I've read quite a few threads where people mention that they have ended up with significant amounts of loose skin as a result of weightloss, and I'd like to know if I'm in danger of this, and if so, how best to avoid it. I know that loose skin is generally caused either by losing weight too quickly, or by losing a lot of weight, but I'm not sure whether this applies to me.

My stats are: age 21, height 5"10, bodyfat 20%, weight: 162 pounds, abdomen 36 inches, waist 34 inches. I'd like to get down to around 12% body fat, which will involve losing about 16 pounds of fat. Is this kind of weight loss significant enough to run the risk of loose skin, or is this only really a prolem with larger weightlosses (like 50 pounds plus). I've been around 20% body fat since I was about 10 years old, so I assume my skin will have 'adapted' to this or whatever.

Im eating around 1900 calories a day on training days (weightlifting, max-ot style thing), and about 1700 calories on non-training days. I aim to lose around 2 pounds a week. Is this ok?

Thanks in advance.

I've heard daily moisturizing with lotion is supposed to help, but I can't for the life of me remember where I heard that. Men's Health maybe? No clue, but that is what I'm doing. Of course I can't give you any results as I've only lost 10lbs so far. :)

I've read quite a few threads where people mention that they have ended up with significant amounts of loose skin as a result of weightloss, and I'd like to know if I'm in danger of this, and if so, how best to avoid it. I know that loose skin is generally caused either by losing weight too quickly, or by losing a lot of weight, but I'm not sure whether this applies to me.

My stats are: age 21, height 5"10, bodyfat 20%, weight: 162 pounds, abdomen 36 inches, waist 34 inches. I'd like to get down to around 12% body fat, which will involve losing about 16 pounds of fat. Is this kind of weight loss significant enough to run the risk of loose skin, or is this only really a prolem with larger weightlosses (like 50 pounds plus). I've been around 20% body fat since I was about 10 years old, so I assume my skin will have 'adapted' to this or whatever.

Im eating around 1900 calories a day on training days (weightlifting, max-ot style thing), and about 1700 calories on non-training days. I aim to lose around 2 pounds a week. Is this ok?

Thanks in advance.

Here's a good way to go about it.

Replace the fat you lose with muscle, then just do skin toning + supplement with A/E/B/COQ10 and some other skin revitalizers. With what you have to lose, you shouldnt worry much...

Now i'm lookin at a total weight loss of about 50lbs by the time im dont in september... and will then have to make a decision on how to deal with the skin

"a/e/b/coq10"?

edit: oh, you mean vitamin a/e/b? I take a multivitamin as well as a seperate B complex, would this be enough or should i get some A/E as well?

Also what is coq10?

Age, genetics, percentage lost are three major factors. The first two you can't do much about. Your goal and your starting point determine the third.

You can control the speed of loss, this might give you added time if you slow the loss. Then you have time for muscles, vitamins, oils and moisturizers, tanning and luck.

At 21 and the relatively small loss, I don't think you should worry. Always build muscle.

You can control the speed of loss, this might give you added time if you slow the loss. Then you have time for muscles, vitamins, oils and moisturizers, tanning and luck.
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I'm working out regularly, but I dont expect to gain any muscle since I'm not eating that much (I suppose I might gain something due to the fabled 'newbie gains', but I'm not counting on it). Would losing 2 pounds a week be slow enough to avoid most of the risks? I could increase my calories if it were likely to be safer.

Also do you mean I should use moisturizers/oils while cutting, or afterwards?

Thanks.

I'm working out regularly, but I dont expect to gain any muscle since I'm not eating that much (I suppose I might gain something due to the fabled 'newbie gains', but I'm not counting on it). Would losing 2 pounds a week be slow enough to avoid most of the risks? I could increase my calories if it were likely to be safer.

Also do you mean I should use moisturizers/oils while cutting, or afterwards?

Thanks.

I dont think you should worry so much about loose skin. I had very similar stats as you and so far I have lost 4 pounds fat and made up 2 pounds muscle, according to mybodycomp. This also seems to corelate with my weight and also with the way I look(mirror test). I think just go ahead and slowly lower your calories till you reach a satisfactory low calorie intake and maintain it for aslong as you need to. Also since as you said you are a noob the muscle gain in your first couple of months will be quick.
Good luck

Honestly it's unlikely that 16 pounds will affect skin at all. I dropped 25 last year and had none loose at all. A friend of mine when he was 18 crapped off 60 pounds (granted he was only that 60 pounds heavier for about two years) and miraculously he had absolutely no residual effects of the weight gain visibly; no loose skin at all.

I wouldn't worry another moment about 16 pounds worth.