If you have recently had a child or gone on a healthy diet that has helped you lose some excess weight, chances are you may have noticed that you have saggy, flabby skin on your body. There is nothing to be ashamed of, it happens to almost everyone.
But one thing that is for sure is flabby, saggy skin does not look appealing, especially when you want to wear summer clothing. The good news is that physical activity can help strengthen flabby skin.
Below you will find the top exercises that can help you strengthen flabby skin, and also help you tone the rest of your body.
Abdominal Area: Have you lost excess weight in your abdominal area, but are still looking for that washboard six-pack of abs? Well, the first step is to strengthen that flabby skin and tone up that stomach. One of the best exercises for that, according to Livestrong, is the plank saw. This exercise will help train your transverse abdominis. This muscle helps with your posture and will keep your internal organs tucked in tightly so your flabby skin doesn’t accentuate your lower abdomen. To do this exercise, place your forearms on the floor and hold your body rigid from your head all the way to your ankles. Then start to walk your feet towards your face as you begin to lift your butt towards the ceiling. Once you have created a triangle pose, slowly start to walk your feet back down until you are in the regular plank position.
Arm Area: If you have loose skin on the arms, the easiest way to strengthen and tighten it is with toning exercises, says Step to Health. The best toning exercise for the arms is also the best exercise for your chest, which is the push-up. You can do this exercise in the comfort of your own home, so you don’t need to waste any money going to the gym. If you have never done a push-up before, start by going on your hands and knees, with your hands shoulder-length apart. Since it’s your first time, keep your knees bent for stability. Then slowly lower your chest until it almost hits the floor, then use your arms to push it back up to the regular position.
Leg and Thigh Area: Step to Health recommends squatting in order to strengthen flabby skin that may be developing on your legs and thighs. They suggest that the best way to do this is with your back against the wall. If you have never done a free-weight squat before, simply have your feet at shoulder length apart, then bend your knees while keeping your back straight, and try and touch your butt to the ground. Then come back up to the regular position. Once you become more familiar with this exercise, you can start holding free weights while you do it.
Back Area: Michelle Kalisz, a fitness professional in New York City, who specializes in dance, Pilates, and yoga, says that one of the best exercises to strengthen flabby skin in the back is the swimming exercise. To perform this exercise, Kalisz says to start on your hands and knees with your arms in front of you. Begin to inhale as you lift your left arm and right leg at the same time. Exhale and then inhale again as you lift your right arm and left leg.
Neck Area: As you get older, your neck skin becomes weaker and looser. But Livestrong says that can be an easy fix with this neck rotation exercise. It will tighten and reduce neck fat. It’s a simple exercise; you can be sitting or standing. All you need to do is rotate your head as far as you can to the right side. Hold it there for several seconds before you return it to the center position. Then rotate it as far as you can to the left and hold that position for several seconds as well before returning it to the center. Repeat this exercise until your neck becomes tired.
Diet: According to Livestrong, eating nutrient-rich foods can help the skin elasticity and also decrease loose, saggy skin. Eating foods that have high levels of vitamin C can help aid collagen formation which is essential for tightening the skin. Also, healthy fats such as avocados, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and omega-3-rich salmon can help increase skin moisture and prevent stretching from occurring.
Stay Hydrated: Livestrong also suggests that you need to keep your body hydrated to get rid of that flabby, saggy skin. Hydrating your body helps maintain skin elasticity because dehydrated skin will become saggy and wrinkly. Water hydrates the skin cells and tissues that pump them up for a softer, smoother appearance. The recommended amount of water to drink per day according to Livestrong is between 8 to 10 glasses.
As you can see, to strengthen flabby skin, all it takes is dedication and the right exercises. Do not limit your exercise routine to these five exercises, as there are many more complementary exercises to add.
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