Loose, saggy skin… I didn’t notice how much there was until this past week, and now I can’t unsee it. Every time I look in the mirror my eyes divert to the skin on my arms, belly, and thighs. I look at pictures of myself and my eyes shoot to those areas, and I start picking apart my appearance. But the pictures with loose skin also reveal a confident, happy, active woman. Part of my weight loss journey includes loose skin, but instead of being ashamed, discouraged, or upset about it, I’m focusing on how far I’ve come. My loose skin is a badge of honor. It shows my perseverance, my commitment to myself, and reminds me that I’d rather have loose skin than be how I was before.
Weight loss, especially if you have a lot to lose, can result in saggy skin in certain areas. While we can’t stop it from happening there are things that can help lessen the loose.
Physical activity, including strength training and aerobics, help to tighten and tone the muscles underneath.
Eating a diet full of lean protein prevents muscle loss and increases muscle gain.
Water, Water, Water! Drinking 8 glasses of water a day keeps your skin well hydrated.
Slow weight loss. We all want to lose the weight quickly, but slower weight loss allows for the body to respond and adapt which can reduce the amount of loose skin.
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