Flabby Arms/Bat Wings HELP!!

[tinkerdorabelle]

All of the above but I really like the shake weight thing, hehe. It really feels like it gets all sections of your arms including your triceps and is easy to just pick up while in your house. I also have the rubber band cable type things to use for arms and triceps which again is easy to keep out all the time and pick up and do, sell them in many places. Or buy light weights and look up exercises for your triceps like tricep extensions, etc.

 

[Pink Partridge]

That's what I thought too. As others have said, SLEEVES are great (tough to find sometimes). I don't have batwings and my arms are okay but certainly not toned. It's rare I'll go anywhere nice without sleeves. I just don't think it's my best look.

Oh Lord. I never go sleeveless. I always wear a sleeve. But I had these grand plans to look somewhat decent in a bathing suit once I lost this weight. Tummy control? Check! Underwire swimsuit? Check! It all looks so much better than 43 pounds ago.

But these arms

 

[Christine]

Oh Lord. I never go sleeveless. I always wear a sleeve. But I had these grand plans to look somewhat decent in a bathing suit once I lost this weight. Tummy control? Check! Underwire swimsuit? Check! It all looks so much better than 43 pounds ago.

But these arms

I kind of feel that way about my knees. No matter how much weight I lose, I feel like I have pudgy knees.

 

[lifesavacation]

Push-ups. Regular and tricep.

 

[ronandannette]

I'd be happy just to see an improvement. I had bariatric surgery a couple of years ago and have lost 100 pounds. Although I never had bat wings before the surgery, I sure do now. My daughter is getting married in June and I'd like to wear a short-sleeved or sleeveless dress, but MY ARMS!! If I can find effective exercises, that'd be great!!

Great job and I'm sure you've really improved your overall heath. I've know a fair number of women (and a couple of men) who have lost 3-digits through surgical measures. Unfortunately every single one of them have ended up needing additional procedures to handle the excess skin. I think it's probably unavoidable.

Oh Lord. I never go sleeveless. I always wear a sleeve. But I had these grand plans to look somewhat decent in a bathing suit once I lost this weight. Tummy control? Check! Underwire swimsuit? Check! It all looks so much better than 43 pounds ago.

But these arms

My arms are already mushier than I wish they were and having them go right to hell is one of the reasons I'm reluctant to lose the extra 20 I'm carrying. I feel like losing the weight would make me look better in clothes but way, way worse without.

 

[MrsCobraBubbles]

Sleeves

I don't have time to read all the replies right now, but I wanted to let the OP know that there are spanx sleeves to help give you cleaner, slimmer appearance in your arms. By all means, work at tightening them up with exercise, but if you want a temporary fix maybe consider buying some arm spanx for winter.

 

[low-key]

I read something somewhere where it said as we get older men most often worry about the waist line and women flabby arms

 

[L&Lfan]

I read something somewhere where it said as we get older men most often worry about the waist line and women flabby arms

I think a lot of men worry about shrinkage which is a real thing as men age.

 

[low-key]

I think a lot of men worry about shrinkage which is a real thing as men age.

two words I wont even say are shrinkage and impotent

 

[asta]

Cool Sculpting.
SonaBella.
arm shapewear.

Do you have any experience with Cool Sculpting or do you know if it will help? My daughter’s wedding is coming up late this spring and I would love to do something about my arms. I have been thinking about trying this but would like to hear some personal experience.

 

[kaytieeldr]

No. I would Google "cool sculpting reviews" or "cool sculpting complaints" - not that I'm aware of any.

 

[Pink Partridge]

Great job and I'm sure you've really improved your overall heath. I've know a fair number of women (and a couple of men) who have lost 3-digits through surgical measures. Unfortunately every single one of them have ended up needing additional procedures to handle the excess skin. I think it's probably unavoidable.

My arms are already mushier than I wish they were and having them go right to hell is one of the reasons I'm reluctant to lose the extra 20 I'm carrying. I feel like losing the weight would make me look better in clothes but way, way worse without.

I could stand to lose maybe 20 more pounds. But honestly, I can't handle what that would do to my face. I look so much younger in pictures with the extra weight. So, besides the arms, my face just isn't as nice (IMO). Rest of body looks way better. But I loved the extra wrinkle protection the weight gave. I can't win

 

[ronandannette]

I could stand to lose maybe 20 more pounds. But honestly, I can't handle what that would do to my face. I look so much younger in pictures with the extra weight. So, besides the arms, my face just isn't as nice (IMO). Rest of body looks way better. But I loved the extra wrinkle protection the weight gave. I can't win

I totally get this. I have always had a round, plump face shape which makes me look younger than I am. I’m still almost wrinkle-free, knock wood but I’d be lying if I said things weren’t starting to sag. I’d do something about my chin and jawline in a heartbeat but spending that kind of money seems so vain and frivolous. A PP up-thread mentioned CoolSculpting, which I looked into but it costs thousands, close to the same as plastic surgery without the same surety of results.

 

[Mariearistocat]

I have hexagon dumbbells in assorted sizes and do the Beach Body/Body Beast DVDs 3x a week. These are my husband's DVDs and I thought they were just meathead videos (LOL) but they are actually awesome! The man has several other people behind him doing the workout using varying levels of equipment, from bands to dumbbells or barbells so it's pretty inclusive of inexpensive equipment and beginners and why I like it. Before this, I was never into exercise DVDs but they are easy and I feel I get a great workout.
I've been doing weights consistently for years, but I prefer simple moves using my hexagon barbells in 20-30 minutes. The hexagons are very inexpensive and easy to store. You could also just get a Weighlifting for Dummies book and create a simple routine for yourself. I so much prefer working out at home as I used to feel intimidated at the gym, plus I don't enjoy sharing equipment . Aside from that, you can complete a 20 minute routine easily at your own convenience. It really doesn't take a lot of time, but good form is key. Others mentioned triceps extensions and I agree these are the best for bat wings!!

 

[RangerPooh]

First, congrats on the weight loss!

At one point I had lost 120 pounds and my bat wings were out of control (skin on legs looked like I was melting when I ran, lol). Nothing will shrink excess skin to the point of looking normal, aside from skin removal surgery. Some shrinkage yes, but not massive due to prolonged stretching. A variety of arm workouts will help, but for me I just came to embrace it. It was better to do that then fret over it.

 

[Klayfish]

I have hexagon dumbbells in assorted sizes and do the Beach Body/Body Beast DVDs 3x a week. These are my husband's DVDs and I thought they were just meathead videos (LOL) but they are actually awesome! The man has several other people behind him doing the workout using varying levels of equipment, from bands to dumbbells or barbells so it's pretty inclusive of inexpensive equipment and beginners and why I like it. Before this, I was never into exercise DVDs but they are easy and I feel I get a great workout.
I've been doing weights consistently for years, but I prefer simple moves using my hexagon barbells in 20-30 minutes. The hexagons are very inexpensive and easy to store. You could also just get a Weighlifting for Dummies book and create a simple routine for yourself. I so much prefer working out at home as I used to feel intimidated at the gym, plus I don't enjoy sharing equipment . Aside from that, you can complete a 20 minute routine easily at your own convenience. It really doesn't take a lot of time, but good form is key. Others mentioned triceps extensions and I agree these are the best for bat wings!!

Good for you on pushing through that misconception and using weight training!! So many people seem to think that if they start lifting weights they'll wind up looking like The Rock (I'm being tongue in cheek, but you get the idea). You won't, unless you lift as hard as he did and eat like he did. You can lift to your max every time, you can lift really light weights or anywhere in between.

EDITED to give more current example...LOL

 

[Mariearistocat]

Good for you on pushing through that misconception and using weight training!! So many people seem to think that if they start lifting weights they'll wind up looking like The Rock (I'm being tongue in cheek, but you get the idea). You won't, unless you lift as hard as he did and eat like he did. You can lift to your max every time, you can lift really light weights or anywhere in between.

EDITED to give more current example...LOL

I love weight training! It's important for bone strength. I've never been big, just lean from it. I was in a bad accident years ago where I fractured my pelvis and sacrum. The first week I could barely move but after three weeks I was off crutches and running again a few weeks after that. The doctor attributed my quick recovery to weightlifting consistently before I was inured. I skipped legs yesterday now I am motivated to make it up today!

 

[snapppyd]

I would be very careful. I tried looking up exercises on You Tube two years ago when I was going to wear a sleeveless dress to my nephew's wedding. I have had shoulder pain ever since. If you don't do the exercises right you will hurt yourself.

 

[GreatLakes]

As mentioned you can't spot reduce fat. When I think of bat wings I think of lose skin, not just fat, so even leaning out the fat in your arms won't really take care of that problem. I suspect you will need sleeves or surgery.

If you are looking to become more fit I believe a combination of endurance cardio at a low heartrate, sprinting for short bursts at 100% effort, and strength training is the best option. If you want strength and not size go for heavier weights and fewer reps. I recommend using a weight you can complete 5 lifts (full body is better than single muscle) using proper form. You shouldn't break down in form after rep 4 but should feel rep 6 is one too many.

That is my recommendation if you are looking for a good combination of fat loss and increased fitness.

I have hexagon dumbbells in assorted sizes and do the Beach Body/Body Beast DVDs 3x a week. These are my husband's DVDs and I thought they were just meathead videos (LOL) but they are actually awesome! The man has several other people behind him doing the workout using varying levels of equipment, from bands to dumbbells or barbells so it's pretty inclusive of inexpensive equipment and beginners and why I like it. Before this, I was never into exercise DVDs but they are easy and I feel I get a great workout.
I've been doing weights consistently for years, but I prefer simple moves using my hexagon barbells in 20-30 minutes. The hexagons are very inexpensive and easy to store. You could also just get a Weighlifting for Dummies book and create a simple routine for yourself. I so much prefer working out at home as I used to feel intimidated at the gym, plus I don't enjoy sharing equipment . Aside from that, you can complete a 20 minute routine easily at your own convenience. It really doesn't take a lot of time, but good form is key. Others mentioned triceps extensions and I agree these are the best for bat wings!!

Good for you on pushing through that misconception and using weight training!! So many people seem to think that if they start lifting weights they'll wind up looking like The Rock (I'm being tongue in cheek, but you get the idea). You won't, unless you lift as hard as he did and eat like he did. You can lift to your max every time, you can lift really light weights or anywhere in between.

EDITED to give more current example...LOL

The amount of wrong information people "know" about weight training can fill a book. As you mentioned lifting weights is an extremely important fitness component, especially as we age. Strength and size are not the same thing and the way you lift will dictate where on the strength/size continuum you fall.

 

[Klayfish]

I love weight training! It's important for bone strength. I've never been big, just lean from it. I was in a bad accident years ago where I fractured my pelvis and sacrum. The first week I could barely move but after three weeks I was off crutches and running again a few weeks after that. The doctor attributed my quick recovery to weightlifting consistently before I was inured. I skipped legs yesterday now I am motivated to make it up today!

Yup. I had hip surgery just 6 days ago and am currently on crutches. Start PT today. I expect to be weight bearing 10 days from now, then off crutches completely 7-10 days after that. Once I'm "on my feet", I expect to quickly get back to full strength. I had the same surgery 5 years ago and recovered much faster than most, because of my physical condition pre-surgery.