What are my chances of loose skin?

[Steve891]

Hey. I'm Steve, age 24. around 5 ft 11. Last year I lost 3 stone, I put 1 back on, now I'm back on the diet and I intend on losing it SLOW. (1lb a week) I go gym 4 times a week. 2 cardio, 2 weightlifting. I drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. I also have been overweight for maybe 9 years, but over those 9 years I have lost some, put some on, lost some and then put some on again. The highest I have weighed is 17 stone, I am now 15. I think from being 17 stone, my overall target is to lose 70 lb lose. Now I have around 42 left! So, what do you think my chances are of loose skin and also is stretch marks an indication of loose skin?

Thanks! (Sorry it was a bit long)

 

[Omega]

You have age on your side.

Loose skin tends to depend partly on how much weight change you are talking about, partly on age and partly on genetics...

Losing weight slowly is certainly a good idea...

Drinking water is certainly good too - and I suspect that you should ideally be drinking more... Quite a few people here follow 1 ounce per 2 pounds of weight as the water recommendation...

Having things like fish oil capsules and ensuring that your diet is not absolutely fat free can benefit your skin too... You do not want to diet away the layer of essential oils in your skin... I take capsules of omega-3 oil, garlic oil and starflower oil...

When I was on my big project I used to cream my skin too...

I used to be friends with Invariant on this forum and know that she lost a lot more weight than you are looking at losing and she ended up with no loose skin... She was in her late teens and lost something like 12 stone (I know that it was a similar amount to the amount that I lost in my big project)... You are looking to lose 5 stone in total...

Keep up the strength training as that should help your muscles so that you fill out your skin better.

I was in my late 40s when I did my big weight loss project - so I didnt have age on my side the way that you have... I ended up with a mixed result regarding loose skin... I certainly could do with a tummy tuck and boob job - but the rest of me is probably better than I deserve... My back and arms show no signs of loose skin... I used to have an enormous double chin and my face shows no signs of this now... Skin is wonderful the way that it can sometimes spring back...

Invariant's experience should give you an additional incentive to deal with your excess weight now while your are still young.

My best advice is for you not to worry about loose skin or stretch marks... Keep up all the good things that you are doing that will minimise the effect and hope for the best. You will be a lot healthier at goal weight irrespective of whether you have loose skin or not...