If you’re going through a weight loss journey and seeing some positive results in shedding pounds, you may also notice loose skin or fat accumulating. Our skin is a stretchable organ and it’s totally normal that this is happening, but many of us may want to lose this excess baggage clinging on to us. But is it fat and loose skin? We’ll help you figure that out through this article, along with workout tips that can help you achieve better body and skin health!
Understanding Loose Skin and Body Fat
Let’s first get into what loose skin is. It’s the skin remaining from a weight loss process that’s had a significant impact on the body and is often the byproduct of obesity [1]. Some body parts may have such saggy skin more than the other due to how weight is distributed across the body.
Body fat on the other hand can primarily be found under the skin and covering organs. There are various kinds like subcutaneous fat, visceral fat, essential fat, brown fat, and more [2]. It is essential to understand the difference to know how you can tackle the issue with the right diet and exercise routine.
Distinguishing Between Loose Skin and Fat
One of the easiest ways to identify if you have loose skin or fat is through pinching loose skin. Just pinch an area of your body with two fingers and pay attention to how it feels. If there doesn’t seem to be much within the fold of skin you’re pinching, it is likely to be loose skin. Excess fat under the skin is harder to pinch, while loose skin can easily be pulled from the body. For a professional opinion, you can also go through a caliper test to be more accurate.
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Health Implications of Excess Skin and Fat
Different health concerns are associated with both these conditions. Maintaining the skin’s elasticity is crucial for preventing loose skin, and this can be achieved through proper hydration, nutrition, and physical activity:
Loose Skin
Loose skin indicates a decline in collagen and its elastic quality, and this is often a product of rapid weight loss. It can be seen in the form of sagging skin and folds wrapped around the body, and these folds can be a breeding ground for bacteria and infections because they trap sweat and moisture. Skin naturally loses elasticity when age is a factor too.
Excess Fat
There are quite a few health consequences that one might go through from having fat underneath the skin and covering the organs. It’s especially concerning if it’s visceral fat as it can lead to extreme inflammation, insulin resistance, and you’re also at a higher risk of being affected by cardiovascular diseases.
Recommended diet for these health issues:
The Ultimate 21-Day Anti-Inflammatory Diet [PDF]
7-Day Low Cholesterol Diet Plan That is Simple and Nutritious!
Managing Loose Skin and Excess Fat
There are quite a few things you can do to prevent your body from experiencing either of these conditions, and we’ve highlighted the main strategies.
Reducing Body Fat through Exercise
Physical activity is essential for maintaining body and skin health, and of course in ensuring that you burn those calories. Managing healthy weight is the most important part for keeping off excess fat. When you lose weight, it does not eliminate loose skin but ensures that there’s no excess fat reserves. For increasing your body’s metabolic rate and shedding off those excess subcutaneous body fat, we recommend cardio and strength training exercises:
Fat Burning Cardio Workout
Fab Abs and Glute Sculptor
Full Body Workout for Beginners
Hydration with a Balanced Diet
Hydrating yourself consistently can go a long way towards maintaining your skin’s elasticity and helping to prevent loose skin. Both loose skin and excess fat will be considerably impacted when you incorporate a nutritious diet into your routine. Not only will it provide you with a calorie deficit for weight loss, but by including proteins, vitamins, and minerals in your daily food, you will also see visible improvement in your skin and metabolic health.
Aesthetic procedures for tightening loose skin and removing excess fat
Of course, if you choose the surgical route, you have a couple of options, too. A tummy tuck, or abdominoplasty, is a popular one that removes excess skin and fat in the abdominal region to create a more defined region. You can also explore non-surgical skin tightening procedures like laser skin tightening, radiofrequency therapy, and ultrasound skin tightening.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has given you the insight you needed on loose skin vs fat. In your journey to lose weight, it is important to pay attention to what’s happening to your body and take the necessary measures for your individual health concerns. For more diet and workout tips that can help you achieve your fitness goals, check out the JustFit app!
