How to Get Rid of Loose Skin After Dieting
Losing a significant amount of weight is a wonderful achievement that should be celebrated. But often times when the weight is lost, loose skin can develop in different areas. The way to remedy this situation is not to panic and get frustrated. Just like losing weight, the fix doesn't take place overnight. It takes time, discipline, devotion and following a few key steps that involve exercise and lifestyle adjustments.
Instructions
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How to Get Rid of Loose Skin After Dieting
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Do some circuit training. This type of weight training will work all the major muscle groups and will build lean muscle that can help keep the skin taut. Some examples of exercises are dumbbell chest presses, dumbbell front press, dumbbell back rows, overhead tricep extensions, bicep curls and lunges. Perform these exercises one right after the other with 45-second rest periods between each.
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Drink plenty of fluids. Just like the body, the skin needs to be well hydrated too. To do this, drink plenty of water and eat fruits and vegetables that are hydrating. According to medical experts, you should drink 64 oz. of water daily (see link in Resources). Drinking water can also keep your muscles hydrated which can lead to a better response when exercising.
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Exfoliate your skin. Skin is made up of many skin cells that die and fall off. To promote circulation and new skin growth, exfoliating can be done. To perform this procedure, stand in the shower, apply an exfoliating cleanser to a body brush and then work the brush in circular motions over the site of the loose skin. When you do this, start at the lowest areas of your body and work your way up.
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Promote collagen by taking vitamins. Collagen is a protein substance in the skin that gives it its elasticity and strength. There are several vitamins that are beneficial to the development of collagen and they include Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, aloe vera, yeast extract and zinc.
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Work the core. The stomach is one of the most common areas where loose skin can be seen after weight loss. The muscles in the abdomen can be targeted to help strengthen the muscles and tighten this area up. Some examples are planks, dead bug crunches, crunches and leg raises.
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Get surgery done. You can also get surgery done to remove the excess skin that has accumulated on your stomach and repair the muscles underneath that might be damaged. This procedure is called a "tummy tuck" or "abdominoplasty."
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Tips & Warnings
Using dumbbells for your weight training will help recruit more muscle fibers. Also, do high reps with moderate weights. Aim for 15 to 20 reps.
If you get a tummy tuck, the procedure lasts about 2 to 5 hours. You can also expect to be out of work for 3 weeks or longer while you recover.
