Losing weight is a common goal for many people, but the aftermath can be just as challenging as the weight loss itself. One of the most common problems people face after losing weight is excess skin on the stomach and other body parts. This skin can be unsightly and uncomfortable, and it can make it difficult to maintain your new figure.
Fortunately, you can do exercises to tighten your stomach skin after weight loss. These exercises will help to firm up the underlying muscles, which will help to reduce excess skin. Here are ten exercises that will help you achieve tighter stomach skin after weight loss.
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What Causes Saggy Skin After Weight Loss?
Saggy skin is a common problem after weight loss. When you lose weight, your skin stretches out and then shrinks back as you lose the fat that is supporting it. However, sometimes the skin doesn’t return to its original shape or size. This can happen for a number of reasons, including age, genetics, and lifestyle choices.
- Age is a major factor in skin elasticity. As you age, your skin produces less collagen and elastin, which are proteins that give your skin strength and flexibility.
- Genetics also play a role in skin elasticity. If your parents or grandparents have saggy skin, you’re more likely to have it.
- Finally, lifestyle choices can affect skin elasticity. Smoking, for example, decreases blood flow to the skin and damages collagen and elastin fibers. Sun exposure can also lead to saggy skin by damaging collagen and elastin fibers and increasing the breakdown of existing collagen.
10 Exercises to Tighten Stomach Skin
Mountain Climbers
Mountain climbers are a type of exercise that gets its name from the motions used to mimic the act of climbing a mountain. While it may seem like a simple movement, mountain climbers are actually a very effective full-body workout. They can help to improve cardio endurance, build muscle, and burn calories. In addition, mountain climbers are a low-impact exercise, which means they are easy on the joints.
- To do mountain climbers, start in a pushup position with your hands placed shoulder-width apart.
- Bring one knee up towards your chest, then quickly switch legs and bring the other knee up.
- Continue alternating legs as quickly as you can while keeping your back straight and core engaged.
- Try to do three sets of 20 mountain climbers.
Russian Twist
The Russian Twist is a type of exercise that works the abdominal muscles and obliques.
- To do this exercise, sit on the ground with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor.
- Lean back slightly, keeping your back straight.
- Place your hands on your thighs, palms down.
- Twist your torso to the right, then to the left. Repeat this motion for the desired amount of time or repetitions.
The Russian Twist can help to tone the abdominal muscles and improve core strength. In addition, this exercise can help to improve posture and balance. To get the most benefit from this exercise, be sure to keep your back straight and avoid rounding your shoulders. Breathe deeply as you twist, and focus on contracting your abdominal muscles. Start with a moderate number of repetitions and gradually increase as you become more comfortable with the movement.
Leg Lifts
Leg lifts are a great way to work your core muscles and improve your balance. Leg lifts have many benefits, including increased flexibility and stronger abdominal muscles. They also help to tone your legs and buttocks. In addition, leg lifts are relatively easy to do and can be done anywhere.
- To perform leg lifts, lie on your back with your legs straight. Slowly lift one leg up into the air, keeping your other leg flat on the ground.
- Keep your leg as straight as possible as you lift it up.
- Hold this position for a few seconds before slowly lowering your leg back down to the ground.
- Repeat with the other leg.
You can gradually increase the number of repetitions as you get stronger.
Reverse Crunch
While most crunches involve lying flat on your back and lifting your shoulders and head off the ground, a reverse crunch is done while lying on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the floor.
- To perform a reverse crunch, simply lift your hips off the ground and towards your chest, then lower them back down.
Unlike a traditional crunch, which works the abs primarily in the frontal plane (think: sit-ups), a reverse crunch works the abs in the transverse plane (think: oblique crunches). This makes it an excellent exercise for targeting those hard-to-reach lower abs. In addition, because the range of motion is smaller than in a traditional crunch, it’s a great exercise for beginners or those with limited mobility.
And because the movement is focused on the hips rather than the spine, it’s also a safe choice for people with back pain. Reverse crunches are best performed gradually and with control to avoid strain on the lower back. Start by doing 1-2 sets of 8-10 repetitions and work up to 3 sets as you get stronger. Add weight if needed by holding a plate or dumbbell against your chest.
Plank Hip Twist
Plank hip twist is an exercise that helps to strengthen the core and improve balance.
- To do the exercise, start in a plank position with your hands and feet shoulder-width apart.
- Keep your back straight and your core engaged as you twist your hips to one side, then back to the center.
- Repeat on the other side.
- You can make the exercise more challenging by adding a weight or by doing it on an unstable surface, such as a yoga ball.
- Start with three sets of 10 repetitions on each side and gradually increase as you get stronger.
There are many benefits to doing plank hip twists. The exercise helps to tone the muscles in the abdominal and low back regions. It also helps to improve balance and coordination. Additionally, plank hip twists help to improve spine stabilization and increase the range of motion in the hips.
As a result, exercise can help to reduce the risk of injuries in the lower back and hips. To get the most benefit from plank hip twists, be sure to keep your core engaged throughout the exercise and move slowly and controlled.
Plank with Knee to Elbow
Plank with Knee to Elbow is a great exercise for toning the core muscles. The move also works the arms, shoulders, and legs.
- Start in a pushup position to do a Plank with Knee to Elbow. Be sure to keep your back straight and avoid letting your hips sag.
- From there, raise your right knee to your right elbow. Return to the starting position and repeat with your left leg.
- Continue alternating sides for 30 seconds or more.
- To make the exercise more challenging, try holding it for 30 seconds or more.
Plank with Knee to Elbow is an excellent way to strengthen the core muscles. In addition to toning the abs, this move also works the arms, shoulders, and legs. For best results, be sure to keep your back straight and avoid letting your hips sag.
Wood Chopper
Woodchoppers are a great way to build muscle and improve coordination. The movements require the use of multiple muscle groups, which helps to build strength and power. In addition, the explosive nature of the movements helps to improve your speed and agility. Woodchoppers can also be helpful in improving your range of motion. Because you are constantly reaching up and across your body, you can help to increase the flexibility in your joints and muscles.
Finally, woodchoppers provide a great cardiovascular workout. The rapid movements help to get your heart rate up, which can lead to improved heart health.
- To do a woodchopper, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold a dumbbell in both hands.
- Bend your knees and hips so that your hips are lower than your knees. Explosively straighten your legs and swing the dumbbell up above your head.
- As you swing the dumbbell up, rotate your torso to the left so that the dumbbell ends up in front of your left shoulder.
- Reverse the motion, swinging the dumbbell back down and rotating your torso to the right.
- Continue alternating sides for 30-60 seconds.
Seated Leg Circles
Seated Leg Circles is an exercise that helps to improve flexibility and range of motion in the hips and legs. It also strengthens the muscles around the hips and knees.
- To do the exercise, sit on the floor with your legs extended straight in front of you. Place your hands on the floor beside you for support.
- Slowly lift your right leg off the floor and circle it clockwise.
- Continue for 10-15 circles before reversing direction.
- Repeat with your left leg.
You can also do this exercise standing up, using a chair or wall for support. Seated Leg Circles is a great way to improve mobility and reduce hip and leg stiffness. It can also help to prevent injuries in these areas.
Planks
Planks are a basic yet effective exercise that targets multiple muscle groups, including the abs, chest, and back. They can be done anywhere and require no equipment other than your own body weight.
- To do a plank, simply get into a pushup position and hold yourself up with your elbows tucked close to your sides.
- Your body should form a straight line from head to toe and maintain this position for as long as possible.
- The longer you can hold the plank, the more challenging it becomes.
There are many benefits to adding planks to your workout routine.
For one, they help to improve your posture by strengthening the muscles in your back and shoulders.
- Additionally, planks engage your core muscles and can help to improve your balance and stability.
- Furthermore, research has shown that planks can help to reduce back pain by strengthening the spine and promoting proper alignment.
- Finally, planks are an excellent cardio workout; holding a plank for just one minute can provide the same benefits as running at a six-minute mile pace.
Whether you’re looking to improve your physical fitness or relieve some back pain, planks are a great exercise to add to your routine.
Bicycle Crunch
The bicycle crunch is an abdominal exercise targeting the rectus abdominis muscle. This muscle is commonly referred to as the “six-pack muscle” due to its appearance.
- The bicycle crunch exercise is executed by lying on your back on the floor with your hands behind your head, and your knees bent at 90-degree angles.
- You then raise your shoulders off the floor and twist your torso to the left, bringing your right elbow to your left knee.
- You then repeat this motion to the other side.
The bike crunch is a great way to target the entire rectus abdominis muscle and the obliques. It is also a great exercise for those who are looking to improve their balance and coordination. To properly execute the bicycle crunch, be sure to keep your abdominal muscles tight throughout the entire exercise and avoid pulling on your neck with your hands. If you feel pain in your lower back, stop the exercise immediately and consult a medical professional.
Conclusion
These exercises are just a few of the many that can help to tighten your stomach skin. However, it is important to remember that exercise alone cannot make you fit. An effective fitness routine must also include a balanced diet and regular rest. Also, stop immediately and seek medical attention if you experience pain or discomfort during these exercises.