You made all the efforts of stopping yourself from munching on mindless calories, hitting the gym daily, and looking for tricks to fasten your journey to weight loss. After all the efforts you took for losing those extra kilos, it might come as a disappointment that now you have to work towards tightening your skin. No need to fret yet, as here is a guide which can help you in getting that envious figure.

1. Rules of weight loss

Ok, we know this is not of much use to those who have already lost weight, but we can’t ignore this point for those who still might be on the weight loss track or planning for one.Any weight loss regimen that promises quick loss must be avoided at any costs. Not only does the loss weight come back multiplied, the damage it does to your skin is beyond repair. Instead, opt for a routine that helps you to gradually lose weight over a period of time. This allows the skin enough time to cope with the change so that the sagging is minimal. So, lose the weight slowly and steadily, and that is the best way to win any race, right?

2. Eat for your skin

There are two components that help to keep your skin’s elasticity intact- elastin and collagen. So, start by adding protein-rich foods to your diet, like beans, tofu, cottage cheese, milk, fish, seeds and nuts that are great if you want to tighten loose skin. Also, add a lot of fresh fruits and vegetables to your list.

3. Stay hydrated

With the amount of exercise that you have been doing daily, it is important to keep yourself hydrated at all times. Hydrated skin is not only healthier but also more elastic. Drink plenty of water to compensate for the loss through perspiration. Remember, water is the best way to keep your skin healthy, smooth and happy. You can also eat healthy foods with high moisture content to increase water intake.

4. Keep it moisturized

One of the after-effects of weight loss are the stretch marks that appear due to constant stretching and sagging of skin. These stretch marks get itchy because of the dryness, and the more you scratch the more visible they become. Invest in a good moisturizer with vitamin E and collagen-promoting ingredients, to maintain skin elasticity. Moisturisation also ensures that your skin remains wrinkle-free for a longer duration. You can also use products consisting of aloe vera, cocoa butter, shea butter and soy protein, to boost collagen production.

5. Weight or strength training

If you are worried about the looking extra buff after intensive weight training, don’t be. You can always regulate the area of focus, and change the methods for resistance training.Weight loss not only helps to reduce fat in the body but also leads to loss of lean muscle mass. Go for strength training exercises that would help you to combine weight loss with the toned body. It works on the layer of muscles below the fat, which tends to sag due to weight loss. It is advised to perform strength training at least twice a week, which can include free weights, machines, and body weights.

Also Read: Effective Vegetable Soup Recipes for Weight Loss

BY M. DIVYA SRI