15 Aug Fending Off Loose Skin After Losing Weight

If you are trying to lose weight, you might be a bit concerned about the possibility of having excess skin leftover after you shed the extra pounds. Unfortunately, this is a very realistic concern to have, particularly if you undergo an operation or take other drastic action that results in rapid weight loss.

The good news is that you are not necessarily doomed to having extra skin hanging loosely around your body after you lose weight. The reality is that our skin is very elastic, which means it is able to stretch and to shrink according to your body size. Whether you gain weight from fat, a pregnancy or through bodybuilding, your skin has to stretch in order to accommodate this growth. It is this stretching that results in stretch marks and, if you lose the extra girth too rapidly, it is possible to leave stretched out skin behind.

When it comes down to it, the elasticity of your skin depends on a number of factors, including how old you are and your overall level of health. Furthermore, the longer you have been overweight and the amount of extra weight you were carrying will also play a part in determining how well your skin bounces back after you lose weight. Still, there are a few things you can do to help prevent excess skin from developing as you lose weight. These include:

·    Aim to lose only one to two pounds per week, as your skin is better able to adjust to a gradual weight loss
·    Work at reducing body fat while also increasing lean muscle at the same time, as this will help minimize the appearance of loose skin
·    Follow a nutritious diet that includes essential fatty acids, which can be found in flax seed oil and fish oil.

If you still develop loose skin after losing weight, you might want to consider undergoing surgery in order to remove the leftover skin. Of course, this something you will need to discuss with your doctor in order to make certain you are making the best decision for you and your health.