Regarding skin elasticity

[Guest guest]

Today's Motivation: No one really knows why some people can become

very large and then loose an amazing amount of weight, and it seems,

just as easily they become firm and lean, without stretch-marks, as

if they were never fat [or preganant.]

At 18 I weighed 132# and could eat anything. Between the age of 19

and 21 I gained about 90# after my babies were born. When I was in

my 30s I lost about 70# and looked very firm [even in a two piece

bathing-suit]. No one would have guessed I had been much heavier if

they looked at my skin [excluding my belly, because I was one of

those that had oddles of stretch marks from pregnancies that never

went away.] Needless to say, I gained back almost twice what I had

lost over the years, and ended up at age 55 at 326# when I had my

surgery April 28 2003.

Since then I have lost 102# in the past 13 months. Although not

gross by any means, I do notice my skin is not nearly as elastic as

it was 20 years ago. Even with my looser skin, I'd still prefer this

sagging look to the load I used to carry around.

Because I do not exercise is the probable reason I have had such a

slow weight loss. My first plateau at six weeks out lasted until

week 12. Then many more plateaus came after that. As I stated a few

days ago, I lost 87# in the first 6 months; but only 15# in the last

7 months...and the past 4 months I've been on another plateau. So,

take it from me, those that are able bodied...please do your body

work and exercise! Your skin will look so much better and you'll

gain strength, agility, muscle. Even those with arthritis will

usually feel much less pain than those of us who can't excercise

much due to our disabilities, or as in my case, the effects of old

major trauma.

So all you who are reasonably able, get moving! I bet you will be

glad you did...let us know your results! Regards, Lynda