Answers from Expert: Michelle Cederberg

When someone undergoes a drastic weight loss like you have, there tends to be an excess of loose skin hanging about. When we undergo weight loss by other, slower means, our bodies have time to adjust to the change in body size, but loose skin can still be an issue. It takes a long time for the skin to actually tighten up and as we age our skin loses its elasticity and this makes it tougher to bounce back. That being said, exercise can certainly improve the situation, and proper nutrition can help, too. You've lost a lot of weight so far (good for you!), and if exercise has not been a part of the equation, you likely haven't gained any muscle. Any exercises that target biceps and triceps will build muscles in your arms and help tighten up the loose skin. If you build muscle it will give the excess skin a bit more surface area to cover and will appear less loose. A well-balanced diet will do more to improve your skin's elasticity than diets or exclusionary eating. Low carb diets can work against you because you need to nourish and hydrate the body, and carbs do both. No matter what, drink a lot of water every day. Good luck! Michelle Cederberg, MKin, PFLC www.liveoutloud.ca