as above) no no real improvement and i am currently doing pilates. i have never REALLY tried strength training, but am willing.

you know, 40 pounds is not a lot, but what a difference it has made on my stomach and breasts....crazy! would i go back to the chubbier self? no. better to be slim with extra skin...but bathing suit season is coming. i have worked soooo hard, it would really be nice to wear a great swimsuit one more time!!!

has anyone tried any creams that tighten?

greta

[Suechef]

Re: Saggy skin

I don't think that creams work.

As to bathing suits - I bought a two-piece for the first time since I was 13, with my husband's encouragement (that was before I gained these 15 pounds that came back recently). I had fun wearing it, got a really bright floral one that is so totally NOT me, and I just decided, hey, I'm doing this no matter what. Besides, look around you at the beach. Maybe you won't be the hottest bod around, but guaranteed you'll be better off than many. Sometimes it helps to go to a beach in a country where people aren't so obsessed with body image - you've got grandmas with their jiggle, young women who aren't exactly fat but certainly aren't Hollywood thin, you've got everything - and people who are focussing on having a good time, not worried that some stranger is going to notice their batwings or saddlebags. You're the only one who really cares. So, let it go & have a good time!
cheers,
Sue

[germensano]

Re: Saggy skin and thigh mega problem

i have a problem myself in my inner thighs, before i lost weight i have like boobs in my thigs , and my left thigh boob is twice the size than the right one
i wish the drybrush thing could help me

[sadie147]

Re: Saggy skin and thigh mega problem

i have a problem myself in my inner thighs, before i lost weight i have like boobs in my thigs , and my left thigh boob is twice the size than the right one
i wish the drybrush thing could help me

drybrushing has all sorts of benefits besides helping with skin..you should stick too it anyway, you never know it may help. From what I know it takes quite a while to show any improvement in your skin. Not saying it's the cure for sagging skin, but it really does make your skin 'glow' I love it!

You should do a google search on it before you start, make sure you have a natural bristle brush (synthetic will scratch) and do it before you bathe/shower. There's alot of webisites with information out there.

I find it even gives me more energy/ a bit of a boost in the morning!

[losetocruise]

Re: Saggy skin

The Myth of Loose Skin someone posted this a while back. Don't know if it is true since I still have too much to lose to tell, but it sounds reasonable. So far I am jazzercising 5-6 days a week and can actually see the muscle replacing fat, so I have not yet had to deal with saggy skin.