Single Digit Body Fat Percentage

M

Matt2

New member
Hey, I'm 17, lost 110 lbs, and now hover at about 165 (6"2). I was stupid with losing weight and didn't maintain muscle, so I've been bulking recently (added 10 lbs), but I obviously have loose skin in places I can't bulk.

To my understanding, the only way to get rid of that excess-skin-look is to get into single digit body fat, so that the skin will cling to muscle without having much fat to weigh it down.

I know the logistics of weight loss, I know my maths, I know the pitfalls, and I know how to avoid them; but that was when I was fat. What I want to know is if my previous method for weight loss (counting calories, exercising, eating nutritionally sound foods, etc.) is a good way to achieve a cut body, or lower body fat % when you're so close to it.

I've heard numerous sources tell me to go Atkins and throw out the carbs. If I'm smart about it, does this work?

Losing fat is a lot harder when you're no longer fat. I'd just like some advice, please!
 
I'm afraid what you were told isn't strictly true.

You lost a lot of weight and if you think about it, you'll realize that the skin was STRETCHED. Removing all the fat under the skin is not going to makethe skin magically "cling" to the muscle. It's like filling a balloon with water and leaving it for a week. When you pour out all the water, the balloon is not going to snap back to it's original state, right?

Building some muscle will help fill out the stretched skin, yes. Also since you're young, it's likely that your skin is pretty elastic and will recover quite a bit - but you have to give it time. Skin doesn't just snap back - the balloon again.

I'd suggest weight training, building some muscle, and making sure you eat nutritious foods and drink lots of water to help maintain elasticity.
 
Hmm, I understand it will never be the same skin as if I were to have never have gained the weight. However, the parts of my body which are lean and have no fat are pretty taught and normal (apart from when I pull my skin outwards- it stretches). But the parts of my body that have a little fat underneath AND lose skin seem to hang a little, or jiggle loosely.

I understand the skin will never regain it's true form, but would getting down to single BF% lose all the jiggling and hanging? Would it then just be stretchy?

Thanks very much for the input!
 
Lowering your bf% will not get rid of the jiggly skin. Your body will get rid of it on its own. Bulking, lifting weights and drinking good amounts of water may also help. I had the same type of problem, but after a few months I didn't anymore, and my bf% is around 14 so it's definitely not based on that. Think about it afterall..excess skin isn't technically fat is it? why would a lowered body fat percentage change it?
by the way don't do things like totally cut out carbs or any food groups..just keep a balanced and healthy diet
 
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It really depends on how much your skin is stretched out. If it's purely loose skin, it will be very wrinkly, saggy and there will be very little thickness to it when you pinch it. If you have a lot of it it will flap, but it shouldn't jiggle unless you still have some fat in there.
 
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