10 Effective Ways to Lose Fat on Your Face

Shedding calories is a tremendous task in itself, let alone getting rid of fat in a specific area of the body. But in the same breathe, it ain't impossible. 

It's imperative that we remind ourselves, time and again, that while something may seem extremely hard to achieve, it's far from unachievable or even unrealistic. Speaking of 'hard to achieve', facial fat is possibly the most troubling, besides being the most obviously noticeable kind of weight gain! "Truthfully, in my experience it appears that when most gain some extra bodyweight, it is first shows up on their faces," claims Zoe Modgill, fitness expert. "Whether it's water retention, weight gain, or loose skin, I firmly believe that re-working and altering specific lifestyle habits can go a long way in achieving a firmer, brighter, shapelier, and happier face," she adds. 

Wanna cut some calories on your chubby cheeks and double chin soon turning triple? Here are 10 Zoe Modgill-approved ways to do so:

1. Glug on!

Consuming at least 3 litres of water a day is recommended. "By doing so, you won't solely promote healthy digestion, but will also keep both your skin and body happy and hydrated, while keeping infections at bay. Optimal water intake boosts metabolism, decreases fluid retention, and also reduces facial puffiness and bloating," states Zoe. In short, if you want to secure the elasticity of your skin, drink up.

2. Eat a healthy range of nutritious foods that will fuel up your body

 "Healthy fats that can be derived from foods such as avocado, coconut oil, nuts and seeds are a must. Along with fats, consumption of green, leafy veggies is encouraged. A minimum of 10 different varieties of fruits and vegetables should be consumed through the week to get your gut microbiome working in full force. Additionally, be mindful when picking water-rich foods including cucumbers and melons to remove unwanted toxins from the body. Besides setting up fast metabolism, vegetables including tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, and pumpkin will also help increase collagen production, the secret to soft, supple skin." 

3. Cut down all things sweet and salty

Sugar and sodium are the killers when exploring reasons responsible for weight gain. "To maintain a balanced diet and avoid bloating, consciously reduce your sodium intake. Facial puffiness and bloating due to fluid retention can be blamed for making the skin look fatter and older. By avoiding excess savoury snacks and sugar foods and substituting them with a healthy diet, not only are you combating bloating, but are also focusing on your overall well-being," informs Zoe.

4. Reduce alcohol consumption

Unfortunate, but worth the sacrifice. Zoe believes that alcohol is a primary cause for weight gain. "Given it's high in calories and extremely low in nutrients, alcohol can further increase facial fat and swelling. It’s important you keep your alcohol intake minimal if you want to control your body weight and facial fat," she adds. Believe it or not, they say that alcohol has the power to pause any fat burning capabilities of the body for the next 46 hours post consumption!

5. Fix your body posture

Yes, this needs work. Contrary to popular belief, an incorrect posture not only affects our back and spine but also our face! For instance, did you know that staring at your phone screen with your head too low can give way to a double chin? Ugh, yes. "By repeatedly adopting the wrong posture, your neck and face muscles eventually weaken and the skin in the area loses its elasticity. Ensure that you sit upright, keep your back straight, and core engaged at all times. If required, place your phone or laptop at a height so that you don’t need to lower your head far too much," she states. 

6. Don't forget the exercise

All said and done, while you may fix your diet and attain the right posture over time, it will fail to be complete without introducing some form of workout. "Both cardio and strength, a minimum of 5 times a week! These types of workouts boost metabolism, promote fat burning, and will help you lose weight and fat in the neck and face area, besides of course the rest of the body," states Zoe. 

7. Don't skip on the SPF 

Zoe wishes she herself would've adhered to this cardinal rule. "While a slight double chin and facial sagginess are part and parcel of the ageing process, sun exposure does nothing but speeds things up! Application of a sunscreen, SPF 30 or higher is recommended. This will help tighten saggy skin, reducing premature signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles," she advocates.

8. Get adequate sleep

A minimum of 7-8 hours a night is ideal. "I also believe in the power of the power nap – during the day, a quick 20 minutes – it will keep you fresh and charged up inside-out."

9. Chew Gum 

This isn't something you haven't heard before. Chewing gum gets the jaw muscles working hard and also helps curb hunger! 

10. Say Cheese (mind you, not literal cheese)

One can never smile enough. "Smiling won’t just make your face more beautiful and you a lot happier, but it's also a way to exercise your facial muscles to help with skin elasticity and cutting of the double chin," informs Zoe.

Overall, its all a culmination of leading an appropriate lifestyle, engaging in adequate amounts of exercise, nurturing healthy habits, ensuring a balanced diet, and making an effort to smile just a bit more... Start today, any little bit adds up to a lot over time.