Is it possible to go from flab to firm? Have you?

Hello again!  I'm on my way to my goal weight but I've been there once before and don't remember looking as good as I'm hoping to this time.  I'm 5'8 and currently weigh 192.  My goal weight is 145.  I want to hear from anyone that has lost about the same amount of weight (it will be about 60 pounds when I'm done) and whether or not you are happy with the results.  I would love more than anything to feel confident enough to wear fitted clothing or even a 2 piece bathing suit but I can't seem to convince myself that it is possible.  Is it?  I don't think that the weight loss is so drastic that I will be left with much extra skin but I also don't think that this body will ever be sexy, as much as I dream about it.
Who has done what I'm trying to do? How do I make sure that I can acheive what I'm after?  Am I setting my sights to high?

I hope you aren't setting your sights to high, because I have the same dream, except for maybe the 2 piece swimsuit.   I don't think that will ever happen, but I would like to wear fitting clothes without being self conscious.

I am 5'2" and currently weigh 179 and my goal weight is 123, but I am also 49 years old.  I am not sure if it is possible to tone up a body that has been overweight for this long.  But I am going to give it my best shot.

That's my concern too.  I'm 29 but with the exception of 2 years in my early 20s, I've been overweight my whole life.  yeah, I might be crazy even considering a 2 piece but, wouldn't it be nice though?

it can be done!!!!! I am 43 and went from 180 to 110 (actually a little lower) and I anot flabby! I exercised religously along with major diet changes. And yes I wore a two piece this summer for the first time in a VERY long time. YOU CAN DO THIS!!!!

PS: I am 5'1" and was a size 20 and am now a 0/2.

Louise.

Wow! That is incredible! Good for you!  Thanks for the inspiration and congratulations!  Consider posting some pictures, you've got a lot to show off!

Rainbownine you are truly an inspiration to me.  I am in a tight size 16 now, and would love to fit into a size 8 or 10. 

What is your typical weekly exercise routine?  I know that once I set up a regular exercise routine I will stick to it.  I am just not sure how often to do weights or cardio.  I can't afford to go to the gym, but I do have a ski machine at home and some 5 and 10 pound weights.  I also have one of those stablizer balls (I think that is what you call them).

Really I think it depends on length of time being overweight, coupled with genetics and age. Don't let that stop you though! Cross the flab bridge when you come to it. Just concentrate on getting the weight off right now. I imagine diligently exercising would be a positive.

Confidence is more of a state of mind than anything else. You could be skinny and afraid to wear fitted clothing and two-piece swimsuits; someone else could be fat and NOT afraid.

Working out with weights helps a lot!
Good luck!

I am going to try to do a work out with weights about 3-4 days a week.  Does anyone know of a website that can show some workouts to do with weights.  I have a pretty good arm and shoulder workout already, but need something for the rest of me.

I think it is possible. Supposedly people do it all of the time without any surgery to fix loose skin... so I think in some cases it is definitely possible. It seems the more extra skin you have the more difficult it may be, but do your best. After all, it is being healthy that is the most important thing... and, contrary to popular societal belief, we don't need to have a completely flat stomach and 0% bodyfat to be "healthy." :-) So do your best.

I am in a similar boat myself. I am not trying to lose the same amount of weight, but I definitely don't have a firm stomach... I worry sometimes that I will have extra skin, but I am hoping not. All I can do is try my best.

Good luck!

Thanks everyone!  Yes, my focus truly is on being healthy but I can't help but dream of looking great too!  Thank you for the links and inspiration!

My wedding dress was a size 12, I just wore a dress that is a size 6 last week and it was loose. I only lost 28lbs. excersise and proper nutrition can do amazing things. You will be ready to wear that two piece by summer I'm sure! Just stay focused and healthy

I've lost almost 58 now, down from 195 on my way to 128.  I started in January.  I'm much more focused now on my body fat % than I am on the weight, although I do still think it will work out to about another 10 or so pounds lost once I'm finished.

I would be willing to wear a 2 piece now, although maybe not extremely *comfortable*, but that's more about my body image issues than how I look now.  I temporarily made a friends only journal entry public, so you can see the most recent pic of me. 

I am very happy with the results so far, in many ways I look better than the last time I was this weight, because of the exercise I have been doing.  I've got some fitness related goals that are driving me to keep working on things, but I am quite confident with my appearance now.  I notice no extra skin on me, although I am not exactly the same proportions that I was 9 years ago at this weight, largely due to the exercise. 

It is most definitely doable!  You are not setting your sights too high!  Just be patient with yourself, make small changes that snowball into large changes, and be more patient with yourself again.  :)  Your body will reward hard work.

That is just the kind of motivation I need.  So far I've lost 18 pound but I have 43 to go before I reach my goal.  It's nice to see so many people that have actually done it.  Good for you!
Thank you

Sorry, but not have read the comments prior to this. I am not particularly doing much exercise (120 pressups a week, 3 miles of walking a week, and 200 squats a week) and not visiting the gym.

Although I still have around 20 lbs to lose there is definition appearing. This is major new for myself as I have never had any in my life (including when I was underweight), so I would say yes, but remember it will not be evident until later into your regime, but I guess makes the last few steps so much easier as you see results fast :)

i'll add my "yes, it's possible" although you've already heard that from a lot of people here.  my highest weight was 190, and starting in january, logging everything on c-c, i went from 182 to 150.  i'm 5'10" and have been maintaining 150, a healthy weight for me, since august.  my original goal was 162, but once i got there, i saw no reason to stop.  the trend line kept me going through the ups and downs. . .

http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/bbmaintrain.h tm

I get most of my workouts from this and I also read mags like muscle fitness hers and shape