Stretching, not Exercising

    At the gym, you grow muscle, but muscle makes you weigh more.  I was the one with my family and I, going to the gym at 12 am in the morning, working out till we are pooped, and getting McDonald's French fries on the way back home.  Even without McDonald's, I rarely lost any weight. Remember this phrase, "It's all about the food".  All the exercises may not make you lose pounds.  

Why stretch after weight loss?

Stretching is not a primary method for losing weight, but it becomes crucial a few years after you've achieved your weight loss goals. While you should still do your jumping jacks, which are great for your body and allow you to truthfully tell your doctor you're exercising, stretching focuses on another important aspect: tightening loose skin.   

Because the weight is loss quickly, you get loose skin a few years after losing the weight.  On the bright side:  My low weight never changed.   I may get minimally invasive surgery to remove the extra skin. This section shares the specific stretches I do and other tips for toning your body.

Specific stretches for tightening and toning

Arm stretches

Perform these to build muscle in your arms:

  • Put your arm across your body and hold the elbow for 20 seconds, then switch arms.
  • Bend your elbow and place your arm behind your back, holding the elbow for 20 seconds, then switch arms.

Mom's secret stretch

  • To create an hourglass figure, twist your waist, turning side to side. Try to look all the way behind you. Do 20 twists.

Dad's secret stretch

  • To tighten the side roll around your waist and back, stretch your arm up into the air above you with your hand open and stretched out. Tilt your head to the opposite side of your arm. Hold for 20 seconds. Do both arms, performing 20 repetitions for each side.

Flat stomach

  • For your tummy area!  Push and pull your stomach in and out 20 times.  Your stomach should flatten soon, although it may have loose skin at the bottom.  In the future, I plan on getting some minimally invasive surgery to remove excess skin.  

 

Tip: If you do these stretches, you may feel sore in the morning.

*20 seems like a wholesome number that is good to use.

 

Fitting stretches into your busy day

Incorporating stretching into your daily routine is simpler than you think, even if you're busy. You can do the recommended stretches and jumping jacks at the end of your day at home. If your job has a gym, you can utilize it there during the day. Personally, I perform my stretches when no one is around at home in front of the TV. It makes the time pass more quickly. The key is finding what works for you to make it a consistent habit.

Who benefits most from stretching for post-weight loss?

Focusing on stretches is primarily for the few years after you've already lost the weight. Initially, you won't need to prioritize these stretches. However, after rapid weight loss, your skin may become looser. While I believe I might consider minimally invasive surgery in the future to address excess skin.  The best part is that my weight itself has remained stable. This approach is ideal for those who have achieved their weight loss goals and are now looking to tone and tighten their bodies.