You’ve given up on short sleeves, you hide them all year round, they make you deeply self-conscious… Your arms! Chubby shoulders, rounded arms, padded elbows — everything you can’t stand! But don’t lose hope. There are a few tricks to slim down your arms… and here they are!
Why do we have rounded arms?
There are many reasons why your arms might be a little on the fuller side.
It may first of all come down to an innate body shape characteristic. Women with an “android” body type (typically H or V shapes) tend to gain more volume in the upper body: abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms. So it’s not uncommon to see slightly fuller arms in these women.
Rounded arms can also be the result of poor overall lifestyle habits, including a diet that’s all over the place, combined with a lack of physical activity. Slowly but surely, the body starts to round out. And while some women gain weight on their hips, others gain it on their arms…
Age also plays a role in how your arms look and feel. During menopause, the drop in female sex hormones leads to a shift in fat distribution. Typically, women gain weight in the upper body, arms included. On top of that, age also causes skin quality to deteriorate: it becomes less elastic, less firm and less hydrated. The result? Arms that round out and start to sag — that dreaded “bat wing” effect nobody wants…
Finally, rounded arms can be caused by excess water retention. Because yes, water retention, when widespread, can absolutely affect the arms. It’s more commonly noticed in the legs, thanks to gravity. But it’s not (that) unusual to see oedema in the upper body, with swelling in the arms and fingers.
What can you do to slim down your arms?
Fortunately, every problem has a solution! To effectively slim your arms, here are some valuable tips.
1- Focus on your diet
A diet that’s too rich and/or unbalanced contributes to overall weight gain. And if you naturally tend to store fat in the upper body, you can be sure you’ll end up with rounded — or even noticeably larger — arms. So it’s worth taking a closer look at what you eat, and perhaps committing to a more balanced approach that suits your needs.
- Opt for a simple, varied diet built around fruit and vegetables, lean proteins (poultry, fish, plant-based proteins…), and complex carbohydrates with a low GI (legumes, root vegetables, whole grains, pseudo-cereals).
- Cut out processed foods, sugary treats (cakes, sweets, spreads) and fatty foods (hard cheeses, cured meats, crisps) from your diet.
- Read labels carefully to spot hidden sugars (glucose syrup, fructose syrup, maltose…).
- Cook your own meals — that way, you know exactly what you’re eating.
- Make smart food combinations (for example, pair carbohydrates with green vegetables) and stick to a good eating rhythm (3 to 4 meals a day, in reasonable portions).
- Watch out for salt, which worsens water retention. Avoid cured meats, cheeses, and processed ready-made foods — even those that seem healthy (we all know the classic example of carton soups!). Reach for spices and fresh herbs instead.
2- Stay hydrated!
To slim your arms (and slim down in general!), staying properly hydrated is essential. But hydration should come primarily from water. Why? Because drinking water supports the slimming process. A well-hydrated body naturally tends to de-puff and refine. What’s more, water retention is actually made worse by dehydration: when the body is short on water, it holds onto more. It’s simple mechanics! You can also enjoy healthy drinks like tea, herbal infusions, or even a freshly made fruit juice. And if you’re looking for draining or fat-burning drinks, we have a few options for you:
- Our Slimming Fat-Burning Tea, a must-have that supports digestion and gives your day a boost!
- Our Slimming Fat-Burning Drainer, packed with caffeine, with a lipolytic action that’s relentless on fat!
- Our 3-in-1 Cellulite Drainer, which helps flush out toxins and limit water retention.
3- Move every day
Diet is great, but you’ll also need to get moving! To slim your arms, there’s no secret — you need to work that area of your body as much as possible. When it comes to arms, this shouldn’t be too hard, since we use them every day! But you can step things up a notch, for example:
- On your way back from the shops, grab two water bottles, one in each hand, and do some improvised dumbbell exercises.
- Why not set up a frisbee or volleyball session with your kids or your partner?
- Do regular arm stretches while working at your computer, reading or watching TV.
- Don’t hesitate to add a few half push-ups to your daily routine. Lean against a table, a worktop or the back of the sofa, and do small sets of 10. It’s easy, takes 2 minutes, and the results are undeniable!
4- Sport galore
Are you naturally sporty and not afraid of a good workout? Great news! Sport will not only help you slim your arms, but also tone the muscles in them. To do so, focus on activities that engage the triceps, biceps and deltoids: swimming, combat sports (judo, boxing, kendo…), Nordic walking (a brisk walk with poles), basketball, handball, racket sports, weight training… You’re truly spoilt for choice! Also know that regular arm-focused fitness exercises can help you sculpt them. The ideal approach: use a resistance accessory, like our fitness resistance band, available in our Sculpting Programme.
5- Targeted skincare
What about cosmetic treatments? They too can help slim your arms, especially when paired with daily massage. We’ve got you covered here as well!
- Try our Firming Arm Spray, a game-changing formula enriched with Red Vine and Blueberry extracts, specially designed to combat skin sagging and firm up your arms. With 99.9% naturally derived ingredients, this spray works effectively to slow down skin ageing on the arms. Its unique formula not only strengthens the skin but also firms it, while stimulating collagen production. Its lightweight texture absorbs instantly, leaving no greasy residue — making it incredibly easy to use every day!
- If you tend to retain water in the upper body (arms, hands, fingers, eyelids that puff up at the slightest thing), our Cryo Cellulite Cream can be a real ally. Its rich, velvety texture deeply nourishes the skin, while a cooling effect stimulates microcirculation. Pair application with a massage: start at the hand and use smoothing strokes towards the armpit to encourage lymphatic flow.
After following this kind of routine, we’re confident you’ll notice slimmer, and above all firmer, arms!
