So you’re losing weight on your low carb diet and you’re finally seeing the results that you want but when you check yourself in the mirror, in spite of exercising, you notice some bumps and bulges on your legs, arms, and other parts of your body.
The unsightly saggy skin may be proof that you are successful in your weight loss goal but it can also be pretty annoying that you might end up having to hide your new, slimmer body instead of flaunting it.
How to tone your body after losing weight.
Eat Enough Protein
Some people who are following a low carb diet like the keto diet tend to focus only on eating healthy fats. They ignore protein, which is an important macronutrient for the ketogenic diet. What’s more, some studies show that a diet that’s rich in protein is associated with youthful appearance and healthy skin. According to an article in Muscleforlife.com,
Proteins are the primary building blocks of the body. They’re used to build tissues like muscle, tendon, organ, and skin, as well as many other molecules vital to life such as hormones, enzymes, and various brain chemicals.
This explains why low intake of protein could possibly lead to wrinkles, dryness of the skin, and poor elasticity. So if you want to improve the condition of your saggy skin, make sure you include enough protein in your low carb diet. In fact, not eating enough protein could sabotage your weight loss efforts.
Build Muscle
Even if you’re exercising regularly while following a low carb diet, there’s not a guarantee that your skin will not sag once you start losing weight. You must incorporate strength-training exercises in your workout routine if you want to tone your skin. Focus on the affected area to get the best results. For instance, if you’re seeing saggy skin in your upper arms, you can perhaps perform weight lifting exercises. That way, you’ll build the biceps and triceps beneath your arms giving your skin a more toned appearance.
An article featured at Livehealthy.chron.com explains how muscles can help to tighten the skin:
as your muscles grow and develop, they can fill the excess skin left from weight loss, stretching and smoothing the outermost layers of skin for a more even, youthful and healthy look
Stay Hydrated
Water is important in maintaining the elasticity of your skin. Experts recommend taking at least 2 liters of water every day. Drinking ample amount of filtered water all throughout the day can help to plump up your wrinkling and sagging skin. It works by restoring your skin’s elasticity. In fact, if you’re properly hydrated while on the low carb diet, there are fewer chances that your skin will be sagging.
Related reading: Boost Your Fat Loss Efforts By Drinking Water
Consume Gelatin
Gelatin is a kind of protein that comes from collagen, a type of protein that’s vital for healthy skin. Research shows that eating gelatin can help to simulate collagen production, which improves skin elasticity. For those who are following the ketogenic lifestyle, incorporating gelatin may not be easy since it’s mostly found in desserts and sweets, which should be avoided on a low-carb diet. Your best option is to take gelatin or collagen supplements. (more on this soon!)
Conclusion
It could take a while before you can tone your skin especially if you’ve lost a good amount of weight. But if you follow the tips above, you should be able to improve the condition of your skin in no time. Aside from the tips above, there are many other things that you can do to keep your skin from sagging such as eating lots of fruits and vegetables, avoid smoking, and apply natural, non toxic, lotions and moisturizers that can help to tighten your skin.
