The Part of Prep You Hardly Hear About..

Hey folks.. Just wanted to discuss a part of prep that I've struggled with for a while.
Loose skin from weight loss. I'm a big girl, I admit that, and I hold weight (fat and muscle) like a cup holds water. Shew...  And when I lose weight, my skin isn't as tight as I need it to be, to step on stage in a piece of dental floss... Sigh.. I'm not in my 20's anymore, and of course, gravity and lack of "snap back", cause me to have the dreaded "loose skin" issue. Yeah, sure some of it is fat, but when I lose weight, my skin doesn't get as tight as say... a younger woman. It's not an uncommon issue, even to non-competitors. So, what is a girl to do?

Of course, there's surgery. Yeah... I'm not in the position to fork out money for skin tightening/laser/tucks/etc. -_- Another option? The good old, old fashioned way. If you look at the picture below, these are some of the items in my "Let's Get Lynette's Skin Tight" Arsenal:

1. Reviva Labs Elastin and Collagen Body Firming Lotion:

Fights slackened skin during weight loss

Helps avoid stretchmarks

Use on "loose" skin (upper arms, thighs, stomach, buttocks)

2. Reviva Labs Transfirmation Lotion: 

Elastin...is the body's main substance that keeps the skin firm on your face and body. But during quick weight loss, skin's elastin and elastic fibers are weakened. Result? Skin can become slack, start to sag; upper arms, breasts or thighs can start to lose tone and resilience. The answer, externally? The proper elastin and more. Elastin effectiveness is related to its amino acid content. Our special elastin has 10 times the amino acid content of other elastins. What's more, it's supported by the latest skin-firming discoveries.

 There's DMAE to aid muscle tone. Plus, mucopolysaccharides and collagen (the other major elements of elastic fibers), and even soy protein.

 3. Reviva Labs Seaweed Bar Soap:  In Spain, Seaweed Soap is even used as part of one's slimming routine, as well as for silky-smooth skin. It's a soap bar the whole family will love!Instead of animal tallow (sodium tallowate), common to most soaps, we feature a pure vegetable base of palm and coconut oils.And seaweed's scrub action, to help remove hidden impurities and invigorate skin, makes our Seaweed Soap a family favorite in the shower or bath. 

4. NeoCell Super Collagen™ Type 1 and 3 Powder: COLLAGEN is a complex structural protein that maintains strength and flexibility throughout the body. SUPER COLLAGEN™ is made up of the collagen peptides Type 1&3 which support collagen in skin, hair, nails, muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones. Super Collagen™ is enzymatically hydrolyzed, providing an amino acid ratio with a low molecular weight for maximum bioavailability and utilization by the body. When Super Collagen™ is taken internally, the body receives the raw materials it needs to supplement the collagen found in all of these areas and may act as a messenger to trigger the synthesis of new collagen fibers. Super Collagen™ is neutral in taste and is specifically formulated in an easy to take powder form. It works synergistically with Vitamin C and is recommended to be mixed with orange juice or a Vitamin C supplement.

5. Bio Oil Scar Treatment: helps improve the appearance of scars, stretch marks and uneven skin tone. Its advanced formulation, which contains the breakthrough ingredient PurCellin Oil™, also makes it highly effective for numerous other skin concerns, including aging skin and dehydated skin. (<--- SCARS! I'm so clumsy, I need this! )

(all descriptions are from vitacost.com)

Granted, who knows if these products will ACTUALLY work. But I can tell you, at least I will have some of the softest skin, this side of the Mississippi. Pfft... But seriously, in contest prep, most people are concentrating on  diet, training, supps, costume, but some people forget about the biggest organ.. SKIN!! You have to take care of it, esp while you're young... In addition to the above, I'm drinking plenty of water, supplementing and making sure to try to get rest. (I said "try")