While reading some other weight loss blogs today, my fiancee came across a lady who lost a ton of weight. This individual used to weigh in the high 300's. She managed to lose so much weight that she got down to around 180 lbs. What an amazing accomplishment!! In her blog, she mentions the misconception many people have about loose skin. She did some research and the following information is what she discovered. Many people think that the skin around the stomach area is like a balloon. Once the air (fat) is let out the balloon (skin) it becomes all shriveled and there is no way to fix it. As a matter of fact, the human skin does exactly the opposite but in the same token, it does take time and determination to help your skin return to is natural form. If you pinch the skin on the back of your hand you can see how thin, the human skin really is. She goes on to say how the human skin is a living organism that stretches to cover the changes (fat mass accumulation) in the human body. As the fat mass is lost, the human skin shrinks to cover it just the same but you have to make sure that you are losing the weight at a nice healthy pace. However, individuals who go on these crash diets, tend to lose a ton of weight really quickly, leaving no time for their skin to adjust accordingly. This is why some people look like they have loose skin. Well, I am happy to tell you that I can avoid the whole loose skin saga by continuing to lose my fat at a nice healthy pace. I love finding great tips to help me get to my goals.
If anyone else has any information to add about the scary possibility of ending up with loose skin, please comment or email it to me - theheavymansdiary@gmail.com.
With that being said, let's get to the details of the day:
Meals of the Day (The Heavy Man = 39 Points)
(I am currently following the Weight Watchers Points System)
Breakfast - 3 egg whites on 2 slices of Weight Watchers whole wheat bread with a slice of Weight Watchers american cheese = Points 3
Snacks During the Course of the Day - 2 rice cakes, 1 Weight Watchers brownie, 1 Weight Watchers carrot cake, and 1 large pear = Points 7
Early Afternoon - 2 Boca veggie burgers on 2 slices of Weight Watchers whole wheat bread with 2 slices of Weight Watchers american cheese and a side of baked potato chips = Points 9
Late Afternoon - 1 serving of pork chops with a side of apples in brown sugar (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 6
Dinner - 1 1/2 servings of Two Cheese Vegetable Lasagna (Weight Watchers Recipe) = Points 9
Dessert - 1 Weight Watchers ice cream cone = Points 2
Total Points Eaten Today = 35 points (4 points under my daily limit)
Exercise
Today I ran for 30 mins on the elliptical and I did my core body routine: Side Dumbbell Crunches (3 sets x 20 reps with 25lbs), Medicine Ball Sit Ups with Leg Lifts (2 sets x 15 reps with a 4 lb ball), and Planks (1 rep x 30 secs). Tomorrow I will be executing my back and triceps routines.
Day #59 - Weigh-In = 266.2 lbs
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| Day #59 Weigh-In |
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| Day #59 Front Shot |
Regarding the loose skin: I have lost 80 lbs so far over approx. 15 months (average 1.2 lbs per week according to Weight Watchers e-tools). Exercise 6 days a week, between 45 minutes to up to 2 hours at a time. I have so much hanging skin/excess fat under my upper arms, on my upper thighs and completely around my midsection that it's really starting to get to me. Some areas shrunk nicely: my face & neck, my forearms and lowers legs, for example. But I was fat for 30 years, so my skin was stretched a LONG time, and I'm already researching (and saving for) post-weightloss plastic surgery (arm lift, bodt lift, lipo for my thighs and whatever else I may need) because I know that I will be VERY disappointed that I changed my whole lifestyle, got myself much healthier, and still see that fat/skin in the mirror every day as a reminder of how I let myself go for far too long.
ReplyDeleteIt may be different for a guy - don't know for sure.
In any event, I'm glad that we have all found each other to share our journeys to better health and weightloss!! Thanks for sharing so much. :)
Robyn,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting on yesterday's post. I applaud you for being so brave by sharing your story, with not only me, but everyone else who follows this blog as well. It is not easy putting yourself out there and I thank you for that.
The most important thing I got out of your comment is that you worked hard to get yourself healthier!! I am very impressed that you had the determination to stick with a weight loss program for 15 months and you are still going strong. You should be very proud of yourself because your health is the most important thing. The longest I ever stuck to something was the current mission I am on now and believe me it is the hardest thing I have ever had to do.
As for the loose skin, I wasn't really looking for any information yesterday pertaining to that topic. My fiance and I were searching for other people to support while reading some other weight loss blogs. It just so happens that we came across the blog I mentioned yesterday and saw the information that she provided about loose skin. I was excited to see what she had found because I always had the fear of being left with loose skin in the back of my mind. I guess it is a person to person case when dealing with how the human body reacts to weight loss. I will now continue to search for more answers.
Anyway, I want to let you know Robyn, that I will be here to support you as you continue to get healthier. You should be very proud of what you have accomplished so far and with time you will get to where you want to be.
Thank you once again and I look forward to hearing back from you soon.
-The Heavy Man
I lost a 100 pounds at age 48-49, and to be honest, I've still got some "leftovers", especially around my middle. I've been at maintenance level for 1-1/2 years now, and I think this is just how it's going to be. But while I'd *like* for it to be different, my primary thoughts are focused on how much more energy I have and how much more I'm able to do. I try to remain mindful of that when I'm less than pleased with how I look.
ReplyDeleteCammy,
ReplyDeleteThat is an amazing accomplishment losing 100lbs. That is very inspiring to me. I love the fact that you keep on reminding yourself how more energy you have and how much more you are able to do.
Congrats on getting to this point and I wish many more successful years for you to come!
-The Heavy Man