Have you lost weight before and experienced this?

Hi I'm starting to lose weight and I don't know what this should look like. When I lost considerable weight in the past I was 19 and my skin bounced back like a 19 year old's does. My belly though doesn't seem to be as firm now that I'm losing. That's where I lose first too. Belly boobs and face. So I was wondering what I can do to prevent loose skin, or that ripple effect. I hate that my tummy is starting to look like a deflated balloon. Also will belly stretch marks lighten at all as I lose lbs? I never used to have these tiger stripes until my last weight gain.

I'm 24, 5'4, 161 lbs aiming for 120. I've started with cardio and once I'm more conditioned I'm going to start doing at home weight training after next week. I do 3 miles a day and have had success so far in losing, but I want to make sure I don't have that flabby belly skin when I'm done. I haven't had kids although at times I've looked pregnant.

I've posted this before but found no responses.

Thanks!

From what I have heard, it may take longer for your skin to adjust if you are losing weight fast, but it will eventually get there, just be patient. Also, weight training does help, so your right to start adding that to your routine.

I have to tell you....

I lost 100+ lbs in a year.  I have noticed that my boobs are suddenly perkier than ever!  I feel comfortable not wearing a bra for the first time in my life!  I should mention I went from a 42DD to a 36B.

~H~

It takes time for the skin to rebound.

A couple of things. The older you get the less likely it will be for your skin to tighten. You are still under 30 so who knows but you want to definitely do cardio and weight lifting to help with tightening up. For stretch marks...the exercise should help a bit but you may need to have surgery. I have done research and found that cool lipo or laser lipo is a way to take care of small pockets of fat AND the side effect is the skin tightening.

Hope that helps!

Thanks everyone! I really appreciate it. It's not pretty yet but I'll get there.

Try some tightening/firming lotions. They help if you use them everyday. Skin isn't like muscles. Once they are stretched out, they stay that way. You can tighten them up significantly, but short of surgery it won't be taunt like it was at 19. :(

As to the stretch marks, cocoa butter and lotions made for scars work wonders. That's what they are, scars. They will lighten and take on a "shimmer" but the skin there won't be as it was before. I was always told to cover them up when you go into the sun so they won't get darker, but some swear that the sun made them lighter. Either way use sunscreen.