How do I get rid of CELLULITE?

Ugh. Cellulite. I get questioned frequently about how to get rid of it.

Bad news: you can’t. Not completely...or at least not without undergoing expensive and potentially invasive procedures, or achieving a ridiculously low level of body fat (which isn’t healthy for a woman).

There is good news, but before I get to it, let's first discuss what cellulite is exactly. Cellulite is subcutaneous fat (fat under the skin) that has broken through a collagen layer and is being pressed against the skin, creating a lumpy appearance.

Ninety percent of all women have cellulite! Women are supposed to carry more fat on their body, and because cellulite is a type of fat deposit, it's almost unavoidable that we'd have some cellulite! How much cellulite you have is partially hereditary. If your mother had a lot of cellulite, you are more likely to have more as well.  Cellulite is also a problem of aging: as we age, cellulite tends to increase due a drop in estrogen levels. Lower estrogen affects our elastic tissues through the break down of collagen and elastin. This change in hormones is also one of the main reasons our skin wrinkles and hair and nails become more brittle as we age.

Back to cellulite...we all have it. I have cellulite….and plenty of it. Life isn’t all roses and butterflies, so I won’t tell you that I have learned to love my cellulite. I haven’t. But I have learned to accept that it’s there, that it’s supposed to be there, and I’ll never get rid of all of it.

You can't change the fact that you’re a woman. You can’t change your genetics. Most of us can’t afford expensive procedures that can reduce cellulite.

That said, I’m certainly not telling you to fully embrace the cottage cheese and go down without a fight! Let's forget about the stuff we can't change and focus on what we can!

The good news: you CAN reduce the appearance of cellulite and I’m going to tell you how:

NUMBER ONE: Lose the fat, build the muscle. I think it’s reasonable to assume that if cellulite is a type of fatty tissue, and if you are overweight (carrying excessive amounts of fatty tissue), you’re going to have more cellulite. So the number one way to reduce the appearance of cellulite is to lose body fat….but not muscle! Fat loss causes the fat cells to shrink, which will reduce the appearance of cellulite. But don’t forget the weight training! Building the underlying muscles will help lift and shape, giving you the appearance of smoother skin.

NUMBER TWO: Hydrate. Poor hydration prevents the body from releasing excess fat and other waste products. This can lead to more fatty deposits and generally poor skin appearance. Hydrate well and your body will function better overall. You’ll have better looking skin and you’ll reduce the appearance of cellulite.

NUMBER THREE: Put good in, get good out. There are no topical creams that trump DIET when it comes to the appearance of your skin. This is true for blemishes, wrinkles, age spots, AND cellulite.

Stop wasting your money on topical creams and potions and spend it in the produce aisle at the grocery store! Vegetables, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats contain nutrients, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that are essential for fat loss and beautiful skin, hair, and nails! Reduce the amount of sugar and inflammatory foods (i.e. processed junk) in your diet and you will see an overall improvement in your appearance!

NUMBER FOUR: Improve circulation and reduce fluid retention. The aforementioned three points (fat loss, hydration, and diet) are prerequisites to reducing cellulite. But you can also reduce the appearance of cellulite by increasing circulation through other means like massage and dry brushing. Practiced regularly, these can reduce the appearance of cellulite by loosening the bands of tissue that press the fat deposits against the skin. In addition, dry brushing and massage stimulate circulation and help rid your body of excess fluids, helping to “shrink” the fat cells and creating the appearance of smoother skin.

Never tried dry brushing? Check out this short how-to video:

NUMBER FIVE: Wear non-restrictive clothing. Do your undergarments (bras, underwear, socks) leave lines on your skin? If so, they’re too tight. This traps fluid in your extremities and prevents the elimination of excess fluid and waste products. In some cases, clothing can be tight enough to cut off blood circulation as well. When this happens, your fat cells stay plumped up worsening the appearance of cellulite. Try to find undergarments that don’t push into your skin, go “commando” when you can, and use the dry brushing technique before going to bed to help get those fluids moving.

NUMBER SIX: Consider supplementing with collagen, or make your own bone broth. I’m always cautious about recommending supplements because most people will ignore the rest of the stuff I just said and think this ONE thing is going to solve their problem. Adding supplements should be the LAST on your list of things to try! There’s no magic bullet: if you’re eating junk and not exercising regularly, you’ll NEVER lose the fat, you’ll NEVER get healthy, and you’ll ALWAYS struggle with your weight and skin. Period.

NUMBER SEVEN: Don't put your life on hold. This is by no means and afterthought and may be the most important point of this whole article: don't let your feelings about your body dictate what you do in life. So you're carrying some extra weight or you have cellulite....so what? Who cares? Put on the damn bathing suit and go have fun with your kids! They're going to remember the mom who swam and played games with them....they'll remember your confidence...they won't remember that you had cellulite on your butt.

 

THANKS FOR VISITING MY BLOG AND WEBSITE! 

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