Please help me determine if this is loose skin or fat...

[getrightfor2011]

Let's just say I had a medical problem in my teens and I went from about 130 to 225 very fast. I lost about 70 lbs but never got back down from 160. Then after having my second child ballooned back up to 203. I want to determine if what I have is loose skin or fat. It is not very thin but would like some opinions as it hangs a bit. I also have very bad stretch marks on my arms and legs, but not sooo bad on my stomach. I am planning on using a dermaroller and emu oil with Retin-A to improve that. I am going to lose another 70 lbs while exercising with an elliptical and weight training. I have heard many people have flattened even stomachs like mine with weight training, pullups etc. Any thoughts? I am 26 years old and 5' 3 at 203 lbs. I wear a size 14 now. PS- Sorry for the messy room!

 

[mamaq79]

It looks like both to me. I think if you lost weight and worked on toning your arms they would firm up. As for your tummy it's kind of hard to say. I've seen people on here that are able to get their stomachs really flat after substantial wight loss and others that have loose skin. I've lost 60 lbs and I have lose skin on my lower belly.

 

[Cheiri]

I'm no doctor, but to me it looks like a bit of both. Keep toning up and exercising and building muscle and you will be able to minimize it. As for getting it completely flat, it all depends on your genetics.

Good luck!

 

[NedoCTB]

You're in the same boat I was in a year ago. It feels and looks like loose skin, but it isn't, trust me on that. Up your protein to minimize muscle loss (you shouldn't lose muscle) hit the weights and eat well under your maintenance.

If it was a lot thinner, I would be worried... but you can clearly see you have many inches of fat there so I will not worry you at all.