how do you get rid of / improve loose skin

[jackdaw]

Hi guys and gals!

So, I'm 5"5 and 23 yrs old. I've lost 3 stone over the last 18 months but the last stone is just draaaagging! also, I've got lots of sag around tops of arms and breasts. Ideally, I'd like to be lean and with v little hips or breast curves at all, I just like that straight up athletic look (not built, just lean). So questions for you good people are:

a) I'm currently doing 1 hr on the cross trainer at a rate that burns 600 cals per hour. I try to do this most days, but i guess average hit rate is 5-6 days a week. To lose more weight should i do more than this? and how much/what should I eat? Sometimes I think I eat not enough, like I feel hungry.

b) are there any exercises you would recommend to specifically target loose skin? esp. around the stomach!

Thanx for yr replies!

[ultimatehlth]

I agree with the recommendation for high intensity interval cardio training to lose the balance of your weight. Mix in full body resistance training 2-3 times a week for about 30 minutes. I would recommend 9-10 calories per pound of body weight (sorry not sure what the conversion is).

Loose skin is another story. If your skin has stretched more than a bit it likely won't tighten up. The elastins that give skin its resilience get damaged when over stretched over time much like an elastic band on clothes dried in a dryer. Genetics, amount of weight and age all contribute to this. suggestion is loose the balance of weight, exercise and give it a few months. If it still bothers you, you may seek a tuck.

Cheers!

[jackdaw]

Thanks for the replies, guys! What exactly does 'full body resistance training' mean? also, what constitutes 'interval training'? Bearing in mind that I just cannot fit in more than an hour a day around life as it is

[Bonnie]

I have been dealing with this loose skin issue for 18 months.When I first started losing, the skin actually looked worse, but after burning the fat out from underneath, thereby lowering body fat % it has improved & continues to improve to this day.However I am now 47 so it is way more likely yours will bounce back.Proper diet & as mentioned interval training & resistance training are great, the muscle will help take up some of the slack.Good luck

[angelofdeath467]

hey im 18 years lost 40 kgs and im having the same problem like for 6 months i used all creams gels stuff and i'm doing weight training & cardio moderately 4-5 times a week. and i still have it,i dont know if its more fat to lose becuz i feel like i lost some muscle mass whilst losing weight so im really confused whether to build some mass or reduce body fat first... if anyone here got rid of excess skin please help me too... and some say theres no thing like excess skin its just more fat to lose really confusing....

[Bonnie]

I have to agree with that last theory.The more body fat % I lose, the less loose skin I have.I personally will keep burning it off, until either the skin regains its shape or I don't have any fat under it.Don't mistake this for " weight " loss, I have gained 2 pounds of lean mass in the last month.It is not the easiest thing to do, because it involves fine tuning of ones diet, discipline about cheat foods & the correct type, frequency & amount of exercise.