So what is cellulite?
The down side
We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but unfortunately there is no way to fully get rid of this terrible skin condition. However! With the proper diet and exercise, a healthy life-style can in fact, minimize the appearance of your divots and dents. Just note, the longer you wait to tackle this problem, the harder it will be to get the results you want. As we age, our skin loses the elasticity that it once had, it becomes thinner, weaker, and less smooth, so when our weight fluctuates, our skin is unable to bounce back.
Okay, so there may not be a cure to get rid of this, but let’s delve into prevention.
Dieting
Avoid foods that are high in fat by loading up on fruits and veggies. If you are one of the many who are guilty of yo-yo dieting, then make sure you are prepared to make a serious lifestyle change. Don’t get discouraged, get excited! because you can minimize those unattractive dimples and dents in your butt! Munch on foods that are high in fiber and low in fat. Cellulite studies also suggest eating iodine rich foods can help rid of this unruly problem.
- Blueberries and blackberries
- Cherries
- Mangos
- Oranges
- Strawberries and raspberries
- Cranberries
- Grapefruit
- Apples
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
- Fennel
- Bell peppers
- Carrots
One of the main causes of cellulite is the storage of unwanted toxins. Unfortunately, we put these into our bodies every day. Drinking a sufficient amount of water helps to flush this waste out of our system. There is no excuse for not drinking enough water. If you are someone who doesn't drink enough water, buy a large water bottle and keep it with you throughout the day. Nutritional foods also help dispose of any unwanted toxins. Avoid processed and enriched foods by sticking with foods in there natural state. This will help you decipher the good from the bad. Take a potato for instance and compare it to a single potato chip. Notice the difference? Foods that have been processed into something far away from its natural form should be avoided.
Foods to avoid
- alcohol
- artificial sweeteners
- soda
- potato chips
- pickles
- caffene
- anything high in salt
- too much animal protein
*Notice that these foods listed above all cause dehydration and may be the culprit for your cellulite*
Because cellulite is caused from trapped fat, building muscle through strengthening exercises is a great (and perhaps the most effective) way to diminish those unsightly lumps. If weights and machines are not your thing, cardio is another option. Running on the treadmill, or heading to a spin class, may help minimize and prevent cellulite, but it is not as effective as the toning and sculpting exercises that hit those problematic areas. Toning your thighs for instance, helps smooth out and burn off the fat. However you choose to incorporate your physical activity into your daily routine, just be sure to keep on moving.
Skin Brushing/Massage
Stagnancy and lack of blood flow is a major cause of cellulite. Use a skin brush in the shower in an upwards motion to stimulate blood flow. This not only exfoliates dead skin, but smooths the skin and stimulates cells. Also use a hand-massager in problem areas to rid built-up toxins and increase blood flow.
Mesotheraphy
Though costly, Mesotherapy is one of the most effective ways of treating cellulite. Created by French physician Dr. Michel Pistor in 1952, Mesotherapy is a minimally invasive procedure that is widely used in Europe and elsewhere. It targets problem areas with microinjections of conventional or homeopathic medicines, vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Tiny "medicinal bullets" are delivered directly into the mesoderm (middle layer of skin) that are highly specific to the condition being treated. The cost depends on the severity of your cellulite. More info here.
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