Skin surgery is often done to remove excess skin and fat from certain areas of the body. A tummy tuck, for example, zeros in on the fat found in the belly. This and any other surgical procedure, however, come with risks. Not only do you increase your chances of scarring, blood clots and infections, but you also could waste a lot of money if the surgery is not successful. Instead, stick to a safe weight loss procedure that involves discipline and smart lifestyle decisions.
Step 1
Decrease your intake of calories. Cut back by 500 to 1,000 calories a day. This will lead to one to two pounds of weight loss a week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A gradual weight loss is easier to maintain and allows time for your skin to adapt to your new shape.
Step 2
Add more fiber to your diet to fill up your belly and maintain fullness after you are done eating. Eat fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, whole grains and whole grain products.
Step 3
Eat breakfast as soon as you wake. Prepare a bowl of oat bran cereal with low-fat milk and berries, or whip up an egg white omelet with chopped vegetables and whole wheat toast. Eating breakfast will set you on course to make healthy eating choices all day, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Step 4
Curb your appetite by eating more frequently. Eat small, balanced meals every two or three hours during the day after you eat breakfast. This will also boost your energy levels. Apple slices with peanut butter spread across the tops is a meal example.
Step 5
Eliminate liquid calories from your diet. Give up the mocha lattes, milk shakes, slushies, processed fruit drinks, sweetened teas, soda and alcoholic beverages. Choose water as your main beverage to keep your calories regulated and to properly hydrate your body.
Step 6
Make healthy eating choices when dining out. Pass on the loaded baked potatoes, deep fried foods, heavy cream sauces and high-calorie dressings. Order food that is steamed, broiled or baked. Ask for sauces on the side, and use them sparingly.
Step 7
Do some form of cardiovascular exercise to tone your body as you lose weight. Choose a form of cardio that you like and will stick with, such as brisk walking, jogging, inline skating, step aerobics, kickboxing, racquetball and swimming. To lose weight, the American College of Sports Medicine recommends 60 to 90 minutes of cardio exercise, five days a week.
Step 8
Lift weights to build muscle and increase your resting metabolic rate. Do exercises such as push-ups, lateral raises, lat pulldowns, triceps kickbacks, biceps curls and lunges to target all of your major muscle groups. Aim for 10 to 12 reps, do three or four sets and work out two or three days a week.
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