Loose skin is more of a cosmetic issue than health risk. This excess skin generally is noticed when a high amount of weight is lost at a rapid pace. Because the stomach is a common area where fat is stored, it often becomes the site of hanging skin. Although you cannot do much for the skin itself, you can build up the abdominal muscles underneath to make it look taut. Incorporate weights into your exercises to increase the emphasis on your muscles.
Hanging Leg-Hip Raise
The goal with your exercises is to do variations that recruit your entire abdominal area. Hanging leg-hip raises target the lower area of the abs. You need a pullup bar or some other horizontal object to hang from for these. Grab the bar with a shoulder-width, overhand grip and let your legs hang straight down. Keeping a dumbbell pinched between your feet, pull your legs up, bend your knees and move them toward your chest. Once you have gone as far as possible, hold for a second. Slowly lower your legs and repeat. If you struggle with the dumbbells, strap on a pair of ankle weights.
Side Bend
Side bends place most the emphasis on the obliques, which are on the sides of the stomach. Stand with your feet hip-width apart and hold a dumbbell in your right hand with your arm hanging straight down at your side. After placing your left hand on your hip or the side of your head, bend laterally to your right as you lower the weight. Rise back up in a steady motion, repeat for a set of reps and switch sides. Make sure to keep your lower body still throughout.
Russian Twist
Russian twists work the entire abdominal area, and they are performed from a partially seated position on the floor. Before you begin, grab a weight plate, dumbbell or medicine ball. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you, knees bent and back about 45 degrees to the floor. While holding the weight at arm's length in front of your chest, twist your torso to your right and move the weight to the right. Hold for a second, twist to your left and continue to alternate back and forth. If your feet are lifting up, brace them under a weight machine or other secure object.
Stability Ball Crunch
Stability ball crunches zero in on the upper part of the abs. Begin in a face-up position on the ball with your head and shoulders slightly raised and a medicine ball held straight above your chest. Keeping your arms extended and lower body still, move your torso forward and push the ball toward the sky. Squeeze your abs forcefully for a second, slowly lower yourself down and repeat.
Medicine Ball Bicycle Crunch
A bicycle crunch works the entire abdominal area from a face-up position on the floor. Lift your legs, bend your knees and level your shins to the floor. While holding a medicine ball in front of your chest, lift your head and shoulders so you are looking straight ahead. Quickly twist to your right side as you move your left elbow and right knee toward each other. Fully extend your left leg as you do this. Change your direction to target your other side and continue to alternate back and forth in a steady motion.
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