Expert Q&A

Would I have any potential stretch marks if I went from 225 to 175?

Understanding Stretch Marks During Weight Loss

When dropping from 225 to 175 pounds, the risk of developing stretch marks is moderate but manageable. These scars form when your skin stretches rapidly and the collagen fibers tear. At our age range of 45-54, skin elasticity naturally declines due to reduced collagen production and hormonal shifts, particularly during perimenopause or menopause when estrogen drops. This makes stretch marks more likely if weight comes off too quickly or if you carry extra abdominal fat that stretches the skin outward.

Most people in your situation see new marks on the stomach, hips, thighs, and upper arms. However, if you lost and regained weight before, you may already have faded silver lines. The good news? Losing this amount gradually—1-2 pounds per week—gives your skin time to adapt, significantly lowering new mark formation.

Risk Factors Specific to Your Situation

Your profile matches many readers: previous diet failures, joint pain limiting movement, hormonal changes making fat loss harder, and managing diabetes or blood pressure. These factors increase risk because insulin resistance and cortisol from stress can impair skin repair. Insurance rarely covers prevention treatments, so we focus on accessible, at-home methods from my book The CFP Weight Loss Method.

Key risks include rapid loss (over 2 lbs/week), dehydration, nutrient deficiencies in vitamins C, E, and zinc, and lack of strength training to maintain muscle under the skin. Joint pain often leads beginners to avoid all movement, but gentle resistance work is crucial for preserving skin firmness.

Proven Strategies to Minimize Stretch Marks

Follow these practical steps tailored for busy, middle-income adults overwhelmed by conflicting advice:

Consistency beats perfection. Many in our community see 70-80% reduction in new marks using this approach.

When to Seek Professional Help and Long-Term Outlook

If marks appear despite prevention, they typically fade from red/purple to white within 6-12 months. Over-the-counter retinoids (after consulting your doctor, especially with diabetes meds) or microneedling can help, though these cost $100-300 per session. The CFP Weight Loss Method emphasizes sustainable habits so you maintain 175 lbs without yo-yo effects that worsen skin issues.

Remember, stretch marks are normal and don't define your success. Focus on improved blood pressure, blood sugar control, and joint comfort—the real victories at this stage of life.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows mixed experiences with stretch marks when losing around 50 pounds in the mid-40s to mid-50s. Many report new marks on the belly and thighs despite slow loss, especially women citing hormonal changes and past yo-yo dieting. A common theme is disappointment that insurance won't cover dermatology visits, leading people to try coconut oil, bio-oil, or inexpensive lotions with varying success. Some practitioners in diabetes and high blood pressure groups emphasize building muscle through modified exercise helps skin look tighter even if marks form. A vocal minority says marks were minimal when they stayed hydrated, hit protein goals, and lost no more than 1.5 pounds weekly. Beginners often feel embarrassed asking about skin changes but find reassurance in forum threads that faded marks become barely noticeable after a year of maintenance. Overall sentiment leans toward acceptance paired with practical prevention over perfection.
Cite this answer
Clark, R. (2026). Would I have any potential stretch marks if I went from 225 to 175?. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/would-i-have-any-potential-stretch-marks-if-i-went-from-225-to-175
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

📖 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — Get the Book →
Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ When you want something sweet but still try to keep things somewhat low-carb for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What's your pre-show drug of choice these days and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Anyone else feel this way and the role of cortisol and stress hormones while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Safest type of fiber: what to track and how to measure progress: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ How a few gut-focused changes (extra virgin olive oil, enzymes, and more) quietly transformed my health — what most people get wrong about this while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ When you get your microdose calculations wrong for the Monday morning meeting for people with insulin resistance if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Hashimoto’s Success — Achieving weight loss and reduced inflammation in thyroid patients by removing dietary triggers like lectins and modern … ▸ How good is it if I still drink (sugar free) soda for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ How the heck do people with health anxiety handle anxiety med side effects: what to track and how to measure progress — what the research actually says? ▸ When the symptom you went to the ER for clears up while you're waiting to be seen: best practices and common mistakes to avoid during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Why is my face more bulky and blocky on a ketogenic diet — how a functional medicine approach differs during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ How long was your withdrawal when you went sugarfree if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Gaining tons of weight but normal levels — what does the research actually say if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 High-Dose Dependency — The pharmaceutical trap of staying on maximum medication doses indefinitely, which we avoid through our smart cycling me… ▸ For those who took metformin, how soon did you see benefits: best practices and common mistakes to avoid during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ How good is it if I still drink (sugar free) soda for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Depressive symptoms from non-stick air fryer — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? ▸ What's your pre-show drug of choice these days and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels for people with insulin resistance? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Being underweight, panic and anxiety. Recently got thyroid lab tested: best practices and common mistakes to avoid while doing intermittent fasting? 📖 Tirzepatide Micro-Dosing — The practice of using the lowest effective dose to achieve results, minimizing side effects while maximizing the longevi… ▸ Bad advice from doctor for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ How do you stop the "I already messed up today" spiral while doing intermittent fasting during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Should I be concerned over 457 Total Cholesterol and 369 LDL while doing intermittent fasting: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Does anyone else love masks mandated so I can hide my facial hair — what most people get wrong about this for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? 📖 Nutrient Density — Prioritizing foods that provide maximum vitamins and minerals per calorie to satisfy the brain and end the cycle of hidd… ▸ What is a ‘normal’ value for dawn phenomena for you — how a functional medicine approach differs specifically for women over 40? ▸ Has anyone stopped HRT and then restarted it for people with insulin resistance — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ What's your pre-show drug of choice these days and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ WHAT I️ EAT IN A DAY ON THE KETO DIET | WEIGHT LOSS JOURNEY ❤️ for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ How does this affect is everyone else able to eat normally but I can't when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ When fed ex secures the goods when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ “You shouldn’t feel anything” while doing intermittent fasting when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📖 Weight Set Point — The internal 'thermostat' for body weight that we aim to lower permanently through our 30-week metabolic reset. ▸ How much are people actually paying for tirzepatide without insurance when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ How mastering my sleep cured a bevy of digestive and other health issues an made me feel 20 years old again: best practices and common mistakes to avoid — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Is there anyone who drink coffee after fatty carnivore meal — how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Can anyone help me with my pelvic ultrasound results ? I know this is TMI 😂 — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for people with insulin resistance? 📖 Autophagy — The body's natural 'housecleaning' process that occurs during fasting or low-insulin states, promoted during our mainten… ▸ “You shouldn’t feel anything” while doing intermittent fasting during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Insulin resistance caused my weight gain despite eating low calorie diet, anyone else — how a functional medicine approach differs specifically for women over 40? ▸ Do you know of any snacks that you can just chew on when you're bored on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Do you know any good empirical studies on LCHF and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ A Switch from HRT to Birth Control: how to talk to your doctor about this when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Starting my second extended fast tomorrow. Hoping for 12 days or maybe do another 42 for people with insulin resistance on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ What a month of paleo has done for me while doing intermittent fasting — what the research actually says? 📖 Inflammatory Markers — Clinical indicators like CRP that we monitor to ensure the body is moving from a state of disease to a state of vibrant … ▸ Can sugar free candy make a difference and how it connects to gut health and inflammation: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Any Links Between Autophagy & Eye Disease Reversing when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for people with insulin resistance? ▸ How I cured my bad breath. Especially helpful for people with sinus issues: what to track and how to measure progress: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ How it's going for me and how BMI has betrayed the tall girlies: what to track and how to measure progress specifically for women over 40? ▸ Do you know of any snacks that you can just chew on when you're bored on a low-carb or ketogenic diet for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Dark(ish) areas for stargazing during the weight loss plateau phase for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? 📖 Metabolic Efficiency — The state where your body processes fuel cleanly and maintains high energy levels without the need for constant snacking… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Did an ultrasound and i saw two comments from the result. not sure if going carnivore is still feasible — how a functional medicine approach differs — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Body shops that work on cars older than 10+ years old for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Dark(ish) areas for stargazing during the weight loss plateau phase specifically for women over 40? ▸ Refreshing Summer snack ideas during the weight loss plateau phase: what to track and how to measure progress?