I've been doing Atkins since September and have had AMAZING weight loss. I'm approximately 23 lbs. to my goal weight. (Wow! That's the first time I've calculated it.) However, when I stand in front of the mirror I still have a big gut and flabby arms. Definately not a naked body I am proud of. I can't wear less than a size 14 because I can't fit my gut in anything smaller. I don't know if 23 more lbs. is going to get rid of this or even most of it. I chose 155 because that is what I rememember weighing most of the time I was in high school. However, that's when I was very physically active and very muscular. I have tried to start exercising more in hopes that toning will help with these major problem areas.

By the way, I'm 5'7".

Do you think my goal weight should be lower? What about that extra tummy skin, will it ever go away? Have any of you experienced this?

THANKS everybody!

the only thing that really decreased my stomach size were aerobics. I did step one's for about 6 months while I was on another diet plan. On of the guys at my office who is also a personal trainer said to many people do crunches and such to try to rid excess abd flab and all they are doing is tighting up the muscle under the flab, but the layer of flab remains. He said an aerobic workout is the only thing that will get rid of the flab on the top to show that wonderful 6 pack that might be lying under it. It made since to me!

What are step ones? I have been doing crunches. I need to try something else. I had 2 of my daughters cessarean and have had a numb lower stomach ever since. Will the extra skin ever go away?

Hey kim!! congrats on the GREAT job you're doing

I know what you mean about the loose skin..and i'm afraid that we will have to get low on body fat AND have our skin firm itself up before that will go away.

I am less then proud of the way my skin looks right now :/

Ohio, Why don't you change your goal to 150 or 145? I am 5'3'' and my lowest weight in HS was 104ish lbs. Weighing between 115 and 125 lbs was much more comfortable for me which was about 10 years ago. For me, I believe that 125lbs will be a wise choice. I tend to be guttier and I have never been in good muscular shape, however I am a member of Curves because I know the importance of exercise.

I tell you, one reason that I want to get down to 125 is to give me a little weight gain room ( just in case ) after I start maintenance.

step aerobics, you know the ones where you use a step to jump on and off of, around, over, etc. It helps build the ole calf muscle too. I did a 15 minute ab class before hand too, that contained crunches and some yoga stuff. I didn't like cardio-box class so I just did more step classes. If only I had time or the energy to get back to aerobics class. I did aerobics 2-3 times a week and walked 5 miles on the treadmill the other days, and took 1 day off a week. Usually sunday. The Lord said to rest that day didn't he??

The issue of loose stomach muscles/fat was discussed at length months ago at this thread:

http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=132733


Try to make it through all the posts. There is interesting information buried throughout.