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Aubrey-Lee lost 80 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Aubrey-Lee lost 80 pounds. Health was her primary motivation. She paired low-carb meals and recipes with hour-long workouts to get results. After losing weight, she had surgery to address excess/loose skin.

Aubrey-Lee before and after weight loss Aubrey-Lee before and after weight loss

Social Media:
Instagram: @newbodyaubrey

What was your motivation?
My overall health 

What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
The desire for surgery. I honestly thought it would be impossible to get to a BMI where I qualified for plastic surgery. 

How did you change your eating habits?
Stopped drinking and eating certain foods. Instead, I did more meal prepping and drank more water. I focused on low-carb recipes and low-sugar foods. I also followed a lot of keto recipes. However, I won’t say I went full keto because I still had carbs and cheat days.

What is your workout routine?
It consists of walking and working out at the gym for 60 minutes.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Aubrey-Lee🦋 (@newbodyaubrey)

How often did you work out?
I work out 3-4 days a week for an hour.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 283 pounds, and my current weight is 203 pounds. 

What is your height?
I’m 5’5″.

When did you start your journey? 2020

How long did your transformation take?
Two years and counting.

Is surgery part of your journey?
Yes. I had a tummy tuck and lipo in May 2021 to remove excess skin from weight loss.

before and after

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
Be patient with yourself and try to love yourself in every stage of your journey.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
Stay consistent and disciplined, or you’ll never reach your goal. Don’t give up even when you feel like it. Instead, reset when you have a slip-up. 

Aubrey-Lee face to face

Juli-Marie lost 78 pounds

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Transformation of the Day: Juli-Marie lost 78 pounds. In 2018, she decided to have VSG surgery after years of struggling with her weight. She has truly transformed by committing to the process and changing her daily habits. We asked her to share her story.

Juli Marie before and after weight loss

Social Media:
Instagram: @vsg_juli.marie

What was your motivation? What inspired you to keep going, even when you wanted to give up?
My motivation to begin my weight loss journey was to improve my quality of life overall. I didn’t realize that the added weight caused me to look and feel older than I was. 

I had the VSG (vertically sleeve gastrectomy) procedure in July 2018, which limits the amount of food I can eat, which then leads to weight loss.

My children have inspired me to keep going, even while I am close to 4 years post-gastric sleeve surgery. I enjoy the added confidence and self-esteem as well.

 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Juli Marie 🇳🇬🇺🇸 (@vsg_juli.marie)

How did you change your eating habits? 
Before surgery, an all-liquid diet was required, and that time was a true test to see if I could maintain smaller portions and limit myself in terms of what I could eat vs. what I couldn’t. 

Honestly, since having surgery, I no longer crave deep-fried foods. So now I usually air-fry my food. I also stopped eating beef as it made me feel “heavy.” I only drink water (tea, flavored water) and no juice or soda at all.

What is your workout routine?
Currently, I don’t do any sort of workout. However, after surgery and after I got the okay from my surgeon, I would go to the gym at least twice a week. I didn’t want loose skin, and I thought that maybe going to the gym would help me tone while losing weight would. I still ended up with loose skin, but I do believe going to the gym helped along with taking collagen.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 278 pounds, and my current weight is 200 pounds.

What is your height?
5’9″

Juli Marie before and after weight loss

When did you start your journey? How long did your transformation take?
I had always struggled with my weight, but in mid-2017, I decided to have a conversation with my primary care doctor. She made the recommendation/referral for me to go and see a bariatric surgeon. Although I didn’t have the actual surgery until July 2018, the insurance required specific steps to get approved, such as six months of weigh-ins, discussions with a dietitian, a psych eval, etc.

If you ask me, my transition is still taking place. In fact, it never ends as there is a constant push to eat correctly to maintain results.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far?
My biggest lesson so far has been not to compare my journey to other women. We all gain/lose weight differently. Another lesson I learned is that everyone won’t be happy about your weight loss journey/success.

What advice do you have for women who want to lose weight?
I would definitely say that they first have to make the decision in their mind and take action to follow through. Those actions include throwing away all junk foods/drinks, meal prepping, drinking more water, and becoming active.

Can Loose Skin be Tightened?

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loose skin after weight lossBelieve it or not, one of the fears that holds women back from losing weight is having loose skin. This can definitely happen to anyone and it can be very pronounced on those who lose over 50 lbs. That being said, you should not let fear of loose skin stop you from losing weight. 

We want to share some tips with you may help lessen the development of loose skin during weight loss, but there is no fool proof way to avoid it or cure it completely. Again… most people who have been very overweight (obese) for a number of years who achieve significant weight loss experience loose skin. 

There are some cases where surgery may actually be needed to remove loose skin, but even so, by following these suggestions you may be able to minimize the effects of loose skin. The goal is to keep your skin toned and healthy.

Exercise

Exercise isn’t just about burning calories and toning muscle. It’s about creating firmer skin. Muscle takes up much less room than fat. One of the biggest myths about women and weight lifting is that it will cause you to “bulk up.” Unless you are getting into competitive bodybuilding, it will have the opposite effect. Muscle is more dense than fat and takes up less room, so the body appears more toned.

The key to using exercise to reduce loose skin is to work the whole body and not just target specific areas. This allows your muscles to begin supporting each other and as they grow. Thus, you become leaner and your body shape improves. Exercise can also help with cellular health, allow your skin cells to begin to rejuvenate themselves and clearing out old toxins.

Lose weight slowly to reduce loose skin

While the idea of dropping 30 pounds in 6 weeks is hugely appealing, but it will almost guarantee the appearance of lose skin on your body. Weight loss should rarely exceed 1-2 pounds per week. When you first start an exercise and diet regimen, you may lose more but it will quickly taper off. This weight loss rate reflects that your lifestyle is changing in a sustainable way and that your body is beginning to redefine itself in a manner that is inclusive of all the parts of you needed for healthy living. You want your fat stores to diminish while your muscles fibers strengthen and your cardio and lymphatic system become stronger. All of this is surrounded and held by your skin and your skin cells need time to adjust to the new shape beneath them.

Age and skin elasticity are a factor

How old you are and the level of skin elasticity you have retained are going to be a huge factor in how much control you have over developing loose skin. With age, we lose collagen and the loss of estrogen also affects our skin cell structure. There isn’t a magic age where you are guaranteed to NOT have loose skin if you lose weight, but after 35 you should look into adding to a diet and exercise regimen certain supplements and hydration habits that help to support skin elasticity. Vitamins A, E, and D all help support healthy skin cells through supporting collagen and elastin production. You should also consider skin creams that feature Aloe as more studies support this as an effective agent in skin care. All of these have proven to help tighten loose skin.

Hydration and sun exposure

Not getting enough water on a regular basis often is a contributing cause to loose skin that will not go away. When you do not hydrate yourself enough and on a regular basis, your body begins to hoard water leading to water weight gain. This water weight puts strain on your skin and keeps it stretched out. A large part of maintaining proper hydration is managing your exposure to the sun as well. The sun can seriously damage the integrity of your skin. Some women make the mistake of tanning because it “makes their skin feel tighter.” It makes the skin feel tighter because it is dehydrating and damaging the skin cells. If you are concerned about loose skin, avoid too much sun exposure – but don’t avoid it all. Exposure to the sun remains the body’s best way to take in valuable Vitamin D.

Sometimes surgery is the only solution

Like it or not, surgery is sometimes the only way to get rid of loose skin. Genetics can play a factor in the generation of loose skin and even if you weren’t morbidly obese, you may have a hard time losing weight and keeping taut skin. There are several different procedures, all related to liposuction that can be performed. Talk to your doctor about your options if this appears to be the only solution for you.

Lindsey lost 140 pounds, Excess Skin Removed on TLC Reality Show

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Update Jan 2016: This month, we got an update from Lindsey letting us know that she will be featured on TLC’s new series, “Skin Tight” on January 27th.  We started following her story of losing 140 pounds back in 2013. Check out what she’s shared with us about her journey (read more).

lindsey before and after

Lindsey M. Adams, a 29-year-old Chicago woman, is highlighted in TLC’s newest docu-series “Skin Tight”. After losing  140 pounds through diet and exercise, Lindsey lived with over 20 pounds of loose skin hanging from her size 6 frame. The excess skin left her feeling embarrassed, unmotivated to further her fitness goals, and scared of physical intimacy.

The TLC docu-series follows Lindsey across four cities as three plastic surgeons performed a total of eight procedures in six weeks to remove 20 pounds of excess skin.  Each surgery was more excruciatingly painful than next, leaving Lindsey unable to walk or use the restroom on her own as she healed from large incision openings over 3 inches wide.

“The mental battle was harder than the physical pain,” said Lindsey.  “But my dream of being in a white bikini kept me going back to remove more skin “

The weight loss industry is an over $60 billion business and draws more than 7 million viewers who tune in to network weight loss shows. Lindsey’s incredible journey of this taboo industry topic transparently shows the secret shame after massive weight loss. Sharing her body, story and an intimate areas of her life, Lindsey is helping others “Break Free of the Bondage of Obesity “

Lindsey is currently continuing her recovery in Virginia Beach and is available for interviews about her appearance on TLC’s “Skin Tight” and what’s next for her weight loss journey.

www.lindseymadams.com
FB: www.facebook.com/LindseymAdams586

Check her out on YouTube.

Tips for Weight Loss Over 40

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weight loss over 40Weight loss can be one of the most challenging endeavors for women, no matter what their age. However, there is something about surpassing the age of 40 that makes what would normally feel like a challenge seem downright impossible. There are a number of factors at play after 40 – a slower metabolism, busier daily schedules and less mobility and flexibility. While it might seem hard to achieve, the fact is that weight loss is possible at any age. It comes down to knowing what works best for your body and how hard you are willing to work to achieve your fitness goals. It’s also about having reasonable goals and keeping health issues in mind.


The first — and most important – thing to do when trying to lose weight at any age is to make an appointment for a physical. Rule out any potential medical issues that may be contributing to weight gain. For example, hypothyroidism is common issue for women over the age of 40 who find they cannot lose weight by traditional means. This condition slows the thyroid down significantly, creating dysfunction in the body that can result in weight gain and/or an inability to lose weight. Diabetes, high blood pressure, PCOS and high cholesterol are other weight/nutrition-related conditions that many people are diagnosed with by their 40s. A physical will rule out any health-related problems that may be causing weight gain or hindering your weight loss. You also want to ensure that there are no physical limitations of which you should be aware before embarking on an exercise program. If you have back, joint or knee issues, for example, you’ll want to discuss that with your doctor before starting a workout routine.

The next step is a overhauling your eating habits. Choose foods that promote good health and weight loss, period. Your body will reflect the affects of a terrible diet. This means less processed foods and more whole food options. After 40, it is also important to get plenty of fiber in your diet, which can be accomplished through the inclusion of fruit, vegetables and whole grain products, such as whole grain braid and steel cut oats. Foods high in fiber also digest slowly, which makes you feel fuller longer. Trade in your red meat for fish high in Omega-3 fatty acids. Add cinnamon to your Greek yogurt for a sweet treat can help the body to metabolize sugar and reduce blood sugar levels. Drink as much water as possible and when you think that you’ve had enough water each day – drink at least another glass. Not only does this help with the feeling of fullness to prevent overeating, but staying hydrated is key to optimal health while on a weight loss regimen.

If you eat a great deal of fast food and junk food, now is the time eliminate it from your diet completely. Not only does it makes weight loss after 40 more challenging, but it is bad for your cardiovascular health, which is a serious consideration as you age. Here are a few unsettling stats from GoRedforWomen.org:

  • Cardiovascular diseases kill nearly 50,000 African-American women annually.

  • Of African-American women ages 20 and older, 49 percent have heart diseases.

  • Only 1 in 5 African-American women believes she is personally at risk.

  • Only 52 percent of African-American women are aware of the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

  • Only 36 percent of African-American women know that heart disease is their greatest health risk.

The healthier you are overall, the more likely it is that your body will more easily shed the pounds.

Incorporate exercise into the mix to slow down the loss of muscle and bone density that happens after 40. The best favor you can do for your body – for weight loss and general health – is exercise at least four to five days a week. Cardio is important – walking, running and high intensity movement – but strength training is as well. In fact, strength training is essential to build up muscle mass that burns fat and increases metabolism. At least 30 minutes of exercise is also conducive to good heart health and mobility, important factors at age 40 and beyond.

It is important to realize that as you lose weight, you may contend with looser skin than you had when you were younger. As you age, particularly once you pass the age of 40, your skin doesn’t always retain the elasticity that it once did. For this reason, strength training and toning exercises are key and can help to firm it up a bit. However, this may be something with which you have to come to terms as you lose weight, particularly if you are losing in higher numbers. Don’t let a fear of loose skin stop you. The health benefits are far more important.

Finally, there are tenets of general good health that will aid in weight loss. Plenty of sleep, eating a balanced diet and reduced stress are factors that will affect the ability to lose weight after 40 but also health in general. Patience is also key. It may take longer for your body to shed the pounds after the age of 40, but with diligence and persistence it can and will happen. The goal should be greater wellness in general.

Update: Tiffany lost over 100 pounds

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Update May 2017 – Tiffany wrote in to update us on how she has worked to maintain her transformation. We’ve been following her journey since 2012 and she is an inspiration.

tiffany before and after

How have you maintained your weight loss/continued to lose weight?
I’ve kept off a majority of the weight by keeping in mind all the blood, sweat, tears that I’ve put into getting the weight off. I keep in mind how much better I feel and look at a healthier weight. I don’t allow myself to go back to old eating habits too long when I fall off the wagon. A ton of self talk is involved, like… “OK. You ate a donut today. You can’t have fries too.” My starting weight was 284 pounds. At one point I got down to 154 pounds. Now, I weigh 190 pounds. I think 170 lbs will be my comfort zone. 

What has worked for you in terms of eating habits and exercise?
I make sure that I workout no less than 3 times a week on a bad week and 5 or 6 on a good one. I always lift weights. Also, I got a Fitbit to keep track of my daily steps. I’ve got to push myself a bit to get in the cardio, but I just see exercise as something I have to do.

Eating habits? Meal prepping helps a lot. On Sundays, I cook enough meals for 4-6 days. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and 2 snacks. I stick the meals in the freezer. About once a month, I do a 1-3 day juice cleanse. I’ve also kept myself clean of red meat for almost 5 years and pork for nearly a year. Mostly, I just never give up on trying to make good decisions daily. Even when I fail, I just keep trying to be better with the next bite and with my exercise routine. 

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned on this journey?
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is to be patient with myself and to accept myself. Changing your habits is hard work. My goal shouldn’t be to look like anyone else, but to be the best version of myself. What stands out most is that there isn’t a finish line. This is a life long journey and everyday you have to consciously take steps in the direction you want to go. Maintaining weight loss is much more difficult than losing, so staying conscious is pertinent.

At this point, would you offer any new or different advice to other people who want to lose weight? My advice to anyone wanting to lose weight is, make sure you are doing it for you. Take note of non scale victories (sleeping better, more energy, clothes fit better, health stats are better). See food as something you can enjoy and, most importantly, as fuel for your body. Remember, while you have to give 100% of yourself in all aspects of your journey, diet is the biggest factor. You have to eat better quality food, possibly smaller portions, and, believe it or not, you have to eat frequently. So much of losing weight is about changing your mentality first. You can do it!

 

July 2015 – Tiffany lost over 100 pounds and we have followed her story over the last few years. She recently wrote in to give us an overview of her amazing weight loss journey…

tiffany before and after

What was your motivation? What inspired you?
After many failed attempts to lose weight, I had just turned 40 years old and felt like my body was falling apart. For the first time, the doctor was forcing me to go on blood pressure medication which is something I was dead set against. I was determined to get off the meds as soon as possible.

How did you change your eating habits?
I changed my eating habits pretty slowly at first. I slowly took out things like adding salt to my food, eating fried foods and putting mayo on my sandwiches. I also put my salad dressing on the side. Eventually, I stopped drinking cows milk, red meat, and started adding vegetables to every single meal, including breakfast. One of my biggest problems was portion control, so I had to train myself to eat less and to choose foods that were more filling. That meant eating more foods with fiber, good fats and healthy carbs.

What did your workout routines look like?
When I first started this journey in 2010 my workout routine consisted of probably about an hour and a half of cardio every single day. I did things like TaeBo, treadmill, elliptical machine, and cardio classes, like step class and Zumba. Eventually, I was convinced by several trainers to start weightlifting and that is when I really saw the shape of my body change. If I could do it all over again, I would’ve incorporated weights from the beginning and not done as much cardio as I did. I think cardio creates a lot of weight loss but not as much fat loss.

What was your starting weight? What is your current weight?
My starting weight was 284 pounds. I got down as low as 154 pounds. Then I had skin removal surgery and that caused some health problems that I’m going to have to live with for the rest of my life. Ironically, the health problems that I incurred have a lot to do with the food that I can eat now and that affects keeping the weight off. What used to work so easily for me to keep the weight down, I can no longer do as freely. I go into detail about that on both of my fitness pages. The stress of those complications lead me to put some more weight back on, so now I’m about 184 pounds. I refuse to start this journey over again, so I am fighting like hell to keep this weight off, both in the gym and in the kitchen. I’m pretty muscular so I may or may not look that weight, however I’m also trying to take off maybe about 10 pounds. I don’t think I want to be as small as I was before. I was pretty thin and I’m 5’6″ tall. The journey continues!

How long did your transformation take?
It took 2.5 years to lose 128lbs total. My body continues to transform into a more curvier, more muscular body then when I initially lost the weight. I am five years into this transition over all.

What advice do you have for others who want to lose weight?
For those who want to lose weight, my first suggestion would be to really understand why you put the weight on in the first place. Figure out what habits you have that you’re going to have to change to help you get and keep that weight off. Make a commitment to yourself to feed your body food that is prepared in a healthy manner. Commit to a certain amount of exercise on a regular basis. Regardless of how long you think it’s taking for you to see the number on the scale go down, stay committed and stay the course. Don’t give up. It’s not a race, it’s a lifestyle.

You can follow me on Instagram at @meltmindandbodyfitness as well as my Facebook account: meltmindandbodyfitness. There you will find a very honest and open view into my weight loss journey as well as my journey to live an emotionally, physically, and mentally fit life! Previous posts on Tiffany’s story

tiffany weight loss

Update Sept 2016 – We’ve been following Tiffany’s amazing progress since 2013. She is very transparent about her ups and downs and is the picture of determination.

“I started this journey into 2010 at 40 years old because the doctor forced me to go on blood pressure medication. I begged him not to, as I had already lost 10 pounds and I promised to lose more, but he felt that I wouldn’t lose the weight. He told me that I was fat, I had been fat for a long time and that most people don’t lose the weight. I was determined to get off the blood pressure medication because many of my family members digested way too many pills, several times a day. My motivation was not to become another statistic.

Through consisting exercise and a swift change in diet, I’m proud to say that 2 1/2 years later, I have lost 128 pounds. I decided to have skin removal surgery. Just when I thought my weight loss journey was over, it had only just begun. I’m very open and candid with my followers about the twist and turns of my journey. I let them know that everyone goes through ups and downs and it isn’t easy, but it is possible at any age, any cultural background, and any socioeconomic group. Through honesty and a little humor I let my followers know that actual health and fitness isn’t just about your body. It’s about your heart and your mind is well.” – @meltmindandbodyfitness

tiffany weight loss

Kevela lost 63 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Kevela lost 63 pounds.  After an embarrassing incident at an amusement park, (something that is common for many overweight ladies, unfortunately) she knew that it was time to take action and change her lifestyle.  Here is what she shared about her weight loss journey…

kevela before and after

I just wanted to say that I am so grateful to what God has done in my life and I wanted to share my testimony with others. Maxing out at 305 lbs, I was in my biggest state of depression ever. But God…I’ve lost over 60 lbs and I am NOT finished yet. To everyone that is starting their journey…start with realizing your “Why” and go from there!.

It honestly all started when I was asked get off of a ride at Six Flags because I could not fit. I was so embarrassed and it ruined my whole trip. During the summer of 2012, the basketball coach at my job began working out with me and one of my co-workers. I remember barely being able to be on the elliptical for 10 minutes. I told myself then that it was time to change. Grant it, people threw the option of surgery at me daily, but I told myself that I could do it on my own. I had a support system, a trainer and a strong mental focus.

I began eating grilled food and plenty vegetables! I have never loved vegetables so much =) I love my water and I make sure to have it with me all of the time. I basically stopped eating a lot of fried foods too. Grant it, I do slip up, just not nearly as much as I used to.

I love cardio! I know it sounds weird, but I love running and I love the stair master. I also love going to fitness classes that incorporate weights and cardio, because I am having a skin loose issue due to the weight loss. I am hoping it will go away without having to get it removed. My current weight is 242 pounds and I am 5’6″. I started my journey at 305 pounds and I am finally to the point of keeping the weight off.

I would say that I did not become “addicted” to the healthy lifestyle until last summer. My advice for anyone starting their journey would be to NOT give up! The change will come in time. Don’t be embarrassed to be that “big person” running down the street or lifting weights. You’re being inspirational! I PROMISE!

My instagram is taubeta_07. It is private but I will follow and accept you all! I have it set private so I don’t have students all on it =)

– Kevela

Deborah lost 80 pounds

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Weight Loss Story of the Day: Delta Sigma Theta soror Deborah lost 80 pounds since January.  Her weight loss coach, Wiltrina Jones (who has lost over 205 pounds), encouraged her to send in her story.  This single mom of 3 went from a size 3XL shirt to a small and from size 24 pants down to size 10.  Here is what she shared about her journey:

Deb weight loss story single mom

My name is Deborah Harvin. I’ve lost 80.9 pounds and I’m on my way to my goal of 100 lbs, GONE. I began my journey 1/24/14, weighing 280, wearing a 3XXL SHIRT, 24 tight pants. Today,  I am wearing a juniors small shirt and size 10 pants. I reached half my original size in 7 months.  I got sick and tired of being sick and tired. Not physically sick but tired, run down and lethargic. As a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc, I attended our Centennial Celebration in D.C, and I was uncomfortable at many of the events because of my size and limited choices in fashionable clothes. I’ve carried this extra weight over 25+ years and it got worse after each child, life event, etc.  However, I have no illnesses associated with being obese and I realized that was my blessing, but I needed to keep it that way for me and my children. I’ve been a single mother of three for nine years, I operate my own business, and have tried over the years EVERYTHING to lose weight. I’ve seemingly been on a perpetual diet.

I stumbled across Wiltrina Jones: I Use To Be U on FB  and watched her and her clients for about a year. My thinking was, “Wow, she looks like me, is shaped like me, she did it. It’s possible.”.  Well, on January 24, 2014, I finally decided to try her plans. In July 2014, I won $1000 in her 12 week body transformation contest.  Having customized meal plans has given me my life back. I eat real food that I buy, cook and enjoy. No shakes, pills, etc. I have learned how to meal prep, use portion control, understanding my body’s signals. I changed my eating habits by eating clean, measuring my food, no processed food, such as chips, fast food, ice cream, deserts.  I eat fish, chicken, ground turkey, fresh veggies, brown rice, all baked, no fried foods.

I work out 4-5 days a week and began going to the gym about a month into my journey. Once there, I immediately began lifting weights as I was fearful of having loose skin and my Coach always says, ‘Keep the weights in your hands’. My exercise routines also include walking, boot camps, jump roping, weighted ropes and the treadmill. No matter what method you use, discipline, prayer, hard work, sweat, a few tears, and focus have to be part of the journey. If I can do it, I believe anyone can, but you have to get out of your own way!

Instagram: @debduncanharvin

Deb before and after

The Top 5 Things to Look For After Weight Loss

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swimsuit after weight lossYou’ve put in the work, logged hours at the gym, made the conscious effort to make healthier decisions and it’s all finally paying off. Many people mistakenly believe that the hard work is over when the scale shows a number that you have been looking for. That’s not the case at all. The journey to losing weight is more than just altering your appearance; it’s a complete lifestyle transformation. There are a number of things that you may be challenged with after losing weight that you want to look out for. Even if you haven’t started your journey, taking a look at this list ahead of time and it may help you prepare for or bypass a few of these common post-weight loss occurrences/issues.

Loose Skin

Having loose skin is a battle many people have to fight, whether they’ve lost a couple of pounds or over a hundred. The absence of that extra weight can leave behind unsightly loose skin that can be annoying or create health concerns (depending on how much loose skin you have). Weight loss surgeries result in rapid results, without slower results and methodological fitness training, but surgery usually results in significant loose skin due to the rapid nature of the weight loss.

You can have surgery, of course, but unfortunately, surgery isn’t a viable option for everyone. There are a variety of reasons you may opt against going under the knife but rest assured, there are other ways to deal with loose skin. The best way to limit the skin’s loss of elasticity is to lose weight slowly.  We are talking 2-6 pounds per month depending on how much weight you have to lose.  If you have more than 75 pounds to lose and you are very focused, you could lost 5-10 pounds per month and it still be slow weight loss.  Everyone is different so, some people have a lot of loose skin or very little with fast weight loss. The skin is a living organ, if you allow it enough time to adjust, it will naturally form to your new shape. A good rule of thumb is about 1-2 pounds of fat loss each week. Be sure to incorporate weight lifting in your exercise routine to build muscle and keep your skin tight.  Use the muscle to keep your body filled out and not deflated. If your weight loss is already done, most experts  say it takes around 2 years for the skin to tighten on its own, and even then it may not snap back all the way (or the way you would like it to).

Your eating habits and hydration are also crucial to taking care of your skin during and after weight loss. Between food and water consumption, you should be taking in a minimum of 64 oz of water per day. Be sure to moisturize your skin with nutrients such as aloe vera, vitamin E, vitamin C, and vitamin A to help elasticity.  Here is a whole article on the subject.

Life As A Thin Person

Life at your goal weight may not turn out how you’ve always pictured. Losing weight alters your appearance but you also have to work on your emotional and mental state to truly be whole. Insecurities, low self esteem, relationship issues and negative thoughts can carry on after your weight loss, affecting how much you enjoy your new physique. On the other hand, you may receive an overwhelming amount of love and positive attention.  You may have better self esteem and release the past of your past while in your new body.  Again, each person is different. What you don’t want to do is think that because you’ve lost weight that all of your problems will go away and that life will be exactly what you want it to be.  Be it negative or favorable interactions, thoughts or situations, you have to be prepared to deal with life through new eyes.

When making the decision to lose weight, it should be for your own benefit. Your lifestyle change should make you healthier and happier, but you can’t be concerned with how it will affect others or situations. Never make a decision for anyone else’s approval or acceptance. The truth is, your physical appearance shouldn’t matter to those who really matter in your life. Love and friendships should not be based on superficial concerns, walking into your transformation with these expectations could result in a emotional let down.

More Haters

Unfortunately, everyone who’s smiling at you and encouraging you regarding your recent weight loss is not sincere in their well-wishes. Making the decision to be accountable for your actions and take your health into your own hands is seldom made and even less likely to be completed. When you join the ranks of those who have achieved a weight loss transformation, you may be faced with a few friends and family members who aren’t too supportive of your new look. Normally the “hate” stems from their own insecurities and shortcomings but it something you may or not be faced with.

Connecting to the last point on the list, you’ll have to mentally prepare yourself to make the transition for your own benefit. Support may be few and far between, but if you’re embarking on this journey with the right mindset, the haters will be irrelevant.  Look at those you are hating on you with compassion and understand that their hating has very little to do with you. Show love, but don’t allow yourself to attacked or abused by those who don’t like the “new you”.

Gaining The Weight Back

Reaching a certain size or weight may be your initial goal but you’ll need to create a plan to keep the weight off. Once it’s loss, you may feel you have room to revert back to a few old habits and take a couple days off from the gym. While you may be able to ease up on your routine, you should definitely continue to make healthy decisions. Gaining back the weight can be more frustrating than losing it. If you aren’t careful, you can find yourself taking a few steps backward. Don’t beat yourself up for slipping up, be proactive and create a plan that makes you comfortable and stick with it. The longer you make decisions that will benefit your health and appearance, the more they’ll come naturally. You didn’t do all of that hard work for nothing, keep it up!

What To Wear

Shopping for clothes you may have never worn, in sizes you may have only dreamed of wearing, can be overwhelming. Weight loss can come about in a variety of stages and you should celebrate each one. However, restocking your wardrobe can be expensive if you buy new clothing for every 10 pounds lost.  You don’t want to end up with a closet full of 4 different sizes. Shop smart and take advantage of sales and special offers. Find a good local tailor to downsize your favorite outfits so that you don’t have to buy new ones. If you’re still progressing through your weight loss it may be smart to take advantage of hidden gems found in thrift stores and consignment shops. You can find new or gently used outfits for the office or even just to work out in without breaking the bank at big name stores. Weight loss can be similar to pregnancy in the sense that you’ll have to find clothes to adjust as your body continues to change. There isn’t a point to buy brand new cloths that will soon be too big. Save as much shopping as possible for the big reveal once you’ve hit your target.

When you do reach your goal, go out and have fun. Shop around and try on different styles in the store. It takes some practice to get used to your new shape and your overall transformation should be full of great memories like the first time you see yourself in what has been your dream outfit. Try colors, styles and prints you wouldn’t have worn before, but losing weight doesn’t mean you have to lose yourself. It’s ok to keep your same sense of style, your same loving personality, but wrap it all up in a new and improved, healthy package.

Video: Michele lost 82 pounds and is talking about loose skin

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Michele lost 82 pounds and she looks amazing.  If you missed it, you should definitely check out her story.  She is now seeking to have skin removal surgery for loose skin.  She has bared her soul in the video below so I thought I’d share it with you.  Many people who lose significant amounts of weight experience loose skin.  The reality is that each person’s experience with excess skin is different.  Some have a lot of skin and some have minimal loose skin.  The fear of having loose skin is something that I hear a lot of people talk about and many people let it become a hinderance because they are so afraid.  I encourage you to believe that the health benefits of losing the extra pounds far outweigh the effects of loose skin for most people.  Michele didn’t let loose skin stop her and look at her results.  Amazing!

If you would like to donate to her effort to have skin removal surgery, please visit https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/final-step-in-michele-s-weight-loss-journey#home

Michele weight loss before and after