Loose Skin

At my current weight, I can't really tell at this point what is loose skin and what is still fat that needs to go. There is, however, one area where loose skin is pretty obvious to me and it drives my vanity a little bit nuts. Mostly because it just makes me feel like I look old. Prior to this weight loss excursion (I hate the phrase "journey") I was told that I had a baby face and could pass for a college student. My face, however, was one of the first noticeable places I lost weight. And, well, of course when you've had a double (or triple!) chin for the past 6ish years and at nearly 40, my skin doesn't have as much elasticity in it anymore.

 

Sorry for the close-up of mah lips!



It doesn't show up as much on camera but the mirror, man. The mirror is a harsh beast!

I do moisturize my face twice a day--once in the morning, once in the evening--but that's a fairly new routine. New as in, the past year or so. Yes, yes. I know. I should have been moisturizing my face my whole life. For many years, though, facial moisturizer didn't fit in the ol' budget. And I still can't afford the moisturizers/creams that might help tighten up some of that skin. Maybe if I can follow through on my plan to only eat out once a month, I can put all that money I'm saving toward buying some quality skin care.

The rest of my body, like I said, I can't really tell yet what is loose skin and what is still fat. I feel like at this point it's mostly still fat, though there are areas of my abdomen that look a little too loose and dimply to be all fat. No pics of that, though. You're welcome.

In a (likely futile) attempt to prevent too much loose skin, I moisturize with a "skin tightening" formula of lotion. Jergens, to be specific. If it works, maybe Jergens will pay to sponsor my posts about how fab my post weight loss skin is. haha

I've been told by others who have lost a significant amount of weight that weight/strength training also helps prevent loose skin. I probably don't do it enough or in the correct way to really make a difference but fingers crossed!

Another tip is to drink lots of water, which I do drink 70 to 100 ounces of water a day, depending on how busy I am and if I remember to grab that mid-afternoon water. I probably need another 16 ounces, or so, as it's recommended to drink half your body weight in ounces of water each day. If I could stop drinking coffee at first break I could easily add that in there. Maybe once it warms back up and I don't crave that warmth. We shall see.

Anyway, I know it's not a lot to report on the subject but I thought I'd document some early stages here so that when I get another 40 pounds off, I can come back and compare. Notice I said when, not if. Cause these next 40 pounds ARE coming off, even if it takes me another year to do it.