Lost A Lot of Weight. Need Ideas On Toning Up Body - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

crxforum · 09-26-2005, 11:02 PM

Between 2000 and 2001 I lost about 75lbs from being sick. I was down to about 145llbs or so which is really low for a guy my size, 6'1". Im now at about 175lbs or so give or take and Im having problems still toning up my body.

The skin around my stomach and chest area is sorta flabby. Not really noticeable but if I pull on it it looks like it elastic. I know thats really gross sounding LOL.

I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how I would be able to go about toning and tighting up the skin around my stomach and chest area. I would prefer answers without a lot of running due to a bad back which gets really bad when I run around.

Ive heard that doing situps and crunches can make your stomach seem larger etc. I just want to make sure that Im using my time efficiently enough so that Im not wasting it doing stuff that is not helping or making it look worse.

Thanks
CRX Forum

Martian · 09-27-2005, 12:25 AM

Cardio and strength training. If running hurts your back, there are plenty of low impact exercises that might work better. Ellipticals are very good for that, because of their smooth motion. You might also consider signing up at your local Y and making use of their pool. Swimming isn't too hard on your back either. Basically anything that will get your heart pumping will do the trick, so try a few things and find out what works for you.

In addition to that, look at other training to build up the muscle. Crunches are good for the abdominals and push ups are good for the chest if you don't have access to equpiment, or just get a set of free weights and ask someone who knows to help you plan a routine. Also make sure that whoever helps you plan the routine supervises you for your first few sessions if you've never worked out before, because form is important and you need to build good habits early.

pje120 · 09-27-2005, 12:29 AM

I don't think there is a way to tighten the skin, it will tighten on its own. I know a few people who had loose skin, but they just waited it off... It's an unfortunate side effect of losing wieght quickly.

The other way is obviously to fill out the skin. So situps and crunches will definately help depending on how much loose skin you have, as they will build up the ab muscles. If you think your skin will be tighter if you have bigger abs then go ahead and build them up. Building up the ab muscle will make your stomach bigger even if they aren't visible. You will probably have to do them weighted if you want them to get bigger. Building up chest will help with chest skin too.

Running or any form of cardio will be useless.

PS: Strengthen your back if it hurts when you run!

aberkok · 09-27-2005, 01:28 AM

I don't have much to add except to clarify that there is no such thing as real "toning." Your muscles are either big or they're not, and they're either obscured or not. You can only make the muscles bigger under the skin, therefore filling it out better.

Make your diet support your training for muscle growth. This probably means a bit more protein and a bit less fat. I would do any crazy Atkins or anything, just shift the balance a bit.

Most important thing of all is patience.

thingstodo · 09-27-2005, 03:19 AM

Seems like everything discussed here: http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=94969 would apply to your situation.

Rodney · 09-27-2005, 06:08 AM

You will need some sort of cardio. That's not just loose skin, it's fat.

First thing; if running hurts your back, I'd say you need to check your feet. One of the main causes of chronic back problems is an improper walk or footwear. I know, because it happened to me. Turns out that I roll my feet outward when I walk; I took a job where I was on my feet most of the day, and my back just got worse and worse. Finally, a smart shoestore operator with some podiatry training sold me on some shoes with appropriate support, and I've been great ever since.

Aside from that; consider bicycling for aerobic exercise. If you can work a bike commute into your daily routine, that's even better. You don't have to really break a sweat to lose weight; just eat right and get more active than you are.

09-26-2005, 11:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
crxforum Crazy	Lost A Lot of Weight. Need Ideas On Toning Up Body Between 2000 and 2001 I lost about 75lbs from being sick. I was down to about 145llbs or so which is really low for a guy my size, 6'1". Im now at about 175lbs or so give or take and Im having problems still toning up my body. The skin around my stomach and chest area is sorta flabby. Not really noticeable but if I pull on it it looks like it elastic. I know thats really gross sounding LOL. I was wondering if anyone has any ideas on how I would be able to go about toning and tighting up the skin around my stomach and chest area. I would prefer answers without a lot of running due to a bad back which gets really bad when I run around. Ive heard that doing situps and crunches can make your stomach seem larger etc. I just want to make sure that Im using my time efficiently enough so that Im not wasting it doing stuff that is not helping or making it look worse. Thanks CRX Forum

09-27-2005, 12:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Cardio and strength training. If running hurts your back, there are plenty of low impact exercises that might work better. Ellipticals are very good for that, because of their smooth motion. You might also consider signing up at your local Y and making use of their pool. Swimming isn't too hard on your back either. Basically anything that will get your heart pumping will do the trick, so try a few things and find out what works for you. In addition to that, look at other training to build up the muscle. Crunches are good for the abdominals and push ups are good for the chest if you don't have access to equpiment, or just get a set of free weights and ask someone who knows to help you plan a routine. Also make sure that whoever helps you plan the routine supervises you for your first few sessions if you've never worked out before, because form is important and you need to build good habits early. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

09-27-2005, 01:28 AM	#4 (permalink)
aberkok “Wrong is right.” Location: toronto	I don't have much to add except to clarify that there is no such thing as real "toning." Your muscles are either big or they're not, and they're either obscured or not. You can only make the muscles bigger under the skin, therefore filling it out better. Make your diet support your training for muscle growth. This probably means a bit more protein and a bit less fat. I would do any crazy Atkins or anything, just shift the balance a bit. Most important thing of all is patience. __________________ !check out my new blog! http://arkanamusic.wordpress.com Warden Gentiles: "It? Perfectly innocent. But I can see how, if our roles were reversed, I might have you beaten with a pillowcase full of batteries."

09-27-2005, 03:19 AM	#5 (permalink)
thingstodo A Storm Is Coming Location: The Great White North	Seems like everything discussed here: http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=94969 would apply to your situation. __________________ If you're wringing your hands you can't roll up your shirt sleeves. Stangers have the best candy.

09-27-2005, 12:29 AM	#3 (permalink)
pje120 Upright	I don't think there is a way to tighten the skin, it will tighten on its own. I know a few people who had loose skin, but they just waited it off... It's an unfortunate side effect of losing wieght quickly. The other way is obviously to fill out the skin. So situps and crunches will definately help depending on how much loose skin you have, as they will build up the ab muscles. If you think your skin will be tighter if you have bigger abs then go ahead and build them up. Building up the ab muscle will make your stomach bigger even if they aren't visible. You will probably have to do them weighted if you want them to get bigger. Building up chest will help with chest skin too. Running or any form of cardio will be useless. PS: Strengthen your back if it hurts when you run!

09-27-2005, 06:08 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rodney Observant Ruminant Location: Rich Wannabe Hippie Town	You will need some sort of cardio. That's not just loose skin, it's fat. First thing; if running hurts your back, I'd say you need to check your feet. One of the main causes of chronic back problems is an improper walk or footwear. I know, because it happened to me. Turns out that I roll my feet outward when I walk; I took a job where I was on my feet most of the day, and my back just got worse and worse. Finally, a smart shoestore operator with some podiatry training sold me on some shoes with appropriate support, and I've been great ever since. Aside from that; consider bicycling for aerobic exercise. If you can work a bike commute into your daily routine, that's even better. You don't have to really break a sweat to lose weight; just eat right and get more active than you are.