Avoiding Stretch Marks by Healthy Living
All women in at least one point in their lives develop stretch marks. Some individuals develop them due to genetics and others have unknown reasons. In fact, stretch marks don't only affect women, but they also affect men and any individual of any age. The best form of preventative measure has always been natural when it comes to avoiding stretch marks. Experts often recommend either taking/applying natural products on the skin, having a healthy diet and exercise regimen, or a combination of both.
To avoid stretch marks naturally, it is recommended that you exercise regularly. Exercising regularly helps tone your muscles and improves the elasticity of your skin. The more flexible your skin is, the less it is prone to tearing, scarring and eventually developing stretch marks. In addition to exercising, you should also eat more healthy food, particularly food that contain lots of protein, vitamin C and vitamin E. These components are known to stimulate good tissue growth and therefore have the ability to improve your skin's overall condition.
First, you need to identify the areas of your body where stretch marks often occur. Stretch marks usually develop in the butt area, thighs and stomach. These are where you should apply natural, topical creams that target stretch marks. However, it might also help to take basic, preventative steps to avoid stretch marks. These steps involve simple exercises and healthy eating.
Exercising maintains the firmness of your muscles, and therefore also keeps your skin firm. To target your stomach, where stretch marks are bound to develop, try some sit-ups. You can make it a goal to do 25 sit-ups each day to maintain firm skin in the stomach area. You may also try crunches and repeating them 10 to 20 times in a day. At first it may be a bit difficult to do those numbers but once you've done these exercises a number of times, you'll get more and more used to it. Not only will you be able to avoid stretch marks, but you'll also have a flatter stomach!
To target your legs, try some leg lifts and squats. Also incorporate very easy exercises such as walking and/or jogging. Anyone can go out for a walk so if you can move your legs, there's no excuse not to exercises regularly! Walking or jogging can also help improve your overall cardiovascular health. If you want to target your upper body, do some push-ups and aim for 25 reps.
Now let's talk about food. What should you eat to avoid stretch marks? The key here is to obtain as much antioxidants as you can. You can get lots of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables. Antioxidants can be found in lycopene, selenium, vitamin C and vitamin E. Because you are exercising regularly, your body will need better nutrition for everyday repairs your body needs. Researchers agree that a body that engages in lots of exercises will require additional antioxidants. Antioxidants fight against free radicals that naturally occur in the body. Free radicals are like the "left-overs" of cells in our body that are actually harmful when there are too much. They damage perfectly healthy cells and cause things like premature aging. You'd want to be able to get enough antioxidants so that your body can repair certain conditions like stretch marks.
Research is indicating that it is especially vitamin E that helps prevent stretch marks. Women who have just gone through pregnancy often take vitamin E supplements to repair damaged skin and eliminate stretch marks. Vitamin E specifically prevents rapid oxidation in the body that ultimately causes aging. Vitamin E makes the skin more elastic and promote the growth of new skin cells. Stretch marks are actually a form of scarring, where skin becomes tough and rigid. Because vitamin E helps skin become more flexible and boosts the production of new skin cells, it is able to treat as well as prevent stretch marks.
Looking for a way to avoid stretch marks? Learn the best tips for preventing stretch marks the natural way. Have them already? Discover a revolutionary way of stretch mark removal without laser surgery.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maia_Pells