Weight Loss

I'm only 22 years old. My heaviest weight was 167 lbs. I had 31 % body fat. Over 6 months, I've lost 22 lbs. Reduced my body fat to about 23 % or 24 %. I have this loose skin under my chin and neck. It's not a double chin, just loose, and when I take pictures from the side you can see this big bump of loose skin hanging down and it looks awful. Even from the front you can see it. I'm not overweight any more. I'm a size 7/8 down from a 13/14. Is it possible that part of that under my chin is still fat, and that I just have to decrease my body fat some more for it to go away, or is it just loose skin? Is there a way to find out? And if it is just skin, do exercises really help? I'm only 22, and I'll be getting married not too far from now, and I really really don't want horrible pictures of me in my wedding dress. I've worked really hard to lose this weight and the inches and I just want the neck/chin that goes with it. Can anyone help, please? PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!

1) Talk to your photographer about it.  He can position you so that it's minimized in the pics/videos.

2) The exercises will tighten up the muscles and that might be enough for you at 22.

3) Consult with a good make up artist.  There are things they can do that can pull that skin back.  It usually involves wearing an appliance in your hair to hold it. 

Great ideas already suggested. Also, get a more objective opinion if possible--not your MOM, or fiance, but someone whose opinion on such things you'd value. Show a pic and without pointing out anything, ask what they see that could be improved.

It's really hard to be objective about your own appearance. You zero in on this one feature and it may be almost unoticeable to others. Most people will notice your eyes and your smile and very little else . . .

Good luck. I'm sure you will find something that works.

I looked at your picture and I think you are being too hard on yourself!  I don't see it at all.  All I see is a beautiful young girl who has outstanding eyes.  If you feel subscious, wear your hair part up and part down with beautiful curls.  Very feminine and frames your face and pulls your attention to the hair.

A slicked back style draws the eyes to the face, which is the opposite thing you are trying to achieve.

But in my personal opinion, you don't have a problem anyway. So just be excited for your weight loss and enjoy your special day! 

Hi tatertot!

Well, this is my first post here on CC, but it is one I really want to make. 

I do like the suggestion about getting an objective opinion, so I too took a look at your picture, and I enlarged it to make sure I could see what you were talking about, and I didn't.  I agree with chattynoel on this one.  As a photographer myself, I would have no problem in the world creating beautiful bridal portraits of you, you're beautiful! 

I also like the suggestion that you speak with your photographer ahead of time though so he/she is aware you are feeling this way.  Nothing worse than sitting with someone and having them say "ugh, look at my ____ in this one!", when I don't see that problem at all, but would've happily posed the subject differently had I just known they were self conscious about that particular part.

 

Relax and have a great day!  Don't worry so much about those little imperfections you think you see. 

I have something for you that my mom swears works just for this.  It's an exercise that she calls "baby birds".  What you do is look straight up at the celing or sky and you move your bottom jaw up and down (like a baby bird asking to be fed...LOL) you really can feel it work these muscles.  I personally don't know if it works, but momma says it does so I guess it is worth a try!

Girl, you have a lot of people telling you that you are gorgeous, and you better listen to them because I totally agree!

I know that when that time of the month comes around or if I ever have more sodium in my diet, my body hangs on to water and my face looks rounder and I get the mini waddle. So be sure to drink loads of water and avoid food high in sodium. Also, eating foods high in potassium (http://whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=nutrient &dbid=90) can help get rid of excess water the body is storing. Good luck, and congradulations on all of your hard work--it really has paid off and you look fabulous!

Wow, thanks everyone for the suggestions. My profile pic on here is one I definitely positioned myself so that it wouldn't be noticeable. I realized that as soon as I looked again. But seriously, thanks for all of the help, especially about the photography and just everything else. You guys have a great day.