Weight loss

[David01]

I'm in my 50's and over weight, I'm worried if I lose the weight where will all the skin go ?? Will it recede ? Will I be left with overhang which can be more unsightly.

[Aussieblues]

Think it depends how much weight and how quickly lost & whether you exercise to tone it up. It's no excuse not to lose weight 😉 Steady & toning exercises and I'm sure you will look great.

[Purple_faced_woman]

It probably depends in part by how much you are overweight and the sort of skin you've inherited. I am 51, was about 19.5 stone at my highest, and at about 16 stone 3 currently. I have a long way to go on the dieting front. I am aware that bits of the front of my thighs are sagging in a most unprepossessing manner and my tummy has been doing an impersonation of an apron, making occasional slapping noises if I move fast when naked. My, doesn't that sound lovely!

As I understand it, after losing weight it can take up to 2 years for your skin to shrink back to fit the new you as much as it is going to. I think slower weight loss may help it adjust along the way, doing plenty of exercise will provide the muscles underneath with tone which should also help, and probably looking after the skin - for example massaging in some moisturising cream every day - might do some good, as the massage will be stimulating the blood supply to the skin even if the moisturiser is not doing anything particularly to help.

I run 3 times a week and walk and swim in between times which seems to help my legs and bottom, but the fronts of my thighs, my flabby upper arms and my belly are the bits that I have more worries about. However, I would say that I have recently instigate a daily morning set of exercises: squats whilst doing bicep curls leaning against a door, push-ups (from my knees - not strong enough to do them from toes yet), ab crunches and planks. I have been doing them a week now, working up to 15 squat/bicep curls, 8 push-ups, 120 ab crunches and 8 planks. The first day I could only do 3 push-ups - it always amazes me how quickly you can improve your fitness if you keep at it.

Since doing these exercises I have noticed a firming of my belly/stomach area, so I think they are helping with the overhang issue.

Although I have always said I would never have cosmetic surgery to change what I look like, if I lost and successfully maintained that loss for 2 years and was still left with a hefty apron of tummy hanging down and horrible-looking saggy thighs, at that point I might consider surgery as an option to tighten up those areas.

The important thing, though, is to lose that weight and increase my health.

I don't know if this helps you, David01, but I wish you every success with your weight loss journey.

[Hidden]

I'm in my 50's and managed to lose 2.5 to 3 stone over the past 2 years (i was never very honest about numbers at the start). I did notice some increase in skin flobbiness e.g. back of arms and notably around my neck but it has got a little better. I would say also that this is what happens around now, so while I'd love to have my 20 year old body/skin etc back, that ain't happening, so I'm just enjoying being fitter, getting up stairs without my knees screaming and being able to wear nice clothes. Oh, and generally the sense that I'll probably live healthier for longer which is all to the good.

What is your motivation for losing weight? Maybe identifying that will help you decide whether to try?

[elliebath Maintainer]

I am 64 and at last I have a bmi of 22, having lost just over 2st eighteen months ago. Fully clothed I look fine, and my main torso is not bad, but yes I do have loose skin under my arms, chin and inner thighs ( although generally my legs are a better shape now due to more walking, no more 'saddle bag thighs' and shapelier calves ).

A loss of muscle in upper arms is an issue for most older ladies anyway, and sadly no exercise started at such a late age will eradicate that.

[ceejayblue]

I'm 64 and according to the charts 7st overweight. I already have saggy skin from previous attempts at losing weight so I am under no illusion that my skin will ever go back to what it was when I was in my younger years. That's why I'm not looking to lose 7st but a maximum 3st.

Skin will not go back if it has been stretched so far and if you are older it naturally loses its elasticity. The thing is, you can disguise the sagginess with clothes etc but it will still be there. For me, as much as I don't like being this big (and I know why I'm here - ate too much and didn't move enough in the past) I would hate the saggy skin even more.

Don't feel that you have to lose every single pound that the charts say you should. Lose the weight for you, don't feel that you have to conform to an ideal weight if it makes you feel uncomfortable. I'm aiming to be the best me I can be and I am not putting pressure on myself to lose the lot! Any weightloss is good for your health, take your time and decide when you feel your best.

[Zest Healthy BMI]

Hi David01,

You've already had some excellent responses to your question about loose skin. I just wanted to Welcome you and let you know that we have a Welcome Newbie post, which is in the Pinned posts section - right-hand-side of the homepage. Definitely worth a read, and will highlight the various things that people enjoy about the forum. Please do join in with anything you like the look of, and maybe join us for the Monday group weigh-in - that is always accessible via the Events section (below the Pinned posts).

Good luck, and have a great weekend.

Lowcal

[bellylaugh]

I am 61 and have lost 17kg now 5kg to go to healthy bmi. I exercise a fair bit mainly brisk to very brisk walking 8 to 10 hours a week plus table tennis. On my walks I stop 4 or 5 times and do old man press ups or tricep dips. I also do old man stomach crunches at home after the walks not many maybe 2 sets of 20. I was worried about saggy skin after 30 years of being obese but I'm well pleased that as I've lost the weight the muscles are starting to show and I have the minuscule beginnings of a six pack and my man boobs have all but gone and I have pecs once again! Looking in the mirror pleases me as opposed to offends me which is so how it WAS. My neck is slightly scraggy - I've gone from 17.5 to 16 inch collar, from 39 to 34 waist and 45 to 42 chest with no sign of saggy skin (except neck) so I wouldn't worry just go for it and keep hydrated at all times. Good luck 😀

[David01]

Wow guys I'm amazed at the response to my question, I got more help here than ever, I'm off to the gym xx. Thank you all

David