Losing excess pounds so you can reach and maintain an adequate weight offers a wide range of physical and mental health benefits. While it can significantly increase your quality of life, you may be concerned about how to avoid sagging. The good news is that you can take practical and simple steps to keep your skin firm during and after weight loss. And if you are unsure of how to implement them, you can also reach out to medical professionals to receive personalized advice to help you achieve your weight goals while enjoying tight skin.
Lose Weight Gradually
You may be tempted to lose weight rapidly, but it may not create the results you are looking for. If you lose weight too quickly, it can also increase sagging as you are not giving enough time to your body and skin to adjust to those weight changes.
Crash diets can be detrimental to your health, including your skin, and you should avoid this type of solution. If you need to lose a significant number of excess pounds and want to achieve quicker results, you should work with a doctor to find a safe option.
Eat a Balanced Diet
A key thing to remember when losing weight is your diet. While you often need to lower your calorie intake, you need to be mindful of the types of food you are consuming. Eating a balanced diet with all the necessary vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients helps you improve your health and slim down your silhouette.
Understanding what type of foods you should eat on a regular basis, implementing meal planning, and mindful eating, can all make a positive difference in enjoying and sustaining a balanced diet during and after your weight loss.
Build Muscle
Engaging in regular physical activity is another foundation for weight loss and healthy living. Building muscle supports your whole body and helps tone your silhouette, which in turn helps keep your skin firm over time.
In addition to core workouts, you can also engage in exercises that target the muscles in the areas where you are concerned about developing sagging, such as your upper arms. To ensure proper technique, you may consider attending classes or working with an experienced fitness instructor if you are new to this type of physical training.
Stay Hydrated
Drinking enough water supports your overall health. An appropriate daily intake is important for many body functions and the elasticity and quality of your skin. It also participates in the regulation of your body’s temperature and can improve physical performance.
Be Consistent with Your Skin Care Routine
Taking care of your skin with high-quality products on a daily basis plays a central role in maintaining your skin’s health, including when losing weight. Addressing any skin concerns and keeping your skin moisturized participates in supporting its firmness over time, including during weight loss.
If you are unsure what products to use, you should consult a dermatologist to receive a detailed and accurate evaluation of your skin needs. If you need to treat a specific condition or find products specific to your age, a dermatologist can share recommendations and practical tips.
For example, your body’s natural production of collagen decreases with age, which can cause a reduction in firmness, and weight loss may aggravate it. Your dermatologist can suggest both skin care products and targeting treatments to boost your collagen production again and maintain your skin’s tightness during your weight loss journey.
Wear Sunscreen Every Day
While you may associate sunscreen with summertime, the UV rays can damage your skin any time during the year. Extended and unprotected sun exposure can cause premature aging with the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging.
Although you should wear sunscreen every time you go outside no matter the season, choosing a product with at least an SPF 30, you should be especially mindful of that if you are working on losing weight. In addition to consistent skin care and a healthy lifestyle, sunscreen can support your skin’s health and keep it tight as you work towards a slimmer silhouette.
Work with a Weight Loss Professional
If you are unsure of how to implement healthy habits or your previous attempts at losing weight on your own have not yielded the results you were looking for, you should consider working with a professional. Medical weight loss can ensure that you follow a diet and exercise plan that considers your health history and any current conditions.
A weight loss professional can hold you accountable and provide valuable education on healthy eating and living to help you implement and sustain helpful habits in the long term. If you have any dietary restrictions or any physical limitations, your provider can tailor a weight loss plan to your specific needs.
Are you looking for medical weight loss solutions in Covington, Metairie, or Harvey? Call Soza Weight Loss today at (504) 475-9817 or use our online form to schedule an appointment!