Skin can stretch and expand or tighten and retract to a great extent. Large weight losses can be inspiring. The work, energy, commitment and investment of time to achieve such a big goal is more impressive than the weight lost. The benefits are enormous, ranging from physical, mental, social and aesthetic. But for many who have lost a large amount of weight a common concern is excess skin (“hanging” or “loose” skin). However, not everyone that loses a large amount of weight has this problem. Below are some factors affecting the amount of loose or hanging skin after a significant weight loss?
Skin is incredibly elastic, for example, women during pregnancy. Some experience stretch marks after pregnancy. The older you are the more an extremely large weight loss can leave loose skin that won’t return to normal.
How long the extra weight was carried can also influence how much the skin will become taut after the weight loss. For example, carrying an extra 30 lbs. for 9 months versus carrying 100 extra lbs. for 9 years will influence how quickly the skin will become taught again. The former will have an easier time with their skin becoming taut after losing the weight.
How much weight was carried has a lot to do with how tight the skin will become after weight loss. Skin that is stretched so much can only be expected to „snap back‟ so much. With extreme obesity the probability of there being loose skin after weight loss is higher.
How fast the weight was gained has a lot to do with how well the skin will resume its tautness after weight loss. How fast the weight is lost also has a lot to do with how much the skin will tighten up after. Rapid weight loss doesn’t allow the skin time to slowly resume to normal. This is another reason to lose weight slowly, 1-2 lbs. / week, 3 lbs./week at the most.
Exercise has a lot to do with how skin appears after weight loss. Very low calorie diets are more likely to result in loss of lean body mass and this is going to exacerbate the loose, hanging skin appearance. However, if there is regular exercise and regular weight training increasing lean body mass, it is more likely that the appearance of loose skin after weight loss will be lessened. Increasing lean body mass with weight training creates more toned muscles that literally push out on the skin, making it tauter.
Give skin time. As body fat decreases, skin will get tighter. Over time after weight loss and keeping it off through better nutrition, exercise and weight training, skin will gradually tighten up. The older you are when you lose weight, the less likely it is that skin will “snap back” to its original shape. This is because skin naturally becomes less elastic as it ages. Other factors are nutrition; elasticity of skin will also depend on genetics, environment and lifestyle.
Pilates is great for toning. It is also a great way to get back into exercise in a gentle, gradual manner increasing the intensity as strength increases. Work on the reformer is a good way to start as it provides support while working abdominal strength and learning to engage the abdominal muscles. All these exercises and reasond for doing Pilates are also why Pilates can tighten skin after weight loss.
Certified Stott instructor. Experience with teching, instructing, owning a Pilates studio and meeting people and postures.