It’s been over two months since I started leading a healthier lifestyle. If you read my previous fitness update post, you already know why I started working out and which program I use. Basically, it’s a healthy mix of strength and cardio exercises that helps train the heart as well as slightly build up muscle mass, and I currently do the routine four times a week.
I’m happy to report that after coming to a lull a few weeks into the program, the number on the scale is finally moving again! For those of you who are already on a fitness path this is probably not a surprise, but I’ve never been into working out, so for me this experience is new. For a while I wasn’t even sure if this whole thing is working for me, it almost felt like I was doing it all for nothing, but as soon as I saw that number budge, the spark was once again reignited.
At this point I lost 6.5 lbs, and it does seem like a rather slow process, especially when I compare my results with people who spend a lot of time in the gym or have a very restricted diet, but you know, I’m still happy with what I’ve achieved. I’m okay with this gradual progress, and hopefully that means I’ll end up developing some good habits.
Anyhow, last time I said that I’ll be discussing the supplements in my next update, but instead I came up with a more exciting topic. After reading countless articles on weight loss I came across some personal stories that mentioned the overall loss of skin firmness as those pounds went away. While some very extreme cases could only be corrected through a surgical procedure, most of us can actually help our body adjust to these changes and minimize potential skin sagging and stretch marks.
Two words: massage and moisturize. Some people will tell you that certain lotions and potions are better than others to help the skin look firmer, but I personally think that all of them work just fine. I do prefer plain cocoa or shea butter, just because they make my skin feel good and have a pleasant aroma, but even on days when I use a random lotion off my beauty shelf, be it a fancy-schmancy Caudalie, or one of my drugstore favorites from Lubriderm, my skin just drinks it up. As long as you do it daily, that boost of moisture should help the skin bounce back and wrap your body tighter, preventing stretch marks and sagging.
Now, the massage part is trickier. Most of us have no idea how to do it properly, and trying to learn from online tutorials can take hours of practice. I much prefer handheld devices for the task, like the one I’m currently using: it’s made by Instrumental Beauty and called Cellulite Massager System. It delivers hundreds of pulsations every minute, and is best used in tandem with a slippery lotion or oil. I find these slightly pinching motions very pleasant and relaxing, and always use the device when I get out of the shower after the workout, while my body is still warmed up.
My kit came with a tube of chlorella-infused massage lotion, and if there’s one thing I learned from infomercials it’s that algae is really good for combating cellulite, or something like that. True or not, I am loving the results! As I slowly go down in dress sizes, my body is looking firmer and tighter, so my clothes not only fit better, they look better, too.
You can buy Instrumental Beauty Cellulite Massager System for $59.99 at Rite Aid pharmacies across the country, or online. At the time of this blog post Ebates offers 10% cashback at riteaid.com, so if you plan on hauling some drugstore goodies, this is a sweet deal to consider!
Have you tried any handheld body massaging devices? Do you have any tips on how to prevent stretch marks and increase skin firmness as those pounds go away? Let me know in the comments below!
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