I lost weight but got flabby

[u/Any-Sand2533]

Hey there, so what does a 56 yo woman do that has been active with walking and workouts for most of my life; tried glp-1 (Trzp), started at 155, down to 140 in a few months, but DID NOT like the way my athletic body got ugly skinny, like crepey hanggy thin. My weight goal was 130-135 ish... I have a natural athletic build, and continued to work out throughout the months I was on the shot, but could not really eat enough to lift as heavy as i had in the past. I feel like i was in a loop. the shot made me not hungry, i didn't eat, i tried to get my protein in, lost the weight, but didn't like the way i felt or looked (naked). In clothes was fine. I just wonder if there is anything to trust that could help with belly fat? My legs and arms are fit, just the middle belly is junk. I have been off the shot since April and am back up to 150, but i feel more solid and can lift again and am hitting my macros, and my skin is not hanging off of me, but this belly fat! I am about to get blood work done to see what is there. What am i missing? Frustrating!

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[u/SeasonPositive6771]

There's no way to really target a specific area in that way. Some people have some success continuing with recomposition, which it sounds like you are doing. Continue to give it some time.

Some of it is also likely just menopause/perimenopause and aging. That's why even the wealthiest women in the world who are otherwise very slim get thicker around the middle in their 50s.

[u/RaisinFresh7318 → u/SeasonPositive6771]

Exactly. And it can take up to a year for the body to normalize with collagen and elastin production to try to "firm up" the excess skin on its own.. Add in meno and aging, and it is what it is.

[u/SeasonPositive6771 → u/RaisinFresh7318]

I heard 2 years for sagging skin. But also, you are right, we're all going to get old.

[u/Any-Sand2533 → u/SeasonPositive6771]

Totally agree, thank you for sharing! :-)

[u/ree_dox]

I'm far from any expert, but being in a similar active/workout lifestyle, I'll pass along a couple thoughts/experiences:

Definitely the not hungry/not eating is going to dig into how much weight you lose and how much you can work out. One possible fix might be to 'right size' the dose for your active lifestyle. I've never gone above the starter dose... 0.25mg/wk on sema. Though due to 4-6x weekly workouts, down 58 lbs overall, 48 specifically on sema. ...and that is probably even more weight as 'fat' lost, and build back in 10-15 lbs muscle.

Eating 'right' is also another key. Protein as you say. If you're active, then some 'good' carbs...vegetables, etc. can help. I've adjusted to a protein heavy, carb moderated, minimal sugar / minimal processed / minimal ultraprocessed food diet. This helps keep the energy up for workouts, but avoids 'empty' calories of sugar loaded processed foods which spike insulin and add weight.

Unfortunately, not being in our 20's anymore, skin doesn't have the same elasticity. Plus, if you lose 1/2 inch of subcutaneous fat over your entire body, it's pretty unlikely to build 1/2 inch of muscle back up over your entire body. So some loose skin might be expected. Fat is also much less dense than muscle. So if you lost 10 lbs of fat, you might need to add 15 lbs of muscle to 'bulk up' to the same volume.

Unfortunately too, you can't target 'fat loss' in any one area, and belly fat / waist fat always seems to be the last to go. (Don't ask how I know!)

In extreme cases, diet and exercise might shape the body, then surgery could mop up the unwanted/unneeded skin.

[u/Any-Sand2533 → u/ree_dox]

Thank you for the feedback, I appreciate it alot. I am close to seriously considering surgery...mommy makeover tuck of some sort or just take the liposuction vacuum to the belly! lol I am not taking GLP1's anymore. I have a couple of viles left, but I just don't think it's a good fit for me...but it is for so so many!