So I just got my lovely binder a few days ago, I had to send it back the first time because I was an inbetween size and just felt obligated to go smaller instead of larger. (Yes, stupid me.) Anyway, it's the Underworks Tri-top in large. It does the job well, keeps me flat with a slight uniboob but I'm happy with my purchase until I looked down. Most of my excessive weight is in my gut so, instead of looking like a chubby girl, I now look like a pregnant flat-chested girly boy! Not only that, the fabric under my left armpit feels like little pins rubbing against me. I took it off and examined it to see if something was left in the binder from the manufacturing or if it sat higher than the right side but nothing looks wrong. (I can provide pics if need be.)

So, two questions: how can I drop the weight in my belly (like specific exercises without having to invest in gym membership or equipment) and how can I fix the fabric under my arm pit? It's comfortable overall but I get a huge rash/chafing in my arm pit in just 30 minutes of wear. The combination of that and my gut is really making me not use my binder like I want. Hope you guys can help!

Stunning avatar pic! Can you wear something thin and slippery under the binder to resist chafing, and/or use powder? Just a few quick thoughts I had. Hugs, Devlyn

hey, don't really know about targeting weight loss, I would just recommend walking a lot.  My mom lost a ton of weight by just walking every day for an hour or more.

For the binder, I would just cut the armpit a little larger.  I always cut up my binders and sewed them to make them fit better. Or you could try a tight T shirt under the binder so its not rubbing your skin.

Try walking as Elijah suggested and then start jogging or running once you get used to it, and add in something to help you tone up like sits-ups, push-ups, etc. You can find a lot of YouTube videos on helping you to loose weight.

Quote from: Elijah on June 15, 2013, 08:36:25 PM
For the binder, I would just cut the armpit a little larger.  I always cut up my binders and sewed them to make them fit better. Or you could try a tight T shirt under the binder so its not rubbing your skin.

This is the way to go, most people have to modify their binders at least a bit.

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on June 15, 2013, 08:31:37 PM
Stunning avatar pic!

Thanks! I love wolves and suits so it was a happy little find for me. I think it's actually part of a series of animals dressed in suits. (Photoshopped in but still looks nice and crisp.)

@Devlyn & Elijah concerning wearing shirts under the binder:
I've tried a really tight tanks and shirts, it either a) doesn't work and still causes chafing or b) leaves me sweaty, itchy, and just doesn't feel comfortable.

@Elijah and LearnedHand concerning modifying binders:
Though I can sometimes patch things, I struggle with actually making good long time fixes. They usually only last maybe a week or two of moderate use before completely coming apart. So if I cut it, would it be ok to forgo sewing the ends?

And in regard to walking or exercising:
How many times a week and how long would you recommend? I'm starting a new job and my schedule will be crazy so it might be nice to plan ahead so I can shower before going to work. I talked to my doctor about this awhile back and he was worried that it would stress my back/knees too much but the recommendation was showed no improvement to my weight. (Like 2 times a week for 20 minutes.) I even cut out soda and snack cakes with no improvements over 4+ weeks.

yeah sewing would probably help, although I have cut my binders before and they didn't unravel for me, and I kept them for years.

I would suggest doing an overcast stitch over the area you plan to cut.

Quote from: wolfduality on June 15, 2013, 09:06:18 PM
And in regard to walking or exercising:
How many times a week and how long would you recommend? I'm starting a new job and my schedule will be crazy so it might be nice to plan ahead so I can shower before going to work. I talked to my doctor about this awhile back and he was worried that it would stress my back/knees too much but the recommendation was showed no improvement to my weight. (Like 2 times a week for 20 minutes.) I even cut out soda and snack cakes with no improvements over 4+ weeks.

You should really discuss that with your doctor on how much exercise is right for you to start off with. If you've never exercised before, even a short walk in the morning would probably be helpful. Though, for many cardio exercises, it seems like its not so much about how long you do it, but about how intense it is. Like, I can do a 20 minute cardio DVD and with my heart rate monitor calculate that I've burned more calories in that 20 minutes than going for an hour long run at a pace that isn't very intense. Just do what fits into your schedule and go from there.   


This link might be useful for you: http://www.runnersworld.com/the-starting-line

Quote from: LearnedHand on June 15, 2013, 09:57:23 PM
You should really discuss that with your doctor on how much exercise is right for you to start off with. If you've never exercised before, even a short walk in the morning would probably be helpful. Though, for many cardio exercises, it seems like its not so much about how long you do it, but about how intense it is. Like, I can do a 20 minute cardio DVD and with my heart rate monitor calculate that I've burned more calories in that 20 minutes than going for an hour long run at a pace that isn't very intense. Just do what fits into your schedule and go from there.   


This link might be useful for you: http://www.runnersworld.com/the-starting-line

Thanks again!

I do agree speaking to my doctor would be best, but he's an odd one. I've had issue with my back/knees for years and he was trying to figure out WHAT was causing me pain. We went through almost every avenue of possibility. (Arthritis, fibromyalgia, lupus, ect.) I've had tons of test and have had my insides examined many times. He's dumbfounded and wrote me a referral to physical therapy (which my insurance refuses to cover) and to an endo (which my insurance also refuses to cover). Ultimately, he thinks if I lost weight, my pain would lessen considerably and he advised me to try that before paying out of pocket for physical therapy or an endo that I might not need. He just didn't want me to injure myself by working out too hard but I was not happy with my results after 6 weeks.

As to weight loss by walking. When I started, I couldn't even get around the block. Every day I went and tried to though. Soon I could do that and in a month was doing 10 miles a day. In 3 months I lost 65 lbs and my blood pressure dropped back to normal ranges. My advice is  do it daily, start out small, don't quit or make excuses. Telling yourself that you will when the weather is better or you have more time is just procrastination at its worst.

Reward yourself with actions, not food. Go to a movie, (walk there), buy a article of clothing, clean out your old clothes, plan your dream house, etc.

I have a bad ankle, but it is MUCH better since I lost weight...and starting T doesn't seem to have hurt any, either.

Hi There is no real secret to weight loss. I tried several diets over the years, but found them all to be next to useless.

Seriously the best way to lose weight is to eat healthy with a little portion control. dont eat too much rubbish food. and get excercise. Excercise is easy you dont need any special programmes or anything like that. just a regular walk/swim/bikeride. just do a bit a day and you will lose the weight. Its not a stupidly quick fix. But its the right way to do it, Also you will find the weight stays off unlike these fad diets where as soon as you stop you put it back on again. It took me 18 months but i managed to lose 4 stone. went from 15 to 11, andi am now happy at that weight maintaining it easily.

Thanks again you guys and ladies!

I really do appreciate it and I plan to start fresh Monday. I've even got a pedometer so I can even watch my steps and see how much I'm progressing. I'm ridding the house of junk foods and soda so I won't be tempted.

Now the only challenge is pushing myself to do it and staying with it.

Good luck. you could also try recording you loses on here. Even if they are small. im sure you will get loads of support and encoragement to keep you going.