Let's talk about our problem areas!

Wait four kids?

I followed Atkins for a few years. I've lost 88 pounds and still have some to lose...but I've basically fallen off the wagon! Since the weight loss, which really was awesome, I've been left with skin issues...especially in my upper arms. I cry about it. I am getting married next May in Mexico and have started doing Pilates again...but the skin...that stuff just ain't going away!

 

My arms are so...flabby, and loose. I think my only option is cosmetic surgery..and planning a wedding that is going to be expensive...there is no way I can afford it (but I would if I could!)

 

ANY suggestions for loose skin on the arms, would be appreciated. I feel like I've worked hard to lose the weight, and now...I'm left with this ugly exterior. I really want to look good in a dress (first appointment to even look is July)...

 

I think I might just have sleeves (HOLY HOT!)

This is a very tough area to tone up. Honestly you are going to have to do hardcore weights with this. What I mean by that is don't start out with small weights like 5 pounds. You need to start with a 15 pound weight and work your way up in order to tighten some of that skin up.

Also you need to do exercises that use your entire body weight such as push-ups, tricep dips and pull ups if you can. This should help you tone up a lot. If your lucky all of it might go away, if not you may need to have cosmetic surgery later on. Did you do any exercise while on Atkins? See a lot of people go on diets but don't exercise and then they get the loose skin from all the weight they lose. That is why they recommend that you exercise while dieting, so the body can adapt to the weight loss.

But don't worry if you work out your arms they will look a lot more defined and toned. You can do this! And congrats on the HUGE weight loss, that is so impressive! I am so proud of you!

def my tummy and love handles.

I followed Atkins for a few years. I've lost 88 pounds and still have some to lose...but I've basically fallen off the wagon! Since the weight loss' date=' which really was awesome, I've been left with skin issues...especially in my upper arms. I cry about it. I am getting married next May in Mexico and have started doing Pilates again...but the skin...that stuff just ain't going away! QUOTE']

 

i have a friend who did atkins too, she lost a great deal of weight but now she has streatch marks all over her body from loosing it so fast.

 

i don't really trust that diet though, it's always sounded odd to me.

I, too, get pimples! IT IS SO FRACKING annoying! Hello, I'm not 14 anymore!!!

 

I work out regularly and eat well all zee time and fo rme, the one area I wish I could perfect to a tee and seem to struggle the most with is my abs. I guess I can't complain but at the same time, if I slack off at all, it takes me some time to get it back. GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

Thank you so much! For about the first month on Atkins, I didn't, honestly, lift much else than my fork! After that is when I became interested in beginners Pilates, which I did a couple times a week, plus I walk about 2 hours every day (I don't drive, and use public transportation to otherwise get around our HUGE city). My problem is...over the last two years, I haven't really pushed myself to advance much in the Pilates world. I'm about 180 pounds now, and have come far...but have a long way to go. My legs are finally starting to tighten up a bit...but I do have loose skin on my upper thighs too. I am still walking a LOT, and hope that I can keep my asthma under control enough to maybe start jogging now that it is nice outside.

The areas that were the worst/biggest, Midsection, upper arms, and upper thighs, I guess are where my major issues lie, but nothing makes me feel worse about myself, than my arms. I really want to change them.

I'm going to try to start lifting weights, but I do think I should start off with 5 lbs...just so I don't hurt or tear whatever muscle I do have in my arms! But I think over a week or two, if I keep at it, I should make some good progress. It's good to know I can come here and get some motivation when I need it!

I'll try to keep you posted on my progress...I mean..I DO have 11 months to get them to shape up a bit!!

Wish me luck!

xo

has anyone tried accutane? I've been to my dr. and it's the "only" thing I can do at this point. It taked 4.5 months, is harsh, but I will have *hopefully* nice skin for my wedding. Does anyone have experience with it? Oh, and I hate my "saddlebags" (on the side of my thighs by my butt) and my cellulite (yes! Cellulite! at 23! what good genes I have

I took Accutane in highschool and it worked like majic for me. I had tried other meds and topicals but nothing did it...so my doc wanted me to try it not because I had terrible skin because I was beginning to scar and she wanted to catch it before it got worse. It is a pretty harsh med though and you have to be on the pill if you are of childbearing age b/c it can cause severe deformations if you get preggers. I had to go for blood tests every 6 weeks to check my liver and have a pregnancy test. It makes your lips and skin really dry which is not pleasant. I was on it for about 1 year because she had to play with the dosage to get it just right for me (the dosage was based on weight and I was in between). Now I rarely get a pimple at all, but I also try to be religious about skin care and it makes a big difference. It cleared up my skin and kept it that way. It worked for me, but I would suggest doing your research before you decide because it is a heavy drug and its expensive, so that is something to consider if you don't have coverage.

Thanks for sharing the info! I have also tried several meds, including Diane 35 (which is a "birth control" pill that designed to clear up skin) and anitibiotics. My doctor has told me for the past 7 years (each time I have gone in to say I am not happy with my skin) that I should go on Accutane. Finally, with the wedding as an incentive, I am 99% sure that I am going to. He only recommends starting it in October though because of the summer sun, etc. I know it is a harsh drug, and I'm sure I could read everything about it and it still wouldn't prepare me for the actual feeling of the side affects. Did you experience anything major? I would like to get my skin to the point where I do not have to wear foundation (to cover up all the little red spots). I do have coverage, so it would cost me about $20/month, so that's really good. Thanks again for you reply! I don't know anyone who has been on it so it helps to hear what others have experienced.