One of the big fears that many have when losing a significant amount of weight is the chance of having loose skin once the process is over.
Typically this is worst in the abdominal region and around the upper arms.
The skin was stretched out and when the fat was gone never snapped back to a smaller size resulting in skin that just hangs off the body.
What can be done about this potential problem? Most people with less than 100 pounds of weight loss generally do not have loose skin issues.
It's people who have significant weight loss that may have this problem but not everyone does.
If you have lost significant weight, loose skin can be a problem that you potentially face.
One thing to do is to lose weight slowly.
The slower the weight is lost the faster the body and the skin has to adjust.
Those who have lost weight quickly tend to have more skin issues than more long term weight loss.
Try to aim for no more than a pound or two a week.
Anything more is considered to be losing weight too quickly.
Add muscle while losing weight.
While the skin on the arms are losing fat, you can add muscle to this area as well.
While the muscle won't be as much as the fat was in the arms, the combined effort can help fill in the skin a bit more so that it's not so loose on the body.
Eat a nutritious diet focusing on foods that will help the health of the skin.
Most fresh fruits and vegetables have this effect.
If a skin problem does happen after weight loss, there are surgeries that will remove any excess.
These are expensive, but it's worth taking a chance of having loose skin than to remain severely overweight in the long run.