Our changing bodies and what's left...

Sigh...I've grown increasingly self concious of my arms/batwings.  Don't get me wrong, I'm delighted with my progress and wouldn't take my full bloated arms back, but the saggy skin is considerable.  It's funny, I always thought my panni would bother me the most and although it is uncomfortable it is easily covered by pants and a good length top!  Really the only noticible skin issue I have that can't be covered is my upper arms.  I really overcame my worry this past summer saying "screw it" and just wearing tank tops and such.  After all it is, what it is.  But that was more a concession of being cool than non being self concious.

Okay enough griping...onto my question...

The latest OH magazine said the only thing *we* can do for our skin issue is to build up the muscle layer underneath for improved definition, through exercise.  Who here has severe batwings?  Do you do any kind of arm weight lifting?  Does it really improve your arm appearance?

I can't really answer your question as I don't lift weights right now, but wanted to let you know you're not alone in your self-conscious feelings. My arms bug me the most too....I've been told that weight lifting will help some, but in my case it's A LOT of skin and I don't want muscles that big! HA!

Lauren - i have really large batwings, i've been going to the gym the past 4 months, so you can see the muscle, its just a lot of x-tra skin waving underneath.  I'm only 6 months out and no where near ready for plastic surgery, but next to my tummy skin, this would be the 2nd thing i want OFF!  sorry no help from me! lys

Hey, Lauren:  I have been working out a lot with equipment that provides a lot of resistance training.  It does make a difference.  I have some loose skin, but not near as much as I thought I would.  There are a lot of exercises you can do for your upper arms, many that can be done right at home.  Here are a couple of links I found:  http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/tank-top-arms/cbfd88dc 78803110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/fitness/body.by.design/arm. exercises/    and  http://yourtotalhealth.ivillage.com/diet-fitness/a-cure-uppe r-arm-flab.html    :)

Thank you!

Lauren, my opinion is that you can not do anything for sagging skin - you can help the muscle and get some definition but the skin will be the same - there is no muscle tissue in the sagging skin so exercises will not help it - my opinion of course......... there are people that swear by exercise.......

Jackie

Hi Lauren, I to have those sagging arms and I talked to different folks that work out and like Jackie said it's sagging skin, and I don't wear any tank tops where my upper arms show. I feel so down at times when I look at myself and see the sagging skin. I can't wait till I can get the sagging skin removed. I am only 7 months out so I have a ways to go before skin removal. I didn't wear a bathing suit this year because of the sagging skin. So I am in the same boat with all the rest of the folks with the sagging skin.
Have a great Monday
Tomygirl

I hear ya on this one as well. I have to say I've grown used to mine and they wave when I do! I find lots of humor in this. I tend to view them as my triumphs over obesity. I'm sure at some point I've considered having them gone but honestly I face there here and now and its a part of me so I make the best of it.

As for excercises to help I'm told that early on they do help. For me, I did try several exercises but I lost so incredibly fast that my body just didn't keep up. I know they could be worse so I'm thankful. I can say in the beginning it did help doing weight lifting but I've not kept up with it.

Hope you get the answers you are looking for. :)

You know what you, Tammy and Julie have said makes so much sense.  I need to look at my arms as my "battle scars" so to speak.  A triumph over the battle WON.  See this is why I love my friends so much.  Sometimes all you need to do is hear another outlook to open your eyes. 

***I'm going to copy this to Tammy and Julie too, so I make sure they see I responded.  :)***

Ditto to Kat and the others.  Think of it a a trophy.  I hate my thighs the most but it is a part of me now.  I will have them done but not it is YEARS away instead of months.  Oh well...love me like I am or I don't need ya anyway!  Your arms really are not bad.  Some exercise will definately halp but it will not fix it all.  Chin up and forgetaboutit!!!!