We’ve all got it, but what are you going to do about it?
Cellulite is, sadly, just a part of life! No matter how fit and healthy you are, there’s a very real chance that you will have cellulite on the back of your arms, legs, and buttocks. Some of the fittest, slimmest people in the world have it, and they’ve got amazingly toned bodies!
The ugly truth about cellulite is that it has very little to do with your overall body fat, but is caused by fat stored beneath your skin. Your body is designed to have this layer of fat as a means of protecting you from the elements. If the fat content around these parts increase (as they tend to do, in the case of most women), it may protrude into the dermis. The larger the fat cells grow, the more they weaken the connective tissue in the dermis. Eventually, the connective tissue snaps, and the fat is able to “bulge” through in certain places. This gives your skin the dimpled appearance that we’ve all come to dread as cellulite.
The sad truth is that there’s no way for most of us to avoid it. Women are predisposed to store fat on their buttocks, thighs, and the backs of their arms. Even a small increase in body fat can cause cellulite to form. Many women develop cellulite during their pregnancy, and they have no way to get rid of it once it forms.
READ MORE: How to Fight Cellulite (and win)
Exercise is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of cellulite, as well as reduce the appearance of any existing cellulite. Exercise helps to manage stored body fat, preventing too many fat cells from accumulating beneath the dermis. If you can lose a few pounds and get your body fat down by a few percentage points, it can help to shift the fat cells away from the skin. This will give your skin a more even-looking appearance, essentially making your cellulite invisible.
A healthy diet is also your best friend. By eating whole grains, lean proteins, fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, legumes, and healthy fats, you will be able to get your body fat and weight under control. Together with your daily workout, you’ll start to shed those pounds. But it won’t just be water weight or lean muscle mass that you’ll lose; it will be body fat! The more you get rid of body fat through a healthy diet and workout, the less and less you will see the cellulite.
Here’s a bonus for you: quit smoking! Smoking is going to affect your health in many ways, but did you know that it makes you more prone to developing cellulite? Nicotine can weaken the collagen in your skin, making the connective tissue more likely to snap. The weaker the collagen, the harder it will be for your skin to stay strong against the bulging fat cells in your dermis. Regular smoking can lead to the formation of cellulite, and can make existing cellulite even more visible.
If you read about “new miracle treatments for cellulite”, be hesitant to swallow whatever marketing hype you find. Cellulite is not easy to get rid of, and there is no “quick cure” for the problem. The only way to get rid of cellulite naturally is to increase the production of collagen and elastin in your skin, and to reduce your body fat and tone your muscles. Anything “quick fix” is just a scam trying to take advantage of your eagerness to get rid of your cellulite.
