Losing fat, gaining muscle - Weight Loss Message Board

Anonymid · 04-17-2003, 09:46 AM

Ok, so if muscle is heavier than fat (per volume)....i.e. muscle takes up less room for the same weight.....when I lose my approx 65 pounds, then I will have empty skin everywhere....and to get rid of it without surgery (I dont want the scars) I'd have to fill it up with muscle. But, if I'm filling up the same volume of skin with muscle instead of fat...and muscle weighs more...then I'm going to look just as large and also be a fair bit heavier (although healthier too I realise). I don't want to be big...I want to be slim, without excess skin everywhere. Help? Does being young (almost 20) mean the skin might shrink back a bit? and perhaps the fact I've only been massive for 2 years?

DonutsNCoffee · 04-17-2003, 10:12 AM

If you lose the fat too quickly, then you'll have loose skin. But as long as you lose the fat at a reasonable pace, like 1-2 pounds per week, the skin will adapt and tighten up.

Anonymid · 04-17-2003, 10:41 AM

Really? that's great news...i think i'll try that. i am slightly worried cos i'm just in the obese category (as opposed to overweight) and 13 of my aunts and uncles, as well as my dad...have diabetes type 2....If i lose the weight quickly before i develop that, that would be great...then again i could take my chances and do it more slowly. i think doing it more slowly if it gives me less chance of loose skin would be better....because as weak as it may seem, i think that would have a detrimental psychological effect on me all my life (the loose skin). maybe it'll work, maybe not, but worth a try. thanks so much for ur advice.

DonutsNCoffee · 04-17-2003, 10:57 AM

Yes, having skin problems will definitely make you feel bad. I know cause I gained a lot of weight very quickly in college and my skin paid the price. Now I'm stuck with that even though I lost the weight.

Another reason not to lose weight too rapidly is that your body will be shocked by it. That could bring all sorts of other problems. It's better to let your body get used to gradual change.

Anonymid · 04-17-2003, 11:33 AM

Howcome you still have the skin problems despite losing the weight? Did you do it too rapidly then? That's a shame to still have them...but on the bright side, I bet you're tonnes healthier and will live longer and most likely happier too! So congrats for that.