It takes a lot of determination and perseverance to embark on a weight loss journey and see it through. Naturally, changes in nutrition plan and an introduction of workout sessions are standard components of a successful slimming programme.
While our body gets thinner, the skin may not follow accordingly. Our skin is a gentle but highly elastic organ that can withstand excessive stretching and contractions. However, due to factors like genetics, age, health condition or skin damage, the skin may struggle to conform to our new body shape after an extreme weight reduction.
Luckily, there are some preemptive measures and follow-up methods you can employ to minimise the loose skin effect. Read on to find out more about it.
Adopt a slow but steady pace
I know how quick results can be a great motivation to press on with a diet, but this is by far not the prescribed course of progress. One of the negative side-effects of the fast paced weightloss process is precisely the unsightly saggy skin. What’s more, the crash diets can cause us to lose more of the muscle tissue which acts as a scaffold element for our dermis.
To ensure you’re losing more of the fatty tissue, maintain a weightloss rate of 1-2lb per week. One pound of adipose tissue contains roughly 3,500 calories, and ousting a 500-1000kcal worth of food from your daily diet is enough to see the results without traumatising your body. Consult a nutritionist and set a healthy limit for your weight-reduction plan.
Commit to proper nourishment
Don’t underestimate the importance of super foods if you’re looking to retain the optimal elasticity of your skin. While age plays a considerable part in the stretching quality of your skin, a healthy diet can compensate it through consumption of food that promote the production of collagen and elastin. These are main proteins that enable the skin to stay strong and in place.
For starters, turn to ingredients rich in Vitamin C. You can find it in cabbage, lemons, green peppers, spinach, strawberries and broccoli, among others. Your skin will improve in appearance due to collagen boost vitamin C induces. Linoleic acid is also one of the substances we should focus on for its skin strengthening properties. You can find this valuable compound in nuts, chicken, seeds and vegetable oil, for example. Lastly, lycopene (found in tomatoes) effectively prevents stretchmarks.
In general, you should steer clear of the processed, additive packed store-bought goods like sodas, pastry, and sweets.
Maximise your water intake
Whatever the health related question, water is almost always the answer. This simple but potent nature’s elixir is responsible for the plump look of the properly hydrated dermis, and can significantly decrease the sagging tendency.
The ideal amount of water for you depends on your level of activity, health needs, specific diet and a current season. If you’re not much of a water drinker, start with three cups per day and try to increase it to 8-10. There is no upper limit, so you can adjust it according to your preferences. On top of this, water can battle fluid retention (weird but true!) and it effectively flush the toxins out of our system.
Tone your body with regular exercise
Even if the nature of your job doesn’t allow you to move about, it definitely pays off to spare at least 15 minutes a day and do a medley of weight training and cardio. This will put a stop to muscle loss in the course of your weightloss journey and improve the tone of your overall skin cover. Some of the good suggestions for the cardio session are jogging, fast walking, aerobic and biking.
If you wish to build some muscles, include more of the strength training exercises with cowbells and weights. All body parts deserve equal attention, so don’t skip your leg days or neglect the butt exercises.
Firming creams and lotions
While they may not stop the extreme sagging, firming creams and lotions can still make a difference. Good deal of anti-cellulite products provide a solid anti-stretchmark effect, like the bioactive oils or cellu-sculpting gels. Finally, if you massage your skin with some baby from the very start of the diet, a good amount of its elastic potential will be preserved.
Surgical corrections
If nothing of the previous options can fix your problem in entirety, due to genetics or excessive amount of weight lost, you may need to explore some other options, like surgical removal and sculpting like butt cupping in Commack, NY or body contouring in Houston, TX.
If you have kept your new weight in check for a year and saggy skin is still there, you should check with your physician on how to proceed, and see whether your insurance covers it. If you decide on a surgical procedure, consult with the renowned cosmetic surgery professionals in Sydney and get a quality assessment.
Your successfully completed weightloss programme doesn’t have to be spoiled by the presence of loose skin. Follow a healthy diet and exercise plan, and consult a reputable surgeon for potential surgical corrections.
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