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Dieting & Loose Skin Problems:
How to Prevent Sagging Skin
So you’ve done it – you’ve
finally found a diet and exercise plan that really works, and you are
beginning to see significant results. Now that you are on the right path to
the body you have always wanted, there is one more thing you need to take
into consideration: what is going to happen to all that extra skin once the
fat is gone?
If you want to avoid looking like a shar-pei once you have reached your
weight loss goals, the following tips can help improve the elasticity of
your skin and prevent sagging.
1. Lose weight gradually.
Besides being unhealthy, rapid weight loss does not give your skin a chance
to adapt to the changes in your body. By losing weight more gradually, your
skin is better able to keep pace with your decrease in size.
Nutritionists recommend losing no more than a pound or two
per week in order
to allow your body to adjust to all the changes you are putting it through;
by doing so, you will not only give your skin a chance to keep up, you will
be far more likely to keep the weight off
permanently.
2. Build your lean muscle mass.
When you lose weight rapidly, you don’t only lose fat; you also lose some of
your lean muscle mass. Loss of the underlying muscle tissue can cause skin
to sag; by making toning exercises a regular part of your exercise routine,
you can add muscle tone and prevent the appearance of loose skin.
As an added bonus, remember that the
more muscle mass you have, the
more
calories you burn;
building up your lean muscle tissue can help you lose
more weight in less time.
3. Drink plenty of water.
Staying hydrated is an important part of
staying healthy; every part of your
system requires sufficient water to function properly. Your skin is no
exception; by following the old rule about drinking at least
8 glasses of
water per day, you help your skin to stay hydrated and maintain its natural
elasticity.
Avoid beverages like coffee, black tea and soda; these products act as
diuretics and can cause you to become dehydrated. Stick with pure water and
herbal teas in order to keep your skin smooth and firm.
4. Make sure you eat right.
If you are trying to lose weight, getting all the right
nutrients is
important to your overall success; you need plenty of fresh fruits and
vegetables, lean protein, and
whole grains – and don’t forget the essential
fatty acids that are necessary for heart health and brain function.
The healthy fats found in nuts, seeds, olive oils, avocadoes and
fish can
also help your skin adjust to your weight loss and stay looking firm and
youthful.
5. Avoid skin care products containing harsh chemicals.
Although you would expect the ingredients in skin care products to be good
for you, many conventional products contain chemicals that can actually be
damaging in the long term. Look for all-natural products such as cocoa or
shea butter to help your skin retain moisture and vitality.
6. Avoid yo-yo dieting.
There are many reasons why repeatedly gaining, then losing weight is bad for
you. Yo-yo dieting is dangerous for your health, and each time you repeat
the cycle, it becomes more and more difficult to keep the weight off.
Your skin also suffers from this unhealthy habit; each time you gain weight
and stretch your skin, it loses more of its natural elasticity and becomes
less resilient – imagine what happens when you blow up a balloon too many
times.
There are hundreds of products on the market that claim to tighten skin and
reduce the appearance of sagging and wrinkles; unfortunately, there is no
real proof that any of these creams and lotions really work. Your best bet
is to stick to a sensible weight loss program and follow the advice given
here in order to keep your skin looking healthy and toned.
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How to Remove Body Fat from Various Bodily
Areas
You must seek approval from your doctor
before starting any new diet.
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