Has anyone a success story for ditching the bingo wings?

[CrimsonMama]

I have searched online and there are tonnes of exercises claiming to get rid of the dreaded bingo wings after 7, 14, 30 days. I am tempted to pick and try one! But I haven't found any stories from real people saying yes it IS possible and YES they have successfully gone from flabby arms to toned ones!

I'm not hugely worried about my arms. Its a small annoyance since losing so much weight. But I think doing a 30 day challenge would be fun and interesting as a next step on my weight-loss journey. But only if it CAN work!!

[S11m]

I scrub myself all over every day, and it prevented, minimised or controlled loose skin.

I started on my abdomen, and gradually included other areas as slight looseness appeared.

My triceps "wings" are only about a cm - but I have been working on them for months. (I am 70).

[TheAwfulToad Visitor]

No, it's not possible. It never is. People make money by selling 30-day solutions to hard problems because hope always triumphs over experience

Get thee to a gym and do hard workouts with weights. Five years from now you'll look a million dollars (all over, not just your triceps). And you'll be doubly proud of that result because you'll know how much work went into it.

Sorry to be blunt, but it is what it is! People do tend to struggle with a gym routine because it's not easily broken into milestones - although you can see continuous improvement, it's something that's never "complete". You have to make it part of your lifestyle.

Incidentally ... the reason it doesn't work is that your muscles either grow together or slouch together. You can't just exercise one single muscle group and expect it to grow. It just won't (or at least not to any significant degree). Bodies don't like asymmetry. That's why athletes who appear to be using very specific muscle groups for their sport might look slightly unbalanced, but in general they're overall-muscular. They train their legs even if leg strength is not crucially important, because when your legs grow, everything else grows too.

[CrimsonMama in reply to TheAwfulToad]

Yeah I've heard about weight training and strength training. I do a bit as part of my exercise routines for weight loss and core strength. Making a life style change wouldn't be a problem for me. I currently do about ten hours a week of various exercise. Once I reach my goal weight I could easily divert some of that time to focus on more muscle workout. But I am still dubious if it will work on the bingo wings in particular?

One lady I met swore to me that she has tried everything but to no avail....

I have a 'mummy-pouch' that I have accepted I will never lose without surgery. I just wondered if I have to just accept my arms too despite soon being my correct weight and fat %.

[TheAwfulToad Visitor in reply to CrimsonMama]

Life is cruel. General wear-and-tear (and kids!) conspire against us, and a certain amount of flab becomes inevitable as we get older. It becomes harder and harder to build or retain muscle, and there comes a point where you're running to stay in the same place. If you've lost a lot of weight, you will have some loose skin and it will take several years to tighten up. These are just unfortunate facts and there's no magic wand that will make them go away.

The key to effective muscle growth is a) always do more than you did last time b) mix it up, so your body doesn't get used to the same old routine and c) get some quality protein. 10 hours a week of good solid weight-training will make a huge difference if you stick with it religiously. It absolutely will improve the "bingo wings", but you need to do a whole body workout. Just doing lots of tricep dips won't work, for the same reason doing lots of crunches won't spot-reduce belly fat.

[CrimsonMama in reply to TheAwfulToad]

Very helpful advice thanks! I definitely am thinking of adding some gym sessions to my workouts in the near future! I'm not a big fan of the gym ... Or the old me wasn't. But I've changed a lot this past year! Even if I can't get rid of the bingo wings I think the strength and toning will make me feel even more fab! Thanks

[Hidden]

Hi CM.

I am only speaking from experience here.

I think the quick fix things are a bit rubbish. However things like runners world/ womens running or the NHS do excercise sheets on line ( google NHS arm strengthening or something like that) . I dont think it really gets rid of the flappy bits but it tones the muscle and your arms just seem to 'hang better' Dont neglect you back and core. Good back and core muscles give you better posture and a better overall look and decreasing that worn out sloachy feel.

Finally skin brushing (google again) and a good cream with 5% - 10% urea works wonders for the skins texture and Im sure the slightly dry and mottled effect has gone.

It is a long term plan. I begun to seen noticable effects after 3 months or doing the regieme ( if you like) 2-3 times a week. Its not a big change but it is noticable

[CrimsonMama in reply to Hidden]

Noticeable is always a good thing! I use a cocoa butter firming lotion on my neck area but its hard to say if it has made any difference that wasn't from my weight loss.

[Elisabeth3 Maintainer in reply to CrimsonMama]

Just read your post.

Have you found any method for the bingo wings?

That is a difficult area.

After carrying children, when they grow and you don't carry them any more, those muscles are less toned and many moms have bingo wings (BW).

I will try the brushing members suggested here.

A few years ago I attended a gym club where they had a class that helped that matter. It is called FlexiBar class.

I LOVED it. Improved posture and the BW. But you would probably reach a limit. I don't know how tough your BW is. Anyway, with that you can probably improve it.

One can probably buy a FlexiBar but if you cannot find it, I can Google it and copy you the link.

[CrimsonMama in reply to Elisabeth3]

Partly I have accepted along with my mummy tummy that the bingo wings may just me a part of me. However I am planning on trying weights at the gym after the school holidays. I'm accepting they won't go completely but some toning and shape might be an improvement!

[Elisabeth3 Maintainer in reply to CrimsonMama]

In the gym, your training must know a thing or two about the Flexi bar. They would be best to ask. If you are lucky, they have one you can try.

[Elisabeth3 Maintainer]

I liked what TheAwfulToad said about overall training.

You can have some success in 30 days but the longer you train the more likely you are to see results and keep those muscles.