What you need to know about that pesky double chin

If you’re reading this, you must be more than a little curious about that nasty bulge that forms under your chin. It doesn’t happen overnight and if you have a double chin, it doesn’t necessarily mean you are overweight.

While keeping most other parts of your body in good shape is somewhat straightforward, when it comes to getting rid of your face fat (a double chin or chubby cheeks) it’s not so easy, but rest assured you aren’t the only one positioning your face a certain way whenever your photo is being taken.

Lifestyle and diet can be part of the reason why you plump in your face and neck, but you should also know your genetics play a big role too.

For reasons unknown, a double chin tends to be more resistant to exercise than other parts of the body, which might explain why some have turned to science in order to treat the problem.

Years ago a popular way of getting rid of your double chin was to endure liposuction treatment, but now there is a non-invasive injectable by the name of Kybella that uses a molecule that breaks down dietary fat in our bodies.

However, cosmetic approaches aren’t for everyone.

Fortunately there are some simple exercises that can not only strengthen your neck, jaw and chin muscles but over time should remove that annoying double chin.

These exercises work on the muscle that runs from the jawline all the way to your shoulder:

• Open your mouth wide
• Pull your bottom lip tight over your bottom teeth
• Move your lower jaw up and down.

Repeat 5 to 10 times at first, adding repetitions as your facial muscles get stronger.

• In a standing or seated position, tilt your head back until you’re looking skyward
• Pucker your lips, as if for a kiss. Hold the pucker for 5 seconds
• Try to keep the other muscles in your face relaxed as you’re doing this exercise.

Neck rolls are also a good way of stretching the muscles of your neck, face and jaw.

• Begin by slowly and carefully moving your chin to one shoulder
• Allow your head to drop and slowly roll into a centre position
• Gently roll your head back up the other way, until your chin rests on the other shoulder.

Repeat 5 to 10 times per workout.

Is there a part of your body that bothers you? Do you suffer from a double chin?