The MakeMeThinner Support Forum

[Triskets]

Hi Everyone!

This question (and I haven't seen this question on the web site Mama Nancy! LOL), is for those who have already gotten rid of a lot of weight.

I've been watching "The Biggest Loser" on TV. Tonight was the grand finale - who lost the most weight. If you haven't seen the show, 12 people go to this ranch for 12 weeks and exercise there bottoms off and eat healthy food. Seems like aerobic and weight training is all they do while at the ranch.

Then they go back home and, using the techniques they learned on the ranch, and try to lose more. On tonight's show, one women who was a finalist had lost 61 pounds and it looked like she needed to lose about 20 more. Even though she worked out a lot, her upper arms were flabby. That really surprised me.

My question for you is, did your skin eventually shrink up? Does it just take longer to shrink up than to lose the weight?

Being 115 pounds overweight I'm DEATHLY afraid of being a flabby thin person - I can't afford tummy tucks and all that plastic surgery.

When I look at Nancy's before picture, it looks like she had a big tummy like I do now. Did it shrink up? do you still have some flab there that won't go away unless you have a tummy tuck? How about other people with the same issue?

Since I just started week two, I'll abide by the rules and refrain from exercise for a few weeks. I joined Curves and will be going there for my workouts. Will that be enough?

I'm scared and I hope you'll help me.

Thanks

[NikkiNix]

Hi Triskets,


I am so glad you asked this question because I too was thinking about asking a similar one. I watch the biggest loser also and I noticed the guy that got down to 156 had some excess skin even though he was skinny. I noticed Nancy don't have that problem(Lucky girl!) but for someone like me who has HUMONGAS arms and thighs I was wondering about the weeble wooble on the arms myself. I also am well indowed up top a size 44 DD and was wondering if by boobs were gonna sag and end up looking like flat pancakes I to can't aford tummy tucks are breast lifts and my goal is a bit different than Nancys. I would be happy at 170 and even though that sounds high it would end up being half my body weight now so I think it sounds fab to me. I am only 1 inch taller than Nancy, I beleive she is 5'6 , so that's a 40lb of flabbage difference when I get to my goal.
I wonder if that will make a differnce in the saggy skin department

Nikki

[Triskets]

Hi NickiNix!

I noticed the guy at 156 did have a bit of excess flab on his belly but he could hide that with his clothes. My other thought is that Min (the one with the flabby arms) was large chested to begin with. Maybe she just carried more upper body fat? Do you think large boobies has any relation? When I have been a more normal weight, I'm only a 36 A-B cup. I'm 5'7" and carry fat all over my body but most particularly in my stomach/ab area.
I hope someone who has been there will add on to our thread and give us some answers!

Happy slurping to you girlfriend!

[Sylvia]

Well, I can tell you where I personally am but I really think that everyone is different.

I lost a bit over 70 pounds. I went from a size 16W+ to about an 8 (6-8 on the bottom and 8-10 on the top). I have decided that I still want to lose about 10 more pounds, but generally speaking, I look pretty good in clothes.

I wish I could tell you that I look equally good without clothes, but I can't. I wouldn't say that I have a lot of loose skin - I do have a bit - but I definitely still have some flab in the usual trouble areas. My arms bother me the most. My shoulders and biceps are pretty good but underneath my arm is flabby. My lower abs are also very flabby and my thighs are not what I'd like them to be either. My chest - hate to tell you, but that's probably the worst area. I was about a 42-44 DD when I started and am now down to about a 36D. It is not a pretty picture. Of course I am almost 40 and have had 2 kids so I'm not sure where I'd be even without the weight gain and loss, but I can't say I'm thrilled.

I have started a relatively intense workout program and think I'm even going to hire a personal trainer for a short time. I am reasonably confident that I can get rid of my arm flab and improve my legs and abs. I'd have to say the chest is a lost cause - nothing short of surgery will fix it and, while I can afford it, I am not interested in going through it.

With all of that said, I am still thrilled with where I am and how I look and so are my husband and family. I'd rather be a slightly flabby thin person than a firm fat one any day!

[NikkiNix]

Dang Sylvia I bet you look like a hottie. That gives me hope I won't be losing it all up top. I was a 36c-d before I had children I hope this doesn't contribute to the whole flabby arm thing Tiskets because if it does I'm in trouble. I was always hoping when I got to my goal I would be able to whare short sleeves and spagetti straps. I don't even whare shorts in the summertime and until just recently I used to ware pants rolled up and a huge baggy t-shirt just to go swimming. I joke you not. I also whare a jacket or a coat over every shirt to help cover up my fat rolls even in a 100 degree weather. I always joke I would be a great waitress because I could carry a full stack of drinks on my buttox alone I guess Sylvia is right I'd rather be a slightly flabby thin person than a firm fat one. By the way Sylvia can you tell you have a little extra skin underneath the clothes or do they cover it all up


Shakin on Nikki

[Sylvia]

I guess it depends on the clothes!

Seriously, I look good in clothes. I wear jeans all the time. I was in Chicos trying on a pair and a woman walked by and said, "I wish I looked like that in those jeans!". I wear shirts tucked in most of the time, etc.

The arm flab is my biggest clothes issue and why I'm hiring the trainer. I WILL go sleeveless this Summer and look good while doing it! The trainer says it should only take 6-8 weeks for me to get them where I want them to be.

[Sylvia]

BTW - there are some pictures of me at goal in the studio. Not the greatest shots but you can judge for yourself what I look like.

[NikkiNix]

Hi Sylvia,

I just checked out your pics and you are a hottie! Unphotogenic my big left check You have an amazing smile and I can't believe you had 2 children. I have had 2 children myself , which I have blamed most of my weight gain on sadly , I gained 88lbs with my first one alone. Everyone said breastfeed you'll lose the weight. I wish I wouldn't have listened but hey I was young and didn't have my mom around to keep me on the up and up. Anyway enough rambling on about myself, you look fab and I didn't notice any baggy arm hangage. I look forward to seeing you in those sleeveless shirts and them new jeans from chicos you will definatly have to post them in about 6-8 weeks maybe



Happy Shakin
Nikki

[Triskets]

Sylvia - You look really great! It sounds like you CAN get rid of any excess flab with the right training. Getting a personal trainer sounds like a great idea.
Don't get me wrong - I'm not going to get off the MF plan just because I may get flabby. I've always drempt of wearing tops tucked into jeans and pants with a flat stomach. I guess I'll wait and see.
I'm also anxious to hear from Nancy since we are closer in age and we know what age does to our skin! lol

Have a great one!

[bear45]

Hi All...have been reading the posts about loose skin and wanted to post my thoughts about that. I am 53 years old, weighed 286 when I began this, am now at 242 and will get down to 150. I must admit to having those thoughts of loose skin in the beginning and several folks even asked me about that. What I realized as I was thinking about that is that it does not matter to me. I mean I have been morbidly obese for 25 years!! And have looked morbidly obese for all of those years...my heart and liver and lungs and knees are so very grateful that I am dropping this flabbage that a little loose skin will be ok to me!! Don't misunderstand, I am lifting some weights and addressing it specifically in my yoga workouts, but if all I have to contend with is a little loose skin...I have decided it is ok by me and I am just gonna keep accepting who I am and just be grateful that my body kept working all of these years...I might be asking a little too much of my skin if I expect it to be like it was when I was thinner. Just my thoughts about that. Hope everyone is having a good week "shaking"....blessings...Lisa

[NE gal in South]

I have lost 115lbs. since June 18, 2004. I do believe that with more use of weights in my exercise routine and the 45 lbs. that I still have to loose that they will look good. My thighs, budda belly and bum are firmer than I though they would be and this makes me happy. Now if I could loose the varicose and spider veins in my legs without surgery, I might have my teenage body when I reach my goal of 125. Wonder if my waist will ever measure 25 inches again. I still have a belt from those days.

Make the decision to Keep Shakin - it really does work.

[Unca_Tim]

Hi All,
Click on the "Search" button above and enter the words "loose and skin" (without the quotes). Be sure to include the word "and" (without the quotes).

We're just getting moving here after our trip to Vegas. I think there was something in one of Nancy's newsletters covering this topic too.

[Nancy]

Do the word search thingy Unca just told you about.

Skin does continue to tighten up over time.

My bra size went from a 44 DD to a 34/36 C...yeah, well...it's ok. I'm not trying to win a wet t-shirt contest. I always wear my shirts tucked in, I wear pants that zip and button, my shirts are form-fitting. Because I can.

Ask Mike and Gerald how I look - they saw me up close and personal and felt me - okay now, Gang - it was a public feel - HUGS for pity sakes!

May I also mention this about the men...

Gerald is very young-looking. He has very thick dark hair, beautiful complexion and eyelashes to die for...a generous and kind man. He treated us to Cirque du Soleil's water show at the Bellagio. Terry and I had a wonderful view.

I was so blessed to be with Gerald, to see him walk through the casino, up stairs and to the theater. It was a very long walk and difficult but Spidey did it without a cane or a scooter - Because he can!

Mike is bigger than life - a hot hunk, wavy deep-red colored hair that curls at the nape of his neck. He wore the Take Shape For Life polo shirt we sent to him on Sunday and it was rather loose, I might add. He gave me a bear hug I'll never forget! He lifted me up off my feet. Monday he looked divine in his blue shirt with flames.

He is intense, laughs with gusto and loves his thin life. Mike walks fast! Leopard Woman had to run to catch up with him.

After having been porky and lumpy all my adult life, I am more than content with my slightly shaky thighs.

Nikki Nix, I can so-relate to your description of your swimming garb and summer wear.

For years, I kept everything covered up and I just plain sweltered in the searing heat. I didn't fool any one - under those layers of t-shirts, jackets, etc. I was morbidly obese. I was a chunk-meister. It was flab-o-rama.

Now I realize that not everyone can describe themselves with seemingly negative or comical adjectives - I tried to make light of my weight situation but it was very hurtful and hard to be so grossly overweight. I hated every little moment of my obesity. I still care about how I look all 'neck-ed' under my clothes but in light of my accomplishment, I look okie dokie. Not perfect, but very good.

Leopard Woman got hit on several times in LV and the men were not old, blind, and drunk. One man told me he liked my bod - that made me grin!

Every one's skin and genetic background is different, exercise can help us to firm up but please know that getting and being healthy is more than a certain clothing size and more than the firmness of your skin. My skin was fairly firm when I weighed 265 pounds - sausages have tight skin! but I was not at all healthy.

[Triskets]

Hey Leopard Woman - Are you also becoming a dating service? With those glowing descriptions of Gerald and Mike I'm a thinkin' you're trying to fix them up! LOL

Good Going Mike and Gerald!

My original flabby skin question was not in regards to staying on the plan or going off for the fear of flabby skin - I just wanted to know how people who already lost a gob of weight dealth with the issue or if it was an issue at all! I want to do everything I can along my MF slurping trip to tone tone and tighten!

Looks like I'm on the right path going to Curves.

Thanks for all the input!

[explorthis]

I'm a thinkin' you're trying to fix them up!

lolol.. Better ask my wife of 16 years and my 2 kids first...

Knowing my wife, I don't think she shares.

-Mike