I’ve heard that losing weight too fast can cause loose skin. I have 140 lbs to lose, and I’m worried about that. I plan to lose 1-2 lbs per week, so I’m aiming for a slow pace. Is that a good approach to avoid loose skin?
There are a lot of things that come into play like age, genetics, and how fast you lose weight. Yes, the speed does matter.
Gale said:
There are a lot of things that come into play like age, genetics, and how fast you lose weight. Yes, the speed does matter.
Thanks. I’m still in my 20s, so I hope it won’t be too bad. Appreciate the feedback.
I lost 190lbs over about 16 months, doing it the healthy way with diet and exercise. After I hit my goal, I had loose skin on my thighs, chest, arms, and belly. Over time and with consistent workouts, I lost most of it except for my legs and mons area. I was about 23 when I lost the weight, so age probably played a part.
I did think about surgery, but it was going to cost $9,000 to remove it. Then, I gained all the weight back due to health issues. Still trying to get back on track.
Don’t stress too much about the loose skin. You’ll feel so much better after losing the weight, and compression clothes really help. Good luck.
@Lyric
You’ve got this. Losing a lot of weight and having to restart is tough, but it’s worth it. I’m rooting for you.
Like others said, there are many factors, but honestly, with 140lbs to lose, you will probably have loose skin. You can either manage it or look into surgery later on.
Ren said:
Like others said, there are many factors, but honestly, with 140lbs to lose, you will probably have loose skin. You can either manage it or look into surgery later on.
Thanks for the honest advice. I’m still young, so I hope that will help too.
Losing 2lbs per week is considered fast weight loss, but with more weight to lose, it tends to come off quicker in the beginning. Even though loose skin is a possibility, the benefits of losing the weight (better health, more energy, improved self-esteem) will far outweigh it. So, setting your goal at 1-2 lbs per week is a good pace.
If you’re using a calorie tracking app like LoseIt or MyFitnessPal, you can adjust the settings to track both your weight and your desired rate of loss. I’ve got mine set to lose 1.5 lbs per week.
You can also help prevent loose skin by doing a few things. First, eat foods that help your skin, like fatty fish, citrus, bell peppers, and broccoli. Don’t waste money on “collagen-boosting” products – those don’t work.
Second, take good care of your skin. Moisturize, exfoliate, and stay hydrated.
Third, aim for a high-protein diet and lift weights. If you replace fat with muscle, it will help reduce the appearance of loose skin. I lost 30lbs and have a few pounds left, but I’m focusing on toning. If you build muscle as you lose weight, you won’t see that flabby look as much.
To sum it up, take it slow, eat healthy, care for your skin, and build muscle. This will help minimize loose skin.
@Noel
Thank you for the detailed advice. I love broccoli and fish, so I’ll definitely include them in my diet.
Sorry to say this, but with 140lbs to lose, you’ll likely end up with loose skin. I had the same issue after losing that much weight. I actually had my first skin removal surgery just 2 weeks ago (chest area) and plan to get another one for my stomach next year. Good luck.
Diya said:
@Poe
How was the pain after your skin removal surgery?
It’s pretty sore and uncomfortable at first. Even now, two weeks later, it still hurts a bit, especially when jogging. The doctor said it will take about a month for everything to heal and for the pain and swelling to go down.
Another thing that affects loose skin is your starting and ending weight. If you’re going from 260lbs to 120lbs, you might have more loose skin than if you’re going from 320lbs to 260lbs. The more you weigh at the end, the less noticeable the skin will be.
But no matter what, losing the weight is worth it.
Don’t let the fear of loose skin hold you back. I wasted years worrying about it. Just focus on reaching your goal, then see where you stand. Strength training can help, but I’m not sure exactly how it helps with skin.
Exercise, swim, walk, bike – anything that keeps you moving is good for your skin and your heart.
It looks like you’re already on a good track. Losing 1-2 lbs a week will give your skin more time to adjust naturally. Strength training or yoga can help tone muscles, which may reduce loose skin. Also, drinking enough water and eating nutrient-rich foods like protein, healthy fats, and vitamin C can help improve skin elasticity. You’ve got this. Staying slow and steady will definitely help with loose skin over time.
It depends on your age since older people lose skin elasticity. But losing 1-2 lbs a week should help keep your skin in better shape.