We get emails with training and diet questions all the time. We also get this question (or version of it a lot)
<<<Q: I used to be a size 18 and now am a size 2. I eat clean, weight train and do cardio, but I still have this loose skin. How can I tighten my belly?? (or I have loose skin after pregnancy)>>>
these stretch marks will not go away, but her skin most likely will still tighten more
There are many factors– age, amount of weight lost, how long you were overweight, and mostly genetics.
Some people gain and lose a ton of weight and have hardly any issues while others are covered in stretch marks and are trying to fix that sagging skin. You can cry about it or just learn what you can do and accept what you can’t.
There are tips for preventing stretch marks; like cocoa butter and moisturizing, but honestly, if you’re bodies genetics are likely to get stretchmarks, no amount of cocoa butter is going to stop that. At this point, the damage is done. So….what is OUR answer for what you can do?
Assuming you already eat clean, lift-weights and “do what you’re supposed to”…. you may not like the answer. Preparation-H does not work. Saran Wrap does not work. Crunches, reverse crunches, planks or any abdominal exercise you can think of will not work. There are a few lasers (usually very painful, expensive, and not largely effective) that are available.
this picture is more likely a candidate for a tummy tuck ** always consult a board certified plastic surgeon and get more than one opinion**
The only true thing that can actually get RID of loose skin is a tummy tuck. They actually CUT. IT. OFF. Even this only works if you have a significant amount of skin…. annnnnnnnd $8-$10k and about 3 months to recover.
Sooooo WE SAY– the BEST thing you can do is: love yourself, don’t stress over it (its probably worse in your head) and think of it as a symbol of your hard work or your souvenir of your beautiful child.
We don’t all look/stay young forever. Just be strong, be healthy, be beautiful.
and sorry we wish we had some better tips… but we are here to tell you the truth, not what you want to hear. Please Leave us your comments!
you are MORE than some silly scars 
Also, as Freakin’ Awesome Fitfluential Ambassadors we are trying earn a scholarship to get to The Fitness and Health Bloggers Conference in Denver… its actually sponsored by Refuel With Chocolate Milk.. which, we all know….. chocolate is awesome! The conference is at the end of June and it would be the first conference of this type we have ever attended. We have been in the fitness industry for years and are new to the “Blogging” fitness industry. We’d love to have a chance to go, so here’s our shot!!
Ohhhh, if only more people would be honest. Thank you.
thank you so much. We have so many clients and friends that have spent thousands of dollars on lotions, lasers, wraps and creams. Its time people just get real
Thanks for your honesty, ladies!!! After losing 120 lbs and keeping it off since ’08, I know ‘loose skin’ and stretch marks all too well. Its definitely not my favorite thing about my new body, but it reminds me daily how far I’ve come…and that I don’t want to go back. I’m not opposed to surgery, but can’t afford it right now. So until the day I can I’m going to continue eating clean, lifting weights and embracing my body just the way it is!
Surgery isn’t a light or cheap decision. I’ve always felt though, that if you can love and accept yourself before surgery than you will always be better off. People who look to surgery to fix how they feel about themselves are always still dissatisfied. You should be very proud of your accomplishments!
hey there, well first off im the first one of those questions, size 18 mow and wanna loose the fat and get fit and lean etc. come from a fitness background, was a personal trainer and dancer and fit all my life, then had my wee boy and gained a little baby weight but went back to normal after having him with no stretch marks, then within 4 weeks of having him and having to stay in hospital with him as he was 11 weeks prem, i went from a size 10 to a size 16 (yep in 4 weeks) all these are u sizes, due to bad eating habits and stress….. and no training. in the october of the following year went on a crash diet… lipotrim… and lost all the weight and went back to a size 6 uk and not a stretch mark in site … lucky me
and then stress, bad diet, the wrong decision to have gone on the lipotrim and a whole lot of other reasons and i was back up to a size 16…… no exercise no good eating habits and 2 years later im an 18….. i have not got stretch marks…. i am not happy about that but i knew at some point my good genetics and luck would not carry me through the cycle of loose gain loose gain any more and i was right. i am only now starting to eat healthy and train and know that i will get back to where i want to be body wise (as right now i hate when i see in the mirror) but i also know that those stretch marks, though they will fade, are there to stay….. my only hope is that the dreaded loose skin does not hit me too bad… or at all if im lucky lol 
good luck! just remember to try and change your habits, so you aren’t continually yo-yoing for the rest of your life. You are a good example of someone who can gain with little “repurcussion” but eventually, somethings gotta give.
Take care of yourself and thanks for sharing!
I have to say its truely great to finally have a honest answer, I have asked so many people about this an have gotten tons of answers an followed them all, i do belive you are right, only surgery will get the extra off. Thanks again for your honesty. Keep up the great work!
Great message ladies!! I wish I knew what to say when clients ask me this!!
send them here!
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU! I have lost 151 pounds, and I stress and worry about this extra skin every day. I know there is no way to get rid of it, and surgery is not an option for me. Time for me to start loving myself!
YES!! you are amazing and high five on your weight loss! not everyone can afford nor WANT to have surgery. Stand by your choice and stop beating yourself up!
Hey ladies! This was so fantanstic, I’ve been having the same argument with my 50 year old mother. She lost over 100lbs two years ago, and has been upset over the “tummy” she can’t get rid of. Its the skin, and a result of the muscles knitting back together funny after a surgery. But trying to tell her that has been HARD.
The only thing I can suggest for stretch marks – is BioOil. I had horrendous stretch marks on my thighs and chest – they actually bled. But I used to use bio oil on them and after a few months they started to seem like the color was fading. Not the mark itself but the color.
But seriously, thank you for the honestly. We can’t all look like Gilian Michaels – but we can sure as hell enjoy being healthy while we get there.
with or without the oil, stretchmarks fade over time. They start as red and then fade to a white or silvery color.
Your mom should be happy the weight is gone but sometimes its hard to face the leftover “stuff” we didn’t expect
I definitely have some loose skin on my belly resulting from my two little ones, and I get frustrated by it sometimes, but then I realize, those two little girls are WORTH a little extra skin!!!
absolutely!
I too had this same problem. Didn’t lose as much weight, but down to a size 4. Everything tightened up, BUT the belly. I had upper abs and they could be seen, but once I bent over, holy hell. I lovingly named it my “plank pooch”…as you can certainly imagine why. I gave myself another year to work at it. Eat right, exercise, do all you’re supposed to do…to no avail. I came to the point, ok either I learn to accept it or do, ya know, the tuck. It has been one year since I made the very difficult decision (it’s emotional, should I do it, should I not, am I being selfish, ungrateful, etc etc) to have the tummy tuck and all I can say is I don’t know why I waited. No more tucking in my skin, no more letting it dangle when in plank. I’m happy. The decision isn’t for everyone and it can completely consume you while in the process, but for me, it was the right decision. I love my flat new belly!
we hear this a lot, that it was a good decision. Thanks for your comment and story!
After having two kids I had a lot of loose skin. before I had my kids I was a size zero, with each of my children I gained 45 lbs. After each of my kids which one is 18 and the other is 3 I always went back down to a size zero. After my son the loose skin and stretch marks were not that bad but after my daughter it was really bad. So I decided to get a tummy tuck, I only needed a mini tummy tuck which is not as painful but it still hurt. It did take about 3 months to recover and the scar is pretty big but wearing a bathing suit (bikini) you can not see it. I work out a lot and now I can actually see the results in my stomach, I can see my muscles, which before I could not because of all the loose skin.
I was not unhappy with myself before, it was just frustrating because I know I worked so hard for something and could not see the results. I saw it everywhere else but my tummy. I could feel them but could not see them. But just because you get a tummy tuck does not mean your tummy will look good, you still have to work for it. The tummy tuck was a very painful procedure, probably more than I expected but Was it worth it for me, I say yes!!!
we are glad you had a good experience!
You ladies are awesome. Battling with self image and how people perceive me and this was just what I needed to hear!
I had a tummy tuck with muscle repair in January. I have 2 kids, 13 and 6, both born by section. I tried for 2 years to make my belly flat. My belly was hard and ripped but I still looked 4 months pregnant at 12% bodyfat (I also compete in amateur figure competitions and a poofy belly is frustrating). The surgery was expensive and recovery hasn’t been easy but I have to say I would do it again in a heart beat. Since my muscles have been repaired I don’t have as many digestive problems and my core will be stronger for it. I know it’s not for everyone but I am definitely an advocate.
thanks for sharing your story. Its good to hear all sides!
Forgot to say that I applaud you for being honest with your readers. Sometimes outside of surgery, there must isn’t anything you can do. Great article.
thank you and thanks for reading
I’ve been pretty lucky my skin held up after 4 pregnancies, but I’m still very careful about showing my belly in public. The little extra skin at the bottom tortures me. Thanks for being honest! xo
Yes, some ladies have 3+ kids with minimal issues, some have ONE baby and stomach is just stretched to bits.. I guess you can thank your mamma;) but there’s no reason to hate yourself over it… hate when women feel bad about themselves over something that just happens! Thanks for commenting! XOXO
Hi guys
I have 6 kids aged between 3 and 21. I have lost almost all the weight gained from pregnancy. I have got loose skin on my belly, but considering the fact that I have had 6 kids already, it is a minor problem for me as it is not as bad as one would expect it to be after having so many kids. I am really glad I have come across this site. You guys have helped me realise that I am not the only one with this belly problem. Thank you for your help. Keep up the good work.
thanks Yvonne! Its amazing what our bodies can withstand! Love your attitude about it and glad you found us!
I will be 44 in June and I have 6 kids ages 23 yrs to 1 yr ( have had 2-9 lb plus, 2-8 lb plus, and 2-7 lb plus babies). In 2003, when my 5th (and I thought my last) child turned a yr old I opted to have a tummy tuck and breast augmentation. I was a size 2 but my “girls” had completely deflated from weight gain and breast feeding (they went east and west if a visual helps lol) and the skin below my belly button just flapped in the wind like a sad little wind sock. I was extrememly pleased with my end results and never regretted the tummy tuck at all. I continued working out after about 3 months and was very satisfied. THEN…………fast forward to 2010, 2 months after I turned 42, I thought I was in menopause (haha I still laugh when I think abt that) but NO, I was pregnant with #6!!!!!! To make a long story a little shorter) my pregnancy had no effect on my surgeries. (my point being that my stomach remained flat following a 25 lb weight gain from my pregnancy) Many people mistakenly think that a tummy tuck makes you lose weight but it does not. A good surgeon will tell you to lose any extra weight you want before the surgery for best results. It will help you lose inches though. My surgeon and all the ones I researched said tummy tucks are ideal for mommies who have lost all the baby weight and are looking to tighten back up because basically the surgery involves sewing the muscles back together that have separated during pregnancy and removing the excess skin. I hope this helps someone else come to grips with the decision to have it done. Its a personal decision and like everything else there will be haters and opinionated people but do what YOU feel is right for you and enjoy the results you get!!!
thank you for sharing this.. .I always thought, if you got pregnant after tummy tuck it would be a disaster… so glad to hear you and baby were ok and thanks for sharing your experience, it def is a personal choice and I think other people reading this will be able to take something away from it. Thanks for sharing!
Hmmm… I say, just measure, mark, grab your scimitar and cut it off, then sew it all yourself. Take some pain killers beforehand, obviously.
YOu ladies are so smart for writing this!!! I am assuming you dont have kids and before I had kids I felt you could prevent it! But for you both to know and realize it already…is so amazing! Now what are you thoughts on stretch marks alone not loose skin??
You know, as long as I look good in my clothes I don’t really care about a little loose skin.
I would also like to add to the “book” I wrote (sorry I’m long winded
), my tummy tuck greatly improved my stretch marks. I had my worst ones above my belly button and after the procedure they are now below where my bikini hits. And the scar is very thin and has faded alot overtime. I have a few slight marks on my booty, but no one sees those except my husband…and I don’t think he’s really looking at them. 
I had my surgery purely for my own personal reasons. I believe if you look good then you will feel good too. As far as the medication goes, I took ibuprophen for the first 2 weeks and then I was fine, Its all in your own personal pain threshhold. I know it’s hard not to be judgemental of women who choose to have the surgery but (as with most hurdles, obstacles, or anything else that may hold us back from being the best we can be), you never know how you personally will handle those events until you are faced with them yourself. I hope this helps someone who may be on the fence about whether or not to have the surgery, this is just one persons opinion and personal experience.
thank you for sharing your experience Kayla!
Let me tell you….I have struggled with this for over a decade. My loose skin was the result of my first pregnancy. I work out like a beast and eat the way I should. I had to come to terms with the fact that if I wanted it gone I was going to have to pay to have it removed. But, it turns out, it just wasn’t that important in the grand scheme of things. I got divorced from my first husband when my daughter was 8, and let me tell you…It was scary the first time I disrobed in front of another man. What was he going to think? Yeah, they didn’t care. Like, not at all. I was the only person that ever made an issue of it. The only thing they didn’t like about my body was the negative comments I would make about it. It’s still hard not to look in the mirror and get a little down about my tummy, after 12 years, but I’ve learned that (at least for me) the most important thing is how I FEEL physically, not necessarily the way I look. Plus, my new husband isn’t complaining.
Thanks ladies!!
I hate hate hate your site design. Did I mention I dislike your site design? On an iPad, many of us are these days…your silly JavaScript social media sidebar (an unnecessary, and unwelcome feature I might add) obscures the screen in landscape mode. With no option to close it, it follows you like a stalker who is friends with the judge…no restraining order is possible! The only way to make the content viewable (ha!!) is to turn the device portrait and zoom all the way out. I used to do that when I first got my iPad…to see how small it would display text. Your call, but with mobile being the rising market that it is, just thought you might like to know you are likely to alienate us all!
-Bill
PS – Despite the design….loved the article. The wife believes in most of the “cures”, and it was nice to see a place that isn’t trying to sell something, and is straight about saying it just doesn’t work.
Hey Bill–
at first I couldn’t tell if this was spam comment or not, but I think its real.
if you click on the “share” bottom part, that little thing goes away, but I agree, its annoying, we’ll see if our web gal can change it.
Thanks for the tips!
I just met a young man the other day who went through a “skin-reduction” surgery thanks to major weight loss.
One of my blogger friends interviewed him about his weight loss here – http://www.hivehealthmedia.com/amazing-real-life-weight-loss-story/
The interview was conducted only days after his surgery and while he isn’t ready to work out right now, I don’t think he is going to be waiting 3 months before getting back into the gym
hey guys, I myself have struggled with a weight issure along with stetch marks and as i started to lose weight i was very worried about extra skin, before i even got to the point that i had any extra skin i started doing some research. I found a product called It Works! body wraps. I thought it was a scam at first but it was only 25$ a wrap so i gave it a shot (thats way cheaper then a tummy tuck). After my first wrap i was hooked. I used 3 since then and i couldnt be happier with my results. I started selling the product not to long ago to try and spread the word and help out people that are in the same posistion as me. The body wrap is not like most you see on tv or in salons, you do not lose water weight it actually detoxes you and the natural botanicals tone, tighten, and firm your skin, you can feel it working. If you would like more information or to see before and after photos (mine included) go to my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/LeslieDoesBodyWraps
Feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns you may have and i really hope this post helps some of you who would really like to get rid of that extra skin but a tummy tuck is just not in the cards.