A slimmer face can give you a more youthful and healthy appearance. There isn't a way to target the face for fat loss, but there are some things you can do to tone up facial muscles and reduce puffiness in the face. Generally though, to lose weight anywhere on the body you need to do cardio exercise. The good news is that you will see results in the face quickly. Aging expert Dr. Brent Ridge "Dr. Brent" says that the reason it seems like weight gets lost in the face more quickly than other areas is "all a matter of proportion and perception." There is less weight in the face to lose so you notice it first, but that's great if that's your goal. Dr. Brent is the vice president for healthy living for Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia.
Step 1
Start a diet chart or food journal to track how many calories you are consuming. Whatever your average calories are now is likely the number of calories you need to keep your current weight. Dr. John Anne says that, "If you want to lose weight of your face the most important thing is that you should cut down the intake of calories."
Step 2
Create a 500 calorie per day deficit, as recommended by Good Housekeeping and Dr. Brent. Split this up into 250 calories burned during exercise and a 250 calorie reduction from food. Try brisk walking or working out with a cardio DVD for 30 minutes daily. You can also hike, swim, or use your favorite cardio equipment. Skip sugary and calorie-laden beverages, says Dr. Brent, and drink water instead to reduce 250 calories. Another way to cut the 250 is to eat low-fat frozen yogurt instead of ice cream, says Good Housekeeping. These are good suggestions but just be sure to cut the calories regardless if you like ice cream or sodas.
Step 3
Drink a minimum of nine glasses of water a day. Use eight oz. glasses for water. Lack of water creates puffiness in the face, according to Good Housekeeping. Becoming euhydrated (the opposite of dehydrated) can reduce bloating in the face, and other areas of the body.
Step 4
Skip the salty snacks. Salt can also cause bloating. Watch out for soy sauce, chips, and pretzels. Buy the low-sodium version of soy sauce, as well as soups and chips if you must have some.
Step 5
Do facial exercises. One such exercise is to place your index fingers into the corners of your mouth and pull your mouth open slightly, like you are trying to pull your lips into a wide smile. Push your mouth muscles against your fingers for two seconds, and then push harder to close your mouth back to the starting position. Work up to two sets of 25 to 50 reps. See the Resource section below for more exercises.
Tips and Warnings
- Put some lotion on your face or a warm towel to moisten your skin before facial exercises.
Things You'll Need
- Diet chart
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